Investigator: Patricia Boyle, PhD
Project Title: Executive Deficits and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
Neuropsychiatric symptoms are reported in the vast majority of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and are associated with a rapid rate of decline, increased caregiver distress, and over-utilization of health care services. Preliminary evidence indicates a significant association between executive deficits and neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD, and executive deficits may serve as an early marker for later neuropsychiatric impairment. The primary aim of this study is to examine whether early executive dysfunction is associated with subsequent development of neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with mild to moderate AD. The identification of a marker for the development of neuropsychiatric impairment will ultimately lead to the improved assessment and treatment of neuropsychiatric impairment in patients with AD.
This project resulted in a five-year, NIH-funded Career Development Award for the investigator.
Investigator: Rosemary Elliott-Bryant, MD
Project Title: Inflammation, CNS Heparan Sulfate and A-beta Deposition
There is increasing evidence that proteoglycans (PGs) and inflammation are important in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), in which deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ) in the cerebral microvasculature and brain parenchyma is a major event. The immediate goal of this study is to provide new and basic information about potentially important mechanisms and molecular interactions that may impact Aβ formation and persistence and, thus, impact the pathogenesis of AD. The long-term goal of this study is to provide a rationale for therapeutic interventions.
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