Faculty Opinions recommendation of Restoring metabolism of myeloid cells reverses cognitive decline in ageing.

The population of older adults is rapidly increasing, as is the number and type of products and interventions proposed to prevent or reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline. Advocacy and prevention are part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA’s) scope of practice documents, and speech-language pathologists must have basic awareness of the evidence contributing to healthy cognitive aging. In this article, we provide a brief overview outlining the evidence on activity engagement and its effects on cognition in older adults. We explore the current evidence around the activities of eating and drinking with a discussion on the potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, alcohol, and coffee. We investigate the evidence on the hypothesized neuroprotective effects of social activity, the evidence on computerized cognitive training, and the emerging behavioral and neuroimaging evidence on physical activity. We conclude that actively aging using a combination of several strategies may be our best line of defense against cognitive decline.

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The Use of Neuroplastic Principles Affects the Swallow Motor Plan of a Patient in Severe Cognitive Decline: A Case Study

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/persp1.sig15.79 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (15) ◽

pp. 79-83

Author(s):

Ed Bice ◽

Kristine E. Galek

Keyword(s):

Central Nervous System ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Full Range ◽

Movement Speed ◽

Positive Outcomes ◽

Verbal Cues ◽

Motor Plan ◽

Bolus Size ◽

The Central Nervous System

Dysphagia is common in patients with dementia. Dysphagia occurs as a result of changes in the sensory and motor function of the swallow (Easterling, 2007). It is known that the central nervous system can undergo experience-dependent plasticity, even in those individuals with dementia (Park & Bischof, 2013). The purpose of this study was to explore whether or not the use of neuroplastic principles would improve the swallow motor plan and produce positive outcomes of a patient in severe cognitive decline. The disordered swallow motor plan was manipulated by focusing on a neuroplastic principles of frequency (repetition), velocity of movement (speed of presentation), reversibility (Use it or Lose it), specificity and adaptation, intensity (bolus size), and salience (Crary & Carnaby-Mann, 2008). After five therapeutic sessions, the patient progressed from holding solids in her mouth with decreased swallow initiation to independently consuming a regular diet with full range of liquids with no oral retention and no verbal cues.

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