Search results for "Deme"
showing 10 items of 883 documents
Mediterranean diet and longevity
2019
The world average life expectancy has increased remarkably in the past century and continues to increase relentlessly. A long life is desirable but best if lived in good physical and mental health. Among the various dietary patterns, a large body of research data suggest that the traditional dietary habits and lifestyle unique to the Mediterranean region are associated with lower incidence of chronic diseases and improve longevity. Starting with the first data from the Seven Countries Study, numerous observational, prospective, and trial-based investigations in different populations have thereafter supported the benefits of adhering to the Mediterranean dietary pattern regarding reduced mor…
Magnesium in Aging, Health and Diseases
2021
Several changes of magnesium (Mg) metabolism have been reported with aging, including diminished Mg intake, impaired intestinal Mg absorption and renal Mg wasting. Mild Mg deficits are generally asymptomatic and clinical signs are usually non-specific or absent. Asthenia, sleep disorders, hyperemotionality, and cognitive disorders are common in the elderly with mild Mg deficit, and may be often confused with age-related symptoms. Chronic Mg deficits increase the production of free radicals which have been implicated in the development of several chronic age-related disorders. Numerous human diseases have been associated with Mg deficits, including cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and s…
Alzheimer’s disease and infections, where we stand and where we go
2014
Editorial Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder, which represents the most common form of dementia, one of the major causes of disability in later life. Age is the greatest risk factor for AD, which typically affects people aged 65 years and over, with an age-standardised prevalence of 4.4 [1]. However, AD is not a normal part of ageing and advanced age alone does not justify the disease. Several pathways have been implicated in AD pathophysiology, the most described is the neurodegenerative one, which lead to the brain accumulation of beta-amyloid and neurofibrillary tangles, aggregations of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, macroscopically resulting in brain atrop…
Caring for People With Dementia Under COVID-19 Restrictions: A Pilot Study on Family Caregivers
2021
IntroductionThe present pilot study examined to what extent the COVID-19 lockdown affected the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in people with dementia and worsened their family caregivers’ distress. The associations between changes in the BPSD of relatives with dementia (RwD) and in their caregivers’ distress, and sense of social and emotional loneliness, and resilience were also investigated.Materials and MethodsThirty-five caregivers of RwD attending formal healthcare services before the COVID-19 lockdown volunteered for the study, and were interviewed by phone during the lockdown. Caregivers completed the NeuroPsychiatric Inventory (NPI) to assess their care reci…
Being the Family Caregiver of a Patient With Dementia During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Lockdown
2021
Background: Family caregivers of patients with dementia are at high risk of stress and burden, and quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have increased the risk of psychological disturbances in this population. The current study was carried out during the national lockdown declared in March 2020 by the Italian government as a containment measure of the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic and is the first nationwide survey on the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the mental health of dementia informal caregivers.Methods: Eighty-seven dementia centers evenly distributed on the Italian territory enrolled 4,710 caregiver–patient pairs. Caregivers underwent a tel…
Awareness of Cognitive Decline in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
2021
Background: Identifying a poor degree of awareness of cognitive decline (ACD) could represent an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease (AD).Objectives: (1) to understand whether there is evidence of poor ACD in the pre-dementia stages of AD; (2) to summarize the main findings obtained investigating ACD in AD; (3) to propose a conceptual framework.Data Sources: We searched Scopus, Pubmed, and the reference lists for studies published up to August 2020. Original research articles must report a measure of ACD and included individuals with AD dementia, or prodromal AD (or MCI), or being at risk for AD.Data Synthesis: All studies covering preclinical, prodromal, and AD dementia were systematica…
Randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, multicentre study of idebenone in patients suffering from multi-infarct dementia
1992
Abstract In this randomized double-blind, placebo controlled, multicentre study on 108 elderly patients with mild to moderate mental deterioration of vascular origin, idebenone — a benzoquinone derivative with a hydroxyalkyl side chain — proved to be therapeutically effective in the treatment of multi-infarct dementia. The oral administration of idebenone 45 mg/day b.i.d. for 120 days significantly improved the scores of the following test in comparison with placebo: Mini Mental State, Randt Memory Test, Gottfries Rating Scale, Token Test, Toulouse Pieron Test, indicating improvements in memory attention and cognitivity. The drug was well tolerated and effective in patients with multi-infar…
Idebenone in senile dementia of Alzheimer type: A multicentre study
1992
Idebenone is a new cerebro-active drug, effective in dementia disorders, particularly indicated in primary degenerative dementias, i.e. Alzheimer's disease. This new molecule acts as an electron trapper and a free radical scavenger protecting mitochondrial membranes from lipid peroxidation. A multicentric, double-blind trial of idebenone (45 mg twice daily orally) vs. placebo was carried out on 102 elderly patients affected by Alzheimer-type dementia of mild or moderate severity. Idebenone was administered for 4 consecutive months, 45 mg twice daily. Clinical evaluations were performed at the time of enrollment (t0) and monthly thereafter (t30, t60, t90 and t120) and at follow-up (t150 ). T…
Microvascular brain damage with aging and hypertension
2011
Loss of cognitive function and hypertension are two common conditions in the elderly and both significantly contribute to loss of personal independency. Microvascular brain damage - the result of age-associated alteration in large arteries and the progressive mismatch of their cross-talk with small cerebral arteries - represents a potent risk factor for cognitive decline and for the onset of dementia in older individuals. The present review discusses the complexity of factors linking large artery to microvascular brain disease and to cognitive decline and the evidence for possible clinical markers useful for prevention of this phenomenon. The possibility of dementia prevention by cardiovasc…
Physical activity is associated with better global cognition and frontal function in overweight/obese older adults with metabolic syndrome
2019
Background There is epidemiological evidence of an association between the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors related to central adiposity and insulin resistance, and cognitive impairment and dementia. On the other hand, there is evidence for a beneficial effect of physical activity on cognitive outcomes in older adult populations. In a cross-sectional study, we evaluated the relationship between aerobic physical activity and cognition in a cohort of overweight/obese older adults with MetS at risk for dementia. Cognitive function was assessed in a subsample of 82 subjects (men 55–75 y; women 60–75 y), with MetS and a BMI ≥27 to < 40 kg/m2 enrolled in the PRE…