Cognitive Decline In Elderly Patients Research Articles

The contribution of beta-amyloid to dementia in Lewy body diseases: a 1-year follow-up study.

Dementia in Lewy Body Diseases (Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy Bodies) affects progression of disabilities, quality of life and well-being. Understanding its pathogenetic mechanisms is critical to properly implement disease-modifying strategies. It has been hypothesized that synuclein- and amyloid-pathology act synergistically aggravating cognitive decline in elderly patients but their precise contribution to dementia is debated. In this study, we aimed at exploring if presence of amyloid deposits influences clinical, cognitive and neuroanatomical correlates of mental decline in a cohort of 40 Parkinson’s disease patients with normal cognition (n = 5), mild cognitive impairment (n = 22), and dementia (n = 13) as well as in Dementia with Lewy Bodies (n = 10). Patients underwent simultaneous 3 T PET/MRI with [18F]-flutemetamol and were assessed with an extensive baseline motor and neuropsychological examination, which allowed level II diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. The role of amyloid positivity on each cognitive domain, and on the rate of conversion to dementia at 1-year follow-up was explored. A Kaplan Meier and the Log Rank (Mantel–Cox) test were used to assess the pairwise differences in time-to-develop dementia in Parkinson’s disease patients with and without significant amyloidosis. Furthermore, the presence of an Alzheimer’s dementia-like morphological pattern was evaluated using visual and automated assessment of T1-weighted and T2-weighted MRI images. We observed similar percentage of amyloid deposits in Parkinson’s disease dementia and dementia with Lewy Bodies cohorts (50% in each group) with an overall prevalence of 34% of significant amyloid depositions in Lewy Body Diseases. PET amyloid positivity was associated with worse global cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini Mental State Examination), executive and language difficulties. At 12-month follow-up, amyloid positive Parkinson’s disease patients were more likely to have become demented than those without amyloidosis. Moreover, there was no difference in the presence of an Alzheimer’s disease-like atrophy pattern and in vascular load (at Fazekas scale) between Lewy Body Diseases with and without significant amyloid deposits. Our findings suggest that in Lewy Body Diseases, amyloid deposition enhances cognitive deficits, particularly attention-executive and language dysfunctions. However, the large number of patients without significant amyloid deposits among our cognitively impaired patients indicates that synuclein pathology itself plays a critical role in the development of dementia in Lewy Body Diseases.

Preoperative Serum Metabolites and Potential Biomarkers for Perioperative Cognitive Decline in Elderly Patients.

Perioperative cognitive decline is one of the perioperative neurocognitive disorders common to see in elderly patients. Although POCD increases patient mortality and hospitalization time, the exact inflammatory and related mechanisms are still unknown. Besides, the diagnosis of POCD lacks a unified and straightforward evaluation neuropsychological scale. Metabolites could reveal chemical fingerprints left behind by the cellular process, which provides a new aspect to understand the biological process behind. According to the post-operative MMSE score, 56 patients who received elective orthopedics surgery were included and divided into POCD and Non-POCD groups. Preoperative serum metabolites in both groups and post-operative serum metabolites were analyzed. We then performed an SVM model using 10 differential metabolites in preoperative samples as features to evaluate the patients' risk of POCD, which appeared to be positively associated with POCD and could be a potential biomarker. We also analyzed differential serum metabolites from preoperative and post-operative samples of POCD patients. By analyzing their overlap differential metabolites with between POCD and Non-POCD patients, we further inferred seven metabolites positively related to the POCD mechanism. Our results provide a more convenient method to aid POCD diagnosis and prevention using biomarkers and explore the possible mechanism behind.

Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Postoperative Cognitive Decline in Elderly Patients: A Pilot Study.

BackgroundPostoperative cognitive decline (POCD) in the old ages seriously delays the rapid recovery. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) against POCD in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical colon cancer surgery, as well as the potential mechanism.MethodsA prospective, single-center, parallel-group, randomized trial was designed. A total of 100 patients (age ≥65 years) undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of colon cancer were involved and randomly divided into TEAS (Group T) and control (Group C) groups. The patients in Group T were performed with percutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation in bilateral Hegu, Neiguan and Zusanli points from 30 minutes before anesthesia induction to the end of surgery. A Z-score based on Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) was used to assess the incidence of POCD. The levels of serum IL-6, hs-CRP, CGRP at 0 min before TEAS (T0), 1 h after beginning of surgery (T1) and the end of surgery (T2) were evaluated.ResultsOur data showed that the cumulative duration of POCD on postoperative day 2 and 3 in Group T was significantly decreased compared to Group C (P < 0.05). Compared with T0, the levels of serum IL-6, hs-CRP, and CGRP in both Group T and C were statistically elevated at T1 and T2 (P < 0.05). Moreover, the levels of serum IL-6 and hs-CRP were decreased, but the level of CGRP was increased in Group T compared to Group C at T1 and T2 (P < 0.05).ConclusionTEAS is associated with a lower cumulative duration of POCD in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical colon cancer surgery, which may be related to the regulation of inflammatory factors and neuropeptides interacted with gut–brain axis.

Hearing loss and dementia: radiologic and biomolecular basis of their shared characteristics. A systematic review.

Dementia and hearing loss share radiologic and biologic findings that might explain their coexistence, especially in the elderly population. Brain atrophy has been observed in both conditions, as well as the presence of areas of gliosis. The brain atrophy is usually focal; it is located in the temporal lobe in patients with hearing loss, while it involves different part of brain in patients with dementia. Radiological studies have shown white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in both conditions. WMHs have been correlated with the inability to correctly understand words in elderly persons with normal auditory thresholds and, the identification of these lesion in brain magnetic resonance imaging studies has been linked with an increased risk of developing cognitive loss. In addition to WMHs, some anatomopathological studies identified the presence of brain gliosis in the elderly's brain. The cause-effect link between hearing loss and dementia is still unknown, despite they might share some common findings. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze radiologic and biomolecular findings that these two conditions might share, identify a common pathological basis, and discuss the effects of hearing aids on prevention and treatment of cognitive decline in elderly patients with hearing loss.

Understanding the Pathophysiology of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), one of the main types of cerebral small vessel disease, is a major cause of spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage and an important contributor to cognitive decline in elderly patients. Despite the number of experimental in vitro studies and animal models, the pathophysiology of CAA is still largely unknown. Although several pathogenic mechanisms including an unbalance between production and clearance of amyloid beta (Aβ) protein as well as ‘the prion hypothesis’ have been invoked as possible disease triggers, they do not explain completely the disease pathogenesis. This incomplete disease knowledge limits the implementation of treatments able to prevent or halt the clinical progression. The continuous increase of CAA patients makes imperative the development of suitable experimental in vitro or animal models to identify disease biomarkers and new pharmacological treatments that could be administered in the early disease stages to prevent irreversible changes and disease progression.

Discovering the Italian phenotype of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA): the SENECA project.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is one of the major types of cerebral small vessel disease, and a leading cause of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage and cognitive decline in elderly patients. Although increasingly detected, a number of aspects including the pathophysiology, the clinical and neuroradiological phenotype, and the disease course are still under investigation. The incomplete knowledge of the disease limits the implementation of evidence-based guidelines on patient's clinical management and the development of treatments able to prevent or reduce disease progression. The SENECA (SEarchiNg biomarkErs of Cerebral Angiopathy) project is the first Italian multicenter cohort study aimed at better defining the disease natural history and identifying clinical and neuroradiological markers of disease progression. By a multidisciplinary approach and the collection of a large and well-phenotyped series and biorepository of CAA patients, the study is ultimately expected to improve the diagnosis and the knowledge of CAA pathophysiological mechanisms.

Substitution of propofol for dexmedetomidine in the anaesthetic regimen does not ameliorate the post-operative cognitive decline in elderly patients

Background and Aims:Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a poorly understood complication particularly observed in elderly patients, with long-term poor outcome. The randomised study was to compare the incidence of POCD in elderly with bispectral index (BIS)-guided intra-operative use of either dexmedetomidine or propofol with sevoflurane.Methods:Eighty-seven patients, planned for non-cardiac surgery under general anaesthesia, were included between June 2017 and March 2018. After exclusion of 7 patients, remaining 80 patients were randomised into dexmedetomidine group and propofol group with 40 patients each. In both the groups, BIS-guided anaesthesia was provided. Cognitive function was assessed by an anaesthesiologist using a battery of neuropsychological tests at baseline pre-operatively, third and seventh day after surgery. The data were entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.Results:Propofol group had a non-significant lower incidence of POCD on third day and dexmedetomidine group showed decreased incidence of POCD on seventh day, accompanied by lower anaesthetic requirement (inhalational as well as intravenous) concomitant with delayed emergence with an acceptable BIS value.Conclusion:Dexmedetomidine appeared to be anaesthetic sparing as compared to propofol. BIS monitoring for titrating depth of anaesthesia and hence the anaesthetic exposure is an invaluable tool as compared to routine care anaesthesia for reducing POCD. The patients in both groups did not develop significant POCD until the seventh post-operative day.

Research progress in the role of inflammation in regulating adult hippocampal neurogenesis in cognitive decline of elderly patients

The elderly patients often suffered from cognitive decline. Chronic inflammatory responses inhibit hippocampal neurogenesis, which is one of the important mechanisms of cognitive decline in the elderly patients. To provide insights for further study and new thoughts for prevention or treatment of cognitive decline in elderly patients, this article reviewed the research progresses on regulation of peripheral and central inflammation to hippocampal neurogenesis and their role in cognitive decline in elderly patients. Key words: Inflammation; Hippocampal; Neurogenesis; Aged; Cognition

The presence of elevated circulating trimethylamine N-oxide exaggerates postoperative cognitive dysfunction in aged rats

Surgical trauma can cause brain oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, leading to postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), especially in the elderly. Additionally, the pre-existing risk factors may enhance POCD. Gut microbiota-derived metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) has recently been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of many diseases by increasing oxidative stress and inflammation in the peripheral tissues. Here we examined whether the presence of elevated circulating TMAO would influence surgery-induced cognitive decline. Aged rats were treated with vehicle or TMAO for 3 weeks. After two weeks of treatment, these rats underwent sham-operation or laparotomy. One week after surgery, rats underwent laparotomy exhibited hippocampal-dependent cognitive dysfunction as evidenced by reduced contextual freezing time, which was associated with elevated plasma proinflammatory cytokine levels, increased microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the hippocampus. Treatment with TMAO, which elevated plasma TMAO before and 1 week after surgery, further increased microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and ROS production in the hippocampus, resulting in exaggerated cognitive dysfunction in laparotomy group but not in sham-operation group. Moreover, TMAO treatment decreased expression of antioxidant enzyme methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr) A in both groups. The results suggest that the presence of elevated circulating TMAO downregulates antioxidant enzyme MsrA in the hippocampus, which may increase the susceptibility to surgery-induced oxidative stress, contributing to exaggerations of neuroinflammation and cognitive decline in aged rats following surgery. Interventions to reduce circulating TMAO in the perioperative period may be a novel strategy to prevent the exaggeration of cognitive decline in elderly patients with high circulating TMAO.

Effect of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Cognitive function and EEG in elderly patients

Introduction: Diabetes is a major health problem in India, Type 2 is also the most common type seen. Diabetes is associated with cognitive decline in elderly patients. Hyperglycemia, age, sex and duration of diabetes mellitus all seems to affect cognitive function.&#x0D; Objectives: Aim of the study is to assess the EEG changes and cognitive function in elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.&#x0D; Materials and methods: Two groups of people, 20 in each group who are age sex matched were selected and case group of elderly diabetic patients and control group of healthy subjects were selected. EEG recordings were done using MP36 – BIOPAC 4 channel instrument and cognitive function was assessed using MMSE.&#x0D; Results: The elderly diabetic group was having declined cognitive function – MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) and reduced EEG wave activity.&#x0D; Conclusion: Reduced EEG alpha wave activity is seen in elderly diabetic patients. Reduced functional connections in cortex and hyperglycemia induced pathologic changes could be the causative factors.

Benzodiazepine use and cognitive decline in the elderly.

Published evidence on the relationship between benzodiazepine exposure and altered cognition in the geriatric population is reviewed. Benzodiazepines constitute one of the most commonly prescribed medication classes and are used primarily for management of anxiety and insomnia. Despite strong recommendations based on high-quality evidence warning of the potential cognitive adverse effects of benzodiazepine use, particularly in patients 65 years of age or older, published literature suggests that a substantial proportion of the U.S. geriatric population use these medications in a chronic fashion. The body of evidence suggesting that benzodiazepine use may be a modifiable risk factor for dementia continues to grow. Evidence exists to suggest that benzodiazepine use in the elderly population is associated with cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease, although evidence regarding the correlation between benzodiazepine use and dementia is conflicting; the more recent studies in this area have focused on eliminating causation bias. Pharmacists in a variety of settings can educate patients and assist providers in selecting an appropriate medication regimen for anxiety or insomnia that is tailored to each elderly patient's needs and takes into account the immediate and long-term safety of the patient. Investigations of the association between benzodiazepine therapy and cognitive decline in elderly patients have yielded mixed findings. Stronger links have emerged from studies examining longer- rather than shorter-acting benzodiazepines, longer rather than shorter durations of use, or earlier rather than later exposure. Questions remain about causality and the impact of confounders on study interpretation.

Influence of the postoperative inflammatory response on cognitive decline in elderly patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery: a controlled, prospective observational study

BackgroundThe role of non-infective inflammatory response (IR) in the aetiology of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is still controversial. The aim of this controlled, prospective observational study was to assess the possible relationship between the grade of IR, defined by procalcitonin (PCT) changes, and development of POCD related to cardiac surgery.MethodsForty-two patients, who were ≥ 60 years of age and scheduled for elective cardiac surgery, were separated into the low inflammatory (LIR) and high inflammatory (HIR) response groups based on their PCT levels measured on the first postoperative day. A matched normative control group of 32 subjects was recruited from primary care practice. The PCT and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were monitored daily during the first five postoperative days. The cognitive function and mood state were preoperatively tested with a set of five neurocognitive tests and two mood inventories and at the seventh postoperative day. The Reliable Change Index modified for practice (RCIp) using data from normative controls was applied to determine the significant decline in test performance.ResultsThe LIR (n = 20) and HIR (n = 22) groups differed significantly in the PCT (p < 0.001) but not in the CRP time courses. The incidence of POCD at the first postoperative week was 35.7% in the cohort. The LIR and HIR groups did not vary in the RCIp Z scores of neurocognitive tests and frequencies of POCD (7 vs 8 cases, respectively, p > 0.05). Additionally, there was no difference in the mood states, anxiety levels and perioperative parameters known to influence the development of POCD.ConclusionsIn this study, the magnitude of the non-infective inflammatory response generated by on-pump cardiac surgery did not influence the development of POCD in the early postoperative period in elderly patients.

The Effect of Melatonin on Early Postoperative Cognitive Decline in Elderly Patients Undergoing Hip Arthroplasty

(Abstracted from J Clin Anesth, 39:77–81, 2017) Postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) is a common complication following surgery, especially in elderly patients (aged >60 years). Overall sleep loss and sleep fragmentation have been known to negatively impact cognitive performance, thus emphasizing the need to improve postoperative sleep quality to ameliorate POCD.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging response as an early biomarker of cognitive decline in elderly patients with metabolic syndrome

ObjectivesWe assessed whether potential changes in brain activation patterns of elderly individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS) who were cognitively healthy (without mild cognitive impairment or dementia) were associated with cognitive decline in executive function in the short-term. MethodWe analyzed 43 individuals (23 MetS, 20 controls) using a global geriatric evaluation, a neuropsychological battery, and task-related (attention) fMRI exam. Correlation analysis between the fMRI signal at baseline and cognitive impairment after 1year was based on the voxel-based Pearson coefficient, corrected for multiple comparisons. ResultsAt baseline, MetS patients showed reduced brain response in frontal and parietal regions compared to controls. After one year, the MetS group also showed a decline in verbal fluency performance. fMRI response in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and bilateral parietal lobes was negatively correlated with verbal fluency decline in the MetS group. DiscussionOur results provide an early biomarker of the possible development of cognitive impairment, particularly in the executive function, of elderly individuals suffering from MetS. These findings also point to an up or down regulation which could be interpreted as compensatory mechanism for possible brain tissue burden caused by MetS.

The effect of melatonin on early postoperative cognitive decline in elderly patients undergoing hip arthroplasty: A randomized controlled trial

Study objectiveThe purpose of the present study was to investigate whether exogenous melatonin supplementation could ameliorate early postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) in aged patients undergoing hip arthroplasty with spinal anesthesia. DesignProspective cohort study. SettingDepartment of Anesthesiology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China. PatientsOne hundred and thirty–nine patients with ASA I–III, older than 65yr of age (mean age: 74.5±5.5; gender: male 53 and female 86), scheduled for hip arthroplasty were included in the present study. InterventionsPatients were randomized to receive 1mg oral melatonin or placebo daily 1h before bedtime one day before surgery and for another 5 consecutive days postoperatively. MeasurementsThe subject assessment, including Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, subjective sleep quality, general well–being, postoperative fatigue, and visual analogue scale for pain were evaluated pre–operatively and at days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after surgery. Main resultsThe MMSE score in the control group decreased significantly after surgery when compared with its own preoperative value or the melatonin group at days 1, 3, and 5. However, the MMSE score in the melatonin group remained unchanged during the 7days of monitoring. In addition, significant postoperative impairments of subjective sleep quality, general well–being, and fatigue were found in the control group when compared with the melatonin group. ConclusionPeroperative melatonin supplementation might improve early POCD, suggesting restoration of normal circadian function with good sleep quality may be one of the key factors in preventing or treating POCD.

Insulin Resistance and Future Cognitive Performance and Cognitive Decline inElderly Patients with Cardiovascular Disease.

The role of insulin resistance (IR) in the pathogenesis of cognitive performance is not yet clear. To examine the associations between IR and cognitive performance and change in cognitive functions two decades later in individuals with cardiovascular disease with and without diabetes. A subset of 489 surviving patients (mean age at baseline 57.7±6.5 y) with coronary heart disease who previously participated in the secondary prevention Bezafibrate Infarction Prevention (BIP trial; 1990-1997), were included in the current neurocognitive study. Biochemical parameters including IR (using the homeostasis model of assessment; HOMA-IR) were measured at baseline. During 2004-2008, computerized cognitive assessment and atherosclerosis parameters were measured (T1; n = 558; mean age 72.6±6.4 years). A second cognitive assessment was performed during 2011-2013 (T2; n = 351; mean age 77.2±6.4 years). Cognitive function, overall and in specific domains, was assessed. We used linear regression models and linear mixed models to evaluate the differences in cognitive performance and decline, respectively. Controlling for potential confounders, IR (top HOMA-IR quartile versus others) was associated with subsequent poorer cognitive performance overall (β= -4.45±Standard Error (SE) 1.54; p = 0.004) and on tests of memory and executive function among non-diabetic patients (β= -7.16±2.38; p = 0.003 and β= -3.33±1.84; p = 0.073, respectively). Moreover, among non-diabetic patients, IR was related to a greater decline overall (β= -0.17±0.06; p = 0.008), and in memory (β= -0.22±0.10; p = 0.024) and executive function (β= -0.19±0.08; p = 0.012). The observed associations did not differ after excluding subjects with prevalent stroke or dementia. IR is related to subsequent poorer cognitive performance and greater cognitive decline among patients with cardiovascular disease with and without diabetes.

Bladder antimuscarinics and cognitive decline in elderly patients

IntroductionThe evidence on the impact of bladder antimuscarinics initiation on cognitive function in older adults is inconsistent. MethodsA retrospective analysis of data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) on enrollees 65 years and older evaluated the association between antimuscarinic initiation and cognitive decline. We defined decline from baseline (yes/no) for cognitive assessments included in the NACC Uniform Data Set 2.0 battery. New users were matched on year of enrollment and time in the cohort to randomly selected nonusers. Analyses were conducted using inverse probability of treatment weights based on baseline propensity scores. ResultsOur analyses included 698 new users and 7037 nonusers. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval for cognitive decline in users as compared to nonusers was 1.4 (1.19–1.65) for Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE), and 1.21 (1.03–1.42) for Clinical Dementia Rating; in addition, the odds of decline were 20% higher in users compared to nonusers for semantic memory/language and executive function. The effect estimate for MMSE was 1.94 (1.3–2.91) for those with mild cognitive impairment, 1.26 (0.99–1.62) in those with normal cognition, and 1.44 (1.04–1.99) in those with dementia at baseline. DiscussionOur results show that antimuscarinic initiation is associated with cognitive decline and raise questions about their use, especially in those with impaired cognition.

Rationale and design of the BAYES (Interatrial Block and Yearly Events) registry

The prevalence of interatrial block (IAB) is high in the elderly, particularly in those with heart disease. Despite this high prevalence-and the association of IAB with the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), stroke, and cognitive decline-little information exists about the prognosis of older patients with IAB. P-wave duration and morphology are associated with risk of developing AF, stroke, and cognitive decline in elderly patients with structural heart disease. The aim of the Interatrial Block and Yearly Events (BAYES) registry is to assess the impact of IAB on the risk of AF and stroke during 3 years of follow-up. A series of 654 ambulatory patients age ≥70 years with heart disease from 35 centers will be included in 3 similar-size groups of patients. Group A: normal P-wave duration (<120 ms); Group B: partial IAB (P-wave duration ≥120 ms without biphasic [plus/minus] morphology in the inferior leads II, III, and aVF); and Group C: advanced IAB (P-wave duration ≥120 ms with biphasic [plus/minus] morphology in the inferior leads II, III, and aVF). Patients will be managed according to current recommendations. The 2 primary endpoints are defined as (1) AF duration >5 minutes and documented in any form of electrocardiographic recording; and (2) stroke. Results from this study might significantly improve the knowledge of IAB and its impact on the outcome of elderly patients with heart disease and could open the door to the use of anticoagulation therapy in some elderly patients with IAB.

Efficacy of Vitamin B Supplementation on Cognition in Elderly Patients With Cognitive-Related Diseases.

Increase in serum homocysteine is shown to be a potential risk factor for cognitive impairment. Evidence suggests that vitamin B supplementation may reduce cognitive decline by lowering the homocysteine levels. The current meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of folic acid along with vitamin B12 and/or B6 in lowering homocysteine, thereby attenuating cognitive decline in elderly patients with Alzheimer disease or dementia. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of folate and B vitamin supplementation in patients with cognitive decline secondary to Alzheimer disease or dementia were identified using the keywords, "homocysteine, hyper-homocysteinemia, B vitamin, vitamin B6, B12, folic acid, cognitive, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia." The outcome measures analyzed were the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and serum homocysteine. Of the 77 studies identified, 4 RCTs were included in the current meta-analysis. The baseline characteristics, age, and gender distribution of patients among the 2 groups (supplement vs placebo) were comparable. The results reveal that the intervention group achieved significantly greater reduction in homocysteine levels than the control (pooled difference in means = -3.625, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -5.642 to -1.608, P < .001). However, no significant difference in MMSE (pooled difference in means = 0.027, 95% CI = -0.518 to 0.573, P = 0.921) was observed between the groups. Taken together, vitamin B supplementation was effective in reducing serum homocysteine levels. However, it did not translate into cognitive improvement, indicating that the existing data on vitamin B-induced improvement in cognition by lowering homocysteine levels are conflicting.

Impact of surgical approach on postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing gastrectomy: laparoscopic versus open approaches.

BackgroundPostoperative delirium is a frequent complication in elderly patients undergoing major abdominal surgery and is associated with a poor outcome. We compared postoperative delirium in elderly patients following laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) versus open gastrectomy (OG).MethodsIn total, 130 patients aged ≥ 65 years with gastric cancer undergoing LG and OG were enrolled prospectively. Postoperative delirium and cognitive status were assessed daily using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), respectively, for 3 days postoperatively. For CAM-positive patients, delirium severity was then assessed using the Delirium Index (DI).ResultsIn total, 123 subjects (LG, n = 60; OG, n = 63) were included in the analysis. In both groups, the overall incidences of postoperative delirium were similar: 31.6% (19/60) in the LG group and 41.2% (26/63) in the OG group. When considering only those with delirium, the severity, expressed as the highest DI score, was similar between the groups. A decline in cognitive function (reduction in MMSE ≥ 2 points from baseline) during 3 days postoperatively was observed in 23 patients in the LG group (38.3%) and 27 patients in the OG group (42.9%) (P = 0.744). In both groups, postoperative cognitive decline was significantly associated with postoperative delirium (P < 0.001).ConclusionsWe found that, compared with traditional open gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastrectomy did not reduce either postoperative delirium or cognitive decline in elderly patients with gastric cancer.