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Objective: The present study aims to provide norms and age-, education-, and sex-adjusted data for the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the Modified Taylor Complex Figure (MTCF), and the Ruff-Light Trail Learning Test (RULIT) as part of the NEURONORMA-Plus project. Methods: We recruited 308 cognitively healthy individuals aged between 18 and 92 years. Tables are provided to convert raw scores to age-adjusted scaled scores, as well as adjustments for education and sex after applying independent regression models in 2 age groups (< 50 and ≥ 50 years). Results: Older age had a negative effect on performance in both age groups. We observed a positive effect of education on WCST performance in the younger group (< 50 years), and on all MTCF measures (with the exception of the recognition task) in the older group (≥ 50 years). Education had no impact on performance in the RULIT, although sex did, with a small but significant effect whereby young men showed higher performance for one variable. Conclusion: The normative data provided can contribute to the clinical interpretation of performance in these tests in the Spanish population. Resumen: Objetivo: el presente estudio tiene como objetivo proporcionar normas y ajustes para edad, educación y el género para el Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), la Figura Compleja Modificada de Taylor (FCMT) y el Ruff-Light Trail Learning Test (RULIT) como parte del proyecto NEURONORMA-Plus. Método: la muestra consiste en 308 individuos cognitivamente sanos de entre 18 y 92 años. Se proporcionan tablas para convertir las puntuaciones brutas en puntuaciones escalares ajustadas por edad y ajustes por educación y género tras aplicar modelos de regresión independientes en dos grupos de edad (

Resumen: Objetivo: El presente estudio tiene como objetivo proporcionar normas y ajustes para edad, educación y género para el Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), la Figura Compleja Modificada de Taylor (FCMT) y el Ruff-Light Trail Learning Test (RULIT) como parte del proyecto NEURONORMA-Plus. Método: La muestra consiste en 308 individuos cognitivamente sanos de entre 18 y 92 años. Se proporcionan tablas para convertir las puntuaciones brutas en puntuaciones escalares ajustadas por edad y ajustes por educación y género tras aplicar modelos de regresión independientes en 2 grupos de edad (

Introduction: Complex attention and non-verbal fluency tasks are used in neuropsychological assessments with the aim of exploring subdomains of executive function. The purpose of this study is to provide norms and age-, education-, and sex-adjusted data for the Delis Kaplan-Design Fluency Test (DK-DFT), Color Trails Test (CTT), and Dual Task (DT) as part of the NEURONORMA-Plus project. Methods: The sample included 308 cognitively unimpaired individuals aged between 18 and 92 years. Raw scores were converted to age-adjusted scaled scores. These were further converted into education- and sex-adjusted scaled scores by applying linear regression, with 2 age groups (< 50 and ≥ 50 years). Results: Overall, age had a negative impact on DK-DFT and CTT performance. We observed a positive effect of education on DK-DFT scores only in the older group (≥ 50 years). Moreover, younger men performed slightly better in the basic condition of this test. Education was positively associated with all CTT scores in both age groups, with the exception of the CTT-1 subtest in the younger group. Age and education did not influence DT performance, whereas sex did, with young women performing slightly better. Conclusions: These normative data may be useful in the interpretation of neuropsychological assessments in the Spanish population. Resumen: Objetivo: Las tareas de atención compleja y fluencia no verbal se utilizan en las valoraciones neuropsicológicas con el objetivo explorar subdominios de las funciones ejecutivas. El objetivo de este estudio es proporcionar datos normativos ajustados por edad, escolaridad y género de las pruebas Delis Kaplan-Design Fluency Test (DK-DFT), Color Trails Tests (CTT) y Dual Task (DT) como parte del Proyecto NEURONORMA-Plus. Método: Se incluyeron 308 individuos sin deterioro cognitivo de entre 18 y 92 años de edad. Se convirtieron las puntuaciones brutas en puntuaciones escalares ajustadas por edad y se realizaron ajustes por escolaridad y género aplicando regresiones lineales estratificando en dos grupos de edad (

Resumen: Introducción: Las tareas de atención compleja y fluencia no verbal se utilizan en las valoraciones neuropsicológicas con el objetivo de explorar subdominios de las funciones ejecutivas. El objetivo de este estudio es proporcionar datos normativos ajustados por edad, escolaridad y género de las pruebas Delis Kaplan-Design Fluency Test (DK-DFT), Color Trails Tests (CTT) y Dual Task (DT) como parte del Proyecto NEURONORMA-Plus. Método: Se incluyeron 308 individuos sin deterioro cognitivo de entre 18 y 92 años de edad. Se convirtieron las puntuaciones brutas en puntuaciones escalares ajustadas por edad y se realizaron ajustes por escolaridad y género aplicando regresiones lineales estratificando en dos grupos de edad (< 50 y ≥ 50 años). Resultados: Globalmente la edad tuvo un impacto negativo en el DK-DFT y el CTT. La escolaridad mostró un efecto positivo en las puntuaciones del DK-DFT sólo en el grupo de mayor edad (≥ 50 años) y se halló un rendimiento discretamente superior en los hombres más jóvenes en la condición básica de esta prueba. La escolaridad se asoció positivamente con todas las puntuaciones de CTT en ambos grupos de edad, excepto en la subprueba CTT-1 en el grupo de adultos jóvenes. La edad y la escolaridad no mostraron influencia sobre el rendimiento en el DT, a diferencia del género, ya que las mujeres jóvenes tuvieron un rendimiento ligeramente superior. Conclusión: Estos datos normativos pueden resultar útiles para la interpretación de las evaluaciones neuropsicológicas en población española. Abstract: Introduction: Complex attention and non-verbal fluency tasks are used in neuropsychological assessments with the aim of exploring subdomains of executive function. The purpose of this study is to provide norms and age-, education-, and sex-adjusted data for the Delis Kaplan-Design Fluency Test (DK-DFT), Color Trails Test (CTT), and Dual Task (DT) as part of the NEURONORMA-Plus project. Methods: The sample included 308 cognitively healthy individuals aged between 18 and 92 years. Raw scores were converted to age-adjusted scaled scores. These were further converted into education- and sex-adjusted scaled scores by applying linear regression, with 2 age groups (

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is reduced in cognitively impaired (CI) Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. We checked the sensitivity of time‐encoded arterial spin labeling (te‐ASL) in measuring CBF alterations in individuals with positive AD biomarkers and associations with relevant biomarkers in cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals. METHODS: We compared te‐ASL with single‐postlabel delay (PLD) ASL in measuring CBF in 59 adults across the AD continuum, classified as CU amyloid beta (Aβ) negative (−), CU Aβ positive (+), and CI Aβ+. We sought associations of CBF with biomarkers of AD, cerebrovascular disease, synaptic dysfunction, neurodegeneration, and cognition in CU participants. RESULTS: te‐ASL was more sensitive at detecting CBF reduction in the CU Aβ+ and CI Aβ+ groups. In CU participants, lower CBF was associated with altered biomarkers of Aβ, tau, synaptic dysfunction, and neurodegeneration. DISCUSSION: CBF reduction occurs early in the AD continuum. te‐ASL is more sensitive than single‐PLD ASL at detecting CBF changes in AD. Highlights: Lower CBF can be detected in CU subjects in the early AD continuum.te‐ASL is more sensitive than single‐PLD ASL at detecting CBF alterations in AD.CBF is linked to biomarkers of AD, synaptic dysfunction, and neurodegeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the relationship between blood‐brain‐barrier permeability (BBBp), measured by cerebrospinal fluid/serum albumin ratio (QAlb), and cognitive decline progression in a clinical cohort. METHODS: This prospective observational study included 334 participants from the BIODEGMAR cohort. Cognitive decline progression was defined as an increase in Global Deterioration Scale and/or Clinical Dementia Rating scores. Associations between BBBp, demographics, and clinical factors were explored. RESULTS: Male sex, diabetes mellitus, and cerebrovascular burden were associated with increased log‐QAlb. Vascular cognitive impairment patients had the highest log‐QAlb levels. Among the 273 participants with valid follow‐up data, 154 (56.4%) showed cognitive decline progression. An 8% increase in the hazard of clinical worsening was observed for each 10% increase in log‐QAlb. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that increased BBBp in individuals with cognitive decline may contribute to clinical worsening, pointing to potential targeted therapies. QAlb could be a useful biomarker for identifying patients with a worse prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in blood-based biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) show great promise for clinical applications, offering a less invasive alternative to current cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) measures. However, the relationships between these biomarkers and specific cognitive functions, as well as their utility in predicting longitudinal cognitive decline, are not yet fully understood. This descriptive review surveys the literature from 2018 to 2023, focusing on the associations of amyloid-β (Aβ), Total Tau (t-Tau), Phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau), Neurofilament Light (NfL), and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) with cognitive measures. The reviewed studies are heterogeneous, varying in design and population (cognitively unimpaired, cognitively impaired, or mixed populations), and show results that are sometimes conflicting. Generally, cognition positively correlates with Aβ levels, especially when evaluated through the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio. In contrast, t-Tau, p-Tau, Nfl, and GFAP levels typically show a negative correlation with cognitive performance. While p-Tau measures generally exhibit stronger associations with cognitive functions compared to other biomarkers, no single blood marker has emerged as being predominantly linked to a specific cognitive domain. These findings contribute to our understanding of the complex relationship between blood biomarkers and cognitive performance and underscore their potential utility in clinical assessments of cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: State of emergency caused by COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown hit Spain on 14th March 2020 and lasted until 21st June 2020. Social isolation measures were applied. Medical attention was focused on COVID-19. Primary and social care were mainly performed by telephone. This exceptional situation may affect especially vulnerable patients such as people living with dementia. Our aim was to describe the influence of restrictive measures on patients living with mild cognitive decline and dementia evaluating SARS-CoV2 infection, changes in routines, cognitive decline stage, neuropsychiatric symptoms, delirium, falls, caregiver stress, and access to sanitary care.Materials and Methods: We gathered MCI and dementia patients with clinical follow-up before and after confinement from DegMar registry (Hospital del Mar). A telephone ad-hoc questionnaire was administered. Global status was assessed using CDR scale. Changes in neuropsychiatric symptoms were assessed by Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and retrospective interview for pre-confinement base characteristics.Results: We contacted a total of 60 patients, age 75.4 years ± 5,192. 53.3% were women. Alzheimer's Disease (41.7%) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (25%) were the most prevalent diagnosis. Remaining cases included different dementia disorders. A total of 10% of patients had been diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2. During confinement 70% of patients abandoned previous daily activities, 60% had cognitive worsening reported by relatives/caretakers, 15% presented delirium episodes, and 13% suffered increased incidence of falls. Caregivers reported an increased burden in 41% cases and burnout in 11% cases. 16% reported difficulties accessing medical care, 33% received medical phone assistance, 20% needed emergency care and 21% had changes in psychopharmacological therapies. Neuropsychiatric profile globally worsened (p < 0.000), also in particular items like agitation (p = 0.003), depression (p < 0.000), anxiety (p < 0.000) and changes in appetite (p = 0.004).Conclusion: SARS-CoV2-related lockdown resulted in an important effect over social and cognitive spheres and worsening of neuropsychiatric traits in patients living with mild cognitive decline and dementia. Although the uncertainty regarding the evolution of the pandemic makes strategy difficult, we need to reach patients and caregivers and develop adequate strategies to reinforce and adapt social and health care.

Background: Interventions based on the modification of several lifestyle factors have provided promising results to maintain cognitive function in late/middle‐aged individuals at higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Framed under the WW‐FINGERS network, the PENSA clinical trial is focused on the prevention of cognitive decline in individuals with subjective cognitive decline who are also APOEε4 carriers. It consists of a 12‐month multimodal lifestyle intervention supplemented with EGCG, a natural flavonoid from green tea. In this study, we looked for the brain structure correlates of cognitive performance for PENSA participants at baseline. Methods: One hundred thirty‐one (N = 131) participants of the PENSA study at baseline [Table 1] with valid T1w, T2w and FLAIR MRI scans were included. They underwent a neuropsychological assessment battery consisting of the modified Alzheimer Disease Cooperative Study ‐ Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (ADCS‐PACC‐Plus‐exe) that includes MMSE, Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT), Delayed Recall Logical Memory (DRLM), Five Digits Test, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, and Stroop. Additional cognitive measurements were obtained from semantic verbal fluency (SVF), Boston Naming Test, digit span subtest, visual puzzle subtest (VPT) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. FLAIR images were used to segment white matter hyperintensities and perform a lesion filling procedure in T1w and T2w images. These two later modalities were then entered into a multimodal segmentation in the SPM12 voxel‐based morphometry pipeline. Associations between test scores and grey matter volumes (GMv) were sought (p<0.001) including age, sex, education, and total intracranial volume as confounders. Results: A positive association was found (p uncorr <0.001; k>200) between GMv and ADCS‐PACC‐Plus‐exe composite [Figure 1] in the bilateral hippocampus, amygdala, entorhinal and parahippocampal gyri. Additionally, positive correlations (p uncorr <0.001; k>200) were found between GMv and FCSRT, DRLM, VPT and SVF tests albeit in less consistent regional patterns. No associations were found between GMv and the remaining tests. Conclusion: In a sample at high risk of developing AD, the ADCS‐PACC‐Plus‐exe composite is associated with GMv in brain areas known to be affected in AD. These results suggest that the ADCS‐PACC‐Plus‐exe composite might be sensitive to detect subtle cognitive changes in cognitively unimpaired at‐risk individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Direct comparisons of the main blood phosphorylated tau immunoassays in memory clinic populations are needed to understand possible differences. Methods: In the BIODEGMAR study, 197 participants presenting with cognitive complaints were classified into an Alzheimer's disease (AD) or a non‐AD cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profile group, according to their amyloid beta 42/ phosphorylated tau (Aβ42/p‐tau) ratio. We performed a head‐to‐head comparison of nine plasma and nine CSF tau immunoassays and determined their accuracy to discriminate abnormal CSF Aβ42/p‐tau ratio. Results: All studied plasma tau biomarkers were significantly higher in the AD CSF profile group compared to the non‐AD CSF profile group and significantly discriminated abnormal CSF Aβ42/p‐tau ratio. For plasma p‐tau biomarkers, the higher discrimination accuracy was shown by Janssen p‐tau217 (r = 0.76; area under the curve [AUC] = 0.96), ADx p‐tau181 (r = 0.73; AUC = 0.94), and Lilly p‐tau217 (r = 0.73; AUC = 0.94). Discussion: Several plasma p‐tau biomarkers can be used in a specialized memory clinic as a stand‐alone biomarker to detect biologically‐defined AD. Highlights: Patients with an Alzheimer's disease cerebrospinal fluid (AD CSF) profile have higher plasma phosphorylated tau (p‐tau) levels than the non‐AD CSF profile group.All plasma p‐tau biomarkers significantly discriminate patients with an AD CSF profile from the non‐AD CSF profile group.Janssen p‐tau217, ADx p‐tau181, and Lilly p‐tau217 in plasma show the highest accuracy to detect biologically defined AD.Janssen p‐tau217, ADx p‐tau181, Lilly p‐tau217, Lilly p‐tau181, and UGot p‐tau231 in plasma show performances that are comparable to their CSF counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]