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Laterality as a determinant of Alzheimer's disease
Stuchlíková, Veronika ; Votápková, Jana (advisor) ; Šlegerová, Lenka (referee)
This thesis studies the e ect of laterality on the probability of developing Alzheimer's disease by investigating whether the disease is more likely to de- velop among left-handers compared to right-handers. It also aims to draw con- clusions about the e ects of other risk factors that were shown to be inconclu- sive in previous empirical research. The data were taken from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database. The analysis was performed on two dependent diagnostic variables, one binary and the other categorical. The vari- ables were examined using the binary and multinomial logit models, respec- tively. Other regressors included in the models were gender, age, bilingualism and variables related to genetic and lifestyle factors. The results show that left-handedness is insignificant in both our models, i.e., the e ect of laterality on the development of Alzheimer's disease cannot be supported. We further highlight significant results of the e ects of former inconclusive variables, gen- der and obesity. The probability of development is lower for women compared to men, the chances of development also decrease for obese individuals. Keywords laterality, risk factors, Alzheimer's disease, bi- nary logit model, multinomial logit model Title Laterality as a determinant of Alzheimer s...
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Segmentation of amyloid plaques in brains of trangenic rats based on microCT image data
Kačníková, Diana ; Kolář, Radim (referee) ; Chmelík, Jiří (advisor)
The presence of amyloid plaques in the hippocampus highlights the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. Manual segmentation of amyloid plaques is very time consuming and increases the time that can be used to monitor the distribution of amyloid plaques. Distribution carries significant information about disease progression and the impact of potential therapy. The automatic or semi-automatic segmentation method can lead to significant savings in the time which are required when the disease has rapid progression. The description of amyloid plaques and the computed tomography are included in this work. In this diploma thesis are three implemented algorithms, two of them are based on published articles and one’s own methodological solution. The conclusion of the thesis is a quantitative evaluation of the accuracy of implemented segmentation procedures.
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Business Plan - Private Nursing Facilities
Pavlů, Dominik ; MBA, Pierantonio Nebuloni, (referee) ; Sághy Estélyi, Kristína (advisor)
The core aim of this paper is to present a business plan that aims to realize a private nursing home facility. Firstly does the author outlines the basis of current private social services environment in Czech Republic and the actual need of the project. The main part of the paper focuses on the practical execution of the plan. Several project possibilities are offered and evaluated with a supporting evidence of expected financial data. Thesis aims to present succinct yet coherent analysis on the real facility operation and differences to already existing competitors. Contrary to those, this project gives special attention to personnel (especially nurses and social nurses) who are a key success factor of the business as such.
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The effect of amyloid beta on viability of selected neuropathogens: challenging the infectious hypothesis of Alzheimer disease
Vosála, Ondřej ; Macháček, Tomáš (advisor) ; Černý, Jan (referee)
Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia worldwide, affecting millions of individuals. Researchers have identified amyloid beta (A ) as the primary agent responsible for neuropathogenicity, but the factors triggering its overproduction remain uncertain. An relatively new theory, known as the infectious hypothesis, sheds light on this phenomenon by associating the excess production of A with its potential role as an antimicrobial peptide-an element of the innate immune response against neuroinfections. This hypothesis posits a transition from acute physiological overproduction during neuroinfection to a chronically dysregulated and pathological process targeting both pathogens and neural tissue. So far, experimental evidence supporting this theory has been primarily obtained through studies involving viruses or bacteria. Aim of this study was to investigate the role of multicellular pathogens in stimulating A overproduction and, on the other hand, A role in elimination of such infections. Toxocara canis was chosen as a main model of neuropathogenic parasite. Although successful infections were achieved in BALB/c mice, there was no observable increase in A production even after 16 weeks of infection. To further challenge the survivability of Toxocara larvae in increased A concentration in...
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Impact of antidiabetic substances to development of insulin resistance and neurodegenerative changes in mouse models of type 2 diabetes
Mikulášková, Barbora ; Čabala, Radomír (advisor) ; Kuneš, Jaroslav (referee)
Numerous epidemiological and experimental studies have shown that patients suffering from metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (TDM2), insulin resistance or obesity are at a higher risk of cognitive functions impairment and developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Impairment of insulin signalling in the brain could contribute to two pathological changes which leads to AD development that include insoluble senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, containing an abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau protein (Tau). This work is focused on investigating of insulin signaling in hippocampi in the brains of mice models of insulin resistence, impact of disturbed insulin signaling on hyperphosphorylation of Tau, and possible benefical efect of insulin sensitizing agents on insulin signaling and Tau phosphorylation in the hippocampi of diabetic mice. The first, we examined insulin signaling and phosphorylation of Tau in hippocampi in two mouse models of TDM2 - lipodystrofic A-ZIP F-1 mice and monosodium glutamate obese mice (MSG mice). We did not observe any changes in insulin signaling and Tau phosphorylation in hippocampi of A-ZIP F-1 mice compared to controls. In the hippocampi of MSG mice there was attenuated phosphorylation of kinases of insulin signalling including Ser9 of glycogen synthase...
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Retinal nerve fiber layer measurement in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Kasl, Zdeněk ; Jirásková, Naďa (advisor) ; Pašta, Jiří (referee) ; Skorkovská, Šárka (referee)
Retinal nerve fiber layer measurement in patients with Alzheimer's disease The current ophthalmologist's possibilities in diagnostics of Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia syndrome and mild cognitive impairment. To enroll the disease most securely there are used so called biomarkers using evidence of changed brain metabolism by pozitron emission tomography (PET) and in cerebrospinal fluid or the brain's structure magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These methods are expensive, organisationally and temporally challenging and burdening for the patients. According to that reasons we are still seeking for alternative attitudes suitable for early diagnosis. The evaluation of thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) which is well accessible to examination through optical aparatus of the eye could be one of the options. The aim of our work was to present current knowledges about Alzheimer's disease targeting relations of Alzheimer's disease and an ophthalmological finding. In the next part of this paper we introduce the retinal nerve fiber layer measurement by optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a potential diagnostics method by screening of patients with Alzheimer's disease and to present our results measured in our cohort of patients. The studied cohort...
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Comparison of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and the Mini-Mental State Examination in screening diagnostics of Alzheimer's disease
Orlíková, Hana ; Kulišťák, Petr (advisor) ; Hrachovinová, Tamara (referee)
This thesis deals with the neuropsychological diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The aim is to evaluate the psychometric characteristics ofthe new Czech translation of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) by comparison with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), a method widely used by doctors inscreening diagnostics of Alzheimer's disease. The theoretical part deals with the diagnostics of Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. We describe international diagnostic criteria of cognitive disorders and provide an overview of the screening neuropsychological methods most commonly used by Czech specialists. We summarize the current psychometric and psychodiagnostic findings on these methods and focuse on description of MMSE and MoCA. In the empirical part we compare Czech version of MMSE and MoCA-CZ (the new Czech translation of the test). We examined 38 patients with Alzheimer's disease and 70 cognitively healthy seniors. The results show that MoCA-CZ is sufficiently valid and reliable screening method that accurately distinguishbetween healthy subjects and patiens with Alzheimer's disease. We believe that it can enrich screening tools that are available to Czech experts. Key words: Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Mini-Mental State Examination, Alzheimer's disease, psychodiagnostics,...
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Pharmacological evaluation of potencial drugs for Alzheimer's disease treatment
Matoušková, Lenka ; Vopršalová, Marie (advisor) ; Říha, Michal (referee)
Charles University in Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology Student: Lenka Matoušková Supervisor: PharmDr. Marie Vopršalová, CSc. Consultant: PharmDr. Vendula Šepsová, Ph.D. Title of diploma thesis: Pharmacological evaluation of potencial drugs for Alzheimer's disease treatment Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by aggregates of beta-amyloid, neurofibrillary tangles of tau protein and by the loss of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain and hippocampus. Cause of AD is still unknown and only symptomatic treatment is available thanks to inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and memantine, inhibitor of glutamate receptors. M1 muscarinic positive allosteric modulators (PAM) represent another variant of treatment that can improve cholinergic transmission. Thanks to their selectivity, they are able to decrease side effects. The aim of the study was to measure novel compounds' abilities to inhibit AChE and BChE and simultaneously act as PAM of M1 receptors. Enzymes inhibition was measured according to Ellman's method and IC50 values were determined. For fluorescent measurement of compounds interaction with muscarinic receptor the CHO cell line stably expressing the M1 receptor subtype was used. Statistical analysis...
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Possibilities of Occupational Therapy in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease
Turková, Monika ; Straková, Eva (advisor) ; Nováková, Olga (referee)
OF BACHELOR THESIS Author of bachelor thesis: Monika Turková Thesis supervisor: Mgr. Eva Straková, Ph.D. Title of bachelor thesis: Possibilities of Occupational Therapy in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease Abstract: This Bachelor's thesis addresses Alzheimer's disease ("AD") in the context of its impact on the ability to perform Activities of Daily Living ("ADL") and possible improvement through occupational therapy interventions. In its initial part, the thesis provides information on AD (risk factors, incidence rate, etiology and pathogenesis, diagnostics, stages of the disease, treatment); the second part focuses on the use of occupational therapy in AD patients (methods of occupational therapy used in practice, their impact on the ability to perform ADL, ADL assessment and selected interventions in the area of ADL). The thesis aims to provide information on the possibilities of influencing the ability of patients with AD to perform ADL from the point of view of occupational therapy. Another partial aim is to give an overview of the needs of patients with AD concerning the individual ADL areas and a systematic summary of selected types of interventions. Articles and studies serving as an information basis were gathered from selected electronic databases available to the students of Charles...
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