Facing a Catastrophic Illness: A Perspective from Contemporary Philosophy
Association Between Tinnitus and Suicidal Ideation in Postmenopausal Women: An Observational Study
Tinnitus has been linked to mental health concerns, including suicidal ideation. This study, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), investigates the association between tinnitus and suicidal ideation in postmenopausal women, aiming to identify tinnitus as a potential risk factor for suicidal thoughts in this population.
The COVID-19 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) Online Trainee Curriculum: Program Evaluation and Future Directions
The COVID-19 pandemic caused substantial disruptions in geriatric psychiatry education. In response, the AAGP created the "AAGP COVID-19 Online Trainee Curriculum" (Curriculum) a free online resource consisting of 33 recorded lectures. This study examined the uptake and impact of the Curriculum.
From Gatekeeper to Facilitator: Balancing Between Sexual Rights and Protection From Harm in Dementia Adults
The assessment of sexual consent capacity has been a challenge due to its dynamic nature, influenced by factors such as time, environment, individuals involved, and the nature of activities. Particularly in people living with dementia, the complexity is intensified with the interplay of the disease's impact, residential care setting, and legal constraints. This amplifies the dilemma faced by practitioners-whether to prioritize protection or encourage and support sexual expression. This article aims to provide a sensible approach to uphold the sexual autonomy of people living with dementia while mitigating the potential risks of them being involved as either perpetrators or victims.
The Cognitive Profile of Older Adults With Treatment-Resistant Depression: An Analysis of the OPTIMUM Randomized Controlled Trial
Major depressive disorder in older adults (late-life depression; LLD) is frequently associated with cognitive impairment, and some deficits (e.g., executive function) have been associated with a higher level of treatment resistance. However, the cognitive profile of treatment-resistant LLD (TR-LLD) has not been characterized. We hypothesized that patients with TR-LLD would show deficits in cognitive function, especially executive function, and that executive function deficits would predict poorer response to pharmacotherapy.
A Mixed Methods Effectiveness Study of a Peer Support Intervention for Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial
Low-income white older adults and those of color are at greater risk for depression but less likely to receive care. We evaluated the impact of a one-to-one peer support intervention compared to active control delivered by nonpeers for this population.
Where Do Plasma Biomarkers fit in With Current Alzheimer's Disease Detection?
We examine the clinical utility of plasma-based detection for Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and whether cognitive screening can inform when to use plasma-based AD tests.
Suicidal Behavior in Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment
Exploring Sexual Consent Capacity and Sexual Expression in Older Adults Living With Dementia
Accelerometer-Derived Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and the Risk of Depression and Anxiety in Middle-aged and Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study of 71,556 UK Biobank Participants
To investigate the associations between accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary behavior with depression and anxiety.
Answering the Call: Tackling the Epidemic of Poor Mental Health Among Older Adults
Health of the Pandemic Dementia Paid Staff and Unpaid Caregiver Workforce in Congregate Care and Community Settings
The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the pandemic on the health, well-being, and access to services of paid staff and unpaid caregivers of persons living with dementia.
Testing the Efficacy of a Culturally Adapted Family Dementia Caregiver Intervention (REACH VN): Results From a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial in Northern Vietnam
Vietnam faces an unprecedented increase in people living with dementia but lacks evidence-based family dementia caregiver interventions. We tested the efficacy of a culturally adapted family caregiver intervention (REACH VN) in Northern Vietnam.
Practical Assessment of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms: Updated Reliability, Validity, and Cutoffs for the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire
To improve assessment of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) by expanding the measurement properties of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q).
Reply to the Letter on "Life Fatigue: A Critical Analysis"
Beyond Traditional Statistical Methods: Considerations for Developing and Evaluating Machine Learning-Based Clinical Prediction Models
Efficacy And Safety of Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonist (DORA) For Sleep Disturbance in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease Dementia. A Review Article
The rising prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementia worldwide underscores the urgent need for effective interventions, particularly for managing neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) such as sleep disturbance. This review explores the emerging role of Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonists (DORA) in addressing sleep disturbance in patients with Alzheimer's disease dementia.
Association Between Accelerometer-Assessed Physical Activity and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Research suggests that physical activity (PA) improves cognitive function across various domains. However, the specific role of different PA measures, including step count, remains to be explored. Our aim was to assess the correlation between objectively measured PA and cognitive function.
Social Cognition and Aging: The Importance of Performance Based Assessment Strategies to Detect Impairment Across Aging Related Conditions and Functional Domains
Temporal Associations Between Specific Depressive Symptoms and Physical Inactivity in Middle Aged and Older Adults
Being physically inactive can worsen mental health. Physical inactivity and depression are associated, but the temporal precedence and underlying mechanism are unclear; symptoms affecting future physical activity may not be the same symptoms as those associated with and affected by it. We used large European cohort (Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe, SHARE, N = 124, 526) to study temporal associations between physical inactivity and individual depressive symptoms. Multivariate regression with robust standard errors were used to analyze how physical inactivity is associated with later depression and how depressive symptoms predict later physical inactivity. After adjusting the models for demographics, other health behaviors, BMI, and chronic diseases, physical inactivity was prospectively associated with 10 of the 12 depressive symptoms and 7 of the 12 baseline depressive symptoms were prospectively associated with physical inactivity. These findings were robust for adjusting for antidepressant medication. Age-stratified analyses suggested that the associations between physical inactivity and depressive symptoms were independent of age. Omitting the most influential symptom, lack of enjoyment, from the sum score attenuated the association by 13% in the longitudinal and by 26% in the cross-sectional analyses. These findings suggest that physical inactivity and depression are bidirectionally associated even at symptom-level.
Reply to Letter to the Editor: "Psychedelics in Older Adults: Difficulties of a Clear Therapeutic Evidence"
Initiation and Persistence of Antipsychotic Medications at Hospital Discharge Among Community-Dwelling Veterans With Dementia
Adults with dementia are frequently prescribed antipsychotic medications despite concerns that risks outweigh benefits. Understanding conditions where antipsychotics are initially prescribed, such as hospitalization, may offer insights into reducing inappropriate use.
Trends in Hyperpolypharmacy Before and After Nursing Home Admission Among Older Adults in Ontario, Canada
To examine trends in the prevalence of hyperpolypharmacy prior to and following nursing home admission in Ontario, Canada.
A Systematic Review of Antidepressants and Psychotherapy Commonly Used in the Treatment of Late Life Depression for Their Effects on Cognition
Cognitive dysfunction is common in late life depression (LLD) and is a major risk factor for dementia. Recent studies show limited improvement in cognition with commonly employed treatments for LLD, contradicting the notion that cognition "returns to normal" with treatment. However, findings differ with the treatments used. The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review of studies of antidepressants and psychotherapies commonly employed in LLD to determine their effects on cognition, particularly processing speed, memory, and executive function. We searched for trials of acute phase treatment, in nondemented individuals 60 years and older with unipolar nonpsychotic Major Depressive Disorder, that assessed cognitive performance with neuropsychological tests before and after treatment. We compared the magnitude of change in cognition by examining within group effect sizes. Six antidepressant trials and two psychotherapy trials (both using Problem Solving Therapy)(PST) provided relatively comparable data that allowed for quantitative comparison. Nine other antidepressant trials provided descriptive findings. Sertraline and vortioxetine had significant positive effects on processing speed and memory. Duloxetine had significant effects on memory. The most selective SRIs-citalopram and escitalopram-had minimal effects on cognition and citalopram had adverse effects in depression nonresponders. PST had modest effects on processing speed and no effect on memory. Effects of practice and improvement in depression on cognition are examined. In all but one study, cognition was a secondary outcome and various quality indicators (e.g. blinding cognitive assessment to treatment) were often not reported. As a consequence, these findings must be considered preliminary.
Testamentary Capacity: The Glass Testamentary Capacity Measure (G-TCM)
A Case of Gerotranscendence: Lived Experience of a Neurodegenerative Disorder and a Spiritual Awakening to Nondual Awareness