Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is the second most common early-onset dementia. Several studies demonstrated that neuroinflammation and iron accumulation occur in FTLD. However, the timing and relevance of these processes and whether these two are merely cause or consequence remains unclear. Elucidating the role is crucial to assess the rationale for using anti-inflammatory therapies in FTLD. Additionally, the process of glymphatic brain clearance has gained attention as a potential contributor in the disease pathophysiology.

In this multimodal biomarker study, we use a combination of ultra-high field (7T) MR, blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers to investigate the role of neuroinflammation, iron accumulation and brain clearance in FTLD, and to identify biomarkers to differentiate FTLD-TDP from FTLD-tau. We aim to include 25 patients with probable FTLD-tau, 25 with probable FTLD-TDP and 50 healthy individuals with 50% risk to develop FTLD. We will use several MRI techniques, including magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion weighted spectroscopy and quantitative susceptibility mapping. In addition, we will assess the prevalence of perivascular spaces (PVS) and the mobility of CSF to address glymphatic brain clearance. We will compare quantitative MR markers between patients with FTLD-tau and FTLD-TDP, presymptomatic mutation carriers and healthy controls, and correlate these measures with clinical data and biomarkers in blood and CSF.

We obtained ethical approval from the Medical Ethics Committee Leiden Den Haag Delft (NL78272.058.21). The results will be disseminated through presentations at national and international conferences, open-access peer-reviewed publications, ClinicalTrials.gov and to the public through social media posts and annual newsletters.

NCT06870838; Pre-results.

This study explored the barriers to and facilitators of weight reduction among urban, young adults with obesity in Sri Lanka.

A qualitative descriptive study, using the framework method in thematic analysis to identify key themes for barriers and facilitators.

An urban community setting in Sri Lanka in January–March 2022.

62 young adults (18–35 years) with obesity (body mass index ≥25 kgm^-2) representing different socio-demographic characteristics were recruited into the focus group discussions (n=10).

The majority of participants were women (n=40; 64.5%). More than 70% (n=45) of the participants were classified as having class I obesity. Inconsistent knowledge, emotions and mood, poor self-control, inadequate support from others, lack of time, lack of resources and facilities and unsafe environment for physical activities were the identified barriers. The desire to improve appearance and body image, health-related concerns, limitations to day-to-day activities, previous positive experiences, support from others and weight-related victimisation were identified as facilitators.

A multitude of factors were found to interfere with weight-reduction attempts. Due consideration of these barriers and facilitators is important when planning weight management programmes targeting young adults with obesity.

We aimed to estimate prevalence and identify determinants of hypertension in adults aged 15–49 years in Tanzania.

We analysed cross-sectional survey data from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey conducted between February and July 2022. Descriptive statistical analysis, logistic regression, machine learning and geospatial methods were used to estimate prevalence and determine determinants of hypertension.

Tanzania.

A total of 13 385 participants aged 15–49 years were included in the analysis.

The primary outcome variable was hypertension, defined as either systolic blood pressure (BP)≥140 and/or diastolic BP≥90 mm Hg or under anti-hypertensive drugs.

The prevalence of hypertension among adults of reproductive age was 11% (95% CIs 10.09 to 11.56) in Tanzania, varying significantly across risk factors. Prevalence was high in people aged 40–49 (22.11%, 95% CI 20.07 to 24.29) and obese (23.69%, 95% CI 20.67 to 27.00). The mean prevalence of hypertension was also high in the southern, eastern, western, southern highlands, north-west and north-eastern part of the country, correlating with the spatial distribution of older age (30–49) and higher body mass index (BMI) (≥25). Individuals aged 40–49 had nearly six times (adjusted OR (AOR): 5.68, 95% CI 4.10 to 7.83) the odds of hypertension relative to those aged 15–19. Obese individuals had higher odds (AOR: 2.88, 95% CI 2.01 to 4.13) compared with overweight individuals (AOR: 1.93, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.74). Machine learning results showed age and BMI as the most important determinants of hypertension and that significant interactions between risk factors exist.

The prevalence of hypertension varied across risk factors and the strongest determinants of hypertension in adults of reproductive age were age and BMI.