Hypertension and vascular dementia in the elderly: the potential role of anti-hypertensive agents

ABSTRACTThe potential role of physical activity in the primary, secondary, tertiary and quarternary treatment of disease is examined with particular reference to the health care needs of the elderly. Areas requiring further research are stressed. On present evidence, it would appear likely that enhanced physical activity could make a useful contribution to the containment of health care expenditures; however, it still has to be established how far the gains of physical condition and resultant improvements of health status that are seen in younger individuals could be realized by the various categories of geriatric patient.

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Why the elderly appear to be more severely affected by COVID ‐19: The potential role of immunosenescence and CMV

Reviews in Medical Virology ◽

10.1002/rmv.2144 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (5) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Seilesh Kadambari ◽

Paul Klenerman ◽

Andrew J. Pollard

Keyword(s):

Potential Role ◽

The Elderly

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Potential Role of Phenolic Extracts of Mentha in Managing Oxidative Stress and Alzheimer’s Disease

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox9070631 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 631

Author(s):

Doaa M. Hanafy ◽

Geoffrey E. Burrows ◽

Paul D. Prenzler ◽

Rodney A. Hill

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Potential Role ◽

The Elderly ◽

Future Research ◽

Phenolic Constituents ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

Developed Nations

With an increase in the longevity and thus the proportion of the elderly, especially in developed nations, there is a rise in pathological conditions that accompany ageing, such as neurodegenerative disorders. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive and memory decline. The pathophysiology of the disease is poorly understood, with several factors contributing to its development, such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, cholinergic neuronal apoptotic death, and the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain. Current medications are only palliative and cannot stop or reverse the progression of the disease. Recent clinical trials of synthetic compounds for the treatment of AD have failed because of their adverse effects or lack of efficacy. Thus, there is impetus behind the search for drugs from natural origins, in addition to the discovery of novel, conventional therapeutics. Mints have been used traditionally for conditions relevant to the central nervous system. Recent studies showed that mint extracts and/or their phenolic constituents have a neuroprotective potential and can target multiple events of AD. In this review, we provide evidence of the potential role of mint extracts and their derivatives as possible sources of treatments in managing AD. Some of the molecular pathways implicated in the development of AD are reviewed, with focus on apoptosis and some redox pathways, pointing to mechanisms that may be modulated for the treatment of AD, and the need for future research invoking knowledge of these pathways is highlighted.

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Oral Care and the Elderly

Perspectives on Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) ◽

10.1044/sasd17.1.19 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 19-26 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

John R. Ashford ◽

Michelle Skelley

Keyword(s):

Potential Role ◽

Oral Care ◽

The Elderly ◽

Severe Illness ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Diverse Environment ◽

Oropharyngeal Cavity ◽

Normal Environment ◽

Oral Pathogens

Abstract The purpose of this report is to review the normal environment of the oropharyngeal cavity, examine its potential role in the development of pneumonia, and examine the beneficial effects of oral care in the prevention of pneumonia among the sick and elderly. The oropharynx is a very diverse environment of structures, functions, and ecology. Normal bacterial florae existing in this environment are limited in their efforts to colonize in the moist oral tissues by immune properties present in saliva and mucous. Lack of oral maintenance or the occurrence of a severe illness may provide an opportunity for these pathogens to colonize and multiply. Aspiration of certain oral pathogens into the lower respiratory tract has been associated with the development of pneumonia leading to illness complications and death in some elderly or sick persons. Oral care using brushes and oral rinses have been shown to significantly reduce pneumonia development and fever in the sick and elderly populations. An important new role of speech-language pathologists is to assert themselves as practitioners and advocates of better oral health with these populations.

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The Potential Role of Naproxen in Promoting Rivastigmine Effect Against Aluminum Chloride-Induced Alzheimer-Like Model in Rats

10.21203/rs.3.rs-831722/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Raafat A. Abdel-Aal ◽

Ola A. Hussein ◽

Reham G. Elsaady ◽

Lobna Abdelzaher

Keyword(s):

Aluminum Chloride ◽

Ache Activity ◽

Cholinesterase Inhibitors ◽

Caspase 3 ◽

Potential Role ◽

Neuroprotective Effect ◽

The Elderly ◽

Cellular Level ◽

Ability To Act

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the leading causes of dependence and disability among the elderly worldwide. The traditional anti-Alzheimer medication, rivastigmine, one of the cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs), fails to achieve a definitive cure. Neuroinflammation plays a central role in AD pathogenesis. We tested the hypothesis that naproxen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), administration to the rivastigmine-treated aluminum chloride (AlCl3), Alzheimer's rat model, could provide an additive neuroprotective effect compared to rivastigmine alone. The studied groups were control (Cont), AlCl3 treated (Al), rivastigmine treated (RIVA), naproxen treated (Napro), and combined rivastigmine and naproxen treated (RIVA + Napro). Rats’ memory, spatial learning, and cognitive behavior were assessed followed by evaluation of hippocampal acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Hippocampal and cerebellar histopathology were thoroughly examined. A marker of astroglial injury; glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), the apoptosis maker; activated caspase-3 and the neuroepithelial stem cells marker; nestin expressions were immunohistochemically assayed. AD rats displayed significantly impaired memory and cognitive function, augmented hippocampal AChE activity, massive neurodegeneration associated with enhanced astrogliosis, apoptosis, and impaired neurogenesis. Rivastigmine, naproxen, and their combination decreased hippocampal AChE activity, mitigated behavioral and neuropathological changes in Al-intoxicated rats, possibly through downregulation of activated caspase-3 and upregulation of nestin. Except for the enhancement of neurogenesis and suppression of apoptosis, the combination therapy had no additional neuroprotective benefit over rivastigmine-only therapy. Naproxen's efficacy was demonstrated by its ability to act at the cellular level, enhance neurogenesis, and suppress apoptosis without having an additional mitigating impact in Al-induced cognitive impairment.

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Can Nuts Mitigate Malnutrition in Older Adults? A Conceptual Framework

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10101448 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1448

Author(s):

Sze-Yen Tan ◽

Siew Tey ◽

Rachel Brown

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Conceptual Framework ◽

Potential Role ◽

The Elderly ◽

Physiological Changes ◽

Physical Form ◽

The World ◽

Macro And Micronutrients

The proportion of adults aged over 60 years in the world is expected to reach 20% by the year 2050. Ageing is associated with several physiological changes that increase the risk of malnutrition among this population. Malnutrition is characterized by deficiencies or insufficiencies of macro- and micronutrients. Malnutrition has detrimental effects on the health, wellbeing, and quality of life in older adults. Nuts are rich in energy, unsaturated fats, and protein, as well as other nutrients that provide a range of health benefits. While the effects of nuts on overnutrition have been studied extensively, very few studies have been specifically designed to understand the role of nuts in mitigating undernutrition in the elderly. Therefore, this review explores the potential role of nuts in improving the nutritional status of older adults who are at risk of undernutrition. Several properties of whole nuts, some of which appear important for addressing overnutrition, (e.g., hardness, lower-than-expected nutrient availability, satiety-enhancing effects) may limit their effectiveness as a food to combat undernutrition. However, we propose that modifications such as transforming the physical form of nuts, addressing the timing of nut ingestion, and introducing variety may overcome these barriers. This review also discusses the feasibility of using nuts to prevent and reverse undernutrition among older adults. We conclude with a recommendation to conduct clinical studies in the future to test this conceptual framework.

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