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Tdap and Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial

Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 4:56 am
by Julie G
I've been asked to post about a clinical trial that will attempt to evaluate the effect of the Tdap vaccination on AD biomarkers. You can read more about it here: Tdap and Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease
Recently, the Tdap (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis) vaccination was added to the list of immunizations associated with lower incidence of dementia. Plasma-based biomarkers for AD are a welcome alternative to expensive and invasive testing for Alzheimer's; these biomarkers include assessment of amyloid and tau and neurofilament light protein that assesses non-specific neurodegeneration. We will test for these biomarkers, as well as some immune parameters, administer Tdap then repeat the blood tests in six months.
TO PARTICIPATE:
You must be 50 Years to 80 years old, cognitively normal (SAGE test >17). and immunocompetent.

CONTACT:
Alie Halverson (mindfuldt@gmail.com) for more information.

Re: Tdap and Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial

Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2022 6:06 pm
by Tincup
Julie G wrote: Sun Jan 23, 2022 4:56 am TO PARTICIPATE:
You must be 50 Years to 80 years old, cognitively normal (SAGE test >17). and immunocompetent.
So I searched on SAGE test and the one I found had 12 questions :lol:
(I didn't look at scoring, maybe 2 points per question?)

Re: Tdap and Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 8:08 am
by Julie G
So I searched on SAGE test and the one I found had 12 questions :lol:
(I didn't look at scoring, maybe 2 points per question?)
I checked and the maximum score on the SAGE is 22, and any score under 17 is considered an indicator of thinking difficulties that should be checked by a specialist. A score of 15 or 16 indicates the person might have mild cognitive impairment, or MCI. Fourteen or below indicates probable dementia. From this source.

Re: Tdap and Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:03 pm
by Tincup
Julie G wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 8:08 am I checked and the maximum score on the SAGE is 22, and any score under 17 is considered an indicator of thinking difficulties that should be checked by a specialist. A score of 15 or 16 indicates the person might have mild cognitive impairment, or MCI. Fourteen or below indicates probable dementia. From this source.
This explains how to actually score the test. Maybe extra credit for figuring out how to find the scoring instructions :lol:

Actually took two forms of the test and took about 2 minutes to finish. By inspection, all correct.

I'm interested in this as my nearly 77 year old sister-in-law is clearly demented, from what her daughter says. The last visit to the neurologist, he said she was fine. The SAGE test is something the daughter could print out and give to her mother and then take to the neurologist. However, it would be useful for her to be able to score the test, which is why I wanted to find out how to do it. My assumption is if you bring the test in with a low score, it would hopefully prompt more action on the part of the doc.