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Impact of sharing Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers with individuals without dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of empirical data

Jetske van der Schaar, Leonie N. C. Visser, Johannes C. F. Ket, Colin Groot, Yolande A. L. Pijnenburg, Philip Scheltens, Annelien L. Bredenoord, Mariëtte A. van den Hoven, Wiesje M. van der Flier

 

Abstract

Introduction

We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of empirical evidence on expected and experienced implications of sharing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarker results with individuals without dementia.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, APA PsycInfo, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results from included studies were synthesized, and quantitative data on psychosocial impact were meta-analyzed using a random-effects model.

Results

We included 35 publications. Most personal stakeholders expressed interest in biomarker assessment. Learning negative biomarker results led to relief and sometimes frustration, while positive biomarkers induced anxiety but also clarity. Meta-analysis of five studies including 2012 participants (elevated amyloid = 1324 [66%], asymptomatic = 1855 [92%]) showed short-term psychological impact was not significant (random-effect estimate = 0.10, standard error = 0.23, P = 0.65). Most professional stakeholders valued biomarker testing, although attitudes and practices varied considerably.

Conclusions

Interest in AD biomarker testing was high and sharing their results did not cause psychological harm.

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Identifying best practices for disclosure of amyloid imaging results: A randomized controlled trial

Agnetha D Fruijtier, Jetske van der Schaar, Ingrid S van Maurik, Marissa D Zwan, Philip Scheltens, Femke Bouwman, Yolande A L Pijnenburg, Bart N M van Berckel, Jarith Ebenau, Wiesje M van der Flier, Ellen M A Smets, Leonie N C Visser

 

Abstract

Introduction: Empirical studies on effective communication for amyloid disclosure in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are lacking. We aimed to study the impact of six communication strategies.

Method: We performed a randomized controlled trial with seven randomly assigned, video-vignette conditions: six emphasizing a communication strategy and one basic condition. All showed a scripted consultation of a neurologist disclosing positive amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) scan results to an MCI patient. Healthy individuals (N = 1017; mean age ± SD 64 ± 8, 808 (79%) female) were instructed to imagine themselves in the video, answered questionnaires assessing information recall, emotional state, and behavioral intentions, and evaluate the physician/information.

Results: “Risk best practice” resulted in highest free recall compared to other strategies (P < .05), except “emotional support”. Recall in “emotional support” was better compared to “basic-‘ and elaborate information”(P < .05). “Risk best practice” resulted in the highest uncertainty (P < .001). “Teach-back” and “emotional support” contributed to the highest evaluations (P -values < .01).

Conclusion: Risk communication best practices, attending to emotions, and teach-back techniques enhance information recall of amyloid-PET results, and could contribute to positive care evaluations.

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Considerations regarding a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease before dementia: a systematic review

Jetske van der Schaar, Leonie N. C. Visser, Femke H. Bouwman, Johannes C. F. Ket, Philip Scheltens, Annelien L. Bredenoord & Wiesje M. van der Flier

 

Abstract

Background

The NIA-AA research framework proposes a purely biological definition of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This implies that AD can be diagnosed based on biomarker abnormalities, irrespective of clinical manifestation. While this brings opportunities, it also raises challenges. We aimed to provide an overview of considerations regarding the disclosure of AD pathology before the onset of dementia.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted and reported according to PRISMA guidelines. We searched PubMed, Embase, APA PsycINFO, and Web of Science Core Collection (on 10 December 2020) for references on conveying AD biomarker results to individuals without dementia. Our query combined variations on the terms Alzheimer’s disease, disclosure, or diagnosis, preclinical or prodromal, and biomarkers. Two reviewers independently screened the resulting 6860 titles and abstracts for eligibility and examined 162 full-text records for relevance. We included theoretical articles in English, on communicating amyloid and/or tau results to individuals with mild cognitive impairment, subjective cognitive decline, or normal cognition. MAXQDA-software was used for inductive data analysis.

Results

We included 27 publications. From these, we extracted 26 unique considerations, which we grouped according to their primary relevance to a clinical, personal, or societal context. Clinical considerations included (lack of) validity, utility, and disclosure protocols. Personal considerations covered psychological and behavioral implications, as well as the right to (not) know. Finally, societal considerations comprised the risk of misconception, stigmatization, and discrimination. Overall, views were heterogeneous and often contradictory, with emphasis on harmful effects.

Conclusions

We found 26 diverse and opposing considerations, related to a clinical, personal, or societal context, which are relevant to diagnosing AD before dementia. The theoretical literature tended to focus on adverse impact and rely on common morality, while the motivation for and implications of biomarker testing are deeply personal. Our findings provide a starting point for clinicians to discuss biomarker-based diagnosis with their patients, which will become even more relevant in light of the conditional approval of a first disease-modifying drug for AD.

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Dementia risk communication. A user manual for Brain Health Services—part 3 of 6

Leonie N. C. Visser, Carolina Minguillon, Gonzalo Sánchez-Benavides, Marc Abramowicz, Daniele Altomare , Karine Fauria, Giovanni B. Frisoni, Jean Georges, Federica Ribaldi, Philip Scheltens, Jetske van der Schaar, Marissa Zwan, Wiesje M. van der Flier, and José Luis Molinuevo

 

Abstract

Growing evidence suggests dementia incidence can be reduced through prevention programs targeting risk factors. To accelerate the implementation of such prevention programs, a new generation of brain health services (BHS) is envisioned, involving risk profiling, risk communication, risk reduction, and cognitive enhancement. The
purpose of risk communication is to enable individuals at risk to make informed decisions and take action to protect themselves and is thus a crucial step in tailored prevention strategies of the dementia incidence. However, communicating about dementia risk is complex and challenging.

In this paper, we provide an overview of (i) perspectives on communicating dementia risk from an ethical, clinical, and societal viewpoint; (ii) insights gained from memory clinical practice; (iii) available evidence on the impact of disclosing APOE and Alzheimer’s disease biomarker test results gathered from clinical trials and observational
studies; (iv) the value of established registries in light of BHS; and (v) practical recommendations regarding effective strategies for communicating about dementia risk.

In addition, we identify challenges, i.e., the current lack of evidence on what to tell on an individual level—the actual risk—and on how to optimally communicate about dementia risk, especially concerning worried yet cognitively unimpaired individuals. Ideally, dementia risk communication strategies should maximize the desired
impact of risk information on individuals’ understanding of their health/disease status and risk perception and minimize potential harms. More research is thus warranted on the impact of dementia risk communication, to (1) evaluate the merits of different approaches to risk communication on outcomes in the cognitive, affective and
behavioral domains, (2) develop an evidence-based, harmonized dementia risk communication protocol, and (3) develop e-tools to support and promote adherence to this protocol in BHSs.

Based on the research reviewed, we recommend that dementia risk communication should be precise; include the use of absolute risks, visual displays, and time frames; based on a process of shared decision-making; and address the inherent uncertainty that comes with any probability.

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