CHARACTERISTICS OF CEREBRAL ENERGY METABOLISM IN ELDERLY PEOPLE WITH IMPAIRED COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS

Abstract

Background. In old age, there is a change in personality, behavior and the rate of cognitive processes due to age-related changes in the central nervous system. Therefore, there is a need to identify those neurophysiological predictors that may indicate the development of pathology or indicate normal aging.
 Purpose. Investigate the features of cerebral energy metabolism in elderly people (60+) with cognitive impairments of varying severity.
 Materials and methods. The study involved 30 people aged 60 to 85 years with mild and pronounced manifestations of cognitive impairment. The study of the level of cognitive decline was conducted using the Montreal Cognitive Function Assessment Scale (MoCA). To identify the level of neurometabolic activity of the brain, the method of neuroenergocarting (NEC) was used. The levels of brain activation and functional state were determined by the method of dynamic omegametry.
 Results. In the group of people with moderate cognitive impairments, there was exceeding the level of constant potentials of the brain by 2-3 times compared with the normative values, a rigid reaction to the load, a delayed recovery of indicators in the post-loading period. It can be concluded that all patients have hypoxic changes accompanied by acidification of brain tissue and oxidative stress. In the group with severe cognitive deficits, there is a general decrease in neuroenergy exchange and activation of the cerebral cortex, which indicates the depletion of the reserve adaptive mechanisms of the nervous system.
 Conclusion. Thus, pronounced changes in indicators of neurometabolism and brain activity were revealed in elderly people with a decrease in cognitive functions. The data obtained can be used to diagnose the initial manifestations of dementia in old age and to develop therapeutic and preventive measures.