Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in Chinese patients: a pilot study.

In view of the paucity of data on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in Chinese patients, we evaluated the validity of tau, phosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau-181), amyloid ß 42 (Aß42), and Aß40 proteins in Chinese patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). We recruited 24 patients with AD, 12 nondemented controls, and 12 patients with non-AD dementia. We found the CSF levels of Aß42, tau, p-tau, Aß42-tau, and Aß42-p-tau ratios, except the Aß40 protein level, were significantly different among the 3 groups of patients. Patients with AD had higher levels of CSF tau and p-tau but lower levels of Aß42 proteins, Aß42-tau, and Aß42-p-tau ratios than the nondemented controls. In the diagnosis of AD versus nondementia, the sensitivity and specificity of the ratios of Aß42-tau and Aß42-p-tau were 96% and 83% versus 92% and 83%, respectively. Only the Aß42-p-tau ratio showed satisfactory sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of AD versus other dementia.

Interactive virtual reality Wii in geriatric day hospital: a study to assess its feasibility, acceptability and efficacy.

AIM: Rehabilitation using interactive virtual reality Wii (Wii-IVR) was shown to be feasible in patients with different medical problems, but there was no study examining its use in a geriatric day hospital (GDH). The aim of the present study was to test the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of Wii-IVR in GDH. METHODS: It was a clinical trial with matched historic controls. Patients of a GDH were recruited to participate in Wii-IVR by playing "Wii Fit". Participants used a Wii controller to carry out movements involved in an arm ergometer. Each participant received eight sessions of Wii-IVR in addition to conventional GDH rehabilitation. Feasibility was assessed by the total time receiving Wii-IVR, the percentage of maximal heart rate reserve (%MHR) and Borg perceived exertion scale (BS) after participating in Wii-IVR. %MHR and BS were compared with those after carrying out an arm ergometer for the same duration. Acceptability was assessed by an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Efficacy was assessed by comparing improvements in Functional Independence Measure (FIM) between participants and matched historic controls, who received conventional GDH rehabilitations only. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients completed the study. Participants completed a total of 1941 min of event-free Wii-IVR. The mean %MHR was 15.9% ± 9.9% and the mean BS was 7.9 ± 2.3. There was no significant difference in %MHR and BS between participating in Wii-IVR and arm ergometer. Most participants found Wii-IVR similar to the arm ergometer, and would like to continue Wii-IVR if they had Wii at home. Improvements in FIM of participants were significantly more than that of historic controls. CONCLUSIONS: Wii-IVR in GDH was feasible and most participants accepted it. Participants had more improvements in FIM.