Hernandez-Diaz S, Huybrechts KF, Desai RJ, et al. Topiramate use early in pregnancy and the risk of oral clefts: A pregnancy cohort study. Neurology. 2017 Dec 27 [Epub ahead of print].
Genetic Factors That Contribute to Alzheimer’s Disease Identified
Researchers have identified several new genes responsible for Alzheimer’s disease, including genes leading to functional and structural changes in the brain and elevated levels of Alzheimer’s disease proteins in CSF, according to a study published online ahead of print December 20, 2017, in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. Researchers tested the association between Alzheimer’s disease-related brain MRI measures, logical memory test scores, and CSF levels of amyloid beta and tau with millions of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 1,189 participants in the Alzheimer Disease Neuroimaging Initiative study. Among people with normal cognitive functioning, SRRM4 was associated with total tau, and MTUS1 was associated with hippocampal volume. In participants with mild cognitive impairment, SNPs near ZNF804B were associated with logical memory test of delayed recall scores.
Chung J, Wang X, Maruyama T, et al. Genome-wide association study of Alzheimer’s disease endophenotypes at prediagnosis stages. Alzheimers Dement. 2017 Dec 20 [Epub ahead of print].
Fish Consumption May Improve Intelligence and Sleep
Children who eat fish at least once per week sleep better and have higher IQ scores than children who consume fish less frequently or not at all, according to a study published December 21, 2017, in Scientific Reports. The study included a cohort of 541 children (54% boys) between ages 9 and 11. The children took an IQ test and completed a questionnaire about fish consumption in the previous month. Options ranged from “never” to “at least once per week.” Their parents also answered the standardized Children Sleep Habits Questionnaire. Children who reported eating fish weekly scored 4.8 points higher on the IQ exams than those who said they “seldom” or “never” consumed fish. In addition, increased fish consumption was associated with fewer sleep disturbances.
Liu J, Cui Y, Li L, et al. The mediating role of sleep in the fish consumption - cognitive functioning relationship: a cohort study. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):17961.
Rating Scales Predict Discharge Destination in Stroke
Outcome measure scores strongly predict discharge destination among patients with stroke and provide an objective means of early discharge planning, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy. A systematic review indicated that for every one-point increase on the Functional Independence Measure, a patient was approximately 1.08 times more likely to be discharged home than to institutionalized care. Patients with stroke who performed above average were 12 times more likely to be discharged home. Patients who performed poorly were 3.4 times more likely to be discharged to institutionalized care than home, and skilled nursing facility admission was more likely than admission to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Patients with average performance were 1.9 times more likely to be discharged to institutionalized care.
Thorpe ER, Garrett KB, Smith AM, et al. Outcome measure scores predict discharge destination in patients with acute and subacute stroke: a systematic review and series of meta-analyses. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2018;42(1):2-11.
Do Green Leafy Vegetables Slow Brain Aging?
Eating about one serving per day of green, leafy vegetables may be linked to a slower rate of brain aging, according to a study published online ahead of print December 20, 2017, in Neurology. Researchers followed 960 cognitively normal people with an average age of 81 for an average of 4.7 years. In a linear mixed model adjusted for age, sex, education, cognitive activities, physical activities, smoking, and seafood and alcohol consumption, consumption of green, leafy vegetables was associated with slower cognitive decline. Participants in the highest quintile of vegetable intake were the equivalent of 11 years younger, compared with people who never ate vegetables. Higher intake of phylloquinone, lutein, nitrate, folate, kaempferol, and alpha-tocopherol were associated with slower cognitive decline.
Morris MC, Wang Y, Barnes LL, et al. Nutrients and bioactives in green leafy vegetables and cognitive decline: prospective study. Neurology. 2017 Dec 20 [Epub ahead of print].
Data Clarify the Genetic Profile of Dementia With Lewy Bodies
Research has increased understanding of the unique genetic profile of dementia with Lewy bodies. In a study published January 17 in Lancet Neurology, researchers genotyped 1,743 patients with dementia with Lewy bodies and 4,454 controls. APOE and GBA had the same associations with dementia with Lewy bodies as they do with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, respectively. SNCA, which is associated with Parkinson’s disease, also was associated with dementia with Lewy bodies, but through a different part of the gene. Evidence suggested that CNTN1 is associated with dementia with Lewy bodies, but the result was not statistically significant. The authors estimated that the heritable component of the disorder is approximately 36%. Common genetic variability has a role in the disease, said the authors.