Neurobiology of aging
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Neurobiology of aging · Jul 2013
ReviewA preclinical cognitive test battery to parallel the National Institute of Health Toolbox in humans: bridging the translational gap.
A major goal of animal research is to identify interventions that can promote successful aging and delay or reverse age-related cognitive decline in humans. Recent advances in standardizing cognitive assessment tools for humans have the potential to bring preclinical work closer to human research in aging and Alzheimer's disease. ⋯ We conclude that there are several paradigms available to define a preclinical battery that parallels the NIH Toolbox. We also suggest areas in which new tests may benefit the development of a comprehensive preclinical test battery for assessment of cognitive function in animal models of aging and Alzheimer's disease.
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Neurobiology of aging · Dec 2011
ReviewFluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography: emerging roles in the evaluation of putative Alzheimer's disease-modifying treatments.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with characteristic and progressive reductions in flourodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) measurements of the regional cerebral metabolic rate for glucose. These reductions begin years before the onset of symptoms, are correlated with clinical severity, and may help predict an affected patient's clinical course and neuropathological diagnosis. ⋯ This article considers FDG PET's role in the detection and tracking of AD, its emerging roles in the evaluation of disease-slowing treatments, some of the issues involved in the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of FDG PET data, and the evidence needed to help qualify FDG PET and other biomarkers for use in the accelerated approval of AD-slowing treatments. It recommends scientific strategies and public policies to further establish the role of FDG PET and other AD biomarkers in therapeutic trials and find demonstrably effective disease-modifying and presymptomatic AD treatments as quickly as possible.
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Methylene blue (MB), the first synthetic drug, has a 120-year-long history of diverse applications, both in medical treatments and as a staining reagent. In recent years there was a surge of interest in MB as an antimalarial agent and as a potential treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), possibly through its inhibition of the aggregation of tau protein. Here we review the history and medical applications of MB, with emphasis on recent developments.
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Neurobiology of aging · Mar 2009
Review Meta AnalysisBlood-brain barrier: ageing and microvascular disease--systematic review and meta-analysis.
Cerebral "microvascular" disease occurs in lacunar stroke, leukoaraiosis, vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It may arise from or contribute to insidious damage to the blood-brain barrier (BBB). We systematically reviewed the literature for evidence that BBB permeability is altered in patients with manifestations of cerebral microvascular disease. ⋯ D. 0.60, 99% CI 0.30, 0.89, p<0.01). BBB permeability increases with normal ageing and may be an important mechanism in the initiation or worsening of cerebral microvascular disease. Further studies on the role of BBB permeability are urgently needed.
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Neurobiology of aging · Mar 2009
Review Meta AnalysisBlood-brain barrier: ageing and microvascular disease--systematic review and meta-analysis.
Cerebral "microvascular" disease occurs in lacunar stroke, leukoaraiosis, vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It may arise from or contribute to insidious damage to the blood-brain barrier (BBB). We systematically reviewed the literature for evidence that BBB permeability is altered in patients with manifestations of cerebral microvascular disease. ⋯ D. 0.60, 99% CI 0.30, 0.89, p<0.01). BBB permeability increases with normal ageing and may be an important mechanism in the initiation or worsening of cerebral microvascular disease. Further studies on the role of BBB permeability are urgently needed.