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        <title>Frontiers in Dementia | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/dementia</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Frontiers in Dementia | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
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        <pubDate>2026-08-17T15:41:52.610+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1852323</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1852323</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Dementia inclusive retail outlets: a scoping review of strategies to support people living with dementia in the retail industry]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-17T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Megan Rose Readman</author><author>Sarah Fox</author><author>Abigail Godfrey</author><author>Annabel Farnood</author><author>Sarah K. Smith</author><author>Olivia Luijnenburg</author><author>Lettie Wareing</author><author>Manjot Brar</author><author>Rebecca Ramos</author><author>Megan Polden</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundSupermarket shopping is a valued everyday activity that supports autonomy and social engagement for people living with dementia (PLWD). However, engagement with retail environments can be challenging due to difficulties with product recognition and selection, navigation, and sensory overwhelm. Despite increasing efforts to develop dementia-friendly communities, there is currently no comprehensive synthesis of evidence examining how PLWD experience retail environments or which strategies effectively support their engagement.MethodsPubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE were searched (2007–2025) for quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies examining (1) retail engagement experiences of PLWD and/or informal carers, (2) practical recommendations for the retail sector, and (3) initiatives currently implemented in shops. Grey literature searches using Google supplemented these sources. Data were synthesised using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsTen academic and 59 non-academic resources, including guidance and reports of initiatives, were identified. Relating to the experience of retail engagement for PLWD four overarching themes were identified: (1) Reliance on Familiarity and Predictability, (2) Cognitive Demands Before and During Shopping, (3) Sensory Overload and Time Pressure, (4) Payment, Technology, and Feelings of Exposure. Practical recommendations consistently highlight the importance of both person-centred approaches and environmental adaptations, which are reflected in many initiatives currently implemented in shops.ConclusionDespite the centrality of retail environments to community engagement for PLWD cognitive, sensory and social barriers impede independent positive engagement with these environments. Although dementia-friendly initiatives have been widely implemented across the retail sector, there remains a critical gap in rigorous evaluation of their effectiveness and long-term impact. Furthermore, some interventions may inadvertently contribute to the stigmatisation of PLWD, highlighting the need for inclusive, stigma-reducing strategies that support autonomy and participation.RegistrationThis review was pre-registered on the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/gfyva/).]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1881788</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1881788</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Diagnostic and treatment strategies in a memory clinic for older adults in a region with a predominantly low-income population]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Patricia Solis</author><author>Ines Mintz</author><author>Nancy Medel</author><author>Zulma Sevillano</author><author>Julieta Lisso</author><author>Nicolas Irureta</author><author>Mauricio Federico Zalazar-Jaime</author><author>Brenda Giagante</author><author>Maria Carolina Dalmasso</author><author>Silvia Kochen</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundEarly detection and interdisciplinary management of cognitive impairment are essential, particularly in socioeconomically vulnerable populations with limited access to specialized care. To address this need, a Memory Clinic was established in 2016 within the Argentine public healthcare system in Florencio Varela. This region reflects a condition of structural poverty, where 16.2% of the population lives in poverty according to Unsatisfied Basic Needs (UBN) and over 60% of residents lack essential services.MethodsThe study included 1,204 individuals (852 women, 353 men) with a mean age of 72 years and 6 years of education, most of whom attended through self-motivation based on memory complaints. Based on cumulative experience, a work protocol tailored to the local population was established, comprising a cognitive battery (MMSE, ACE-R, FAB, CDR, FAQ, Zarit Scale, NPI-Q), neurological and functional evaluation, laboratory testing, and neuroimaging. Diagnoses are determined by consensus in weekly interdisciplinary meetings. Additionally, a cognitive reserve questionnaire was culturally adapted, implemented, and tested in a subpopulation of 315 people. Over the past three years, the clinic also contributed to the formation of GeNED.ar (Genetics and Neuroimaging in Aging and Dementia in Argentina), a national cohort study.ResultsEvaluated patients received a definitive diagnosis along with guidance on healthy aging and, when necessary, appropriate pharmacological treatment or cognitive stimulation therapy. The implementation of the adapted questionnaire revealed a significantly lower cognitive reserve in patients with dementia. Furthermore, active participation in research projects like GeNED.ar demonstrated enhancements in clinical care, supported staff training, and promoted alignment with international standards.ConclusionAs the only public healthcare center of its kind in the region, this Memory Clinic provides high-quality, research-integrated cognitive care to a vulnerable elderly population. This center offers a successful and replicable model for similar socioeconomic contexts across Latin America.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1912295</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1912295</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Premature and early menopause and neuroimaging biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases: a systematic review]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Systematic Review</category>
        <author>Emily Gallmetzer</author><author>Elijah Mak</author><author>Firat Kara</author><author>Burcu Zeydan</author><author>Ekta Kapoor</author><author>Chrisandra L. Shufelt</author><author>Walter A. Rocca</author><author>Kejal Kantarci</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundPremature and early menopause involve ovarian hormone deprivation, which may contribute to later-life vulnerability to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. Multimodal neuroimaging biomarkers provide a means of detecting structural, microstructural, functional, and molecular brain changes before clinical symptoms emerge.MethodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of PubMed. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale.ResultsNeuroimaging modalities included in vivo structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (n = 16), functional MRI (n = 2), diffusion tensor imaging (n = 4), and positron emission tomography (n = 3). Women with premature or early menopause showed regionally specific structural and microstructural brain abnormalities, including lower gray-matter volume or cortical thickness in medial temporal, frontal, and basal forebrain regions; white-matter microstructural abnormalities in the anterior corona radiata, corpus callosum, and fronto-occipital tracts; and reduced posterior hippocampal activation during memory encoding. In one study, earlier age at menopause was associated with higher amyloid-β (Aβ) burden in women who underwent premenopausal bilateral oophorectomy (PBO), and elevated tau deposition was reported predominantly among women with higher Aβ levels.ConclusionConverging multimodal neuroimaging evidence suggests that premature and early menopause may be associated with Alzheimer’s disease-relevant brain changes. However, findings remain heterogeneous, and longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the temporal relationships between ovarian hormone deprivation and neurodegeneration, and to determine the clinical implication of these findings.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1843904</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1843904</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Physical activity and exercise in dementia: clinical relevance and emerging insights]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Mini Review</category>
        <author>Thyparambil Aravindakshan Pramodkumar</author><author>Viswanathan Mohan</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Dementia continues to pose a growing challenge worldwide, particularly in aging populations where effective disease-modifying treatments remain limited. In this context, attention has increasingly shifted toward non-pharmacological approaches, including physical activity and structured exercise. Evidence accumulated over the past decade suggests that regular exercise may offer modest but meaningful benefits across several domains. These include improvements in cognitive function—especially executive function and attention—as well as gains in mobility, daily functioning, and psychological well-being. While the extent of cognitive improvement varies across studies, a consistent pattern emerges indicating greater benefit when interventions are initiated earlier in the disease course. Beyond clinical outcomes, several biological mechanisms have been proposed, including enhanced cerebral perfusion, upregulation of neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and attenuation of neuroinflammatory processes. At the same time, challenges remain. Differences in exercise protocols, issues related to adherence, and variability in patient populations make it difficult to define an optimal approach. Despite these limitations, physical activity represents a practical, low-cost strategy that can be integrated into routine care. Further research is needed to refine intervention design and understand long-term effects.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1843734</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1843734</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Development, design and pilot evaluation of a nurse practitioner led outpatient post-diagnostic clinic for people with dementia and their care partners: a brief report]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>Amy Montgomery</author><author>Wyatt Hampstead</author><author>Luke Molloy</author><author>Rebekkah Middleton</author><author>Nathan M. D’Cunha</author><author>Kelly Marriott-Statham</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundThe number of people with dementia is rising and need for access to post-diagnostic support involving non-pharmacological treatments is in demand. Non-pharmacological treatments cover a broad range of intervention categories, such as cognitive stimulation, art therapy and physical exercise.ObjectiveThe objective of this brief report is to examine the development and design of a nurse practitioner-led post-diagnostic clinic, and assess its impact on participants cognition, psychological wellbeing and quality of life.MethodsThe clinic was located at the University of Wollongong, a regional university in New South Wales, Australia. Participants were eligible if they had a clinical-confirmed diagnosis of dementia, living in the community (not residential aged care). Participants were invited to attend the clinic weekly, for 1–2 h, for up to 12-months and had the flexibility to choose their preferred activities each session.ResultsA total of 16 people with dementia attended the clinic between September 2022 and June 2024. A total of eight out the 16 consented to participate in the study. The findings suggest that participants maintained their cognition, psychological wellbeing, and quality of life over the 12-month evaluation period, highlighting the clinic’s potential role in support stability in these domains.ConclusionThe strength of the clinic model is the unique and individualised way in which people with dementia were enabled to have choice in the activities and sessions they engaged with, reflecting person-centred practice values. This report provides structural guidance to develop and implement person-centred models of post-diagnostic care for dementia.Clinical trial registrationIdentifier (ACTRN12625000014459).]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1805165</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1805165</link>
        <title><![CDATA[A feasibility pilot study on the effects of a combined cognitive and physical intervention program in older adults in Panama]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>Elianne Pauli-Quiros</author><author>Stephanie Lammie</author><author>María Fernanda Martinez</author><author>Adam E. Tratner</author><author>Sofía Rodríguez-Araña</author><author>Giselle A. Rangel</author><author>Natalia López P.</author><author>Alcibiades E. Villarreal</author><author>Jemila Juarez</author><author>Hjalmar Jones</author><author>Gabrielle B. Britton</author><author>Diana C. Oviedo-Céspedes</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionLatin America and the Caribbean are experiencing rapid population aging, accompanied by rising dementia prevalence. Risk is heightened by social inequalities, low education, and limited healthcare resources. While pharmacological treatments for dementia prevention offer only modest benefits, non-pharmacological multimodal interventions have shown promise for maintaining cognition. However, such programs have not yet been evaluated in Panama. This pilot study examined the feasibility and effects of a multimodal physical and cognitive intervention program on cognition, depressive symptoms, and physical performance in community-dwelling older adults in Panama.MethodsForty-three sedentary adults aged 60–80 were divided into three groups: combined cognitive–physical intervention group (CG; n = 15), a physical intervention group (PG; n = 15), or an active control group (AG; n = 13) for 4 months. Outcomes included cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA), depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS-15), and physical performance (Short Physical Performance Battery, SPPB), assessed pre- and post-intervention.ResultsMixed-model ANCOVAs, adjusted for age and education, revealed no significant group-by-time interactions for MoCA, GDS-15, or SPPB. Nonetheless, descriptive analyses indicated the greatest numerical improvements in the CG (MoCA: +3.4 points; GDS-15: −1.1 points). Repeated-measures ANOVAs showed significant overall gains in cognition [F (1,40) = 4.733, p = 0.036] and small improvements in SPPB [F (1,40) = 4.254, p = 0.046], though pairwise differences in SPPB were nonsignificant.DiscussionThis study demonstrates the feasibility of delivering multimodal interventions in Panama. Preliminary trends suggest potential cognitive and emotional benefits of combined approaches. Larger, longer trials are needed to confirm efficacy and optimize intervention design.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1789887</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1789887</link>
        <title><![CDATA[A 10-state investigation of AD/ADRD-capable assisted living regulations using a comprehensive dementia care model]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-16T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Margaret Manchester</author><author>Alice Boughrum</author><author>Victoria Helmly</author><author>Olusheun Olupitan</author><author>Jalayne Arias</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionState regulation is central in shaping dementia care practices in assisted living facilities. Yet, there is limited systematic evidence examining how regulatory requirements vary and affect residents across states. Additionally, regulatory frameworks governing the training requirements and staff presence of ALFs play a vital role in shaping ALFs' dementia care capacity.MethodsThis article reports the results of a legal mapping study that evaluated the variation of assisted living facility (ALF) memory care regulations across 10 states. We compared the regulations of these 10 selected states to the "gold standard" Dementia Care Practice Recommendations, a comprehensive memory care model compiled by the Alzheimer's Association (Fazio et al., 2018).ResultsOf the care model's nine recommendations, regulations aligned most to the following: 1. Supportive and Therapeutic Environment (84% average alignment across 10 states), 2. Information Education and Support (74% average), and 3. Ongoing Care (70% average). States with regulation in highest alignment to the care model included California, Missouri, and Minnesota. Regulations were least aligned with the following recommendations: 7. Person-Centered Care (55% average), 8. Detection and Diagnosis (51% average), and 9. Medical Management (50%). States with regulation in lowest alignment to the care model included Texas, Georgia, and Connecticut.DiscussionOverall, inconsistencies in state alignment to the Care Model also underscore the absence of a standardized enforcement mechanism across assisted living systems. Additional evidence is needed to link regulatory standards to actual measured changes in state-level care coordination practice in the ALF setting. Target areas for regulation change may also exist outside of mechanisms that govern the staff and services directly provided by ALFs. Methods of this study are building blocks from which researchers may systematically collect and analyze regulations data for future across-state LTSS studies.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1836528</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1836528</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Use of dementia care technologies to increase engagement and reduce behavioural and psychological symptoms in people with dementia in a specialist dementia care ward]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-14T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Catherine Ames</author><author>Tim To</author><author>Craig Whitehead</author><author>Madison Chapman</author><author>Julian Soriano</author><author>Lisa Bird</author><author>Kate Laver</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionBehavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common and challenging to manage in hospital settings. BPSD can be exacerbated by environmental factors, patient disengagement, and unmet needs. Dementia care technologies offer a promising way to engage individuals in meaningful activities and reduce BPSD. Despite growing interest, evidence remains limited, particularly in clinical settings and among individuals with advanced dementia, highlighting the need for further research into real-world effectiveness and uptake. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three dementia care technologies on patient engagement and behaviour in a specialist dementia care hospital ward.MethodsA pre-post design involving people with dementia admitted to a specialist dementia care ward was implemented. Participants were invited to use technologies available on the ward (a virtual reality program, the HUG™ device, or the Tovertafel) with the support of an allied health assistant. Engagement and behaviour of participants was rated before, during, and shortly after technology use. Ward-level data on behavioural incidents and medication administration were analysed to explore the wider impact of technology use.ResultsA total of 182 sessions were completed using one of the three technologies. Participants included people who were considered to have severe BPSD and few people declined use. There were significant improvements in all patient behaviours during and immediately after technology use for all three technologies. Analyses suggested that following implementation of the technologies, there was a significant change in trend for serious behavioural incidents.DiscussionDementia care technologies appear feasible and effective in reducing BPSD in the short term for a range of people with dementia. Dementia care technologies can be used to offer individualised activity experiences in a specialist dementia care ward.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1843555</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1843555</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Living with a robot at home: the complexity of living with assistive robots in everyday life]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Lillian Hung</author><author>Donna Case</author><author>Nathan Velazquez</author><author>Karen Lok Yi Wong</author><author>Olga Petrovskaya</author><author>Lily Haopu Ren</author><author>Katrina Leigh Jang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionThe growing use of assistive robots in aging care raises important questions about how these technologies are experienced and integrated into everyday life. This study explores the use of two assistive robots, a telepresence robot (Double) in long-term care homes in Canada and a delivery robot (Labrador) in community-based settings in the United States, drawing on insights from two qualitative studies.MethodsGuided by Actor-Network Theory and domestication theory as sensitizing frameworks, we examine how robots are understood, used, and negotiated within the daily lives of older adults, family caregivers, service providers, and care staff. Data were drawn from semi-structured interviews, ethnographic observations, and team-based critical reflection sessions involving researchers from both projects. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted to interpret experiences across both studies.ResultsThree themes were identified: (1) robots as relational agents shaped by socio-material networks, (2) configuring human-robot relationships in everyday contexts, and (3) ethical and practical tensions related to implementation and withdrawal. Findings suggest that the integration of robots into care is not a linear process but involves ongoing negotiation among users, technologies, and environments. Rather than replacing human care, robots can mediate and transform relationships, enabling new forms of connection and support. At the same time, their use raises critical ethical considerations, particularly regarding sustainability, dependency, and equity.DiscussionBy applying theoretical lenses to empirical cases, this study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of assistive robots as embedded in complex social and material practices, with implications for future research, design, and implementation in aging care.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1820301</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1820301</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Mapping the space of dementia with EEG in stained glass]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-25T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Perspective</category>
        <author>Mick O’Kelly</author><author>Serggio C. Lanata</author><author>Jonathan K. Kleen</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Dementia conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, are progressive disorders for which effective treatments remain under development. Accordingly, interventions that improve quality of life are an important focus of patients, caregivers, and providers, including traditional art forms like painting and sculpture. In this Perspective article, we discuss the use light as a unique form of art to create transformative spaces that stimulate the senses and potentially support wellbeing. We outline an art-science collaborative initiative in which the patients themselves contribute, including through the recording and conversion their EEG brainwave activity to 2D time-frequency spectrogram representations. These representations are transferred to the ancient art of stained glass and installed into the patient’s own home. This intervention creates a novel dynamic environment of illumination and colour saturation, derived from the patient and in sync with ever-changing solar and climate influences. Details of the approach and options for meaningful patient-centred customization are described, with illustrations of the procedures and resulting installations, along with thoughts for future improvements.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1770741</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1770741</link>
        <title><![CDATA[The growing potential for multidisciplinary support and technology to enhance person-centred dementia care: a UK and US perspective]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-24T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Perspective</category>
        <author>Esther V. Loseto-Gerritzen</author><author>Ellis C. Dillon</author><author>Zlatomira G. Ilchovska</author><author>Jen Yates</author><author>Richard H. Fortinsky</author><author>Mattéa J. Finelli</author><author>Michael P. Craven</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Globally more than 55 million people live with dementia, which is estimated to increase threefold by 2050. Dementia poses major challenges for healthcare systems, societies and families, making it a recognised public health priority by the World Health Organization. Advances in pharmacological treatment approaches and new technologies suggest promising improvements in quality-of-life outcomes for people with dementia. However, these new developments may exacerbate existing inequalities in access to dementia treatments and services, depending on how well the organisation and delivery of healthcare services can evolve to successfully link those affected by dementia with treatment options and effective support. In this commentary, we present two important directions to addressing these growing holistic-care challenges and improving life-long quality of life for the patient: firstly, the role of dedicated multidisciplinary support to connect people with dementia to the various services engaged in their care, and secondly the use of technology as an enabler of multidisciplinary care through communication, shared information and coordination within such networks. In particular, we present examples of how artificial intelligence (AI) could be introduced as part of person-centred care during both the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease progression and treatment, to enhance tailoring of personalised therapeutic plans.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1841647</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1841647</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Hierarchical-circular model of biological memory: a multilevel hypothesis for pathogenesis and allostatic integrity in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-24T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Hypothesis and Theory</category>
        <author>Samuel Ruesga Mundo</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionAlzheimer’s disease and related dementias remain largely resistant to disease-modifying therapies, despite decades of research focused on linear neuropathological pathways such as beta-amyloid and tau. Persistent paradoxes—including the dissociation between pathology burden and clinical expression, the impact of early-life stress, and the role of systemic factors—indicate the need for integrative theoretical frameworks. This article proposes a multilevel hypothesis conceptualizing dementias as disorders of biological memory and allostatic integrity rather than isolated brain pathologies.HypothesisThe Hierarchical-Circular Model of Biological Memory posits that dementia emerges from progressive disruptions in a circular, multilevel system that encodes and stabilizes biological information across the lifespan. The model is organized around the unifying principle “Signal → Plasticity → Stable State” and integrates five interconnected levels: (1) morphogenetic programming and genetic architecture, (2) epigenetic molecular memory, (3) allostatic load and systemic physiological adaptation, (4) the Psychological–Neurological–Endocrine–Immunological (PNEI) network, and (5) interoceptive–neuronal integration. At any level, perturbation can propagate bidirectionally through the system, establishing maladaptive stable states that manifest clinically as dementia.Development of the hypothesisThrough a structured synthesis of longitudinal, mechanistic, and multisystem studies (2010–2025), the model specifies how gene–environment interactions, epigenetic modifications, cumulative allostatic load, neuroimmune dynamics, and altered interoceptive timescales jointly shape vulnerability and resilience. The concept of allostatic integrity is introduced as a dynamic systems-level property—distinct from allostatic load—that explains why similar neuropathological burdens may result in divergent clinical trajectories. Distinct dementia phenotypes are proposed to reflect different patterns of circular reinforcement across the five levels.Testable predictionsThis framework generates concrete, falsifiable predictions: (1) composite indices of allostatic integrity will outperform single biomarkers in predicting conversion from mild cognitive impairment to dementia; (2) multidomain interventions targeting more than one system level will have multiplicative, rather than additive, effects on slowing cognitive decline; (3) patients with similar amyloid/tau profiles but contrasting allostatic integrity will show markedly different trajectories of clinical progression; and (4) allostatic integrity moderates the protective effect of cognitive reserve, a pattern not predicted by reserve frameworks alone.ConclusionThe Hierarchical-Circular Model of Biological Memory offers a unifying hypothesis for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias that bridges genetic, epigenetic, physiological, neuroimmune, and interoceptive processes across the lifespan. By reframing dementias as failures of biological memory and allostatic integrity, the model provides a conceptual roadmap for mechanistic research, multidomain prevention, and personalized treatment strategies.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1823277</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1823277</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Long-term care residents and staff perspectives on PARO using video-reflexive ethnography (VRE)]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>Yuka Ohno</author><author>Janna Zeid</author><author>Karen Lok Yi Wong</author><author>Lillian Hung</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundResidents with dementia in long-term care (LTC) often experience social isolation, loneliness, and distress. Socially assistive robots such as PARO, have been introduced to support psychosocial well-being, yet prior studies have typically examined resident or staff perspectives separately, limiting understanding of how such technologies function within everyday care practice.AimThis study examined the relational, practical, and organizational feasibility of using the social robot PARO in a special care unit by exploring both residents’ experiences and staff reflections.MethodsA qualitative ethnographic study was conducted in a Canadian LTC home. Residents living with dementia (n = 10) participated in group-based PARO sessions over 4 weeks. Video recordings, field notes, and conversational interviews captured residents’ experiences. Care staff (n = 10) engaged in video-reflexive ethnographic (VRE) group sessions using selected video footage to prompt discussion of benefits, barriers and implementation considerations. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis informed by person-centered care.ResultsFeasibility emerged as relational, practical, and organizational. PARO promoted engagement and nurturing behaviors when actively facilitated by staff, but successful use depended on workflow integration, supervision capacity, infection-control procedures, and institutional resource priorities. VRE enabled staff to collectively identify implementation tensions grounded in observed interactions, reframing feasibility as a context-dependent process negotiated within daily care practice.ConclusionThe feasibility of social robots in dementia care depends on relational meaning, workflow integration, and organizational priorities. VRE is a valuable method for identifying implementation tensions early and supporting reflective, person-centered adoption of emerging technologies in LTC.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1822803</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1822803</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Into the wild: how living labs are being used to connect people with dementia to nature—a mini review]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Mini Review</category>
        <author>Cassandra J. Thomson</author><author>Sharon Stoddart</author><author>Hoang Nguyen</author><author>Shuzhen Joanna Sun</author><author>Alice Rota-Bartelink</author><author>Pauline Marsh</author>
        <description><![CDATA[With the global rise in dementia diagnoses and no available cure, there is an urgent need for accessible, enjoyable, and holistic interventions that support people experiencing dementia to live well. Nature engagement has been shown to offer wide-ranging benefits, including improved mental health, physical activity, cognitive stimulation, and social connection, but many people with dementia face barriers to accessing natural environments due to mobility challenges, cognitive changes, poor environmental design, and dementia-related stigma. Innovative approaches are needed to make nature more accessible and meaningful for this population. One promising solution is the use of living labs: real-world, user-centred environments where researchers, service providers, people with dementia, and care partners can co-create and test solutions. Living labs are grounded in principles of collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous feedback, and they offer a dynamic space for innovation tailored to the living experiences of those involved. Living labs have been applied in dementia care research, although much of this work has focused on indoor settings, technological tools, and aged care systems. How living labs have been used to help people living with dementia access the outdoors and connect with nature is an underexplored area, but one which holds exciting potential to improve the lives of people with dementia. This mini review summarises the available academic literature examining the nexus between living labs, nature, and dementia and offers suggestions for future work in this area.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1865441</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1865441</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Leveraging artificial intelligence for analysis of the gut microbiome for dementia diagnosis: a scoping review and discussion]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-17T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Systematic Review</category>
        <author>Laya Krishnan</author><author>Gaurie Gunasekaran</author><author>Tamanna Dhore</author><author>Alexa Lauinger</author><author>Vijaya Kolachalama</author><author>Suguna Pappu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundDementia, a multifactorial disease with progressive cognitive decline, has been linked to imbalances in the gut-brain axis. Emerging artificial intelligence tools have augmented the identification of several gastrointestinal biomarkers for differential dementia detection and severity, but current literature lacks a comprehensive review.AimsThis study aims to better quantify the applications of AI in the exploration of the gut microbiome for diagnosis of specific subtypes of dementia.MethodsPrimary articles (n = 896) from any point in time through July 2025 were identified from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Title and abstract screenings filtered articles from 896 to 28 for critical appraisal and review for key bacteria, fungi, and metabolites. Methods adhered to the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.ResultsSeveral studies utilized predictive models including random forests and neural networks to demonstrate alterations in the gut microbiota of Alzheimer’s disease, an increasingly prevalent dementia subtype. These individuals have notably reduced levels of butyrate-producing bacteria, such as Butyrivibrio, Eubacterium, and Faecalibacterium, which contribute to anti-inflammation and gut-barrier maintenance. Increased levels of Odoribacter splanchnicus and Klebsiella pneumoniae, as well as bacteria from generas Bacteroides and Prevotella, which help generate short-chain fatty acids, have been implicated in neuroinflammation; Roseburia inulinivorans negatively correlates with functional ability. Interestingly, superagers also display unique microbiome profiles that seemingly have protective effects linked to superior cognitive resilience.ConclusionDistinct gut microbial compositions are associated with dementia. Furthermore, elucidating gut-brain interactions and their neurodegenerative implications can identify targets for earlier, synergistic diagnostics.Systematic review registrationhttps://osf.io/yw2dc/overview.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1821709</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1821709</link>
        <title><![CDATA[From community to policy: a frontline model for dementia assessment and brain health]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-16T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Perspective</category>
        <author>Kyle DeDecker</author><author>Ngozi Iroanyah</author><author>Adam Morrison</author><author>Julie Datta</author><author>Ibukun-Oluwa Omolade Abejirinde</author><author>Caitlin R. Siu</author><author>Christina Stergiou-Dayment</author><author>Shawn Paron</author><author>Christa M. Studzinski</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Globally, dementia prevalence is projected to rise from approximately 55 million people in 2025 to 139 million by 2050. In Ontario, prevalence is estimated to reach 756,100 people by 2050—an increase of 202% since 2020—placing increasing strain on care partners, families, and health systems (Alzheimer Society of Canada, 2022). Throughout Ontario and Canada more broadly, existing pathways for cognitive screening, assessment, and diagnosis are constrained by limited primary care capacity, prolonged specialist wait times, and inequitable access, leaving many individuals without timely assessment or connection to supports. To help address these gaps, the Alzheimer Society of Ontario (ASO) and the Ontario Brain Institute (OBI) leveraged an existing community-delivered cognitive assessment process and enhanced it through the co-development of a provincial dementia registry—the first of its kind in Canada. This novel integrated approach embeds structured cognitive and functional assessment within community organizations, shares assessment results with primary care, and links standardized data to a provincial registry infrastructure. Together, this supports timely identification of cognitive concerns and enables the collection of a standardized minimum dataset—including cognitive, functional, demographic, and care-related information—across diverse populations. The dementia registry can serve as infrastructure to evaluate dementia-related innovations (including digital cognitive-screening tools) in real-world settings and support evidence generation to inform service planning and policy development, while strengthening earlier connection to supports and more coordinated care pathways for individuals and their care partners. This approach is aligned with emerging regulatory emphasis on real-world evidence (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2018; European Medicines Agency, 2021; Health Canada, 2019) and with Ontario’s Improving Dementia Care in Ontario Act (2024), illustrating how co-designed, frontline-led approaches may bridge community needs and health system decision-making. Together, this work lays the groundwork for a scalable framework to advance equitable, person-centred dementia care in Ontario and beyond.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1824829</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1824829</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Understanding how informal dementia caregiver networks are assessed in the literature: results from a scoping review]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Systematic Review</category>
        <author>Noelle E. Carlozzi</author><author>Wendy L. Lombard</author><author>Madison Fansher</author><author>Jacqueline L. Freeman</author><author>Emily Capellari</author><author>Christopher M. Graves</author><author>Jennifer A. Miner</author><author>Benjamin M. Hampstead</author><author>Jin-Shei Lai</author><author>Amanda N. Leggett</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesAlzheimer’s disease and related dementias currently affect millions of Americans, with increasing prevalence expected as the population ages. Care for individuals with dementia is typically provided by informal caregiver networks encompassing family, friends, and nontraditional care partners. Despite societal changes in caregiving roles and family structure, there is limited consensus on how caregiver networks are conceptualized and measured in research literature. The purpose of this analysis was to systematically map existing measurement approaches used to capture and characterize informal dementia caregiver networks, and to identify common data elements and validated instruments within the literature.MethodsWe conducted a rigorous literature review guided by the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis for conducting scoping reviews, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Metal-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The protocol was registered on OSF (DOI: 10.17605/OSF. IO/2XGSR). Inclusion criteria comprised peer-reviewed, quantitative, English-language articles that defined or measured caregiver networks, with no geographic or date restrictions. Independent raters performed title, abstract, and full-text screening, supplemented by artificial intelligence (AI)-supported data extraction and latent content analysis to identify measurement approaches and data elements.ResultsOut of 14,625 initial references, 197 studies were included that assessed caregiver networks for individuals with dementia. Only 19 studies utilized validated instruments, while the remaining 177 (89%) relied on study-specific measures. Thirteen validated tools were identified, although most were used only once or twice. Latent content analysis revealed seven recurring data elements in network characterization: (1) availability of another caregiver (45.2%), (2) amount of help provided (39.1%), (3) number of caregivers (23.4%), (4) type of activities assisted with (16.2%), (5) relationships of helpers (13.7%), (6) satisfaction with support (12.7%), and (7) demographic details of caregivers (2.5%). Most studies assessed just one or two network attributes, with marked variability and limited adoption of standardized measures.ConclusionThere is substantial heterogeneity and inconsistency in how informal caregiver networks are assessed in dementia research, and there is no consensus approach in the literature. As caregiving networks diversify in response to changing demographics and family structures, robust, inclusive assessment instruments are critically needed. Future research should prioritize developing and validating standardized measures to better capture the complexities of modern informal dementia caregiver networks, thereby enhancing policy, support, and interventions for these populations.Systematic review registrationOSF Registration found at https://osf.io/2xgsr/overview.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1824907</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1824907</link>
        <title><![CDATA[How do US states define person-centered and family-involved care in assisted living regulations]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>Paula Carder</author><author>Lindsey Smith</author><author>Jennifer N. Bunker</author><author>Cassandra L. Hua</author><author>Erh-Chi Hsu</author><author>Isabelle Boun</author><author>Olivia M. Ainsworth</author><author>Kali S. Thomas</author><author>Eric Jutkowitz</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionA large share of assisted living (AL) residents have a diagnosis of dementia or cognitive impairment, and these individuals can benefit from person-centered care and family-involved care. This study examines whether and how states’ AL licenses address these topics.MethodsThis research analyzed a national database of 249 unique licensing requirements that govern 35,602 ALs in all states and associated regulations, including those that govern memory care (MC) services. We reviewed each regulation for the presence of person-centered or family involved care and then used content analysis of license requirements with at least one relevant policy to identify key categories and regulatory specificity.ResultsA larger share of AL with licenses that govern MC services are covered by person-centered care policies (44%) and family-involved policies (62%), compared to AL without MC-specific requirements (20 and 32% respectively). Key categories of person-centered care included staff training, care planning procedures, and social activities; and family-involved care included care planning, direct involvement in providing care, and support for families. Few states’ licenses contained highly specific regulations.DiscussionThis study reveals substantial variation in whether and how states define and regulate person-centered and family-involved care for people living with dementia in AL. MC-specific licenses are roughly twice as likely to require these policies, but fewer than two-thirds of MC-AL communities are covered. State licenses take different approaches to categorizing and specifying these policies. These findings suggest uneven application of core principles of AL associated with quality of life and satisfaction.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1886386</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1886386</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Correction: Access to healthcare services and adherence to treatments for people with dementia among ethnic minority groups: a scoping review]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Correction</category>
        <author>Elisa Aguzzoli</author><author>Magdalena Walbaum</author><author>Martin Knapp</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1834737</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frdem.2026.1834737</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Post-translational modifications as a regulatory code for tau function in health and disease]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-03T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Abigail J. Nordbeck</author><author>Bhirisha Sharma</author><author>Charles A. Garcia</author><author>Jui-Heng Tseng</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Tau is an intrinsically disordered microtubule-associated protein that performs diverse roles in neuronal physiology, including regulation of microtubule stability, intracellular transport, and synaptic signaling. These functions are dynamically regulated by an extensive array of post-translational modifications (PTMs) that collectively shape tau conformation, interactions, localization, and turnover. Under physiological conditions, PTMs act as a regulatory system that enables tau to transition between functional states in response to cellular cues. In neurodegenerative diseases collectively known as tauopathies, however, this finely balanced modification landscape becomes disrupted, leading to tau mislocalization, impaired clearance, and assembly into toxic oligomers and fibrillar aggregates. Although phosphorylation has historically dominated the tau field, growing evidence indicates that multiple PTMs, including acetylation, ubiquitination, truncation, oxidation, nitration, methylation, and glycosylation, cooperatively influence tau structure and pathogenic potential. Recent proteomic studies reveal that tau can harbor dozens of modifications simultaneously, highlighting the importance of understanding PTMs as an integrated regulatory network rather than independent events. Crosstalk between modifications can generate synergistic or antagonistic effects that influence tau aggregation, proteostasis, and propagation. In this review, we synthesize current knowledge of major tau PTMs and highlight emerging principles governing their interactions. We discuss how dysregulation of PTM networks contributes to tau state transitions during aging and neurodegeneration and consider how targeting PTM-regulating enzymes may provide therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease and related tauopathies.]]></description>
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