Diagnosis in vascular dementia, applying ‘Cochrane diagnosis rules’ to ‘dementia diagnostic tools’

In this issue of Clinical Science, Biesbroek and colleagues describe recent work on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based cerebral lesion location and its association with cognitive decline. The authors conclude that diagnostic neuroimaging in dementia should shift from whole-brain evaluation to focused quantitative analysis of strategic brain areas. This commentary uses the review of lesion location mapping to discuss broader issues around studies of dementia test strategies. We draw upon work completed by the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group designed to improve design, conduct and reporting of dementia biomarker studies

Cochrane dementia group turns 21—older and (slightly) wiser

This invited editorial describes the achievements of the last 21 years of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group (DR Quinn is the coordinating editor of the group)

Implicit discrimination of basic facial expressions of positive/negative emotion in Fragile X Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by impaired social functioning. We examined the spontaneous discrimination of happy and disgusted facial expressions, from neutral faces, in individuals with FXS (n  =  13, Mage  =  19.70) and ASD (n  =  15, Mage  =  11.00) matched on adaptive behavior and verbal abilities measured by the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale. Eye gaze to the eyes and mouth of neutral faces was also measured. Results suggest individuals with FXS and ASD distinguish facial expressions spontaneously in the same way. Individuals with FXS looked significantly less at the eye region of neutral faces than individuals with ASD. These results provide insight into similarities and differences in face processing in two neurodevelopmental disorders noted for their similarities in social behavior

When is Alzheimer’s not dementia—Cochrane commentary on The National Institute on Ageing and Alzheimer’s Association Research Framework for Alzheimer’s Disease

Early 2018 saw the release of new diagnostic guidance on Alzheimer’s disease from the National Institute on Ageing and the Alzheimer’s Association (NIA-AA). This proposed research framework represents a fundamental change in how we think about Alzheimer’s disease, moving from diagnosis based on clinical features to diagnosis based solely on biomarkers. These recommendations are contentious and have important implications for patients, clinicians, policy makers and the pharmaceutical industry. In this commentary, we offer a summary of the NIA-AA research framework. We then focus on five key areas: divorcing neuropathology from the clinical syndrome; the emphasis placed on one dementia subtype; validity of available biomarkers; the changing meaning of the term ‘Alzheimer’s disease’; and the potential for a research framework to influence clinical practice

Anticholinergic burden (prognostic factor) for prediction of dementia or cognitive decline in older adults with no known cognitive syndrome

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

You are what you ate: consuming the past to benefit the present

You Are What You Ate was a British public engagement project funded by the Wellcome Trust between 2010 and 2014. It was a collaboration between the University of Leeds, the University of Bradford and Wakefield Council, especially its museums, schools and libraries, which aimed to use medieval food as a way to encourage reflection about modern food and lifestyle. The innovative project ran three exhibitions in Wakefield and Pontefract, a mobile exhibition, numerous schools and youth workshops, and a series of market stalls and osteology workshops for adults and children in the Yorkshire region. This article provides an overview of the project’s aims, activities, outcomes, including an analysis of how to evaluate them, and its legacy

Anticholinergic burden for prediction of cognitive decline or neuropsychiatric symptoms in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia

Acknowledgements We would like to thank Dr Kate Wang, Dr Andrew Stafford, Ms Catherine Hofstetter, and Dr Joanna Damen for their helpful peer review comments on this protocol.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Anticholinergic burden (prognostic factor) for prediction of dementia or cognitive decline in older adults with no known cognitive syndrome (Review)

Funding Information: National Institute on Aging, NIH Grants, and the Branta Foundation Funding Information: We followed best practice in design, conduct, and reporting of our prognosis review as detailed in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (Higgins 2019). The review was supported by the Cochrane Prognostic Methods Group, partners within the Cochrane Mental Health and Neuroscience Network, and the UK National Institute for Health Research Complex Reviews Support Unit (NIHR CRSU). Funding Information: American Philosophical Society, the National Institute on Aging grants, and by the Illinois Department of Public Health to DAB Funding Information: This protocol was supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), via Cochrane Infrastructure funding to the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement group. The views and opinions expressed therein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Systematic Reviews Programme, NIHR, National Health Service or the Department of Health Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2021 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Peer reviewedPublisher PD