Can older “at risk” adults benefit from psychoeducation targeting healthy brain aging?

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louisa M. Norrie ◽  
Keri Diamond ◽  
Ian B. Hickie ◽  
Naomi L. Rogers ◽  
Samantha Fearns ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Brain Aging ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Vascular Risk ◽  
Late Life Depression

ABSTRACTBackground:Multifactorial strategies that prevent or delay the onset or progress of cognitive decline and dementia are needed, and should include education regarding recognized risk factors. The current study sought to investigate whether older adults “at risk” of cognitive decline benefit from psychoeducation targeting healthy brain aging.Methods:65 participants (mean age 64.8 years, SD 9.6) with a lifetime history of major depression; vascular risk as evidenced by at least one vascular risk factor; and/or subjective or objective memory impairment were allocated to weekly psychoeducation sessions or a waitlist control group. The small group sessions were conducted over ten weeks by a team of medical and allied health professionals with expertise in late-life depression and cognition. Sessions focused on modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline including vascular risk, diet, exercise, depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance, as well as providing practical strategies for memory and cognition. Both the psychoeducation and waitlist group completed a 20-item knowledge test at baseline and follow-up. Participants in the psychoeducation group were asked to complete follow-up self-report satisfaction questionnaires.Results:Repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant interaction effect depicting improvements in knowledge associated with psychoeducation, corresponding to an improvement of 15% from baseline. Satisfaction data additionally showed that 92.3% of participants rated the program as “good” to “excellent”, and over 90% suggested they would recommend it to others.Conclusions:A group-based psychoeducation program targeting healthy brain aging is effective in improving knowledge. Additionally, it is acceptable and rated highly by participants.

A Randomised Controlled Trial of Strategies to Prompt Attendance for a Pap Smear

1995 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 211-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Bowman ◽  
Rob Sanson-Fisher ◽  
Catherine Boyle ◽  
Stephanie Pope ◽  
Sally Redman
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Pap Smear ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Screening Attendance ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Objective – To assess the comparative efficacy, by randomised controlled trial, of three interventions designed to encourage “at risk” women to have a Pap smear: an educational pamphlet; letters inviting attendance at a women's health clinic; and letters from physicians. Methods – Subjects at risk for cervical cancer who had not been adequately screened were identified by a random community survey and randomly allocated to one of the intervention groups or a control group. Six months after intervention implementation, a follow up survey assessed subsequent screening attendance. Self report was validated by comparison with a national screening data base. Results – A significantly greater proportion of women (36.9%) within the group receiving a physician letter reported screening at follow up than in any other group (P =0.012). The variables most strongly predicting screening attendance were: age, perceived frequency of screening required, use of oral contraceptives, and allocation to receive the physician letter intervention. Conclusions – The relative efficacy of the GP letter in prompting screening attendance shows that this strategy is worthy of further investigation. There remains a need to examine the barriers to screening for older women, and to develop tailored strategies for this population.

Abstract 51: Effects of Vascular Risk Factors on Microstructural White Matter: A Voxel-Based Longitudinal Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study

Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Maillard ◽  
Evan Fletcher ◽  
Owen Carmichael ◽  
Dan Mungas ◽  
Bruce Reed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Diffusion Tensor Imaging ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Brain Aging ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Vascular Risk Factors ◽  
Vascular Risk ◽  
Local Contraction

Background: Diabetes mellitus type II (DMT2) and hypertension (HTN) have been reported as increasing the risk of dementia. Because recent cross-sectional diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have identified association between vascular risk factors (VRF) and microstructural white matter (WM) abnormalities in elderly, longitudinal DTI studies are needed to determine whether VRF may be associated with accelerated WM degeneration over time. Methods: 114 cognitively normal participants from University of California, Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center, aged 73.9±6.7, received a comprehensive clinical evaluation and brain MRI including T1-weighted and DTI sequences on two dates (mean delay: 3.3 years). Baseline and follow-up FA maps were calculated, aligned, and subtracted to provide FA change ([[Unable to Display Character: ∆]]FA) maps and warped to a common template (MDT). Coregistration of baseline and follow-up T1 maps to MDT enabled computation of Jacobian images (i.e. the local contraction factor). VRF score (VRFS) was computed as the sum of DMT2, HTN and hyperlipidemia (HYP) incidence based on the subject’s medical history. We then used voxel-based linear regressions to relate annual [[Unable to Display Character: ∆]]FA and Jacobian determinants to VRFS, adjusting for potential confounders. Resulting T maps were corrected for multiple comparisons. Results: Poorer VRF score was associated with higher rate of [[Unable to Display Character: ∆]]FA loss and of GM atrophy with regions most heavily implicated including the corpus callosum and the frontal GM (see Figure1). Conclusions: This is one of very few studies of longitudinal DTI change in the elderly. DMT2, HTH and HYP are associated with accelerated WM degeneration and GM atrophy in areas whose integrity is known to be reduced in mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Future work should clarify the independent role of these vascular risk factors in accelerating brain aging.

scholarly journals Late-life depression, subjective cognitive decline, and their additive risk in incidence of dementia: A nationwide longitudinal study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254639
Author(s):  
Sheng-Min Wang ◽  
Kyung-do Han ◽  
Nak-Young Kim ◽  
Yoo Hyun Um ◽  
Dong-Woo Kang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Decline ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Late Life Depression

Objective Late-life depression and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) are significant risk factors for dementia. However, studies with a large sample size are needed to clarify their independent and combined risks for subsequent dementia. Methods This nationwide population-based cohort study included all individuals aged 66 years who participated in the National Screening Program between 2009 and 2013 (N = 939,099). Subjects were followed from the day they underwent screening to the diagnosis of dementia, death, or the last follow-up day (December 31, 2017). Results Depressive symptom presentation, recent depressive disorder, and SCD independently increased dementia incidence with adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.286 (95% CI:1.255–1.318), 1.697 (95% CI:1.621–1.776), and 1.748 (95% CI: 689–1.808) respectively. Subjects having both SCD and depression had a higher risk (aHR = 2.466, 95% CI:2.383–2.551) of dementia than having depression (aHR = 1.402, 95% CI:1.364–1.441) or SCD (aHR = 1.748, 95% CI:1.689–1.808) alone. Conclusions Depressive symptoms, depressive disorder, and SCD are independent risk factors for dementia. Co-occurring depression and SCD have an additive effect on the risk of dementia; thus, early intervention and close follow up are necessary for patients with co-occurring SCD and depression.

The Spectrum of Cerebrovascular Disease and Associated Cognitive Decline

2019 ◽  
pp. 574-599
Author(s):  
Victoria J. Williams ◽  
Steven E. Arnold ◽  
David H. Salat
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cerebrovascular Disease ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Vascular Dementia ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Vascular Risk Factors ◽  
Vascular Health ◽  
Vascular Risk ◽  
And Function

Throughout the lifespan, common variations in systemic health and illness contribute to alterations in vasculature structure and function throughout the body, significantly increasing risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (CVD). CVD is a prevalent cause of mortality in late life; it also promotes brain alterations, contributing to cognitive decline and, when severe, vascular dementia. Even prior to diseased states, individual variation in CVD risk is associated with structural and functional brain alterations. Yet, how cumulative asymptomatic alterations in vessel structure and function contribute to more subtle changes in brain tissue integrity and function that emerge in late life is unclear. Finally, vascular risk factors are associated with the clinical progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, recent theory posits that vascular degeneration may serve a contributory role in these conditions. This chapter reviews how lifespan changes in vascular health contribute to degenerative changes in neural tissue and the subsequent development of cognitive impairment and/or vascular dementia. It first discusses associations between vascular risk factors and cognition and also how declining vascular health may lead to cognitive impairment and dementia. Next, it identifies basic aspects of cerebrovascular anatomy and physiology sustaining tissue health and discusses how vulnerabilities of this system contribute to neurodegenerative changes. Finally, it reviews evidence of vascular contributions to AD and presents ideas for future research to better understand the full spectrum of cerebrovascular contributions to brain aging, cognitive decline, and dementia.

scholarly journals Vascular risk factors and incident late-life depression in a Korean population

2006 ◽  
Vol 189 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae-Min Kim ◽  
Robert Stewart ◽  
Sung-Wan Kim ◽  
Su-Jin Yang ◽  
Il-Seon Shin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Diagnostic Interview ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Late Life Depression ◽  
Lower Baseline ◽  
Vascular Status

BackgroundCausal relationships between vascular factors and late-life depression are controversial.AimsTo investigate prospective associations between risk factors for vascular disease and incidence of late-life depression.MethodOf 661 community participants aged 65 years or over, without depression at baseline, 521 (79%) were re-evaluated 2 years later. At baseline and follow-up, a diagnostic interview for depression was carried out and information on vascular status, disability and cognitive function was gathered.ResultsPre-existing heart disease, incident stroke and lower baseline high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level were significantly associated with incidence of late-life depression, independently of disability and cognitive function.ConclusionsThese results provide some support for a vascular aetiology of late-life depression. However, important risk factors for cerebrovascular disease such as hypertension and diabetes were not implicated, and the associations with lipid levels might still be explained by affective states earlier in life.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Abdominal and Gluteus Medius Training in Lumbo-Pelvic Stability and Adductor Strength in Female Soccer Players. A Randomized Controlled Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1528
Author(s):  
Héctor Guerrero-Tapia ◽  
Rodrigo Martín-Baeza ◽  
Rubén Cuesta-Barriuso
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Gluteus Medius ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Limb Injuries ◽  
Experimental Group

Background. Abdominal and lumbo-pelvic stability alterations may be the origin of lower limb injuries, such as adductor pathology in soccer players. Imbalance can be caused by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial over 8 weeks, 25 female footballers were randomly allocated to an experimental group (isometric abdominal training and gluteus medius-specific training) or a control group (isometric abdominal training). Evaluations were performed at baseline, at the end of the intervention and after a 4-week follow-up period. The exercise protocol in common for both groups included three exercises: Plank, Lateral plank and Bird dog. Specific exercises for the gluteus medius were: Pelvic drop and Stabilization of the gluteus medius in knee valgus. Outcome measures were lumbar-pelvic stability and adductor strength. Results: After the intervention, there was an increase in lumbo-pelvic stability in both groups, being greater in the control group than in the experimental group (mean differences [MD]: 4.84 vs. MD: 9.58; p < 0.01) with differences in the analysis of repeated measures (p < 0.001), but not in group interaction (p = 0.26). Changes were found in adductor strength in the experimental group (MD: −2.48; p < 0.001 in the left adductor; MD: −1.48; p < 0.01 in right adductor) and control group (MD: −1.68; p < 0.001 in the left adductor; MD: −2.05; p < 0.001 in the right adductor) after the intervention, with differences in the analysis of repeated measures in left (p < 0.001) and right (p < 0.001) adductor strength. Conclusions: An abdominal and gluteal training protocol shows no advantage over a protocol of abdominal training alone for lumbo-pelvic stability and adductor strength, while improvements in both variables are maintained at four weeks follow-up.

scholarly journals The impact of vascular risk factors on the thickness and volume of the choroid in AMD patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Krytkowska ◽  
Aleksandra Grabowicz ◽  
Katarzyna Mozolewska-Piotrowska ◽  
Zofia Ulańczyk ◽  
Krzysztof Safranow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Vascular Risk Factors ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Vascular Risk ◽  
Average Volume ◽  
Central Ring ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Wet Amd

AbstractDisturbances in choroidal microcirculation may lead to the onset and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We aimed to assess changes in the choroidal volume and thickness in the macular region in AMD eyes and to investigate whether coexisting vascular risk factors alter choroidal status. We enrolled 354 AMD patients (175 dry, 179 wet AMD) and 121 healthy controls. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination and assessment of choroidal thickness and volume. A multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, and smoking status revealed that wet AMD was an independent factor associated with higher average thickness of the central ring area (ATC) and average volume of the central ring area (AVC) and lower choroidal vascularity index (CVI) compared to controls (β =  + 0.18, p = 0.0007, β =  + 0.18, p = 0.0008, respectively) and to dry AMD (β =  + 0.17, p = 0.00003 for both ATC and AVC and β =  − 0.30 p < 0.0001 for CVI). ATC, AVC and average volume (AV) were lower in AMD patients with hypertension and ischaemic heart disease (IHD). The duration of hypertension was inversely correlated with ATC, AVC and AV (Rs =  − 0.13, p < 0.05; Rs =  − 0.12; p < 0.05, Rs =  − 0.12; p < 0.05, respectively) while IHD duration negatively correlated with AV (Rs =  − 0.15, p < 0.05). No such associations were observed in the control group. Our findings show that the choroidal vascular system in eyes with AMD is much more susceptible to damage in the presence than in the absence of systemic vascular disease.

Metabolic syndrome and risk factors after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children and adolescents

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gizem Guner Ozenen ◽  
Serap Aksoylar ◽  
Damla Goksen ◽  
Salih Gozmen ◽  
Sukran Darcan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ◽  
Stem Cell Transplantation ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem

Abstract Objectives The early and late complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) determine the patients’ prognosis and life quality. We aim to determine the metabolic syndrome development frequency after HSCT in children to find out the risk factors and compare them with healthy adolescents. Methods Thirty-six children who underwent HSCT at least two years ago were analyzed prospectively and cross-sectionally. Our study included 18 healthy children between the ages of 11 and 17 as a control group. All of the cases were assessed in terms of metabolic syndrome (MS) through the use of Modified WHO Criteria. Results The patients’ median age was 10.6 (5.1–17) years, the median time of follow-up after HCST was 4.1 (2–13.5) years and 70% were male. Two cases were diagnosed with MS (5.6%). When considered in terms of the sub-components of MS, 2 cases (5.6%) were found to have obesity, 17 cases (47%) abnormal glucose tolerance, 11 cases (30.7%) dyslipidemia, and 3 cases (8.6%) hypertension. The MS rate was not different when compared with the 11–17 year-old healthy control group (0 vs. 11%, p=0.48). Myeloablative conditioning regimen (65 vs. 20%) and the increased age at which HSCT was performed were considered to be risk factors in terms of insulin resistance (p=0.025 and 0.002). Conclusions Age and conditioning regimens were found to be the risk factors for insulin resistance development. The long-term follow-up of the cases who had undergone HSCT in childhood in terms of MS and its sub-components is important in order to increase life quality.

Analyses of Visuospatial and Visuoperceptual Errors as Predictors of Dementia in Parkinson’s Disease Patients with Subjective Cognitive Decline and Mild Cognitive Impairment

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Iván Galtier ◽  
Antonieta Nieto ◽  
María Mata ◽  
Jesús N. Lorenzo ◽  
José Barroso
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Decline ◽  
Independent Risk Factors

ABSTRACT Objective: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) are considered as the risk factors for dementia (PDD). Posterior cortically based functions, such as visuospatial and visuoperceptual (VS-VP) processing, have been described as predictors of PDD. However, no investigations have focused on the qualitative analysis of the Judgment of Line Orientation Test (JLOT) and the Facial Recognition Test (FRT) in PD-SCD and PD-MCI. The aim of this work was to study the VS-VP errors in JLOT and FRT. Moreover, these variables are considered as predictors of PDD. Method: Forty-two PD patients and 19 controls were evaluated with a neuropsychological protocol. Patients were classified as PD-SCD and PD-MCI. Analyses of errors were conducted following the procedure described by Ska, Poissant, and Joanette (1990). Follow-up assessment was conducted to a mean of 7.5 years after the baseline. Results: PD-MCI patients showed a poor performance in JLOT and FRT total score and made a greater proportion of severe intraquadrant (QO2) and interquadrant errors (IQO). PD-SCD showed a poor performance in FRT and made mild errors in JLOT. PD-MCI and QO2/IQO errors were independent risk factors for PDD during the follow-up. Moreover, the combination of both PD-MCI diagnosis and QO2/IQO errors was associated with a greater risk. Conclusions: PD-MCI patients presented a greater alteration in VS-VP processing observable by the presence of severe misjudgments. PD-SCD patients also showed mild difficulties in VS-SP functions. Finally, QO2/IQO errors in PD-MCI are a useful predictor of PDD, more than PD-MCI diagnosis alone.

scholarly journals 332 - Electroconvulsive therapy in older adults with major depression was not associated with cognitive decline during a 15-year follow-up

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 91-91
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Control Group

AUTHORS:Kerstin Johansson, Karolina Thömkvist, Ingmar Skoog and Sacuiu SF* (*presenter)OBJECTIVE:To determine the effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in major depression in relation to the development of dementia during long-term follow-up.METHOD:In an observational clinical prospective study of consecutive patients 70 years and older diagnosed with major depression at baseline 2000-2004 (n=1090), who were free of dementia and received antidepressant treatment, with or without ECT, we sought to determine if cognitive decline (mild cognitive impairment and dementia) during 15 -year follow-up was associated with receiving ECT at baseline. The control group was selected among the participants in the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies matched by age group and sex 1:1.RESULTS:Among patients with affective syndromes 7% received ECT. During follow-up, 157 patients were diagnosed with dementia, equal proportions among those who received ECT (14.5%) and those who did not receive ECT (14.5%). The relation between ECT and cognitive decline remained non-significant irrespective antidepressive medication or presence of mild cognitive impairment at baseline.CONCLUSION:Preliminary results indicate that ECT was not associated with the development of cognitive decline in the long-term in a hospital-based cohort of 70+ year-olds. The results remain to verify against controls from a representative community sample.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document