Scientific works

The aducanumab drug trial for individuals with early Alzheimer’s disease is under way. Recruitment for the trial has ended. We can expect the preliminary results from this international double-blind study in 2019.

New clinical drug trials will be announced on this website when the recruitment of test subjects begins.

Biobank collection for the FinnGen study coordinated by the Department of Molecular Genetics of the University of Helsinki and the Helsinki University Hospital takes place, for example, through Terveystalo. The genomic data of Finnish elderly volunteers with cerebral diseases, in particular, is collected for this extensive genome bank for future research. More detailed information about this topic will be updated here when it becomes relevant.

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My scientific works

Minna Raivio’s doctoral dissertation
"Pitfalls in the Treatment of Persons with Dementia" University of Helsinki, 2007

Minna Raivio's international publications in medical journals:

33. Öhman H, Savikko N, Strandberg T, Kautiainen H, Raivio M, Laakkonen ML, Tilvis R, Pitkälä KH Effects of frequent and long-term exercise on neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease – Secondary analyses of a randomized, controlled trial (FINALEX). European geriatric medicine, Feb 2017.
Impact of intensive exercise on neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with Alzheimer’s disease..

32. N.M. Perttila, H. Öhman, T.E. Strandberg, H. Kautiainen, M. Raivio, M.-L. Laakkonen, N. Savikko, R.S. Tilvis, K.H. Pitkala. How do community-dwelling persons with Alzheimer Disease fall? Falls in the FINALEX study, Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra. 2017 Jun 19;7(2):195-203. doi: 10.1159/000477394. eCollection 2017 May-Aug.
Why do home-dwelling persons with Alzheimer’s disease fall?

31. N.M. Perttila , H. Öhman, T.E. Strandberg, H. Kautiainen, M. Raivio, M.-L. Laakkonen, N. Savikko, R.S. Tilvis, K.H. Pitkala Severity of frailty and the outcome of exercise intervention among participants with Alzheimer disease: A sub-group analysis of a randomized controlled trial. European Geriatric Medicine, Vol. 7, Issue 2, p117–121 Published online: January 21, 2016.
Impact of exercise on people with Alzheimer’s disease.

30. Potentially severe drug-drug interactions among older people and associations in assisted living facilities in Finland: a cross-sectional study. Teramura-Grönblad M, Raivio M, Savikko N, Muurinen S, Soini H, Suominen M, Pitkälä K. Scand J Prim Health Care. 2016 Jul 18:1-8. [Epub ahead of print]
Number of severe drug-drug interactions and associations among older people in assisted living facilities.

29. Effects of Exercise on Functional Performance and Fall Rate in Subjects with Mild or Advanced Alzheimer's Disease: Secondary Analyses of a Randomized Controlled Study . Öhman H, Savikko N, Strandberg T, Kautiainen H, Raivio M, Laakkonen ML, Tilvis R, Pitkälä KH. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2016;41(3-4):233-41. doi: 10.1159/000445712. Epub 2016 May 10.
Impact of exercise on functional ability and falls in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

28. Effects of Exercise on Cognition: The Finnish Alzheimer Disease Exercise Trial: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Öhman H, Savikko N, Strandberg TE, Kautiainen H, Raivio MM, Laakkonen ML, Tilvis R, Pitkälä KH. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2016 Apr;64(4):731-8. doi: 10.1111/jgs.14059. Epub 2016 Apr 1.
Impact of exercise on cognition, or information processing, in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

27. Severity of frailty and the outcome of exercise intervention among participants with Alzheimer disease: A sub-group analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Perttilä, N., Ohman, H., Strandberg, T. E., Kautiainen, H., Raivio, M., Laakkonen, M. -L., Savikko, N., Tilvis, R. S. & Pitkala, K. H. April 2016 in the publication : European Geriatric Medicine. 7, 2, s. 117-121
Impact of exercise and the severity of frailty in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

26. Alcohol use and happiness among retired Finns living in Spain compared to those in Finland. Raivio, M., Kautiainen, H., Immonen, S. & Pitkala, K. helmikuuta 2016 julkaisussa: European Geriatric Medicine. 7, 1, s. 3-7.
Alcohol use and happiness among retired Finns living in Spain compared to those in Finland.

25. Psychological well-being of spousal caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease and associated factors. Original Research Article. M.M. Raivio, M.-L. Laakkonen, K.H. Pitkälä. European Geriatric Medicine, Volume 6, Issue 2, April 2015, Pages 128-133
Psychological well-being of spousal carers of Alzheimer’s patients and associated factors.

24. Caregivers' male gender is associated with poor nutrient Intake in AD families (NuAD-Trial). Puranen TM, Pietila SE, Pitkala KH, Kautiainen H, Raivio M, Eloniemi-Sulkava U, Jyvakorpi SK, Suominen M. J Nutr Health Aging. 2014 Jul;18(7):672-6. doi: 10.1007/s12603-014-0448-x.
Association of carers’ male gender with poor nutrient intake in carer families.

23. Is life happier for Finnish elderly living in Spain? M. Raivio, R. Tilvis, M.L. Laakkonen, M. Björkman, S. Immonen, T. Strandberg, K. Pitkälä. European Geriatric Medicine, Volume 4, Supplement 1, September 2013, Pages S18-S19
Is life happier for the Finnish elderly living in Spain? Conference abstract.

22. Effectiveness and costs of intensive exercise intervention on Alzheimer's patients – A randomized, controlled trial. K.H. Pitkala, M.M. Raivio, M.L. Laakkonen, R.S. Tilvis, N. Savikko, H. Kautiainen, T.E. Strandberg. European Geriatric Medicine, Volume 4, Supplement 1, September 2013, Page S8
Effectiveness and costs of an exercise trial on Alzheimer’s patients. Conference abstract.

21. Effects of the Finnish Alzheimer disease exercise trial (FINALEX): a randomized controlled trial.Pitkälä KH, Pöysti MM, Laakkonen ML, Tilvis RS, Savikko N, Kautiainen H, Strandberg TE. JAMA Intern Med. 2013 May 27;173(10):894-901. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.359.
Results of an exercise trial on Alzheimer’s patients.

20. Efficacy of physical exercise intervention on mobility and physical functioning in older people with dementia: a systematic review. Pitkälä K, Savikko N, Poysti M, Strandberg T, Laakkonen ML. Exp Gerontol. 2013 Jan;48(1):85-93. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2012.08.008. Epub 2012 Aug 31. Review.
A systematic review of the impact of physical exercise on the mobility and functional ability of older people with memory disorders.

19. Gender differences in dementia spousal caregiving. Pöysti MM, Laakkonen ML, Strandberg T, Savikko N, Tilvis RS, Eloniemi-Sulkava U, Pitkälä KH. Int J Alzheimers Dis. 2012;2012:162960. doi: 10.1155/2012/162960. Epub 2012 Sep 30. PMID: 23056990. Free PMC Article
Gender differences in attitudes towards spousal caregiving among spousal carers of patients with memory disorders.

18. Efficacy of physical exercise intervention on mobility and physical functioning in older people with dementia: a systematic review. Pitkälä K, Savikko N, Poysti M, Strandberg T, Laakkonen ML. Exp Gerontol. 2013 Jan;48(1):85-93. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2012.08.008. Epub 2012 Aug 31. Review.
A review article on the efficacy of physical exercise intervention on mobility and physical functioning in older people with memory disorders.

17. Risk of death associated with use of PPIs in three cohorts of institutionalized older people in Finland. Teramura-Grönblad M, Bell JS, Pöysti MM, Strandberg TE, Laurila JV, Tilvis RS, Soini H, Pitkälä KH. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2012 Jun;13(5):488.e9-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2012.03.003. Epub 2012 Apr 6.
On the association of the use of stomach acid drugs on mortality in elderly Finns.

16. Anticholinergic drugs and their effects on delirium and mortality in the elderly. Luukkanen MJ, Uusvaara J, Laurila JV, Strandberg TE, Raivio MM, Tilvis RS, Pitkälä KH. Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra. 2011 Jan;1(1):43-50. doi: 10.1159/000322883. Epub 2011 Jan 19. PMID:22163232. Free PMC Article
On the effect of anticholinergic drugs on delirium and mortality in elderly patients.

15. Alzheimer's patients' spouses critiques of the support services. Raivio MM, Laakkonen ML, Pitkälä KH. ISRN Nurs. 2011;2011:943059. doi: 10.5402/2011/943059. Epub 2011 Jun 8.PMID: 21994898. Free PMC Article
Critiques of Alzheimer's patients’ spousal carers of the municipal support service system.

14. Exercise rehabilitation on home-dwelling patients with Alzheimer disease: A randomized, controlled trial. Baseline findings and feasibility K. H. Pitkala, M. M. Raivio, M.-L. Laakkonen, R. S. Tilvis, H. Kautiainen, T. E. Strandberg. European geriatric medicine 12/2011; 2(6):338-343.
Findings of an exercise trial on home-dwelling Alzheimer’s patients in the early stages of the trial.

13. Update on current care guidelines. The diagnosis and medical treatment of memory disorders . Suhonen J, Pirttilä T, Erkinjuntti T, Koponen H, Makkonen M, Puurunen M, Raivio M, Rinne J, Rosenvall A, Strandberg T, Vanninen R, Vataja R; Working group appointed by the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim, Societas Gerontologica Fennica, Finnish Neurological Society, Finnish Psychogeriatric Association and the Finnish Association for General Practice. Duodecim. 2010;126(18):2167-8. Finnish.
Current Care Guidelines recommendation for memory disorders, 2010.

12. Exercise rehabilitation on home-dwelling patients with Alzheimer's disease--a randomized, controlled trial. Study protocol. Pitkala KH, Raivio MM, Laakkonen ML, Tilvis RS, Kautiainen H, Strandberg TE. Trials. 2010 Oct 6;11:92. doi: 10.1186/1745-6215-11-92. PMID: 20925948. Free PMC Article
Exercise trial on home-dwelling Alzheimer's patients. Study protocol.

11. The use of legal guardians and financial powers of attorney among home-dwellers with Alzheimer's disease living with their spousal caregivers. Raivio MM, Mäki-Petäjä-Leinonen AP, Laakkonen ML, Tilvis RS, Pitkälä KH. J Med Ethics. 2008 Dec;34(12):882-6.
Use of legal guardians and financial powers of attorney among home-dwelling Alzheimer’s patients and their spousal carers.

10. Safety and efficacy of galantamine (Reminyl) in severe Alzheimer's disease (the SERAD study): a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Burns A, Bernabei R, Bullock R, Cruz Jentoft AJ, Frölich L, Hock C, Raivio M, Triau E, Vandewoude M, Wimo A, Came E, Van Baelen B, Hammond GL, van Oene JC, Schwalen S. Lancet Neurol. 2009 Jan;8(1):39-47. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(08)70261-8. Epub 2008 Nov 29.
Safety and efficacy of galantamine (Reminyl) in treating severe Alzheimer’s disease.

9. Disclosure of dementia diagnosis and the need for advance care planning in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Laakkonen ML, Raivio MM, Eloniemi-Sulkava U, Tilvis RS, Pitkälä KH, Pitkälä KH. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2008 Nov;56(11):2156-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.01987.x. No abstract available.
Disclosure of Alzheimer’s diagnosis and planning for the final stages of life in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

8.How do elderly spouse care givers of people with Alzheimer disease experience the disclosure of dementia diagnosis and subsequent care? Laakkonen ML, Raivio MM, Eloniemi-Sulkava U, Saarenheimo M, Pietilä M, Tilvis RS, Pitkälä KH. J Med Ethics. 2008 Jun;34(6):427-30.
How do the spousal carers of people with Alzheimer’s disease experience the disclosure of memory disorder diagnosis and the treatment of the disease?

7. How do officially organized services meet the needs of elderly caregivers and their spouses with Alzheimer's disease? Raivio M, Eloniemi-Sulkava U, Laakkonen ML, Saarenheimo M, Pietilä M, Tilvis R, Pitkälä K. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2007 Oct-Nov;22(5):360-8.
How do municipal services for the elderly meet the needs of carers and their spouses with memory disorders?

6. The Association of Antipsychotics with Mortality Among Elderly Patients With Dementia.Minna M. Raivio, Timo E. Strandberg, Reijo S. Tilvis, Jouko V. Laurila, Kaisu H. PitkäläThe American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Volume 15, Issue 11, November 2007, Pages 984-985
On the association of the use of antipsychotic drugs with mortality among patients with memory disorders.

5. Neither atypical nor conventional antipsychotics increase mortality or hospital admissions among elderly patients with dementia: a two-year prospective study. Raivio MM, Laurila JV, Strandberg TE, Tilvis RS, Pitkälä KH. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2007 May;15(5):416-24.
On the significance of old and new antipsychotic drugs for the mortality or hospitalisation of patients with memory disorders.

4.Vanhuksen lääkehoidon karikoita. Pitkälä K, Hosia-Randell H, Raivio M, Savikko N, Strandberg T. Duodecim. 2006;122(12):1503-12. Finnish. No abstract available.
On the drug treatment of the elderly.

3. Use of inappropriate medications and their prognostic significance among in-hospital and nursing home patients with and without dementia in Finland. Raivio MM, Laurila JV, Strandberg TE, Tilvis RS, Pitkälä KH.Drugs Aging. 2006;23(4):333-43.
On inappropriate medications and their significance for the prognosis of patients with memory disorders.

2. Psychotropic medication and stroke outcome. Raivio MM, Laurila JV, Strandberg TE, Tilvis RS, Pitkälä KH. Am J Psychiatry. 2005 May;162(5):1027; author reply 1027-8. No abstract available.
On antipsychotic medication and stroke risk.

1. Rehabilitation Outcome in Hip-Fracture: Impact of Weight-Bearing Restriction–A Preliminary Investigation. Minna Raivio, Olli Korkala, Kaisu Pitkälä, Reijo Tilvis
Physical & Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics Jan 2005, Vol. 22, No. 4, Pages 1-9: 1-9
On rehabilitation from a hip fracture among people with memory disorders.