Thesis (MSW(Social Work))-University of Pretoria, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-70). Also available in print.

Thesis ((M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009. / Full text also available online. Scroll down for electronic link.

Thesis (M. Public Health.) -- University of the Western Cape, 2008. / Includes bibliographic references (leaves 72-76).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Aberdeen University, 2009. / Title from web page (viewed on Sep. 2, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Aberdeen University, 2009. / Title from web page (viewed on Dec. 2, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Kiel, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 134-155).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Texas A & M University, 2004. / "Major Subject: Counseling Psychology." Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / Studies have revealed an association between periodontal disease and a number of systemic diseases, including atherosclerosis and diabetes. These findings may help physicians identify correctable causes of disease early in the course of progression or prevent disease onset entirely. As the number of possible systemic diseases associated with oral infection is being explored and expanded, cognitive impairment associated with dementia has been added to the list as a possible end organ target. This paper examines the available research focused on exploring this potential link between Alzheimer's disease and periodontal disease. Alzheimer's disease and periodontal disease are both major public health concerns that most commonly affect the elderly population. Recently, several cross-sectional studies have investigated the oral health status of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, finding that often these individuals are not able to take care of their own oral needs. This has alerted healthcare professionals and caretakers to the need for more focused attention to oral health in this population. Conversely, a small number of studies have also set out to investigate the role of pre-existing poor oral health in the development of Alzheimer's disease. The mechanisms and evidence recently published on this possible bi-directional link are reviewed in this paper. The central focus is on the role of inflammation in the central nervous system of patients with Alzheimer's disease. It is believed that chronic diseases, such as periodontal disease, can cause systemic inflammation by directly introducing bacterial pathogens, toxins, and other inflammation inducing substances into the bloodstream. Some of these studies have used detection methods to determine the presence of oral pathogens in distant body parts, including the brain. Several bacteria identified in these sites are major periodontal pathogens, which have also been linked to other systemic diseases such as atherosclerosis. Other studies have focused their research on the detection of inflammatory markers and endotoxins associated with pathogens involved in oral infection. Some studies have also indicated a significant correlation between lifetime tooth loss and impaired cognition later in life. Future research must continue to examine how periodontal pathogens and inflammation contribute to the pathology in AD, and whether the two diseases merely share common risk factors or are interrelated. Potential confounders including viral infections, head injury, low socioeconomic status, malnutrition and genetic inflammatory susceptibility must also be controlled for ill order for the results to be more conclusive While there is evidence indicating that a bidirectional link may exist between AD and periodontal disease, at this point there is still not enough evidence to establish this conclusively. Still, the studies presented here do serve as an important foundation for future research; such as randomized-controlled intervention trials with long term followup that would help elucidate causation. The results of these preliminary investigations are certainly promising enough to warrant these future studies to determine if preventative oral health measures could potentially reduce the risk of developing AD. / 2031-01-01

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / Although motor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD) and memory deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are the respective hallmark symptoms, both neurodegenerative disorders are also associated with significant disruptions in visual functioning. In PD, visuospatial function is impaired, particularly in patients with left-side onset of motor symptoms (LPD), reflecting pathology in right hemisphere brain regions, including the parietal lobe. LPD visuospatial performance is characterized by perceptual distortions, suggesting that lower-level visual processing may contribute to abnormal performance. In AD and PD, reduced contrast sensitivity and other visual difficulties have the potential to impact everyday functioning. The relation of PD visuospatial problems, and AD and PD contrast sensitivity deficits to higher-order impairments is understudied. The present experiments examined visual and visuospatial difficulties in these groups and evaluated an intervention to improve everyday visual function. Experiment I assessed performance on a line bisection task in PD. Participants included non-demented patients (10 LPD, 10 with right-side motor onset [RPD]) and 11 normal control adults (NC). Performance was related to data from measures of retinal structure (Optical Coherence Tomography) and function (Frequency Doubling Technology; FDT) across the eye. Correlations of structure and function were found for all groups. LPD showed predicted downward bisection bias in some sections of the left visual field. Expected rightward bisection bias in LPD was not consistently seen using this presentation method. For RPD, in some sectors, worse FDT sensitivity correlated with upward line bisection bias, as predicted. Experiment II investigated if performance of a complex, familiar visual search task (bingo) could be enhanced in AD and PD by manipulating the visual components of contrast, size, and visual complexity of task stimuli. Participants were 19 younger adults, 14 AD, 17 PD, and 33 NC. Increased stimulus size and decreased complexity improved performance for all groups. Increasing contrast also benefited the AD patients, presumably by compensating for their contrast sensitivity deficit, which was more severe than in the PD and NC groups. The general finding of improved performance across healthy and afflicted groups suggests the value of visual support as an easy-to-apply intervention to enhance cognitive performance.