Noninvasive Brain Stimulation for the Study of Memory Enhancement in Aging

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bartrés-Faz ◽  
Didac Vidal-Piñeiro
Keyword(s):  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Noninvasive Brain Stimulation ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Potential Benefits

Abstract. Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques have recently attracted interest due to their potential for transiently improving cognition. This may prove particularly valuable in aging, given the known impact of age-related cognitive dysfunction on quality of life. The present review summarizes the currently available evidence of working and episodic memory enhancements achieved using NIBS in healthy elderly people. The evidence reviewed indicates that research is still at an early stage and that there is a need to define the best procedures for operating and performing multicentre characterization of protocols. However, a limited number of sham-controlled studies have reported improvements in both cognitive domains. Furthermore, evidences of long-term beneficial effects opens up the possibility of using NIBS as an adjuvant therapeutic strategy. However, the relevance of certain variables involved and approaches used remains to be elucidated, including the potential benefits of single versus multiple NIBS sessions, the putative synergistic effects of using NIBS in combination with cognitive training, and the importance of individual differences. Overall, NIBS techniques represent a promising opportunity for psychologists seeking strategies to improve memory functions in the elderly. Nevertheless, their use requires appropriate technical knowledge coupled with a clear understanding of the neurophysiology and cognitive neuroscience of aging.

scholarly journals Improving Dignity of Care in Community-Dwelling Elderly Patients with Cognitive Decline and Their Caregivers. The Role of Dignity Therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 178
Author(s):  
Heifa Ounalli ◽  
David Mamo ◽  
Ines Testoni ◽  
Martino Belvederi Murri ◽  
Rosangela Caruso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Anticipatory Grief ◽  
Dignity Therapy ◽  
Existential Distress ◽  
Age Related

Demographic changes have placed age-related mental health disorders at the forefront of public health challenges over the next three decades worldwide. Within the context of cognitive impairment and neurocognitive disorders among elderly people, the fragmentation of the self is associated with existential suffering, loss of meaning and dignity for the patient, as well as with a significant burden for the caregiver. Psychosocial interventions are part of a person-centered approach to cognitive impairment (including early stage dementia and dementia). Dignity therapy (DT) is a therapeutic intervention that has been shown to be effective in reducing existential distress, mood, and anxiety symptoms and improving dignity in persons with cancer and other terminal conditions in palliative care settings. The aims of this paper were: (i) To briefly summarize key issues and challenges related to care in gerontology considering specifically frail elderly/elderly with cognitive decline and their caregivers; and (ii) to provide a narrative review of the recent knowledge and evidence on DT in the elderly population with cognitive impairment. We searched the electronic data base (CINAHL, SCOPUS, PSycInfo, and PubMed studies) for studies regarding the application of DT in the elderly. Additionally, given the caregiver’s role as a custodian of diachronic unity of the cared-for and the need to help caregivers to cope with their own existential distress and anticipatory grief, we also propose a DT-dyadic approach addressing the needs of the family as a whole.

Effect of ‘Autonomic Blockade’ on Cardiac β-Adrenergic Chronotropic Responsiveness in Healthy Young, Healthy Elderly and Endurance-Trained Elderly Subjects

1994 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Ford ◽  
O. F. W. James
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Cardiovascular Responses ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Autonomic Blockade ◽  
Young Subjects

1. Cardiac chronotropic responses to isoprenaline are reduced with ageing in man. It is unclear whether this is due to reduced cardiac β-adrenergic sensitivity or to age-associated differences in reflex cardiovascular responses to the vasodilatory effects of isoprenaline. Age-associated changes in physical activity are also reported to influence β-adrenergic sensitivity. 2. The aim of the present study was to determine the contribution of alterations in reflex changes in parasympathetic and sympathetic influences and physical fitness to the age-associated reduction in cardiac chronotropic responses to β-adrenergic agonists. 3. The effect of ‘autonomic blockade’ with atropine (40 μg/kg intravenously) and clonidine (4 μg/kg intravenously) on blood pressure, heart rate and chronotropic responses to intravenous bolus isoprenaline doses was determined in eight healthy young (mean age 21 years), nine healthy elderly (72 years) and 10 endurance-trained elderly (69 years) subjects. 4. Elderly subjects had a reduced increase in heart rate after atropine (young, 49 ± 9 beats/min; elderly, 36 ± 5 beats/min; endurance-trained elderly, 34 ± 12 beats/min; P < 0.01) and did not demonstrate the transient increase in systolic blood pressure after clonidine observed in young subjects (young, 11 ± 10 mmHg; elderly, −12 ± 16 mmHg; endurance-trained elderly, −18 ± 11 mmHg; P < 0.01). 5. Cardiac chronotropic sensitivity to isoprenaline after ‘autonomic blockade’ increased in the young but decreased in the elderly subjects. The isoprenaline dose that increased heart rate by 25 beats/min before and after autonomic blockade' was: young, before 1.6 μg, after 2.8 μg, P < 0.01 (geometric mean, paired test); elderly, before 6.9 μg, after 3.6 μg, P < 0.05; endurance-trained elderly, before 5.9 μg, after 4.0 μg, P < 0.05. Cardiac chronotropic sensitivity to isoprenaline was significantly reduced in elderly compared with young subjects before (P < 0.01) but was similar after (P = 0.09) ‘autonomic blockade’. Chronotropic sensitivity did not differ between healthy and endurance-trained elderly subjects before or after ‘autonomic blockade’. 6. The age-associated reduction in cardiac chronotropic responses to bolus isoprenaline is primarily due to an age-related reduction in the influence of reflex cardiovascular responses on heart rate and not to an age-related reduction in cardiac β-adrenergic sensitivity. Endurance training is not associated with altered β-adrenergic chronotropic sensitivity in the elderly. The transient pressor response to intravenously administered clonidine may be lost in ageing man.

scholarly journals Arginine behaviour after arginine or citrulline administration in older subjects

2015 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Moinard ◽  
J. Maccario ◽  
S. Walrand ◽  
V. Lasserre ◽  
J. Marc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Volume Of Distribution ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Loading Tests ◽  
Kinetics Of ◽  
Healthy Elderly Subjects

AbstractArginine (ARG) and its precursor citrulline (CIT) are popular dietary supplements, especially for the elderly. However, age-related reductions in lean body mass and alterations in organ functions could change their bioavailability. Pharmacokinetics and tolerance to amino acid (AA) loads are poorly documented in elderly subjects. The objective here was to characterise the plasma kinetics of CIT and ARG in a single-dosing study design. Eight fasting elderly men underwent two separate isomolar oral loading tests (10 g of CIT or 9·94 g of ARG). Blood was withdrawn over an 8-h period to measure plasma AA concentrations. Only CIT, ornithine and ARG plasma concentrations were changed. Volume of distribution was not dependent on AA administered. Conversely, parameters related to ARG kinetics were strongly dependent on AA administered: after ARG load, elimination was higher (ARG>CIT; P=0·041) and admission period+time at peak concentration was lower (ARG<CIT; P=0·033), and the combination of both phenomena results in a marked increase in ARG availability when CIT was administered (ARG<CIT; P=0·033) compared with ARG administration itself. In conclusion, a single CIT administration in the elderly is safe and well tolerated, and CIT proves to be a better in vivo ARG precursor than ARG itself in healthy elderly subjects.

Performance of healthy elderly with Alzheimer's disease at an early stage in executive function and language

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 498-498
Author(s):  
M.T. Santos ◽  
G.C. Couto ◽  
J.C. Achieri ◽  
C.A. Júnior
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
The Impact

Dementia are increasingly prevalent in population. The most common causes of dementia is Alzheimer's disease (AD). Screening tests have been used for the premature diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease (AD), specifically in the executive functions and language, which are compromised at an initial stage. However, the necessity standardized means and validated for our middle, to show oneself a pressing subject.ObjectiveTo analyze the impact of the length of sentences in the abstraction of proverbs in the Screening Test for Alzheimer's disease with Proverbs (TRDAP), healthy elderly and with Alzheimer's disease at early stage.MethodSurvey document in the database, analyzing the responses of the elderly (abstract or concrete interpretation of proverbs), relating the length of sentences (sayings) of stage B of TRDAP with the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and the interference of age and schooling.ResultsHealthy older people showed greater capacity for abstraction than those with AD. There was Significant differences, in the sayings 1 (p = 0.033) and 2 (p = 0.001), corresponding to lower sentences, which did not occur with the proverb 3. As for age no verified significant difference among the healthy and only saying 3 in AD patients, however schooling differenced the healthy.ConclusionElderly with Alzheimer's disease at an initial stage have lower performance in the comprehension of ambiguous sentences, interpretation and abstraction of proverbs, corroborating with the data of the literature. The size of these sentences appears to be inversely proportional to the correctness of interpretation in elderly patients with and without AD.

scholarly journals Blood factors transfer beneficial effects of exercise on neurogenesis and cognition to the aged brain

Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 369 (6500) ◽  
pp. 167-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alana M. Horowitz ◽  
Xuelai Fan ◽  
Gregor Bieri ◽  
Lucas K. Smith ◽  
Cesar I. Sanchez-Diaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Aging ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Signaling Cascades ◽  
Aged Mice ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Phospholipase D1 ◽  
Elderly Humans ◽  
Blood Factors

Reversing brain aging may be possible through systemic interventions such as exercise. We found that administration of circulating blood factors in plasma from exercised aged mice transferred the effects of exercise on adult neurogenesis and cognition to sedentary aged mice. Plasma concentrations of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)–specific phospholipase D1 (Gpld1), a GPI-degrading enzyme derived from liver, were found to increase after exercise and to correlate with improved cognitive function in aged mice, and concentrations of Gpld1 in blood were increased in active, healthy elderly humans. Increasing systemic concentrations of Gpld1 in aged mice ameliorated age-related regenerative and cognitive impairments by altering signaling cascades downstream of GPI-anchored substrate cleavage. We thus identify a liver-to-brain axis by which blood factors can transfer the benefits of exercise in old age.

Resistance training, insulin sensitivity and muscle function in the elderly

2006 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 75-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flemming Dela ◽  
Michael Kjaer
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Elderly Individuals ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Improved Function ◽  
Improve Muscle Strength

Ageing is associated with a loss in both muscle mass and in the metabolic quality of skeletal muscle. This leads to sarcopenia and reduced daily function, as well as to an increased risk for development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. A major part, but not all, of these changes are associated with an age-related decrease in the physical activity level and can be counteracted by increased physical activity of a resistive nature. Strength training has been shown to improve insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in both healthy elderly individuals and patients with manifest diabetes, and likewise to improve muscle strength in both elderly healthy individuals and in elderly individuals with chronic disease. The increased strength is coupled to improved function and a decreased risk for fall injuries and fractures. Elderly individuals have preserved the capacity to improve muscle strength and mass with training, but seem to display a reduced sensitivity towards stimulating protein synthesis from nutritional intake, rather than by any reduced response in protein turnover to exercise.

Towards Multimodal Mobile GIS for the Elderly

2010 ◽  
pp. 301-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Doyle ◽  
Michela Bertolotto ◽  
David Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Digital Literacy ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Multimodal Interfaces ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
User Group ◽  
Gis Applications ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Spatial Systems ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Elderly Cohort

Information technology can play an important role in helping the elderly to live full, healthy and independent lives. However, elders are often overlooked as a potential user group of many technologies. In particular, we are concerned with the lack of GIS applications which might be useful to the elderly population. The main underlying reasons which make it difficult to design usable applications for elders are threefold. The first concerns a lack of digital literacy within this cohort, the second involves physical and cognitive age-related impairments while the third involves a lack of knowledge on improving usability in interactive geovisualisation and spatial systems. As such, in this chapter we analyse existing literature in the fields of mobile multimodal interfaces with emphasis on GIS and the specific requirements of the elderly in relation to the use of such technologies. We also examine the potential benefits that the elderly could gain through using such technology, as well as the shortcomings that current systems have, with the aim to ensure full potential for this diverse, user group. In particular, we identify specific requirements for the design of multimodal GIS through a usage example of a system we have developed. Such a system produced very good evaluation results in terms of usability and effectiveness when tested by a different user group. However, a number of changes are necessary to ensure usability and acceptability by an elderly cohort. A discussion of these concludes the chapter.

Effect of Age on Vascular α-Adrenoceptor Responsiveness in Man

1982 ◽  
Vol 63 (s8) ◽  
pp. 305s-308s ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry L. Elliott ◽  
David J. Sumner ◽  
Kathleen McLean ◽  
Peter C. Rubin ◽  
John L. Reid
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Systolic Pressure ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Comparable Amount ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Mean Heart Rate

1. The responsiveness of α-receptors was compared in six young and six healthy elderly subjects by evaluating the haemodynamic effects of the a, antagonist prazosin and the pressor responses to the a, agonist phenylephrine. 2. Oral prazosin (1 mg) lowered erect (but not supine) blood pressure in both groups by a comparable amount: in young and old groups the respective maximal falls in systolic pressure were 19.5 ± 15.7 and 29.3 ± 11.4 mmHg (mean ± sd) and for diastolic pressure the maximal falls were 13 ± 13.3 and 18 ± 11.1 mmHg. 3. This similar fall in blood pressure occurred in association with a significantly different heart rate response: in the young group mean heart rate increased to 103 beats/min but there was no corresponding increase in the elderly group, which had a mean heart rate of 80 beats/min. 4. Log dose-response curves were derived from incremental intravenous infusions of phenylephrine, and the doses required to raise mean arterial pressure by 20 mmHg (PD20) were compared: the mean PD20 was significantly different in the two groups: 2.5 ± 1.6 in the young compared with 4.6 ± 2.3 μg min−1 kg−1 in the elderly, consistent with reduced pressor responsiveness in the elderly. 5. No significant difference in PD20 was apparent when pressor responsiveness was determined after prazosin, but the elderly required a significantly smaller increase in phenylephrine dosage to overcome prazosin's α-receptor-blocking effects. 6. Although there is no evidence of an age-related increase in the sensitivity of α-adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstriction, the results are not inconsistent with an age-related reduction in α-adrenoceptor responsiveness.

scholarly journals The Endocannabinoid System May Modulate Sleep Disorders in Aging

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-108
Author(s):  
Eric Murillo-Rodríguez ◽  
Henning Budde ◽  
André Barciela Veras ◽  
Nuno Barbosa Rocha ◽  
Diogo Telles-Correia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disorders ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Demographic Projections ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Therapeutic Tools

Aging is an inevitable process that involves changes across life in multiple neurochemical, neuroanatomical, hormonal systems, and many others. In addition, these biological modifications lead to an increase in age-related sickness such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, neurodegenerative disorders, and sleep disturbances, among others that affect activities of daily life. Demographic projections have demonstrated that aging will increase its worldwide rate in the coming years. The research on chronic diseases of the elderly is important to gain insights into this growing global burden. Novel therapeutic approaches aimed for treatment of age-related pathologies have included the endocannabinoid system as an effective tool since this biological system shows beneficial effects in preclinical models. However, and despite these advances, little has been addressed in the arena of the endocannabinoid system as an option for treating sleep disorders in aging since experimental evidence suggests that some elements of the endocannabinoid system modulate the sleep-wake cycle. This article addresses this less-studied field, focusing on the likely perspective of the implication of the endocannabinoid system in the regulation of sleep problems reported in the aged. We conclude that beneficial effects regarding the putative efficacy of the endocannabinoid system as therapeutic tools in aging is either inconclusive or still missing.

Differences in Conceptual Flexibility with Age as Measured by a Modified Version of the Visual Verbal Test

1994 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Collins ◽  
Andrée Tellier
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Perseverative Errors ◽  
Verbal Test ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Conceptual Flexibility

ABSTRACTAge-related changes in the capacity for cognitive flexibility should be considered in social planning for the expanding elderly population and in the functional assessment of the individual geriatric patient. Current means for assessing conceptual flexibility are not particularly appropriate for use with the elderly. In the current study, a briefer and more tolerable measure of conceptual flexibility was derived from the Visual Verbal Test (VVT). This index correlated significantly with the number of perseverative errors but not the number of nonperseverative errors on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), attesting to its validity as a specific measure of the ability to shift mental set. A significant relationship between age and both this VVT measure of conceptual shift and the number of perseverative errors on the WCST was observed in a sample of 60 healthy elderly volunteers between the ages of 55 and 84, suggesting that cognitive flexibility is indeed negatively associated with age.

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