Positive Side Effects Research Articles

Expanding the scope of reproducibility research through data analysis replications

In recent years, researchers in several scientific disciplines have become concerned with published studies replicating less often than expected. A positive side effect of this concern is an appreciation that replicating other researchers’ work is an essential part of the scientific process. To date, many such efforts have come from the experimental sciences, where replication entails running new experiments, generating new data, and analyzing it. In this article, we emphasize not experimental replications but data analysis replications. We do so for three reasons. First, experimental replication excludes entire classes of publications that do not run experiments or even collect original data (e.g., archival data analysis). Second, experimental replication may in some cases be a needlessly high bar: there is great value in replicating just the data analyses of published experimental work. As data analysis replications require a lower investment of resources than experimental replications, their adoption should expand the number and variety of scientific reproducibility studies undertaken. Third, we propose that teaching undergraduate students to perform data analysis replications will greatly increase the number of replications done while providing them with research experience that should inform their decisions to pursue research or to attend graduate school. Towards this end, we provide details of a pilot program we created to teach undergraduates the skills necessary to conduct data analysis replications, and include a case study of the first set of students who completed this program and attempted to replicate the data analyses in a widely-cited social science paper on policing. In addition, we present a summary of ten additional data analysis replications carried out entirely by students in a university course.

International social ventures: A literature review and guidance for future research

International entrepreneurship has been studied extensively during the past decades. Oviatt’s and McDougall’s (J Int Bus Stud 25:45–64, 1994) framework describing international new ventures (INVs) has been pivotal in developing this research field. This paper adds to this research field through focusing on a particular type of INVs that typically regard social impact as the core objective rather than a positive side-effect to profit. We collectively label these firms international social ventures (ISV). The paper provides two interrelated contributions. Firstly, a literature review brings a systematic overview of the extant ISV research. Secondly, building on this, five propositions are developed in close relation to each of the essential elements positioned in Oviatt’s and McDougall’s (J Int Bus Stud 25:45–64, 1994) seminal INV framework. In doing so, we illustrate that ISVs share some general characteristics with INVs. However, the particular manifestation of these deviates from the traditional type of INVs. In addition, the underlying rationale differs from traditional pure economic logics by involving a combination of both social and economic logics. The paper proceeds to bring suggestions for future research.

Decreased number of deaths related to severe traumatic brain injury in intensive care unit during the first lockdown in Normandy: at least one positive side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to severe containment measures to protect the population in France. The first lockdown modified daily living and could have led to a decrease in the frequency of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). In the present study, we compared the frequency and severity of severe TBI before and during the first containment in Normandy.MethodsWe included all patients admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU) for severe TBI in the two tertiary neurosurgical trauma centres of Normandy during the first lockdown. The year before the containment served as control. The primary outcome was the number of patients admitted per week in ICU. We compared the demographic characteristics, TBI mechanisms, CT scan, surgical procedure, and mortality rate.ResultsThe incidence of admissions for severe TBI in Normandy decreased by 33% during the containment. The aetiology of TBI significantly changed during the containment: there were less traffic road accidents and more TBI related to alcohol consumption. Patients with severe TBI during the containment had a better prognosis according to the impact score (p=0.04). We observed a significant decrease in the rate of short-term mortality related to severe TBI during the period of lockdown (p=0.02).ConclusionsContainment related to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a modification of the mechanisms of severe TBI in Normandy, which was associated with a decline in the rate of short-term death in intensive unit care.

Enhancement of Optical Chirality Using Metasurfaces for Enantiomer-Selective Molecular Sensing

Circular dichroism (CD) is a physical property observed in chiral molecules by inducing the difference of absorption between left- and right-handed circularly polarized light (CPL). Circular dichroism spectroscopy is widely used in the field of chemistry and biology to distinguish the enantiomers, which typically show either positive or severe side effects in biological applications depending on the molecular structures’ chirality. To effectively detect the chirality of molecules, diverse designs of nanostructured platforms are proposed based on optical resonances that can enhance the optical chirality and amplify the signal of circular dichroism. However, the underlying physics between the optical chirality and the resonance in a nanostructure is largely unexplored, and thus designing rules for optimal chiral detection is still elusive. Here, we carry out an in-depth analysis of chiral enhancement (C enhancement) in nanostructured surfaces to find the relationship between optical resonances and chirality. Based on the relations, we optimize the nanostructured metasurface to induce effective chiral detection of enantiomers for diverse conditions of molecule distribution. We believe that the proposed designing rules and physics pave the important pathway to enhance the optical chirality for effective circular dichroism spectroscopy.

COVID-19: ¿De dónde venimos y hacia dónde vamos?

COVID-19: ¿De dónde venimos y hacia dónde vamos?

Positive Side Effects? The Impact of Populist Radical Right Parties in Government on the Media Visibility of the Austrian Parliament

Abstract This article takes up the scholarly debate on the relationship between populism and democracy and analyses the effect populist radical right parties (PRRPs) in government have had on the representative function of the Austrian parliament. Building on insights from theories of newsworthiness, we expect these parties to positively affect the visibility of parliament due to the increased conflict between governing and mainstream opposition parties, thereby increasing parliamentary accountability. Our analysis covers the period from 1994 to 2020, with PRRPs in government from 2000 to 2007 and again from 2017 to 2019. Empirical inference is based on the weekly coverage of the Austrian parliament’s first chamber (Nationalrat) in a sample of four daily newspapers. The findings show that the first term in government did indeed have a positive and significant effect on media coverage. However, that this effect is not found for the second term suggests that its existence and size depend on the concrete political circumstances under which governments and media outlets operate.

Experiences of Social Isolation During the COVID-19 Lockdown Among Adolescents and Young Adult Cancer Patients and Survivors.

Purpose: COVID-19 is a worldwide pandemic affecting populations by massive lockdowns, including strict precautions and quarantines. Research on the lives of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic is highly relevant to meet potential challenges regarding their physical and mental well-being. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate how AYA cancer patients and survivors experience social isolation during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: Individual semistructured telephone interviews were performed with 13 AYA cancer patients and survivors aged 18-29 years. All participants were users of Kræftværket, a youth support center and social organization for AYAs with cancer at The University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Denmark. Data were analyzed by using thematic analysis. Results: The following themes were found. The need for giving and receiving support, Difficulty of the community spirit, The lockdown's effect on recovery, Disrupted youth, and Being alone. Conclusion: The participants in this study experienced loneliness, anxiety, lack of psychosocial support, and lack of physical contact. In addition, lack of rehabilitation and lack of support during hospital visits, which may specifically influence the disease trajectory, were reported. Thus, health care professionals have an important task to follow up on the AYA's well-being during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. A positive side effect of the lockdown period was the experience of getting a respite to recover physically and mentally after cancer.

Sudden changes in nitrogen dioxide emissions over Greece due to lockdown after the outbreak of COVID-19

Abstract. The unprecedented order, in modern peaceful times, for a near-total lockdown of the Greek population as a means of protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, commonly known as COVID-19, has generated unintentional positive side-effects with respect to the country's air quality levels. Sentinel-5 Precursor/Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (S5P/TROPOMI) monthly mean tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) observations show an average change of −34 % to +20 % and −39 % to −5 % with an average decrease of −15 % and −11 % for March and April 2020 respectively, compared with the previous year, over the six larger Greek metropolitan areas; this is mostly attributable to vehicular emission reductions. For the capital city of Athens, weekly analysis was statistically possible for the S5P/TROPOMI observations and revealed a marked decline in the NO2 load of between −8 % and −43 % for 7 of the 8 weeks studied; this is in agreement with the equivalent Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI)/Aura observations as well as the ground-based estimates of a multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy ground-based instrument. Chemical transport modelling of the NO2 columns, provided by the Long Term Ozone Simulation European Operational Smog (LOTOS-EUROS) chemical transport model, shows that the magnitude of these reductions cannot solely be attributed to the difference in meteorological factors affecting NO2 levels during March and April 2020 and the equivalent time periods of the previous year. Taking this factor into account, the resulting decline was estimated to range between ∼ −25 % and −65 % for 5 of the 8 weeks studied, with the remaining 3 weeks showing a positive average of ∼ 10 %; this positive average was postulated to be due to the uncertainty of the methodology, which is based on differences. As a result this analysis, we conclude that the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown and the restriction of transport emissions over Greece is ∼ −10 %. As transport is the second largest sector (after industry) affecting Greece's air quality, this occasion may well help policymakers to enforce more targeted measures to aid Greece in further reducing emissions according to international air quality standards.

Information About the Optimism of a Placebo/Nocebo Provider and Placebo/Nocebo Side Effects.

BackgroundResearch has demonstrated that personality characteristics, such as optimism are associated with placebo/nocebo responding. The present study investigated whether written information about the optimism of a placebo/nocebo provider can influence the occurrence of reported placebo/nocebo side effects.MethodWe analyzed data from 201 females (mean age = 26 years) who participated in a “clinical study on a new massage oil with stone clover extract.” The oil (sunflower oil) was introduced as either eliciting a negative side effect (unpleasant itching; “nocebo oil”) or a positive side effect (pleasant tingling; “placebo oil”). The administration of the oil was combined with written information about the maker of the product. The oil maker was either portrayed as a very optimistic person or no personal information was provided (only the company name). The participants had no personal contact with the experimenter and received all materials and instructions per post.ResultsThe participants reported more frequent and intense itching when they received a nocebo suggestion compared to a placebo suggestion. Positive tingling sensations were reported more frequently than itching but did not differ between the placebo/nocebo conditions. Information about the optimism of the oil maker was associated with a lower frequency of reported side effects (adverse and beneficial).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that it is sufficient to provide participants with written information about an inert substance to elicit the suggested side effect. Information about the provider’s optimistic personality did not specifically influence reported side effects. Future studies should focus on how to adapt written information about a drug/product to minimize adverse side effects and to maximize positive side effects.

Structure and Activity of Pentacyclic Triterpenes Codrugs. A Review.

Triterpenes are a wide and important group of compounds that have several promising pharmacological properties, such as hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-HIV, antioxidant, or anticancer activities. Such potent substances can be successfully incorporated in more complex chemical systems e.g. codrugs or pro-drugs that have a better pharmacological profile. The codrug is connected with a drug formation pathway to chemically cohere at least two drug molecules to improve positive therapeutic efficiency or decrease side effects. The codrug can be cleaved in the organism to generate effective compounds previously used as substrates. This article presents an overview of codrugs that consist of pentacyclic triterpene moiety that is chosen as a basic codrug moiety due to their wide range of vital activities and another drug molecule fragment. It was found that triterpenoid codrugs are characterized by a wide range of biological activities. However, most of them have anticancer potency.

Long-Term Impact in the Quality of Life of Patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy That Use Cannabidiol

Introduction: Epilepsy is considered a chronic neurological condition that manifests itself with seizures, where 30% - 40% of patients do not achieve control of their seizures despite proper management. Seizures represent a significant limitation in the patient’s daily activities and are often accompanied by emotional and relational difficulties that have a great impact on the quality of life of the patient and their families. Cannabidiol (CBD) has been found to be effective in controlling seizures and may also improve cognitive and behavioral abilities. Material and Methods: The Quality of Life of the Patient with Epilepsy (CAVE) scale was applied to patients with refractory epilepsies who use Cannabidiol (CBD) added to their base therapy, before the use of CBD and after 12 months of follow-up. The presentation of collateral effects was also evaluated. Results: Out of 34 patients, 26 (76.5%) increased their CAVE value at the end of the study and only 1 (2.9%) decreased. 19 (55.9%) improved in learning and behavior, 55.8% in the frequency of seizures and 79.4% reported a decrease in the intensity of seizures. There were other positive side effects such as improvement in alertness, language, sleep and behavior. The main side effects were mild and transitory, including drowsiness, and constipation. There was a correlation between the global perception of improvement and seizure control. Conclusions: This study shows that in the long term CBD improves the quality of life of patients with refractory epilepsies, through the control of seizures and the improvement of cognitive and behavioral functions.

Keep Calm and Do Nothing - Trading Behavior of Swedish Retirement Investors during the COVID-19 Pandemic

How did investors in the Swedish Premium Pension System (PPS) react to the stock markets shock ignited in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic? The share of investors that traded more than doubled, and trades shifted capital from equity funds to low risk interest funds. In economic terms, however, trading activity stayed at very low levels—less than two percent of investors traded in March 2020 and there was no effect on pension withdrawals. Given the vast evidence on retail investors’ strongly increasing trading volume in crisis times, the reaction of PPS investors looks surprisingly smart, i.e., avoiding the many mistakes that investors incur when they try to outsmart the market. Potentially, the often-criticized choice architecture of the PPS that induces strong inertia provided positive side effects in times of a severe market shock.

Global impact of COVID 19 on 112 Emergency System detailed for National 112 Emergency System of Romania

Research background: During COVID19 crisis, in order to limit and control the multiplication of infections with the new virus, the Romanian Government forced restrictions and established fines to those not staying in line with the rules. The rules had been applied not only to citizens but also to private companies and state authorities. Due to these legal constraints taken during the declared state of emergency and the next state of alert, the appropriate attitude effects occurred in terms of behaviour of individuals and companies. Purpose of the article: One of the positive side effects of the measures taken during the state of emergency and the state of alert, is a decrease of non-real emergency calls in public safety answering points, small in value but important for dealing with real emergencies. Moreover, the incoming calls related to some chronic non-urgent medical affection decreases. Methods: We will study and make comparisons in the number of calls in 112 Emergency System to analyse the quantitative impact relative to COVID period versus a previous not impacted period of time because of COVID. Findings & Value added: The impact of the pandemic on the 112 Emergency System has been a major one. We observed the need to redefine procedures and to make operational a new resilience plan, by defining a specific calling number where people in need to report incidents specifically related to COVID. We also observed some changes in caller behaviour that occurred to those calling the emergency 112 number. However, the last not the least we have observed a real interest of people calling to the specific number dedicated to COVID with different contexts, concerns and clarifications needed to them in order to adopt a more conscious and responsible attitude.

THE PRIORITIES OF STATE TAX POLICY IN UKRAINE

Introduction. Successful government decisions in the budget and tax areas able to provide socio-economic development of the country. Ukraine has undergone many tax reforms since independence, but there is no sustainable socio-economic growth. In view of this, it is important to clarify the directions of transformation of the state tax policy. The purpose of the article is to determine the directions of transformation of the tax policy of the state in Ukraine in the medium term based on the analysis of the existing structural disparities of the domestic economy and its taxation system. Results. The research sets out the areas of state tax policy transformation for medium-term perspective. The proposals presented here are to transform the state tax policy aimed at forming a tax system in Ukraine that will promote long-term, balanced, inclusive economic growth and, at the same time, provide a sufficient level of state revenues to perform its functions. To do this, in our opinion, in the medium term there should be a general redistribution of the tax burden by applying the entire list of taxes and their constituent elements (taxpayers, objects of taxation, tax base, benefits, tax rates, etc.), which should lead to the elimination of disparities in the tax system of Ukraine, and will contribute to structural modernization of the domestic economy in the long run and increase the level of voluntary tax payments. These proposals mainly concern changes in the structure of the tax system and elements of taxes, and do not concern the corresponding changes in the system of their administration, as this is the subject of a separate discussion. Conclusions. Given the existing structural disparities in the tax system of Ukraine, which lead to a regressive distribution of the tax burden by income level, one of the priority measures of state tax policy is to reduce the regulatory VAT rate from 20% to 15%. This will support the purchasing power of domestic households. The main positive side effect of this is to create such conditions for taxpayers, under which further activities on the schemes of formation of fictitious tax credit becomes economically unprofitable.

Systematic Design of Multilevel Cascaded H-Bridge Inverter for Dynamic Loads

In recent years, renewable energy sources have been drastically increased over any other energy sources. In among those renewable energy sources, solar energy has gained more attention and importance over other types of renewable energies. On a smaller scale, whether by PV cell panels or passive solar home architecture, we can leverage the sun's rays to fuel the entire building. Passive solar homes are built to obtain heating through concrete, bricks, tiles, and other heat retaining materials in the sun through south-facing windows. Some solar-powered homes produce more than enough electricity, enabling the homeowner to return to the grid to sell surplus power. Batteries are also an economically attractive way to store excess solar energy so that it can be used at night. Scientists are hard at work on new advances that blend form and function, such as solar skylights and roof shingles. So, in order to convert solar energy to electrical energy, inverters are employed using photovoltaic cells. According to the necessity of power consumption and to increase the efficiency multilevel inverters are made into applicability. This paper focuses on the vital role played by photovoltaic cells to reduce the switching stress on cascaded type H-Bridge configured multilevel inverter. As a positive side effect of this, one can achieve reduced harmonic distortion, increased efficiency in output power, reduced power loss, ease of implementation. As well as by decreasing the number of switches employed, the system become more efficient.

Interventions with Positive Side-Effects: Covid-19 Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions and Infectious Diseases in Europe

To assess the efficacy of Covid-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on infectious disease containment in Europe, we first use weekly 2015-20 data on the spread of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to compare the 2019-20 season of these diseases with the previous five. Although the magnitude of results differs between countries, we document much stronger end-of-season declines in infections in the most recent outbreak than in the earlier ones, implying that they may be driven by NPIs implemented in 2020 to combat Covid-19. To test this conjecture, we use detailed country-specific weekly information on Covid-19 NPIs to estimate several panel models that relate NPI implementation to disease incidence across countries. Not only do certain measures significantly reduce the spread of Covid-19, they also curtail the spread of influenza and RSV. Nonetheless, although we identify workplace closures as a particularly effective measure, we find no evidence for the efficacy of other NPIs such as travel restrictions.

The effectiveness of inhaled Cannabis flower for the treatment of agitation/irritability, anxiety, and common stress

BackgroundAn observational research design was used to evaluate which types of commonly labeled Cannabis flower product characteristics are associated with changes in momentary feelings of distress-related symptoms.MethodsWe used data from 2306 patient-directed cannabis administration sessions among 670 people who used the real-time Cannabis effects recording software, Releaf App, between June 6, 2016, and February 23, 2019, for tracking the effects of Cannabis flower consumption. Fixed effects multivariable panel regression techniques were used to establish overall relief by symptom type and to determine which labeled product characteristics (e.g., subspecies/subtype, inhalation method, and major cannabinoid contents) showed the strongest correlation with changes in momentary feelings of agitation/irritability, anxiety, and stress, along with experienced side effects.ResultsIn total, a decrease in symptom intensity levels was reported in 95.51% of Cannabis usage sessions, an increase in 2.32% of sessions, and no change in 2.16% of sessions. Fixed effects models showed, on average, respondents recorded a maximum symptom intensity reduction of 4.33 points for agitation/irritability (SE = 0.20, p < 0.01), 3.47 points for anxiety (SE = 0.13, p < 0.01), and 3.98 for stress (SE = 0.12, p < 0.01) on an 11-point visual analog scale. Fixed effects regressions showed that, controlling for time-invariant user characteristics, mid and high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels were the primary independent predictor of increased symptom relief, and that when broken out by symptom type, this effect was only statistically significant for our largest sample of users, those reporting anxiety rather than agitation/irritability or stress. Cannabidiol (CBD) levels were generally not associated with changes in symptom intensity levels. In a minority of cannabis use sessions (< 13%), cannabis users reported anxiogenic-related negative side effects (e.g., feeling anxious, irritable, paranoid, rapid pulse, or restless), whereas in a majority of sessions (about 66%), users reported positive anxiolytic side effects (e.g., feeling chill, comfy, happy, optimistic, peaceful, or relaxed).ConclusionsThe findings suggest the majority of patients in our sample experienced relief from distress-related symptoms following consumption of Cannabis flower, and that among product characteristics, higher THC levels were the strongest predictors of relief.

Gender Differences in the First-Year Antipsychotic Treatment for Chinese First-Episode Schizophrenia.

ObjectiveTo investigate the gender differences in the efficacy and side effects of three frequently used antipsychotic medicines (risperidone, olanzapine, aripiprazole) for patients with first-episode schizophrenia during the first year of treatment.MethodsA total of 569 patients with first-episode schizophrenia were randomly assigned to risperidone, olanzapine, and aripiprazole groups. All patients were treated according to their actual clinical needs. Clinical efficacies were assessed by the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) and side effects were assessed by the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser Side-Effect scale (UKU). All assessments were completed at baseline and at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.ResultsMales had higher baseline PANSS total scores and PANSS negative and general pathological scores. No significant interactions were found between treatment time and gender in psychopathology improvements in all three groups. In the end of the first year, female patients receiving risperidone reported more dermatological symptoms (rashes) than males, female patients receiving olanzapine reported more autonomic side effects and dermatological symptoms than males, and female patients receiving aripiprazole reported more psychotic side effects than males.ConclusionGender differences exhibited in response to antipsychotic treatments for Chinese patients with first-episode schizophrenia. After the first year of antipsychotic treatment, drug-related side effects were more likely presented in female patients than male patients.

Feasibility and acceptability of aquatic exercise therapy in burn patients – A pilot study

BackgroundAs the assistive and resistive properties of water can facilitate the performance of exercise, aquatic exercise therapy might be a promising rehabilitation modality for burn patients. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of aquatic exercise therapy in adult burn patients with an indication for supervised exercise therapy. MethodsEligible for this observational pilot study were all competent adult burn patients with an indication for supervised exercise therapy who had been admitted to the burn centre of the Maasstad Hospital between June 2016 and February 2017. Patients were asked to participate in an in-hospital aquatic exercise therapy program for a minimum of 2 weeks, 2 times per week, or otherwise serve as control by having land-based exercise therapy (regular care). Feasibility of aquatic exercise therapy was assessed by comparing the number of eligible patients to the number of patients that could actually participate, monitoring attendance rates, monitoring complications, and evaluating early experiences. Acceptability was assessed using the Water Exercise Acceptability Questionnaire. ResultsEleven patients were invited and ten of them agreed to participate. All chose aquatic instead of land-based exercise therapy. Participants were aged between 19 and 64 years and their burns affected 18–53% of total body surface area (TBSA). Aquatic exercise therapy appeared feasible in nine of 13 eligible patients (69%). Attendance rates were high (42–100%) and the majority of participants (n = 9) continued with aquatic exercise therapy beyond the initial two weeks. No serious complications (e.g. infections) occurred. Adverse symptoms (wound healing issues) were reported in five participants, but in four of them these were not likely to be due to the aquatic exercise therapy. Enjoyment was high and adherence to the aquatic exercise therapy was further facilitated by support from staff, a sense of achievement, noticeable improvements, personal motivation, and support from other participants. Peer support was reported as a positive side effect. ConclusionsThese preliminary results indicate that aquatic exercise therapy is both feasible and acceptable for the majority of adult burn patients with an indication for supervised exercise therapy. No indications were found for an increased risk of infection or other serious complications.

Amyloid-β Peptide Impact on Synaptic Function and Neuroepigenetic Gene Control Reveal New Therapeutic Strategies for Alzheimer's Disease.

Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides can form protease-resistant aggregates within and outside of neurons. Accumulation of these aggregates is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) neuropathology and contributes to devastating cognitive deficits associated with this disorder. The primary etiological factor for Aβ aggregation is either an increase in Aβ production or a decrease in its clearance. Aβ is produced by the sequential activity of β- and γ-secretase on the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the clearance is mediated by chaperone-mediated mechanisms. The Aβ aggregates vary from soluble monomers and oligomers to insoluble senile plaques. While excess intraneuronal oligomers can transduce neurotoxic signals into neurons causing cellular defects like oxidative stress and neuroepigenetic mediated transcriptional dysregulation, extracellular senile plaques cause neurodegeneration by impairing neural membrane permeabilization and cell signaling pathways. Paradoxically, senile plaque formation is hypothesized to be an adaptive mechanism to sequester excess toxic soluble oligomers while leaving native functional Aβ levels intact. This hypothesis is strengthened by the absence of positive outcomes and side effects from immunotherapy clinical trials aimed at complete Aβ clearance, and support beneficial physiological roles for native Aβ in cellular function. Aβ has been shown to modulate synaptic transmission, consolidate memory, and protect against excitotoxicity. We discuss the current understanding of beneficial and detrimental roles for Aβ in synaptic function and epigenetic gene control and the future promising prospects of early therapeutic interventions aimed at mediating Aβ induced neuroepigenetic and synaptic dysfunctions to delay AD onset.