Introduction: This study combined data across four independent cohorts to examine the positive and negative predictive values of an Alzheimer's disease (AD) blood test if implemented in primary care.Methods: Blood samples from 1329 subjects from multiple independent, multiethnic, community‐based, and clinic‐based cohorts were analyzed. A “locked‐down” referent group of 1128 samples was generated with 201 samples randomly selected for validation purposes. Random forest analyses were used to create the AD blood screen. Positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values were calculated.Results: In detecting AD, PPV was 0.81, and NPV was 0.95 while using the full AD blood test. When detecting mild cognitive impairment, PPV and NPV were 0.74 and 0.93, respectively. Preliminary analyses were conducted to detect any “neurodegenerative disease”. The full 21‐protein AD blood test yielded a PPV of 0.85 and NPV of 0.94.Discussion: The present study creates the first‐ever multiethnic referent sample that spans community‐based and clinic‐based populations for implementation of an AD blood screen.

Aim: To describe the biomarker profiles in elderly Panamanians diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or no impairment using serum-based biomarkers. Methods: Twenty-four proteins were analyzed using an electrochemiluminescence-based multiplex biomarker assay platform. A biomarker profile was generated using random forest analyses. Results: Two proteins differed among groups: IL-18 and T-lymphocyte-secreted protein I-309. The AD profile was highly accurate and independent of age, gender, education and Apolipoprotein E ε4 status. AD and MCI profiles had substantial overlap among the top markers, suggesting common functions in AD and MCI but differences in their relative importance. Conclusion: Our results underscore the potential influence of genetic and environmental differences within Hispanic populations on the proteomic profile of AD.

Cognitive impairment and depression are common mental health problems among the elderly, although few studies have examined their cooccurrence in older adults in Latin America. The purpose of this study was to examine cognitive impairment, depression, and cooccurrence of the two conditions and associated factors in a sample of older adults in Panama. This study included 304 community-dwelling elderly (≥65 years) individuals. Participants underwent a clinical interview and assessments of cognitive function by the Minimental State Examination and depressive symptoms by the Geriatric Depression Scale. Limitations in basic (BADL) and instrumental (IADL) activities in daily living and the presence of chronic illnesses were recorded. Multinomial regression analysis revealed that cooccurrence of cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms was explained by increasing age (OR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.20, 8.30), low education (OR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.33, 8.38), having four or more chronic conditions (OR: 11.5, 95% CI: 2.84, 46.63), and BADL limitations (OR: 5.0, 95% CI: 1.26, 19.68). Less education and limitations in BADL and IADL increased the odds of cognitive impairment alone, while less education and three or more chronic conditions increased the odds of depression alone. These findings underscore the relevance of assessing cognitive impairment in the elderly as part of a long-term approach to managing depression and vice versa.

Background: Falls are common among elderly adults, and are predictors of hospitalization, institutionalization and mortality. Objective: The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between blood-based markers of inflammation and fall events in a sample of elderly Hispanic adults. Method: Data were collected from 190 participants enrolled in the Panama Aging Research Initiative study who completed baseline clinical and cognitive assessments. A non-fasting blood sample was obtained. Self-reported falls were classified as no falls, single falls or recurrent (two or more) falls reported in the 12 months prior to baseline evaluations. Serum levels of C Reactive Protein (CRP), T-lymphocyte secreting protein (I-309), interleukin 10 (IL-10), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 7 (IL-7) were measured. Global cognition was assessed with the Mini Mental State Examination and depressive symptoms were assessed with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30). Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the link between inflammation and fall events. Results: Depressive symptoms, limitations in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), IL-7 and I-309 were significantly related to fall events. Elevated levels of IL-7 increased the likelihood of single and recurrent falls, while increased levels of I-309 were associated only with recurrent falls. Greater IADL limitations and depressive symptoms were associated with an increased likelihood of recurrent falls. Conclusion: There is a lack of research investigating the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and fall events. These results provide evidence of risk factors for falls in Hispanic older adults, and could serve to guide public health professionals to establish clinical guidelines to reduce fall risks.

Persistent systemic hypoxia, a direct consequence of alterations in vascular function, can compromise the brain by increasing the risk of developing dementias such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and AD in