COGNITIVE AGING AND COGNITIVE RESERVE: POINT OF CONTACT

Author(s):  
В. С. Мякотных ◽  
А. П. Сиденкова ◽  
Е. С. Остапчук ◽  
И. А. Кулакова ◽  
Н. А. Белых ◽  
...  

Высокий риск когнитивных расстройств у лиц пожилого и старческого возраста заставляет, с одной стороны, искать их причины, с другой - возможности профилактики. В связи с этим в последние годы получило распространение понятие когнитивного резерва, подразумевающего совокупность количественных параметров головного мозга и его способности сохранять высокую функциональную активность в процессе старения и на фоне связанной с возрастом патологии головного мозга. Представленный в статье материал на основе обзора научной литературы освещает два основных момента, касающихся возможности сохранения когнитивного резерва, - гендерный и образовательный факторы. Указывается на разные возможности женщин и мужчин, связанные со структурными и функциональными особенностями ЦНС у представителей разного пола, и на особую роль поддерживаемого в течение всей жизни образовательного процесса. Обозначена авторская позиция о необходимости разделения понятий образования и образованности, то есть уровня общей культуры и создания удобного инструмента для определения последнего. Это, в свою очередь, помогло бы в разработке модели когнитивного резерва, нацеленной на предотвращение трансформации физиологического когнитивного старения в патологическое. The high risk of cognitive disorders in the elderly and senile age makes, on the one hand, to look for their causes, on the other - the possibility of prevention. In this regard, in recent years, the concept of cognitive reserve has become widespread, implying a set of quantitative parameters of the brain and its ability to maintain high functional activity in the process of aging and against the background of age-related brain pathology. The material presented in the article on the basis of the review of scientific literature highlights two main points concerning the possibility of preserving the cognitive reserve-gender and educational factors. It is pointed to the different opportunities of women and men associated with the structural and functional characteristics of the Central nervous system in representatives of different sexes and the special role of the educational process supported throughout life. The author’s position on the need to separate the concepts of education and the level of General culture, and the creation of a convenient tool for determining the latter is indicated. This, in turn, would help in the development of a cognitive reserve model aimed at preventing the transformation of physiological cognitive aging into pathological aging.

The Clinician ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 10-17
Author(s):  
S. V. Topolyanskaya

Modern concepts about the importance of subclinical inflammation in various age-associated pathology are described in the review. The term “inflammaging” (inflammation due to aging) refers to the special role of inflammation in the aging processes. This type of inflammation is low-grade, controlled, asymptomatic, chronic and systemic. Inflammaging determines the rate of aging and life expectancy. The balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines plays a significant role in aging processes. The increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the elderly are associated with different diseases, disability and mortality. Interleukin-6 is a multifunctional cytokine involved in the regulation of acute phase response and other immunological reactions, in the hematopoiesis and in chronic inflammation. This cytokine is important in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation diseases, as well as different oncological disorders. Interleukin-6 is often called the “cytokine of gerontologists”, since it is one of the main signaling pathways associated with aging and age-related diseases. This cytokine also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure and increases the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases and overall mortality. Interleukin-6 is a key proinflammatory cytokine responsible for the “metabolic inflammation”, obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. This cytokine has a significant impact on the development of sarcopenia and frailty. The serum levels of interleukin-6 negatively correlate with muscle mass and skeletal muscle function in the elderly, so it is considered as a biomarker of sarcopenia and functional decline. Interleukin-6 may contribute to the development of osteoporosis by stimulating osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. The modern data indicate the diverse effects of interleukin-6 and confirm the significant role of this cytokine in aging and in different age-associated pathology.


Author(s):  
S. V. Topolyanskaya

Modern concepts about the importance of subclinical inflammation in various age-associated pathology are described in the review. The term “inflammaging” (inflammation due to aging) refers to the special role of inflammation in the aging processes. This type of inflammation is low-grade, controlled, asymptomatic, chronic and systemic. Inflammaging determines the rate of aging and life expectancy. The balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines plays a significant role in aging processes. The increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the elderly are associated with different diseases, disability and mortality. Interleukin-6 is a multifunctional cytokine involved in the regulation of acute phase response and other immunological reactions, in the hematopoiesis and in chronic inflammation. This cytokine is important in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation diseases, as well as different oncological disorders. Interleukin-6 is often called the “cytokine of gerontologists”, since it is one of the main signaling pathways associated with aging and age-related diseases. This cytokine also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure and increases the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases and overall mortality. Interleukin-6 is a key proinflammatory cytokine responsible for the “metabolic inflammation”, obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. This cytokine has a significant impact on the development of sarcopenia and frailty. The serum levels of interleukin-6 negatively correlate with muscle mass and skeletal muscle function in the elderly, so it is considered as a biomarker of sarcopenia and functional decline. Interleukin-6 may contribute to the development of osteoporosis by stimulating osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. The modern data indicate the diverse effects of interleukin-6 and confirm the significant role of this cytokine in aging and in different age-associated pathology.


GeroScience ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Baciu ◽  
Sonja Banjac ◽  
Elise Roger ◽  
Célise Haldin ◽  
Marcela Perrone-Bertolotti ◽  
...  

AbstractIn the absence of any neuropsychiatric condition, older adults may show declining performance in several cognitive processes and among them, in retrieving and producing words, reflected in slower responses and even reduced accuracy compared to younger adults. To overcome this difficulty, healthy older adults implement compensatory strategies, which are the focus of this paper. We provide a review of mainstream findings on deficient mechanisms and possible neurocognitive strategies used by older adults to overcome the deleterious effects of age on lexical production. Moreover, we present findings on genetic and lifestyle factors that might either be protective or risk factors of cognitive impairment in advanced age. We propose that “aging-modulating factors” (AMF) can be modified, offering prevention opportunities against aging effects. Based on our review and this proposition, we introduce an integrative neurocognitive model of mechanisms and compensatory strategies for lexical production in older adults (entitled Lexical Access and Retrieval in Aging, LARA). The main hypothesis defended in LARA is that cognitive aging evolves heterogeneously and involves complementary domain-general and domain-specific mechanisms, with substantial inter-individual variability, reflected at behavioral, cognitive, and brain levels. Furthermore, we argue that the ability to compensate for the effect of cognitive aging depends on the amount of reserve specific to each individual which is, in turn, modulated by the AMF. Our conclusion is that a variety of mechanisms and compensatory strategies coexist in the same individual to oppose the effect of age. The role of reserve is pivotal for a successful coping with age-related changes and future research should continue to explore the modulating role of AMF.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1222
Author(s):  
Domitilla Mandatori ◽  
Letizia Pelusi ◽  
Valeria Schiavone ◽  
Caterina Pipino ◽  
Natalia Di Pietro ◽  
...  

Osteoporosis (OP) and vascular calcification (VC) represent relevant health problems that frequently coexist in the elderly population. Traditionally, they have been considered independent processes, and mainly age-related. However, an increasing number of studies have reported their possible direct correlation, commonly defined as “bone-vascular crosstalk”. Vitamin K2 (VitK2), a family of several natural isoforms also known as menaquinones (MK), has recently received particular attention for its role in maintaining calcium homeostasis. In particular, VitK2 deficiency seems to be responsible of the so-called “calcium paradox” phenomenon, characterized by low calcium deposition in the bone and its accumulation in the vessel wall. Since these events may have important clinical consequences, and the role of VitK2 in bone-vascular crosstalk has only partially been explained, this review focuses on its effects on the bone and vascular system by providing a more recent literature update. Overall, the findings reported here propose the VitK2 family as natural bioactive molecules that could be able to play an important role in the prevention of bone loss and vascular calcification, thus encouraging further in-depth studies to achieve its use as a dietary food supplement.


Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anjali Chauhan ◽  
Jacob Hudobenko ◽  
Anthony Patrizz ◽  
Louise D McCullough

Introduction: GDF 11 is a member of the transforming growth factor β superfamily. Loss of GDF11 occurs with aging and declining levels correlate with several detrimental age-associated phenotypes in both peripheral tissues and brain. Restoration of GDF11 enhances neurogenesis and cognitive function in aged mice. Brain expression of GDF11 has not been investigated after stroke. Stroke differentially affects the elderly. In this work we examined the role of GDF11 in aging, stroke and its potential utility as a neuroprotective agent. Methods: Male C57/BL6NCrl young (2-3 months) and aged (19-21) mice were used. Brain GDF11 expression was evaluated in young and aged mice by western blot. Focal ischemia was induced with a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Mice were randomly assigned into two groups and were subjected to 90 min MCAO. Group 1 received vehicle (phosphate buffered saline) and group 2 was administered rGDF11 (100 ug/kg., ip) at the onset of ischemia. In additional experiments, the efficacy of delayed treatment (3 h after ischemia) with rGDF11 was tested. These mice were subjected to a 60 min MCAO. Mice were euthanized after 24 hours and 7 days respectively and brains were harvested to estimate infarct area. Results: A significant decrease in brain GDF11 levels was observed in aged mice as compared to young (p<0.05). Additionally, a significant decline in brain GDF11 expression was observed after stroke at 24 hours vs. sham groups (p<0.05). A significant decrease in cortical and hemispheric infarct area was observed in the rGDF11 group (cortical 48.73±1.05; hemisphere 49.68±3.58) as compared to vehicle group (60.54±4.88; 61.35±6.03), when GDF was administered at the time of ischemia. Delayed treatment with rGDF11 also reduced infarct at 7 days. Conclusions: Brain GDF11 levels decline with age and after stroke. Supplementation with rGDF11 ameliorates stroke induced injury in young mice at 24h and 7 days. These finding suggest potential role of GDF11 in age and stroke. Restoration of age-related loss of GDF may be a viable therapy for stroke.


2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 1199-1205
Author(s):  
Fanny Vallet ◽  
Nathalie Mella ◽  
Andreas Ihle ◽  
Marine Beaudoin ◽  
Delphine Fagot ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Interindividual differences in cognitive aging may be explained by differences in cognitive reserve (CR) that are built up across the life span. A plausible but underresearched mechanism for these differences is that CR helps compensating cognitive decline by enhancing motivation to cope with challenging cognitive situations. Theories of motivation on cognition suggest that perceived capacity and intrinsic motivation may be key mediators in this respect. Method In 506 older adults, we assessed CR proxies (education, occupation, leisure activities), motivation (perceived capacity, intrinsic motivation), and a global measure of cognitive functioning. Results Perceived capacity, but not intrinsic motivation, significantly mediated the relation between CR and cognitive performance. Discussion Complementary with neurobiological and cognitive processes, our results suggest a more comprehensive view of the role of motivational aspects built up across the life span in determining differences in cognitive performance in old age.


Blood ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 1726-1730
Author(s):  
KA Melez ◽  
LF Fries ◽  
BS Bender ◽  
T Quinn ◽  
MM Frank

Decreased immune functions have been suggested as a cause for the increased incidence of autoimmunity, malignancy, and infection in the elderly population. To assess the possible role of changes in macrophage function in the aging process we studied the Fc receptor- mediated clearance of IgG-coated erythrocytes in 56 healthy normal volunteers by following the removal of radiolabeled autologous erythrocytes. An age-related decrease in Fc-mediated clearance rates in both female and male subjects was found, which suggests a physiological decline of this macrophage function in older individuals.


Author(s):  
Abdennasser Naji

The education system is organized in the form of cycles, each feeding the one following it with learners. They will continue their studies in the destination cycle, and their future will certainly depend, at least in part, on the quality of the skills acquired in the previous cycle. Given the divergences and disparities existing between the different cycles mainly due to the fact that each responds to its own design logic and in the absence of coordination between them, there is a huge lack of quality to gain at the interface of the cycles . The referral system that plays the role of supply service needs to be updated to strengthen educational quality, but it is not the only one. It is also necessary to help the orienting staff to assess the quality of the learners at its true value, to set up partnership links between the cycles to help each other in favor of quality, and to set up reception control systems at the entry of each cycle, supported by corrective and preventive measures.


2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (11) ◽  
pp. 1158-1165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris J. McNeil ◽  
Charles L. Rice

Even in the absence of disease or disability, aging is associated with marked physiological adaptations within the neuromuscular system. An ability to perform activities of daily living and maintain independence with advanced age is reliant on the health of the neuromuscular system. Hence, it is critical to elucidate the age-related adaptations that occur within the central nervous system and the associated muscles to design interventions to maintain or improve neuromuscular function in the elderly. This brief review focuses on the neural alterations observed at both spinal and supraspinal levels in healthy humans in their seventh decade and beyond. The topics addressed are motor unit loss and remodelling, neural drive, and responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex.


Author(s):  
Urszula Załuska ◽  
Alicja Grześkowiak ◽  
Cyprian Kozyra ◽  
Dorota Kwiatkowska-Ciotucha

This paper introduces into the analysis the concept of the ambassador of people with disability in the workplace. A kind and friendly person in the workplace, who creates a positive atmosphere around people with disabilities, may play a crucial role in their adaptation on the open labor market. Presence of such a person is especially important in entities that did not previously employ people with disabilities. It is vital that employers who would like to employ people with disability possess knowledge about demographic and professional characteristics that predispose employees to perform this special role. On the one hand, in this article we attempted to evaluate the differentiation in the perception of the issue of disability due to demographic and professional characteristics of respondents, and, on the other hand, to identify features that favor being an “ambassador of people with disabilities” in the workplace. The study was conducted in 2019 on the representative samples of Internet users from 8 European countries using Computer-Assisted Internet Interviews. For the purposes of the study, we used the Attitudes to Disability Scale WHOQOL Group test and a proprietary questionnaire. As for the methods of analysis, we relied on the classical analysis of variance and logistic regression. The conducted study showed that the perception of the issue of disability is significantly related to demographic and professional characteristics of respondents, and that the role of the ambassador is the most appropriate for a middle-aged woman with a good knowledge of disability issues, indecisive in the workplace.


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