Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of dementia, linked to morbidity and mortality among elderly patients. Recently, several clinical studies suggested that depression is a potential risk factor for cognitive decline and AD. A review of meta-analyses was performed, calculating pooled odds ratios to estimate the risk of AD in people with a prior diagnosis (or clinically significant symptoms) of depression. A total of six meta-analyses which represented 28 individual studies were analyzed. A significant association between depression and AD was found (OR = 1.54, 95% CI [1.02–2.31]; p = 0.038). The results showed that heterogeneity across studies was substantial. We found a significant positive effect size for clinical measures of depression, but not for symptomatic rating scales, in the association of depression with risk of AD. The type of rating scale used to assess depression and the cut-off criteria selected also moderated the relationship between depression and AD risk. We found that studies that used clinically significant criteria for diagnosis of depression had more consistent and significant results than studies that used symptomatic scales.

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common subtype of dementia. In the last ten years, the relationship between cholesterol and AD has been investigated. Evidence suggests that cholesterol is associated with AD and represents promising targets for intervention. However, the causality of these associations is unclear. Therefore, we sought to conduct a meta-meta-analysis to determine the effect of cholesterol on the development AD. Then, we assessed the effect of serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG), on AD risk. Methods: A systematic search of meta-analyses was conducted. Scopus, Web of Science, Science direct, PubMed and Google academic system databases were reviewed. Results: We found 100 primary studies and five meta-analyses to analyze the relationships between cholesterol and AD. The total effect of cholesterol on risk of AD was significant and heterogeneous. Subgroup analysis shows that LDL-C levels influence the development of AD. However, non-significant effects of HDL-C, TC and TG levels on AD were found. Conclusions: These results strengthen the evidence that LDL-C cholesterol levels increase risk for AD. More initiatives to investigate the relationship between cholesterol and AD are needed.

This study investigates the use of multi-field electrostimulation with the Fesia Grasp device for hand rehabilitation in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of this novel approach in improving hand function and dexterity in MS patients. A cohort of MS patients with varying degrees of hand impairment underwent a structured rehabilitation program using the Fesia Grasp device, which delivers targeted electrical stimulation to specific muscle groups. Outcome measures assessed multiple aspects of hand function, including gross and fine motor skills, strength, and functional independence, at baseline, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up. The main finding was a sustained between-group improvement in gross manual dexterity, measured by the Box and Block Test, at 1-month follow-up (p = 0.008, η²ₚ = 0.429). Secondary analyses showed task-specific gains in the experimental group, with significant intragroup improvements in Jebsen–Taylor Hand Function Test items related to simulated feeding (p = 0.012) and lifting light objects (p = 0.036), and a trend toward better performance in stacking checkers (p = 0.069) and faster page-turning (p = 0.046) after the intervention. Other outcomes showed non-significant changes favoring the experimental group. This research contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of advanced electrostimulation techniques in neurological rehabilitation and offers promising implications for enhancing the quality of life for individuals with MS-related hand dysfunction.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Identifying some of the cardiovascular risk factors for AD could be crucial for primary prevention and help reduce the incidence of AD. Objective: We aimed to perform a meta-meta-analysis of 3 studies to assess the effect of cholesterol, blood pressure and stroke on diagnosis of AD. The search was restricted to meta-analyses in the last three years assessing cholesterol, blood pressure, stroke and Alzheimer's disease. We applied the PRISMA guidelines. The total effect of cholesterol on risk of AD was significant and heterogeneous. Subgroup analysis shows that LDL-C levels influence the development of AD. High SBP is associated with AD. The exploration of parameters (sex, age, study design, region, and BP measurements) shows that only region significantly moderates the relationship between BP and AD. Results report significant association between ischemic stroke (IS), hemorrhagic stroke (HS) and microinfarcts (MI) with the risk of AD. These results strengthen the evidence that the risk factors related to cardiovascular diseases increase risk for AD. Moreover, moderator analysis supports the robustness of our results. Therefore, future studies should use other uncontrolled factors, such as diabetes, to explain the relationship between these variables.

Introduction: Several population-based studies have highlighted an association between stroke and dementia. Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-related dementia and vascular dementia are the most common causes of dementia, with clear pathophysiological mechanisms for the latter. Given the ongoing debate surrounding the link between stroke and AD, a systematic meta-analysis was performed to determine their relationship and the possible influence of some moderators (sex, age, and region). Methods: We searched five databases (ISI Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Elsevier ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar) with no initial publication date restriction, and the last search was conducted in 2022. We included longitudinal population-based studies assessing the stroke-AD association, selecting those with reported effect sizes, standardized AD diagnosis, and an AMSTAR score ≥9. Case reports, reviews, animal studies, and non-English publications were also excluded. The meta-analysis, conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.1, presented pooled log odds ratios (LogOR) with 95% confidence intervals, heterogeneity analysis (Cochran’s Q, I2), and moderator analyses by age, sex, and region. Results: The meta-analysis included 3 meta-analyses and 12 primary studies, comprising a total of 14,207 stroke cases and 1,952 AD cases. Our analysis revealed a significant association between ischemic stroke (IS), hemorrhagic stroke (HS), and microinfarcts (MI) and the risk of AD. Despite some heterogeneity across studies, no significant differences were observed in the stroke-AD association based on age, sex, or region. Conclusion: Our study describes the risk of AD in patients with episodes of stroke (IS, HS, and MI) and suggests that the risk of AD may be higher in stroke patients than in matched controls without stroke incidence. Moreover, the moderator analysis supports the robustness of our results. The link between stroke and AD suggests that stroke may accelerate cognitive decline. This calls for tighter vascular control and indicates worse prognosis in dementia progression.

Background: Motor imagery (MI) is a cognitive process that has been shown to be useful in the rehabilitation process after brain injury. Moreover, functional electrical stimulation (FES) and virtual reality (VR) have also been shown to be effective interventions in many parameters, and there is some evidence of their contribution to the improvement of MI capacity. Objective: This study aimed to compare the improvements in MI parameters, grip strength, and manual dexterity obtained using VR, FES, and selective FES based on multifield electrodes in healthy people. Methods: This clinical randomized controlled trial (RCT)with 4 branches will involve 80 healthy university students, with blinded third-party assessment. Participants will be divided into 4 groups: control (no intervention), selective FES (Fesia Grasp), traditional FES (Globus Elite), and Virtual Rehab Hands (Leap Motion sensor). Each group will receive 5 daily sessions, and assessments will be conducted at baseline, postintervention, and follow-up. The Movement Imagery Questionnaire-Revised (MIQ-RS) and chronometry will be used to assess MI, strength will be measured with a digital dynamometer, and manual dexterity will be evaluated with the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT) and the Box and Block Test (BBT). Statistical analyses will include 2-way repeated-measures ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni correction to compare group differences over time, with nonparametric tests (eg, Kruskal-Wallis) being used if normality or variance assumptions are violated. The study will be organized into 3 phases: preparation, data collection, and analysis. The preparation phase will involve finalizing project protocols and obtaining ethical approvals. The data collection phase will consist of recruiting participants, randomizing them into 4 intervention groups, and conducting baseline assessments, followed by intervention sessions. Finally, the analysis phase will focus on evaluating the data collected from all groups and compiling the results for presentation. Results: The study received approval in July 2023, with recruitment and data collection starting in September 2023. The recruitment phase was expected to conclude by July 2024, and the entire study, including the 2-week follow-up, was set to finish in September 2024. As of July 2024, we had enrolled 100% of the sample (N=80 students). We plan to publish the study findings by the end of 2024. Conclusions: Improvements in MI and upper limb functionality are expected, particularly in the selective FES group. This RCT will identify which intervention is most effective in enhancing these skills, with potential benefits for patients with neurological motor disorders. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06109025; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06109025 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/63329