Search results for "Geriatrics"

LRP1 mediates bidirectional transcytosis of amyloid-β across the blood-brain barrier.

2011

According to the "amyloid hypothesis", the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide is the toxic intermediate driving Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Recent evidence suggests that the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) transcytoses Aβ out of the brain across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To provide genetic evidence for LRP1-mediated transcytosis of Aβ across the BBB we analyzed Aβ transcytosis across primary mouse brain capillary endothelial cells (pMBCECs) derived from wild-type and LRP1 knock-in mice. Here, we show that pMBCECs in vitro express functionally active LRP1. Moreover, we demonstrate that LRP1 mediates transcytosis of [(125)I]-Aβ(1-40) across pMBCECs in both direct…

The mysterious connection between migraine and dementia: epiphenomenon or causation? Special considerations

2022

Effect of COVID-19 quarantine on cognitive, functional and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

2022

Abstract Background During the last two years, COVID-19 affected older people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but conflicting and sparse results are still present. The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency and type of changes in functional, cognitive and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), and caregiver’s stress during the period of quarantine in 2020 in patients affected by dementia/MCI living in Palermo, Sicily. Methods Outpatients affected by MCI/dementia were evaluated before and after COVID-19 quarantine. Functional status was investigated using basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL); cognitive performance with…

A twin study on the heritability of walking ability among older women

2006

BACKGROUND This study examined the role of genetic and environmental factors explaining individual differences in women's walking ability in old age. METHODS A maximal walking speed test over 10 meters and a 6-minute walking endurance test were done under standard conditions among 92 monozygotic and 105 dizygotic pairs of twin sisters reared together, aged 63-75 years. RESULTS The mean maximum walking speed was 1.73 +/- 0.32 m/s and the mean distance covered in the 6-minute walking test was 525.6 +/- 77.3 m. Multivariate genetic modeling showed that a minor part of the variances in walking speed (16%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0%-54%) and endurance (20%, 95% CI: 0%-56%) were accounted f…

Secretory process: the role of age, autoimmunity and endocrinopathy

2020

Xerostomia is a common occurrence in older people, impairing their quality of life. When salivary gland function goes below 50%, patients show oral mucosal dryness and consequent problems on speaking and eating. They present oral health impairment. Their quality of life is compromised too. The prevalence of xerostomia is reported to be approximately 30% in people over 65 years old. Drug-induced xerostomia is the most common cause of dry mouth in elderly, because many older adults are taking at least one medication that causes salivary dysfunction. Among the autoimmune disease that can cause xerostomia, Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) is the most representative one in elderly. Dryness of oral mucosa…

Beneficios del ejercicio físico en población mayor institucionalizada

2010

Resumen Objetivo Evaluar la eficacia del ejercicio fisico sobre el nivel fisico, funcional y psicologico de personas mayores institucionalizadas. Material y metodo Estudio cuasi-experimental sobre personas mayores institucionalizadas en dos residencias. La intervencion consistio en un programa de ejercicio fisico suave de 2 sesiones semanales de 60 min durante 8 semanas. Se evaluo la movilidad articular, fuerza muscular, marcha y equilibrio, situacion funcional, dolor, estado cognitiva y sensacion de bienestar psicologico. Resultados Los participantes se dividieron en grupo de intervencion (n=24) y grupo control (n=27). Se obtuvieron mejorias estadisticamente significativas en la extension …

Efecto del ejercicio físico sobre las alteraciones cognitivas y el estrés oxidativo en un modelo transgénico APP/PSN1 para la enfermedad de Alzheimer

2012

Resumen Introduccion Los efectos beneficiosos del ejercicio fisico, tanto en el tratamiento como en la prevencion de distintas enfermedades, han sido ampliamente establecidos. La demencia mas frecuente, la enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) es un trastorno donde el ejercicio ha demostrado causar notables mejoras fisiopatologicas y cognitivas. En el presente trabajo estudiamos el efecto del ejercicio fisico sobre el estres oxidativo y la cognicion en el modelo murino doble transgenico (2×Tg) para la EA, APP/PSN1, basado fundamentalmente en la deposicion cerebral de placas de β-amiloide. Material y metodos Dieciocho ratones de 10 meses de edad fueron divididos en 4 grupos experimentales: 2×Tg entre…

Building Bridges for Innovation in Ageing: Synergies between Action Groups of the EIP on AHA.

2017

The Strategic Implementation Plan of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) proposed six Action Groups. After almost three years of activity, many achievements have been obtained through commitments or collaborative work of the Action Groups. However, they have often worked in silos and, consequently, synergies between Action Groups have been proposed to strengthen the triple win of the EIP on AHA. The paper presents the methodology and current status of the Task Force on EIP on AHA synergies. Synergies are in line with the Action Groups' new Renovated Action Plan (2016-2018) to ensure that their future objectives are coherent and fully connected. The …

Glutathione, oxidative stress and aging

1996

The free radical theory of aging proposes that the impairment in physiological performance associated with aging is caused by the detrimental effects of oxygen free radicals. This is interesting because it provides us with a theoretical framework to understand aging and because it suggests a rationale for intervention, i.e., antioxidant administration. Thus, the study of antioxidant systems of the cell may be very important in gerontological studies. Glutathione is one of the main nonprotein antioxidants in the cell which, together with its related enzymes, constitute the “glutathione system.” The involvement of glutathione in aging has been known since the early seventies. Several studies …

Progerin expression induces a significant downregulation of transcription from human repetitive sequences in iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons.

2019

Repetitive DNA sequences represent about half of the human genome. They have a central role in human biology, especially neurobiology, but are notoriously difficult to study. The purpose of this study was to quantify the transcription from repetitive sequences in a progerin-expressing cellular model of neuronal aging. Progerin is a nuclear protein causative of the Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome that is also incrementally expressed during the normal aging process. A dedicated pipeline of analysis allowed to quantify transcripts containing repetitive sequences from RNAseq datasets oblivious of their genomic localization, tolerating a sufficient degree of mutational noise, all with low c…