01-March-2010 - Artificial Neural Networks Help Identify Predisposing Factors for Conversion of Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer’s Disease

Contacts:
George Perry, PhD
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
University of Texas at San Antonio, College of Sciences
Tel: +1 210 458 4450
Fax:+1 210 458 4445
E-mail: george.perry@utsa.edu

Mark A. Smith, PhD
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University
Tel: +1 216 368 3670
Fax: +1 216 368 8964
E-mail: mark.smith@case.edu

Esther Mateike
IOS Press
Tel: +31 20 688 3355
Fax: +31 20 620 3419
e.mateike@iospress.nl
URL: www.j-alz.com

Amsterdam – Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is often considered an early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). An analysis of genetic risk factors predisposing to MCI is critical for accessing individual predisposition and reliably evaluating the effectiveness of early treatment. In a groundbreaking study published in the February 2010 issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease investigators successfully used artificial neural networks (ANNs) to help understand the causal relation between multiple factors and the occurrence of neurodegenerative disorders.

ANNs are computer algorithms inspired by the highly interactive processing of the human brain. Like the brain, they can recognize patterns, manage data and learn. This novel form of data analysis can accurately detect complex relationships between independent and dependent variables. When exposed to a complex data set, they recognize the underlying mechanisms of time series and outcomes, thus identifying complex interactions among input data, and recognising hidden relations that are not apparent using traditional statistical methods. 

Using ANNs a team of researchers lead by Massimo Tabaton, University of Genova, Italy, analyzed 22 variables, which are recognized risk factors of AD in patients with MCI. Analysis indicated that hyperglycemia, female gender and the apoE4 genotype, in this order, were the biological variables with the highest relevance for predicting the conversion of MCI into AD within 2 years. This was followed by the scores on attentional and short memory tests.

Professor Tabaton and his colleagues commented, “This finding may have implications in clinical practice, as genetic variations can be easily examined and combined with other biomarkers, personal history and environmental exposure to establish a tailored risk profile. In fact, adjustment for the baseline risk, which should be more accurately assessed by taking into account genetic variations, would be required to estimate the utility of therapeutic and preventive intervention.”

“This work highlights the biological and genetic basis for the conversion of benign forgetfulness to AD and directs our efforts to new therapeutic avenues,” agree George Perry and Mark A. Smith, Editors-in-Chief of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Reference: Di Maria, Emilio, Sergio Cammarata, Maria Isola Parodi, Roberta Borghi, Luisa Benussi, Marialaura Galli, Daniela Galimberti, Roberta Ghidoni, Davide Gonella, Cristina Novello, Valeria Pollero, Lucia Perroni, Patrizio Odetti, Elio Scarpini, Giuliano Binetti, Massimo Tabaton.  The H1 Haplotype of the Tau Gene (MAPT) is Associated with Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Alzheimers Dis 19:3 (February 2010), p 909-914.

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To receive a copy of the full text, please contact Esther Mateike at IOS Press, Tel: +31 20 688 3355, e.mateike@iospress.nl. To request an interview with Professor Massimo Tabaton please email mtabaton@neurologia.unige.it or phone +39 010 3537064.

ABOUT THE JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (http://www.j-alz.com) is an international multidisciplinary journal to facilitate progress in understanding the etiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, genetics, behavior, treatment and psychology of Alzheimer's disease. The journal publishes research reports, reviews, short communications, book reviews, and letters-to-the-editor. Groundbreaking research that has appeared in the journal includes novel therapeutic targets, mechanisms of disease and clinical trial outcomes. The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease has an Impact Factor of 5.101 according to Thomson Reuters' 2009 edition of Journal Citation Reports. The Journal is published by IOS Press (http://www.iospress.nl).

The Journal is led by two internationally acknowledged experts in the field.

Editor-in-Chief George Perry, PhD, Professor of Biology, Dean of College of Sciences, University of Texas at San Antonio, is distinguished as one of the top Alzheimer's disease researchers (http://iospress.metapress.com/content/v932x18k23300844/fulltext.pdf) with over 800 publications and one of the top 100 most-cited scientists in Neuroscience & Behavior. He served as President of the American Association of Neuropathologists.

Editor-in-Chief Mark A. Smith, Ph.D., Professor of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, is recognized as one of the world's top 100 Alzheimer's disease investigators according to a recent study published in the March 2009 issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (http://iospress.metapress.com/content/v932x18k23300844/fulltext.pdf). He also serves as Executive Director of the American Aging Association.

ABOUT IOS PRESS
Commencing its publishing activities in 1987, IOS Press (www.iospress.nl) serves the information needs of scientific and medical communities worldwide. IOS Press now (co-)publishes over 100 international journals and about 130 book titles each year on subjects ranging from computer sciences and mathematics to medicine and the natural sciences.

IOS Press continues its rapid growth, embracing new technologies for the timely dissemination of information. All journals are available electronically and an e-book platform was launched in 2005.

Headquartered in Amsterdam with satellite offices in the USA, Germany, India and China, IOS Press has established several strategic co-publishing initiatives. Notable acquisitions included Delft University Press in 2005 and Millpress Science Publishers in 2008.

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