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Advances in Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Aging".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2023) | Viewed by 6946

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Dr. Dorota Szcześniak

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Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
Interests: dementia; cognitive impairments; risk and protective risk factors; stigma

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Many researchers have focused their efforts on dementia and cognitive impairment over the past few decades, especially as the proportion of older people in the population is increasing in nearly every low- and middle-income country (WHO, 2021). Plenty of research has been carried out to learn more about the phenomenon of dementia, identify further modifiable risk and protective factors, and describe the mechanisms influencing the development of the dementia process and symptom management. However, to understand the advances in dementia and cognitive impairment, further research is needed. Interdisciplinary approaches combining biomedical knowledge and dementia treatment with the humanistic approach such as the introduction of the social health aspects seem extremely valuable, particularly in the context of recognizing the consequences of dementia, which influences not only the people living with it, but also the whole family system and social environment.

Thus, both original research articles and review papers addressing these topics are invited in this Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, especially those combining a high academic standard with a practical focus on advances of cognitive impairments and dementia.

Dr. Dorota Szcześniak
Guest Editor

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Keywords

dementia
cognitive impairments
risk and protective risk factors
stigma
social health
cognitive reserve
brain reserve
treatment psychosocial intervention

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 2508 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Increased Expression of Autophagy-Related Genes in Alzheimer’s Disease—Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Comorbidity Models in Cells

by Clara Vianello, Marco Salluzzo, Daniela Anni, Diana Boriero, Mario Buffelli and Lucia Carboni

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4540; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054540 - 3 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1725

Abstract

The association between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been extensively demonstrated, but despite this, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying it are still unknown. In previous work, we discovered a central role for the autophagy pathway in the common alterations observed between AD and T2DM. In this study, we further investigate the role of genes belonging to this pathway, measuring their mRNA expression and protein levels in 3xTg-AD transgenic mice, an animal model of AD. Moreover, primary mouse cortical neurons derived from this model and the human H4Swe cell line were used as cellular models of insulin resistance in AD brains. Hippocampal mRNA expression showed significantly different levels for Atg16L1, Atg16L2, GabarapL1, GabarapL2, and Sqstm1 genes at different ages of 3xTg-AD mice. Significantly elevated expression of Atg16L1, Atg16L2, and GabarapL1 was also observed in H4Swe cell cultures, in the presence of insulin resistance. Gene expression analysis confirmed that Atg16L1 was significantly increased in cultures from transgenic mice when insulin resistance was induced. Taken together, these results emphasise the association of the autophagy pathway in AD-T2DM co-morbidity, providing new evidence about the pathophysiology of both diseases and their mutual interaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cognitive Impairment and Dementia)

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12 pages, 312 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dementia Care Competency Model for Higher Education: A Pilot Study

by Jayne Josephsen, Kirk Ketelsen, Melody Weaver and Hanna Scheuffele

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3173; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043173 - 11 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1558

Abstract

A statewide landscape analysis was initiated to identify workforce development and educational needs concerning the support of persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). Educational programs preparing healthcare professionals were targeted since people with ADRD, and their families/caregivers, often have frequent, ongoing contact with healthcare providers. A literature review and thematic analysis discovered a dearth of research and a lack of consistent competency identification for healthcare education. A crosswalk comparison of various competency models led to the development of a five factor model. A survey based on this model was sent to educators statewide evaluating confidence in ADRD-specific competency attainment in graduates. Descriptive statistics and factor analysis led to a revision of the original five factor model to a three factor model, including competencies in Global Dementia knowledge, Communication, and Safety, each with various sub-competencies. Identifying ADRD-specific competencies for graduating healthcare students is essential. This three factor competency framework will support educational programs in examining curricular offerings and increasing awareness concerning the needs of the ADRD population. Furthermore, using a robust competency model for healthcare education can assist in preparing graduates to address the needs of those with ADRD as well as the needs of the family/caregiving system and environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cognitive Impairment and Dementia)

15 pages, 842 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cognitive Function Trajectories and Factors among Chinese Older Adults with Subjective Memory Decline: CHARLS Longitudinal Study Results (2011–2018)

by Chifen Ma, Mengyuan Li and Chao Wu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16707; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416707 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3156

Abstract

Older adults with subjective cognitive decline are at increased risk of future pathological cognitive decline and dementia. Subjective memory decline is an early sign of cognitive decline; preventing or slowing cognitive decline in at-risk populations remains an elusive issue. This study aimed to examine the cognitive trajectories and factors in older adults with subjective memory decline. Latent growth curve models (LGCMs) were fitted to examine the cognitive function trajectories and factors among 1465 older adults (aged 60+ years) with subjective memory decline. Data were obtained from four waves from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011–2018), which is a large nationally representative sample of the Chinese population. The results showed that older adults with better initial cognition had a slower decline rate, which may be accelerated by advanced age, low-level education, a rapid decrease in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) ability, and rapid increase in depression levels. This study was the first to examine the trajectories of cognitive function and its factors in a high-risk population with subjective memory decline. These findings may guide prevention approaches to tackle the issues of cognitive function decline and dementia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cognitive Impairment and Dementia)

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