Anti-CPD monoclonal antibody, clone FQS25921

We investigated the brain atrophy distribution pattern and rate of regional atrophy change in Parkinson's disease (PD) in association with the cognitive status to identify the morphological characteristics of conversion to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia (PDD). T1-weighted longitudinal 3T MRI data (up to four follow-up assessments) from neuropsychologically well-characterized advanced PD patients (n = 172, 8.9 years disease duration) and healthy elderly controls (n = 85) enrolled in the LANDSCAPE study were longitudinally analyzed using a linear mixed effect model and atlas-based volumetry and cortical thickness measures. At baseline, PD patients presented with cerebral atrophy and cortical thinning including striatum, temporoparietal regions, and primary/premotor cortex. The atrophy was already observed in "cognitively normal" PD patients (PD-N) and was considerably more pronounced in cognitively impaired PD patients. Linear mixed effect modeling revealed almost similar rates of atrophy change in PD and controls. The group comparison at baseline between those PD-N whose cognitive performance remained stable (n = 42) and those PD-N patients who converted to MCI/PDD ("converter" cPD-N, n = 26) indicated suggested cortical thinning in the anterior cingulate cortex in cPD-N patients which was correlated with cognitive performance. Our results suggest that cortical brain atrophy has been already expanded in advanced PD patients without overt cognitive deficits while atrophy progression in late disease did not differ from "normal" aging regardless of the cognitive status. It appears that cortical atrophy begins early and progresses already in the initial disease stages emphasizing the need for therapeutic interventions already at disease onset.

Introduction: Canadian researchers developed a self-administered questionnaire to ask participants of continuing professional development (CPD) activities about their intention to translate the knowledge acquired in the classroom into clinical practice. The questionnaire may facilitate quality improvement processes in such CPD activities. Objective: To translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate the original English REACTION questionnaire (A theoRy-basEd instrument to assess the impACT of continuing professional development activities on professional behavIOr chaNge) for its use in Argentina. Population and methods: The 12 questionnaire items were translated and cross-culturally adapted using a five-step process. The construct validity was assessed using an exploratory factor analysis, whereas reliability, with Cronbach's coefficient and the G coefficient. Results: The final questionnaire version was administered to a sample of 133 physicians who attended 9 CPD activities at a teaching hospital in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (average age: 38 years; 23.3 %, men; 76 %, family physicians). The exploratory factor analysis showed 3 factors (social influence, confidence in one's abilities, and ethical judgment). Cronbach's coefficient was 0.82 and the G coefficient, 0.72. Conclusions: The Argentine version of the REACTION questionnaire was adapted and validated to assess the impact of CPD centered on clinical skills training on physicians' intention to implement it in their practice.