Investigation of PSEN1, 2 hot spots in Iranian early-onset Alzheimer's disease patients

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease with both genetic and non genetic causes. Familial Alzheimer's disease can be caused by mutations in the amyloid precursor protein, presenilin 1 and presenilin 2. Early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease [autosomal dominantly inherited] accounts for a small fraction [2-3%] of Alzheimer's disease cases. The aim of this study was investigation of exons 5, 7 in PSEN1 and exons 5, 6 in PSEN2 genes in Iranian patients with early onset Alzheimer disease. These exons were hot spots in different country. In this experimental study 24 patients with early onset Alzheimer disease and 48 healthy subjects as control group were included in this study. After DNAs extraction from whole blood, PCR-sequencing was used to amplify and analyze 4 exons. Two known mutations [Glu 120 Lys in exon 3 of two patients and Arg 62 His in exon 5 of one patient] were found. According to the above findings, these exons were not hot spot in Iran

Evaluation of psychometric aspects of cleveland scale of activity daily living in the diagnosis of dementia in Iran

The purpose of this study was to design a valid questionnaire to the Iranian culture for dementia diagnosis and more specifically in its early stage. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012 in Memory Clinic of Roozbeh Hospital and Iranian Alzheimer Association in Tehran in 2012. Among 235 subjects, there were 72 patients with Alzheimer's disease [AD], 137 patients with other types of dementia, and 26 subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment [MCI], which 107 of them were male. Moreover, 42 healthy subjects were selected as control group. We considered psychometric properties of the Cleveland Scale of Activity Daily Living [CSADL] questionnaire and used standard making operations according to exploratory factor analysis. Three factors were extracted: self-care [21 items], language skills [14 items], and planning [7 items]. Convergent validity was 0.86 and cut off point for total, basic and instrumental scores respectively was 20, 3 and 20. It can be claimed that Persian Version of CSADL psychometric questionnaire has appropriate indicators and can serve as a useful tool for research in dementia and in its early stage. It can also enable the implementation of scientific research in academic and medical centers on dementia in general and Alzheimer's disease specifically in Iran

Validity and reliability of clinical dementia rating scale among the elderly in Iran

The most common cause of dementia among the elderly is Alzheimer's disease. Given the increasing population of the elderly, achieving a screening tool with high reliability and validity is an essential need for all communities. The main objective of the project was to determine the Persian version of Clinical Dementia Rating Scale [P-CDR1]. Twenty subjects were randomly selected from among 150, 50-70 year old people, who were illiterate and not mentally retarded, residing in the nursing home; and they were given the Persian version of CDR scale [test]. After three months, the group was given the test again. The findings showed that from the specialists' standpoint CDR scale had acceptable validity, and the test validity was achieved 0.05 at the significant level with Cronbach's alpha and reliability coefficients 73% and 89%, respectively. CDR scale is a reliable instrument for evaluation of clinical dementia rating among the elderly in Iran. It can be used in screening dementia, Alzheimer, and diagnosis of the severity and stages of Alzheimer.

Caregiver burden and its determinants among the family members of patients with dementia in Iran

"Caregiver Burden" is actually an expression addressing the adverse consequences of the care provided to the patients' with dementia. Review of the previous studies reveals a higher rate of depression and anxiety among the caregivers as compared to the general population. This study has been designed to evaluate the caregiver burden and then the factors influencing it among caregivers of patients with dementia in Iran. In this cross?sectional study, 153 patients and their caregivers registered in the Memory Clinic in Roozbeh Hospital and Iranian Alzheimer Association [IAA] were included. Data collection scales were Iranian Version of Caregiver Burden, Global Deterioration scale and Barthel index. Multiple linear regression model was applied to determine the factors influencing the caregiver burden. Out of the 153 patients, 90 were male. The mean age calculated for the patients and the caregivers was 77.1 and 53, respectively. The mean of caregiver burden was 55.2. Three variables, gender [P<0.01], education of the patient [P<0.005 for illiterate patients], and the patient's dependence on the caregiver for his/her daily tasks [P<0.000]] were correlated with a high level of burden on the caregiver. The recommended model explains 0.664% of the variance of the outcome variable. Presence of either moderate or higher levels of burden [58?116] in more than 50% of the caregivers of these patients' highlights the need for more attention from health policy makers in Iran. Promoting the level of caregivers' quality of life along with enabling the patients in performing their daily tasks in order to reduce the imposed burden on caregivers' is recommended

rey auditory verbal learning test: alternate forms equivalency and reliability for the Iranian adult population [Persian version]

Increasing demand for memory assessment in clinical settings in Iran, as well as the absence of a comprehensive and standardized task based upon the Persian culture and language, requires an appropriate culture- and language-specific version of the commonly used neuropsychological measure of verbal learning and memory, the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test [RAVLT]. The Persian adapted version of the original RAVLT and two other alternate word lists were generated based upon criteria previously set for developing new word lists. A total of 90 subjects [three groups of 30 persons], aged 29.7 +/- 7.10 years, volunteered to participate in our study and were tested using the original word list. The practice effect was assessed by retesting the first and second groups using the same list after 30 and 60 days, respectively. The test-retest reliability was evaluated by retesting the third group of participants twice using two new alternate word lists with an interval of 30 days. The re-administration of the same list after one or even two months led to significant practice effects. However, the use of alternate forms after a one-month delay yielded no significant difference across the forms. The first and second trials, as well as the total, immediate, and delayed recall scores showed the best reliability in retesting by the alternate list. The difference between the generated forms was minor, and it seems that the Persian version of the RAVLT is a reliable instrument for repeated neuropsychological testing as long as alternate forms are used and scores are carefully chosen