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Introduction Characterization of the quality of life (QOL) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) scale within the context of a clinical trial may inform its applicability in future trials. Methods Using data from 1322 patients enrolled in two phase-III studies (EXPEDITION 1 [ NCT00905372 ] and 2 [ NCT00904683 ]) of intravenous solanezumab in outpatients with mild AD dementia, correlations between patient- and caregiver-assessed QOL and between QOL and clinical outcome measures were examined. Longitudinal effects of solanezumab over 80 weeks were explored, controlling for patient and caregiver baseline characteristics. Results Caregivers rated patients' QOL worse than did patients themselves. Patients' QOL was correlated, albeit modestly, with clinical/health measures. Patients' QOL changed minimally over 80 weeks, although a treatment effect of solanezumab on QOL was detected. Discussion Further investigations are needed to determine the optimal measures with which to quantify and qualify QOL of patients with mild AD.

Introduction Mild-Alzheimer's disease (AD) subjects without significant Aβ pathology represent a confounding finding for clinical trials because they may not progress clinically on the expected trajectory, adding variance into analyses where slowing of progression is being measured. Methods A prediction model based on structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in combination with baseline demographics and clinical measurements was used to impute Aβ status of a placebo-treated mild-AD sub-cohort (N = 385) of patients participating in global phase 3 trials. The clinical trajectories of this cohort were evaluated over 18 months duration of the trial, stratified by imputed Aβ status within a mixed-model repeated measures statistical framework. Results In the imputed Aβ-positive cohort, both cognitive (ADAS-Cog 14 and MMSE) and functional (ADCS-iADL) measures declined more rapidly than in the undifferentiated population. Discussion Our results demonstrate imputing Aβ status from MRI scans in mild-AD subjects may be a useful screening tool in global clinical trials if amyloid measurement is not available.

The ultra-clean and defect-free transfer of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene is essential for its application in electronic devices. Here, we study the influence of commonly used etching solvents during the transfer process, i.e. ammonium persulfate, ferric chloride, and ferric nitrate, on the properties of CVD graphene by Raman spectroscopy. Obvious blue shift and broadening of Raman G and 2D peaks were observed for graphene transferred by ferric chloride and ferric nitrate, as compared to that transferred by ammonium persulfate. These changes are attributed to p-doping as well as reduction of phonon lifetime of graphene in the presence of residue iron compounds during the transfer process. The latter would also introduce a great reduction of thermal conductivity of graphene, e.g. with 76% reduction for graphene transferred by ferric nitrate as compared to that transferred by ammonium persulfate. This work would provide valuable information for the transfer of high-quality CVD graphene. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Background Endogenous opioid-mediated reward pathways may play a role in the development and maintenance of alcohol dependence. This study tested whether LY2196044, an opioid receptor antagonist, in combination with medical management would reduce drinking in alcohol-dependent patients. Methods This was a multicenter, outpatient, randomized, double-blind, parallel, and placebo-controlled trial with a 16-week treatment period. Patients (N = 375) were alcohol-dependent, treatment-seeking adults. Patients were randomly assigned to once-daily LY2196044 (final doses of 125 or 250 mg/d) or placebo. DNA samples were collected at baseline. At each visit, patients underwent safety assessments, laboratory testing, efficacy measures, and medical management. Blood samples were also obtained for pharmacokinetic testing. The primary measure was the change from baseline in the percent heavy drinking days (HDD). Secondary efficacy measures were percent days abstinent per month and number of drinks per day. Results The treatment difference in change from baseline in % HDD between LY2196044 and placebo was not statistically significant (−43.02 vs. −38.72%, respectively; p = 0.12). There was a trend toward greater change from baseline in the percent days abstinent per month for the LY2196044 group compared with the placebo group (33.49 vs. 28.12%, respectively; p = 0.051). The decrease from baseline for mean number of drinks per day was statistically significantly greater in the LY2196044 group compared with the placebo group (−5.37 vs. −4.66 drinks per day, respectively; p = 0.013). LY2196044-treated patients who were dopamine receptor type 4–variable number tandem repeat L carriers had greater reductions in % HDD (p = 0.0565), increased percent days abstinent (p = 0.0496), and reduced drinks per day (p = 0.0069) than placebo-treated L carriers. The safety profile for LY2196044 appeared similar to that of other opioid antagonists. Conclusions The results from this proof-of-concept clinical trial warrant further evaluation of LY2196044 for the treatment of alcohol dependence.