Validation of a proxy‐reported SARC‐F questionnaire for current and retrospective screening of sarcopenia‐related functional impairments

The article is devoted to the issues related to the phenomenon of “aging society”. The relevance of creating a barrier-free environment for the elderly is dictated by the current demographic trend towards an increase in life expectancy, an increase in its quality. The number of centenarians with functional impairments (senile dementia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s) who require care at a qualitatively new level is increasing. Innovative form of organizing the leisure of the elderly «Kindergarten for the elderly people» is considered as one of the ways to solve the problem. Based on the data of a study conducted by the Federal state budgetary educational institution of higher education of the Far-Eastern state medical university of the Ministry of Health of Russia in 2020, identified the need to create a social institution «Kindergarten for the elderly people». The article notes the need for older people to adapt to the changing conditions of their life in the society saturated with gadgets and information.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Autism Spectrum Disorder

The Oxford Handbook of Autism and Co-Occurring Psychiatric Conditions ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190910761.013.9 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 158-176

Author(s):

Karen Bearss ◽

Aaron J. Kaat

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Developmental Trajectory ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Adhd Symptoms ◽

Functional Impairments ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Delayed Recognition

This chapter will review the available evidence on individuals with co-occurring diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This chapter contends that children diagnosed with both disorders (ASD+ADHD) are a subset of the ASD population that is at risk for delayed recognition of their ASD diagnosis, poor treatment response, and poorer functional outcomes compared to those with ASD without ADHD. Specifically, the chapter highlights the best estimates of the prevalence of the comorbidity, the developmental trajectory of people with co-occurring ASD and ADHD, how ADHD symptoms change across development, overlapping genetic and neurobiological risk factors, psychometrics of ADHD diagnostic instruments in an ASD population, neuropsychological and functional impairments associated with co-occurring ASD and ADHD, and the current state of evidence-based treatment for both ASD and ADHD symptoms. Finally, the chapter discusses fruitful avenues of research for improving understanding of this high-risk comorbidity so that mechanism-to-treatment pathways for ADHD in children with ASD can be better developed.

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The CoGenT3 Study: Cognition and Gender Trends in Three American Generations

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2975 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 817-817

Author(s):

Shana Stites

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Cognitive Testing ◽

Library Science ◽

Sexual And Gender Minorities ◽

Functional Impairments ◽

Gender Minorities ◽

Wide Range ◽

And Gender ◽

New Research

Abstract Many studies find gender differences in how older adults’ report on their memory, perform on cognitive testing, and manage functional impairments that can accompany cognitive impairment. Thus, understanding gender’s effects in aging and Alzheimer’s research is key for advancing methods to prevent, slow, manage, and diagnosis cognitive impairment. Our study, CoGenT3 – The study of Cognition and Gender in Three Generations – seeks to disambiguate the effects of gender on cognition in order to inform a conceptual model, guide innovations in measurement, and support future study. To accomplish this ambitious goal, we have gathered an interdisciplinary team with expertise in psychology, cognition, sexual and gender minorities, library science, measurement, quantitative methods, qualitative methods, and gender and women’s studies. The team benefits from the intersections of expertise in being able to build new research ideas, gain novel insights, and evaluate a wide-range of actions and re-actions but this novelty can also raise challenges.

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Cardiovascular Health, Functional Disability, and Leisure Activities Profiles in Relation to Mental Aging

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2292 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 663-663

Author(s):

Dorina Cadar ◽

Celine De Looze ◽

Christine McGarrigle

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Study ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Representative Sample ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Functional Disability ◽

Physiological Stress ◽

Leisure Activities ◽

Functional Decline ◽

Functional Impairments ◽

Ideal Cardiovascular Health

Abstract We investigated cardiovascular health, functional disability and leisure activities profiles independently and in relation to cognitive decline and dementia in high and low-medium income countries using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing and Brazilian Bambui Cohort Study of Aging. Functional loss among older Brazilians has shown a hierarchical sequence over the 15-year follow-up, with the highest incidence in functional disability reported for dressing, followed by getting out of bed, bathing/showering, walking across a room, using the toilet and eating (de Oliveira). Using the Life’s Simple 7, an ideal cardiovascular health scoring system evaluating the muscular strength, mobility and physiological stress, we showed a reliable prediction of cognitive trajectories in a representative sample of Irish individuals (De Looze). Within the same cohort, we report discrepancies between men and women in functional decline driven by domestic tasks, rather than determining differential cognitive trajectories (McGarrigle). In an English representative sample, we found that participants with an increasing number of functional impairments over almost a decade were more likely to be classified with subsequent dementia compared with those with no impairments and this may imply a more comprehensive ascertainment during the prodromal stage of dementia (Cadar). In contrast, a reduced risk of dementia was found for individuals with higher levels of engagement in cognitively stimulating activities, that may preserve cognitive reserve until later in life (Almeida). Identifying factors that influence cognitive aging and dementia risk in a multifactorial perspective is critical toward developing adequate intervention and treatment.

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Comorbidity, Functional Impairment, and Emotional Distress: A Coping Mediation Model for Persons With Cancer

Annals of Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1093/abm/kaaa122 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Thomas V Merluzzi ◽

Errol J Philip ◽

Brenna Gomer ◽

Carolyn A Heitzmann Ruhf ◽

Dahyeon Kim

Keyword(s):

Cancer Patients ◽

Emotional Distress ◽

Functional Impairment ◽

Model Comparison ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Life Assessment ◽

Functional Impairments ◽

Brief Cope ◽

Distress Scale ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background Comorbid disease in cancer patients can substantially impact medical care, emotional distress, and mortality. However, there is a paucity of research on how coping may affect the relationship between comorbidity and emotional distress. Purpose The current study investigated whether the relations between comorbidity and emotional distress and between functional impairment and emotional distress were mediated by three types of coping: action planning (AP), support/advice seeking (SAS), and disengagement (DD). Methods Four hundred and eighty-three persons with cancer completed a measure of functional impairment (Sickness Impact Profile), the Checklist of Comorbid Conditions, the Brief COPE, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Quality of Life Assessment for Cancer Survivors (Negative Feelings Scale), and the Distress Screening Schedule (Emotional Distress Scale). The latter three measures were used to form a latent construct representing the outcome, emotional distress. Results Model comparison analysis indicated that the model with DD as a mediator had a better fit than models containing AP and SAS. DD mediated the relationship between functional impairment and emotional distress, so that engaging in DD was associated with greater distress. In addition, comorbidity and functional impairment were directly and positively related to emotional distress, but the relation between comorbidity and distress was not mediated by coping type. Conclusions Both comorbidity and functional impairment may be associated with distress, but disengagement coping only mediated the relation involving functional impairment and was positively associated with distress. Future studies can investigate whether teaching active coping or adaptive coping (e.g., through mindfulness exercises) can decrease distress in cancer patients, despite functional impairments.

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Rates of Cognitive and Functional Impairments in Older Adults Residing in a Continuing Care Senior Housing Community

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617721000163 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Ryan Van Patten ◽

Zanjbeel Mahmood ◽

Tanya T. Nguyen ◽

Jacqueline E. Maye ◽

Ho-Cheol Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Functional Capacity ◽

Independent Living ◽

Visual Learning ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

Continuing Care ◽

Cognitive Screening ◽

Functional Impairments ◽

Senior Housing ◽

The Mean

Abstract Objective: The current cross-sectional study examined cognition and performance-based functional abilities in a continuing care senior housing community (CCSHC) that is comparable to other CCSHCs in the US with respect to residents’ demographic characteristics. Method: Participants were 110 older adult residents of the independent living unit. We assessed sociodemographics, mental health, neurocognitive functioning, and functional capacity. Results: Compared to normative samples, participants performed at or above expectations in terms of premorbid functioning, attention span and working memory, processing speed, timed set-shifting, inhibitory control, and confrontation naming. They performed below expectation in verbal fluency and verbal and visual learning and memory, with impairment rates [31.4% (>1 SD below the mean) and 18.49% (>1.5 SD below the mean)] well above the general population (16% and 7%, respectively). Within the cognitive test battery, two tests of delayed memory were most predictive of a global deficit score. Most cognitive test scores correlated with performance-based functional capacity. Conclusions: Overall, results suggest that a subset of older adults in the independent living sector of CCSHCs are cognitively and functionally impaired and are at risk for future dementia. Results also argue for the inclusion of memory tests in abbreviated screening batteries in this population. We suggest that CCSHCs implement regular cognitive screening procedures to identify and triage those older adults who could benefit from interventions and, potentially, a transition to a higher level of care.

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Anhedonia in Semantic Dementia—Exploring Right Hemispheric Contributions to the Loss of Pleasure

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11080998 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 998

Author(s):

Siobhán R. Shaw ◽

Hashim El-Omar ◽

Siddharth Ramanan ◽

Olivier Piguet ◽

Rebekah M. Ahmed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Temporal Lobe ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Right Hemisphere ◽

Semantic Knowledge ◽

Semantic Dementia ◽

Anterior Cingulate ◽

Functional Impairments ◽

Lobe Atrophy

Semantic dementia (SD) is a younger-onset neurodegenerative disease characterised by progressive deterioration of the semantic knowledge base in the context of predominantly left-lateralised anterior temporal lobe (ATL) atrophy. Mounting evidence indicates the emergence of florid socioemotional changes in SD as atrophy encroaches into right temporal regions. How lateralisation of temporal lobe pathology impacts the hedonic experience in SD remains largely unknown yet has important implications for understanding socioemotional and functional impairments in this syndrome. Here, we explored how lateralisation of temporal lobe atrophy impacts anhedonia severity on the Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale in 28 SD patients presenting with variable right- (SD-R) and left-predominant (SD-L) profiles of temporal lobe atrophy compared to that of 30 participants with Alzheimer’s disease and 30 healthy older Control participants. Relative to Controls, SD-R but not SD-L or Alzheimer’s patients showed clinically significant anhedonia, representing a clear departure from premorbid levels. Overall, anhedonia was more strongly associated with functional impairment on the Frontotemporal Dementia Functional Rating Scale and motivational changes on the Cambridge Behavioural Inventory in SD than in Alzheimer’s disease patients. Voxel-based morphometry analyses revealed that anhedonia severity correlated with reduced grey matter intensity in a restricted set of regions centred on right orbitofrontal and temporopolar cortices, bilateral posterior temporal cortices, as well as the anterior cingulate gyrus and parahippocampal gyrus, bilaterally. Finally, regression and mediation analysis indicated a unique role for right temporal lobe structures in modulating anhedonia in SD. Our findings suggest that degeneration of predominantly right-hemisphere structures deleteriously impacts the capacity to experience pleasure in SD. These findings offer important insights into hemispheric lateralisation of motivational disturbances in dementia and suggest that anhedonia may emerge at different timescales in the SD disease trajectory depending on the integrity of the right hemisphere.

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Cell–cell coupling and DNA methylation abnormal phenotypes in the after-hours mice

Epigenetics & Chromatin ◽

10.1186/s13072-020-00373-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Federico Tinarelli ◽

Elena Ivanova ◽

Ilaria Colombi ◽

Erica Barini ◽

Edoardo Balzani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Dna Methylation ◽

Neuronal Networks ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Neuronal Cultures ◽

Functional Impairments ◽

After Hours ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background DNA methylation has emerged as an important epigenetic regulator of brain processes, including circadian rhythms. However, how DNA methylation intervenes between environmental signals, such as light entrainment, and the transcriptional and translational molecular mechanisms of the cellular clock is currently unknown. Here, we studied the after-hours mice, which have a point mutation in the Fbxl3 gene and a lengthened circadian period. Methods In this study, we used a combination of in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro approaches. We measured retinal responses in Afh animals and we have run reduced representation bisulphite sequencing (RRBS), pyrosequencing and gene expression analysis in a variety of brain tissues ex vivo. In vitro, we used primary neuronal cultures combined to micro electrode array (MEA) technology and gene expression. Results We observed functional impairments in mutant neuronal networks, and a reduction in the retinal responses to light-dependent stimuli. We detected abnormalities in the expression of photoreceptive melanopsin (OPN4). Furthermore, we identified alterations in the DNA methylation pathways throughout the retinohypothalamic tract terminals and links between the transcription factor Rev-Erbα and Fbxl3. Conclusions The results of this study, primarily represent a contribution towards an understanding of electrophysiological and molecular phenotypic responses to external stimuli in the Afh model. Moreover, as DNA methylation has recently emerged as a new regulator of neuronal networks with important consequences for circadian behaviour, we discuss the impact of the Afh mutation on the epigenetic landscape of circadian biology.

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