Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Research Articles

Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Graph Enhances Knowledge Discovery and Disease Prediction.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, continues to increase in prevalence without any effective treatments to date. In this context, knowledge graphs (KGs) have emerged as a pivotal tool in biomedical research, offering new perspectives on drug repurposing and biomarker discovery by analyzing intricate network structures. Our study seeks to build an AD-specific knowledge graph, highlighting interactions among AD, genes, variants, chemicals, drugs, and other diseases. The goal is to shed light on existing treatments, potential targets, and diagnostic methods for AD, thereby aiding in drug repurposing and the identification of biomarkers. We annotated 800 PubMed abstracts and leveraged GPT-4 for text augmentation to enrich our training data for named entity recognition (NER) and relation classification. A comprehensive data mining model, integrating NER and relationship classification, was trained on the annotated corpus. This model was subsequently applied to extract relation triplets from unannotated abstracts. To enhance entity linking, we utilized a suite of reference biomedical databases and refine the linking accuracy through abbreviation resolution. As a result, we successfully identified 3,199,276 entity mentions and 633,733 triplets, elucidating connections between 5,000 unique entities. These connections were pivotal in constructing a comprehensive Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Graph (ADKG). We also integrated the ADKG constructed after entity linking with other biomedical databases. The ADKG served as a training ground for Knowledge Graph Embedding models with the high-ranking predicted triplets supported by evidence, underscoring the utility of ADKG in generating testable scientific hypotheses. Further application of ADKG in predictive modeling using the UK Biobank data revealed models based on ADKG outperforming others, as evidenced by higher values in the areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The ADKG is a valuable resource for generating hypotheses and enhancing predictive models, highlighting its potential to advance AD's disease research and treatment strategies.

Knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and associated factors among adults in Zhuhai, China: a cross-sectional analysis

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess the public knowledge regarding Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in Zhuhai, China, focusing on identifying knowledge gaps and the influence of demographic and health factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Zhuhai, China, from October to November 2022. A total of 1986 residents from 18 communities were selected employing stratified multi-stage equi-proportional sampling. Questionnaires covering general information and the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) were investigated face-to-face. Ordinal multiclass logistic regression was applied to assess the relationship between AD awareness and demographic and health characteristics.ResultsThe average ADKS score was 18.5 (SD = 3.36) in Zhuhai. The lowest awareness rates were observed in the “Symptoms” and “Caregiving” subdomains of ADKS, with rates of 51.01% and 43.78%, respectively. The correct rates for the 30 ADKS questions ranged from 16.62 to 92.6%, showing a bimodal pattern with clusters around 80% and 20%. Women (OR = 1.203, 95% CI: 1.009–1.435), individuals aged 60 years or older (OR = 2.073, 95% CI: 1.467–2.932), those living in urban areas (OR = 1.361, 95% CI: 1.117–1.662), higher average monthly household income per capita (OR = 1.641, 95% CI: 1.297–2.082), and without any neurological or mental disorders (OR = 1.810, 95% CI: 1.323–2.478) were more likely to have higher levels of awareness about Alzheimer’s disease.ConclusionsAdults in Zhuhai show a limited knowledge of AD, particularly in the ‘Symptoms’ and ‘Caregiving’ subdomains. Upcoming health campaigns must focus on bridging the knowledge gaps in different subdomains of AD, especially among subgroups with lower awareness, as identified in our study.

Cognitive Impairment and Social Determinants of Health Among Indigenous Women.

Cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) pose significant challenges for Indigenous populations, necessitating urgent research. Limited evidence suggests that high rates of ADRD among Indigenous peoples are associated with social determinants of health (SDOH), such as education, income, health literacy, religion, and social engagement. Collaborating with a Northern Plains tribe, participants were recruited 123 self-identified Indigenous women aged 40-70 through a comprehensive recruitment strategy. Employing the SDOH framework, the research assessed cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease knowledge (ADK), utilizing the Ascertain Dementia 8 and Alzheimer's disease knowledge scales (ADK-30). The investigation examined the relationships between selected SDOH variables and cognitive impairment status. More than half of the participants showed signs of cognitive impairment, which correlated with lower income and education levels. Increased knowledge about Alzheimer's disease, particularly in terms of treatment management and its life impact subscales, was associated with lower odds of cognitive impairment. Conversely, higher levels of depressive symptoms and participation in religious activities were linked to increased odds of cognitive impairment. The findings underscore the importance of culturally grounded tools and SDOH frameworks tailored to Indigenous contexts in addressing ADRD disparities. Future research should integrate historical and cultural factors to advance health equity within Indigenous communities, ultimately mitigating the impact of ADRD and promoting overall well-being.

Black Americans' perceptions of Alzheimer's disease, a healthy brain, and strategies for brain health promotion

ObjectivesLack of awareness of Alzheimer's disease (AD) among Black Americans may undermine their ability to identify potential AD risk. We examined Black Americans' perceptions and knowledge of AD, and views of a healthy brain, which may contribute to the development of effective and culturally sensitive strategies to address racial disparities in AD. MethodsWe conducted a mixed-methods study, integrating a cross-sectional survey of 258 older (>55 years) Black participants and qualitative interviews with a sub-sample of N = 29. Both data sets were integrated to inform the results. ResultsParticipants endorsed having little knowledge of AD. While most participants reported practicing a healthy lifestyle to promote a healthy brain, the range of activities listed were limited. Participants made several suggestions to increase AD awareness, which includes using AD educational materials containing information that would benefit the whole family, not only older adults. Outreach approaches that address both individual behaviors and structural factors were also encouraged. ConclusionOur findings identify ongoing needs to improve AD awareness among traditionally under-represented groups. InnovationThe study utilized novel approaches to examine participants' perspectives of AD that included a diverse sample of research naïve participants, and integrated exploration of participants' views of AD and brain health.

The Alzheimer's Knowledge Base: A Knowledge Graph for Alzheimer Disease Research.

As global populations age and become susceptible to neurodegenerative illnesses, new therapies for Alzheimer disease (AD) are urgently needed. Existing data resources for drug discovery and repurposing fail to capture relationships central to the disease's etiology and response to drugs. We designed the Alzheimer's Knowledge Base (AlzKB) to alleviate this need by providing a comprehensive knowledge representation of AD etiology and candidate therapeutics. We designed the AlzKB as a large, heterogeneous graph knowledge base assembled using 22 diverse external data sources describing biological and pharmaceutical entities at different levels of organization (eg, chemicals, genes, anatomy, and diseases). AlzKB uses a Web Ontology Language 2 ontology to enforce semantic consistency and allow for ontological inference. We provide a public version of AlzKB and allow users to run and modify local versions of the knowledge base. AlzKB is freely available on the web and currently contains 118,902 entities with 1,309,527 relationships between those entities. To demonstrate its value, we used graph data science and machine learning to (1) propose new therapeutic targets based on similarities of AD to Parkinson disease and (2) repurpose existing drugs that may treat AD. For each use case, AlzKB recovers known therapeutic associations while proposing biologically plausible new ones. AlzKB is a new, publicly available knowledge resource that enables researchers to discover complex translational associations for AD drug discovery. Through 2 use cases, we show that it is a valuable tool for proposing novel therapeutic hypotheses based on public biomedical knowledge.

Evaluation of knowledge and attitudes regarding Alzheimer's disease and related dementia among medical students in Palestine: A cross-sectional study.

Dementia, a major global health concern, is an acquired disorder that causes a progressive decline in cognitive abilities, affecting learning and memory, language, executive function, complex attention, perceptual-motor skills, and social cognition. Our study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes regarding dementia and Alzheimer's disease among medical students. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 393 medical students in Palestine from August 2023 to November 2023. The assessment of knowledge and attitude toward dementia was measured using the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) and Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS). The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, and the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare the mean between the groups with a 5% significance level. The overall mean score of the student's knowledge of dementia measured by the ADKS was 18.91 (±3.32 SD) out of 30. The mean score of the student's attitude toward dementia measured by the DAS was 91.68 (±3.32 SD). Clinical students had higher ADKS scores than pre-clinical students (p-value < 0.001). No significant differences in the knowledge and attitudes toward dementia were found between males and females. The medical students' knowledge and attitude scores were positively correlated (ρ = 0.227, p-value <0.001). Palestinian medical student's knowledge about Alzheimer's disease and dementia is insufficient, with students in the clinical phase showing better understanding than pre-clinical students. The findings highlight a necessity for enhancing the dementia curriculum and conducting further studies to evaluate training's impact on students' knowledge and attitudes.

Effects of training Community Health Agents on dementia: a quasi-experimental study.

to evaluate the knowledge of Community Health Agents about dementia before and after the training workshop for detecting signs of the disease. a quasi-experimental study with 33 community agents, in which sociodemographic information and knowledge about dementia were collected and assessed using the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale before and after the workshop. There were 10 weekly, online, synchronous meetings. The Student's t-test for related samples was used, and the effect size was calculated. while the average score on the initial assessment, using the measurement instrument, was 16.3, it was 21.24 in the final assessment. An increase in the scale score was observed after participating in the workshop, with a value of 4.94. it is urgent to invest in the ongoing education of these professionals for greater awareness in the timely detection of dementia cases in primary care and awareness of potentially modifiable factors.

The Mediating Role of Attitudes Towards Dementia on the Relationship Between Dementia Knowledge and Behaviors Towards Persons with Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

To examine the mediating effect of attitudes towards dementia on the relationship between dementia knowledge and behaviors towards persons with dementia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 313 adults (age ≤ 20 years). Participants were recruited using non-probability convenience sampling from medical clinics, community centers, and supermarkets located in the Wanhua District of Taipei City. Data were collected with the following self-report questionnaires: a demographic survey, validated instruments for dementia knowledge and attitudes towards dementia (assessed using the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale and the Approaches to Dementia Questionnaire, respectively), and a researcher-developed survey on unfriendly behaviors towards persons with dementia. Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression analysis indicated that higher scores for dementia knowledge and more positive attitudes about dementia were significantly associated with lower levels of unfriendly behaviors towards persons living with dementia. Mediation analysis using a robust bootstrap test with 5000 samples indicated that attitudes toward dementia had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between dementia knowledge and unfriendly behaviors. Our findings suggest that increasing public awareness and knowledge about dementia could help the general population develop better attitudes towards dementia, which could subsequently help improve behaviors towards persons living with dementia.

P151: A Chronic Grief Management-Intervention-Video: A Profile of the Sample

Objectivesof this presentation are to: Describe the Chronic Grief Management Intervention-Video (CGMI-V) – an ongoing stage I clinical trialDescribe the profile of the study sample using baseline dataStudy purpose:to pilot-test the CGMI-V for establishing effect sizes in caregiver outcomes including chronic grief, symptoms of depression and anxiety, positive states of mind, satisfaction with care in the facility and conflict with staff.Methods:Participants were randomized to either a control condition or to CGMI-V, a manualized intervention delivered on-line over eight consecutive weeks to family caregivers of persons diagnosed with dementia who were placed in long-term care. Caregivers were measured with standardized demographic and situational surveys (baseline only) and with the following instruments at weeks 8 and 24: Knowledge of Alzheimer’s (FKAT)Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory (MM-CGI)CES-D 20Family Perception of Caregiver RoleFamily Perception of Caregiving ToolState Trait Anxiety InstrumentPositive States of MindRecruitment was conducted via direct contacts with facilities, radio and online advertising.Results:For the purposes of this presentation, we are reporting only baseline demographic and situational characteristics of the entire sample. Enrollment closed in November, 2022. The study remains open for follow-up only. The final sample size is 99 participants (Intervention=50; Control=49) recruited from across 14 states in the USA.Participant Characteristics: There were no significant differences in demographics between participants in both conditions. The sample was predominantly Caucasian and female with over two thirds being highly educated, adult children. The average caregiver age was 62.06 (SD=10.20) for those in the CGMI-V condition and 58.18 (SD=11.27) respectively, for those in the control condition. Similarly, there were no significant differences in care recipient demographics. The sample was predominantly Caucasian and female. Over one third of care recipients across both conditions were diagnosed with dementia within the past four years of interviewing. Further analyses are pending.Conclusions:Sample characteristics illuminate similarities across dementia caregivers who placed family members with dementia in long-term facilities across 14 states in the USA. These findings may inform future grief interventions.

Public Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitude Toward Alzheimer's Disease in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that slowly deteriorates cognitive function over time. This condition disables the geriatricpopulation worldwide.Knowing its symptoms and presentation could help the general population seek medical attention early. This study aims to assess the level of awareness, knowledge, and attitude towards Alzheimer's disease among the general population in Makkah City. This cross-sectional study employed an online questionnaire distributed randomly in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. A sociodemographic and attitude panel is included under each section of the questionnaire, as well as a knowledge panel based on the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS). The knowledge and awareness level regarding Alzheimer's disease was determined by adding up discrete scores for each correct knowledge item. A participant's awareness level was categorized as poor if their score was less than 60%. Participants whose scores were 60% or higher were considered to have a high level of awareness Results: A total of 545 participants were investigated; 316 (58%) were females. A range of ages was represented among the participants, from 18 to over 60. Of the study respondents, 68 (12.5%) had an overall good awareness and knowledge of Alzheimer's disease and its management while 477 (87.5%) had a poor knowledge level. Among divorced/widowed participants, 16.2% had an overall good knowledge level of the disease compared to 8.3% of married respondents with recorded statistical significance (P=.049). Also, 20.4% of those with relatives diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease had good knowledge of the disease versus 10.7% of others without (P=.009). According to the results, there is a lack of awareness and knowledge of Alzheimer's disease. This study suggests increasing public awareness and knowledge of Alzheimer's disease through campaigns and public education so that the disease is detected earlier.

Community-Engaged Research With Latino Dementia Caregivers: Overcoming Challenges in Community Advisory Board Development.

Latinos caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) have the highest prevalence of caregiving. Yet, they are less likely to benefit from evidence-based interventions given their continued underrepresentation in ADRD-related research. Community advisory boards (CABs) have the potential to address barriers to research for underrepresented communities; however, there are complexities to establishing and sustaining CABs. This article describes how our work addressed challenges in CABs related to unbalanced power relations, language barriers, the value of time, and low research knowledge and health literacy. Nine Latino CAB members, including older Latino caregivers, were trained in a comprehensive program designed to increase knowledge about health research methods and ethics, cognitive health, and cultural adaptation methods. Members completed pre- and post-training measures of Alzheimer's disease knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs toward research, and a satisfaction survey. Results from the satisfaction questionnaire indicated that the program was well received. CAB members increased their knowledge regarding the management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and dementia-associated risk factors and treatment. Positive changes in members' attitudes toward research included increased willingness to participate in trials and subject protection measures. Formalized training in research conduct and ethics and health literacy is a promising strategy to reduce challenges in establishing and maintaining CABs and can also optimize CAB impact to address gaps in older Latino ADRD caregiving research.

Low Levels of Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) Promote Neurogenesis and Decrease Gliogenesis in Human Neural Stem Cells.

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) has been widely studied due to its association with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the physiological functions of APP are still largely unexplored. APP is a transmembrane glycoprotein whose expression in humans is abundant in the central nervous system. Specifically, several studies have revealed the high expression of APP during brain development. Previous studies in our laboratory revealed that a transient increase in APP expression induces early cell cycle exit of human neural stem cells (hNSCs) and directs their differentiation towards glial cells (gliogenesis) while decreasing their differentiation towards neurons (neurogenesis). In the present study, we have evaluated the intrinsic cellular effects of APP down-expression (using siRNA) on cell death, cell proliferation, and cell fate specification of hNSCs. Our data indicate that APP silencing causes cellular effects opposite to those obtained in previous APP overexpression assays, inducing cell proliferation in hNS1 cells (a model line of hNSCs) and favoring neurogenesis instead of gliogenesis in these cells. In addition, we have analyzed the gene and protein expression levels of β-Catenin as a possible molecule involved in these cellular effects. These data could help to understand the biological role of APP, which is necessary to deepen the knowledge of AD.

Awareness and Perception Toward Alzheimer's Disease Among Residents Living in the Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a growing public health concern, yet misconceptions about the condition are common. This study assessed awareness andsocial perceptionsof AD in Jazan. A cross-sectional survey of 925 adults was conducted. Knowledge was assessed using a 30-item Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS). Social perceptions were evaluated using a 10-item questionnaire. Many had misconceptions about AD epidemiology, causes, management, and care. Themean ADKS scorewas 8.89 ± 5.17 out of 30. Knowledge was poorest for symptoms,risk factors, treatment, caregiving, and life impact. Knowledge was highest in those aged >45 years (p = 0.018), in those with income > 15K SR (p = 0.004), in retired individuals (p = 0.023), and in those who learned about AD from books (p = 0.001), healthcare professionals (p = 0.001), or had an affected relative (p = 0.001). However, knowledge was low across all domains, averaging only 29%correct answers. Most respondents held positive social perceptions, yet sizable minorities saw isolation, legal intervention, and institutionalization as appropriate. Additionally, a portion of respondents associated stigma with individuals affected by AD and expressed a sense of burden associated with the condition. There are substantialknowledge gapsand somestigmatizing attitudesabout AD inJazan. Awareness regarding the causes, diagnosis, and management of AD was low. Misconceptions exist that AD only affects older people.Improved public education, especially for higher-risk groups, is needed to address misconceptions and promotesocial inclusionfor those with dementia. Healthcare professionals can play a crucial role.

The knowledge and attitude of Nepalese nursing students towards dementia

BackgroundAs aging is a significant risk factor for dementia, the number of persons with dementia is growing annually as a result of the aging population, which implies the need for better geriatric care services in terms of both quantity and quality. MethodsThe knowledge and attitudes of Nepalese nursing students (n = 177) concerning dementia were examined using a descriptive correlational research approach. Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) and Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS) were used to measure students' knowledge and attitude of dementia. Results and discussionThe overall mean score of the ADKS was found to be 19.64 (SD = 3.363) out of 30, while the total mean score on dementia attitude of the DAS was 93.82 (SD = 10.09) out of 140. A positive relationship was established between the knowledge and the attitude scores (r = 0.148, P = 0.050), demonstrating limited knowledge and positive attitude towards people with dementia in nursing students.

Alzheimer's disease knowledge of nursing staff in East China: A latent profile analysis.

The dementia population is expanding fast globally, posing a huge challenge to the healthcare system. Improving the level of Alzheimer's disease knowledge (ADK) in nursing staff is the key to providing quality dementia care and improving the patients' quality of life. This study aimed to investigate and classify the ADK level of nursing staff in East China and to identify the factors influencing the nursing staff's ADK level. A cross-sectional study. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1896 nursing staff in East China from September 2022 to December 2022, using a self-designed general information questionnaire and the Chinese version of the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to classify the nursing staff according to their ADK level, and multinomial logistic regression was used to identify the factors influencing the nursing staff's ADK level. Nursing staff could be classified into four latent profiles according to their ADK level (p < 0.05), namely, the 'Low ADK group', 'Medium ADK group', 'Medium-high ADK group', and 'High ADK group'. Age, education, experience in AD care and training in ADK were the main factors influencing the classification of the nursing staff's ADK level. Therefore, upgrading education, participating in ADK training, and increasing AD care experience will be conducive to improving the ADK of nursing staff. No Patient or Public Contribution.

The Senior Companion Program Plus: An Innovative Training Approach for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia.

African Americans adults are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) and are underrepresented in research about ADRD. Reducing gaps in the knowledge about ADRD in the African American community is important for addressing dementia care disparities. The existing psychoeducation interventions are often limited by cost and scalability; for these reasons, lay provider (i.e., volunteer) interventions are of increasing interest in ADRD research. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a training of African American Senior Companion (SC) volunteers (n = 11) with dementia-specific knowledge (i.e., Senior Companion Program/SCP Plus), as part of a culturally informed, in-home, psychoeducational intervention for African American ADRD family caregivers. Learning outcomes were measured pre- and post-training, using the Knowledge of Alzheimer's Disease/dementia scale (KAD), the Sense of Competence Questionnaire, and the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale. The results showed significant improvements in knowledge of Alzheimer's disease/dementia, one competence item, "It is clear to me how much care my care recipient needs", and preparedness for caregiving. Overall, the study findings suggest the SCP Plus is a promising, culturally relevant, and potentially scalable lay provider training for ADRD with potential benefits that augment the existing Senior Companion Program.

Barriers and facilitators to participating in Alzheimer's disease biomarker research in black and white older adults.

The study examined Black and White prospective participants' views of barriers to and facilitators of participation in Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarker research. In a mixed-methods study, 399 community-dwelling Black and White older adults (age ≥55) who had never participated in AD research completed a survey about their perceptions of AD biomarker research. Individuals from lower socioeconomic and education backgrounds and Black men were over-sampled to address perspectives of traditionally under-represented groups. A subset of participants (n = 29) completed qualitative interviews. Most participants expressed interest in biomarker research (overall 69%). However, Black participants were comparatively more hesitant than White participants (28.9%vs 15.1%), were more concerned about study risks (28.9%vs 15.1%), and perceived multiple barriers to participating in brain scans. These results persisted even after adjusting for trust and perceived knowledge of AD. Information was a primary barrier (when absent) and incentive (when provided) for AD biomarker research participation. Black older adults desired more information about AD (eg, risk, prevention), general research processes, and specific biomarker procedures. They also desired return of results to make informed decisions about their health, research-sponsored community awareness events, and for researchers to mitigate the burden placed on participants in research (eg, transportation, basic needs). Our findings increase representativeness in the literature by focusing on individuals with no history of AD research experience and those from traditionally underrepresented groups in research. Results suggest that the research community needs to improve information sharing and raising awareness, increase their presence in the communities of underrepresented groups, reduce incidental costs, and provide valuable personal health information to participants to increase interest. Specific recommendations for improving recruitment are addressed. Future studies will assess the implementation of evidence-based, socioculturally sensitive recruitment strategies to increase enrollment of Black older adults into AD biomarker studies.HIGHLIGHTS: Individuals from under-represented groups are interested in Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarker research.After adjusting for trust and AD knowledge, Black participants were still more hesitant.Information is a barrier (when absent) to and incentive (when given) for biomarker studies.Reducing burden (e.g., transportation) is essential for recruiting Black older adults.

Radiographers’ knowledge and attitudes toward dementia

IntroductionDementia is a syndrome associated with a decline in brain function, impacting how we speak, think, feel, and behave. Misunderstanding of dementia and how it affects patients and their carers is common. There is limited research on how radiographers provide adequate care to those with dementia. Radiographers with knowledge and positive attitudes can reduce stigma and fear, improving the quality of care. This study aimed to assess radiographers’ knowledge and attitudes towards dementia. MethodsA cohort of registered radiographers in Ireland participated in an online survey. Two pre-existing validated questionnaires: The Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) and the Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS), assessed radiographers' knowledge and attitudes towards dementia and people with dementia. Scores were compared across variables such as gender, age, grade, qualification, work setting, and the number of years qualified. ResultsA total of 123 radiographers responded. Knowledge scores did not significantly differ across demographic groups (p > 0.05). Total knowledge scores ranged from 60% to 100%. Total attitude scores ranged from 50% to 100%. Participants with a BSc, MSc, and other post-graduate degrees scored higher on the attitude scale than those with a diploma qualification (p = 0.027). Those with less than 20 years’ experience scored higher than those with more. Knowledge had little correlation with attitude (r = 0.0522; p = 0.5667). ConclusionFindings indicate variations in attitudes linked to age and experience, and some misconceptions can be observed across varying groups. Interventions to improve attitudes and raise awareness are needed. Implications for practiceThere is a need for further research and education on dementia care in the imaging department. We have identified areas requiring further education.

Sense of Purpose in Life and Beliefs and Knowledge of Alzheimer's Disease.

A sense of purpose in life is associated with healthier cognitive outcomes, including lower risk of Alzheimer's Disease (ad). The present research examines whether purpose is also associated with beliefs and knowledge of ad. A random subsample (N = 1,187) of community-dwelling participants from the Health and Retirement Study completed a module on self-reported beliefs and knowledge of ad. Purpose in life was associated with lower perceived threat of ad and greater belief that modifiable factors (e.g., physical activity) decrease risk. Associations were not moderated by experience with ad or depressive symptoms. Purpose was unrelated to beliefs that genetics or stress increase risk or knowledge of ad. Individuals with a sense of purpose are less concerned about risk of developing ad and believe modifiable factors reduce risk. These beliefs may support engagement in behaviors that reduce risk and be one psychological pathway through which purpose protects against ad.

Jordanian Community People's Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Dementia.

Limited research exists on the knowledge and attitudes of Jordanian community residents toward people with dementia (PwD). As the prevalence of dementia is anticipated to increase, there is a critical need for informed knowledge and positive attitudes toward dementia in the Jordanian community. This study aimed to evaluate people's knowledge of and attitudes toward PwD and identify the predictors of dementia knowledge and attitudes. The study employed a cross-sectional research design and utilized a self-administered questionnaire as the primary data collection method. The study employed the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) to evaluate the knowledge of the participants, and the Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS) was utilized to assess their attitudes in the Jordanian community. Multiple regression analysis was performed to find relevant factors influencing knowledge of and attitude toward dementia. The study's 346 participants revealed limited knowledge about dementia, with an average ADKS score of 17.21 out of 30. However, participants showed a positive attitude toward dementia, as evidenced by a mean DAS score of 88 out of 140. Statistical analysis demonstrated significantly higher knowledge scores among employed individuals (P < .05), while females exhibited significantly higher attitude scores (P < .05). Participants with experience in geriatric clinical practice, dementia education or training, informal caregiving experience, and a desire to learn more about dementia also exhibited significantly higher knowledge and attitude scores (P < .05). The study offers preliminary insights into the knowledge and attitudes toward dementia in the Jordanian population. The findings underscore the importance of continuing education and training to increase knowledge and understanding of dementia. Improving dementia care and support in Jordan requires enhancing knowledge and attitudes toward dementia. The study findings were presented to policymakers, with recommendations for strategic planning and the development of awareness programs. Future research can build upon these findings and promote evidence-based practices in dementia care and community awareness programs.