Function In Elderly Individuals Research Articles

Aging-associated decrease in the histone acetyltransferase KAT6B is linked to altered hematopoietic stem cell differentiation

Aged hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) undergo biased lineage priming and differentiation toward production of myeloid cells. A comprehensive understanding of gene regulatory mechanisms causing HSC aging is needed to devise new strategies to sustainably improve immune function in aged individuals. Here, a focused short hairpin RNA screen of epigenetic factors reveals that the histone acetyltransferase Kat6b regulates myeloid cell production from hematopoietic progenitor cells. Within the stem and progenitor cell compartment, Kat6b is highly expressed in long-term (LT)-HSCs and is significantly decreased with aging at the transcript and protein levels. Knockdown of Kat6b in young LT-HSCs causes skewed production of myeloid cells at the expense of erythroid cells both in vitro and in vivo. Transcriptome analysis identifies enrichment of aging and macrophage-associated gene signatures alongside reduced expression of self-renewal and multilineage priming signatures. Together, our work identifies KAT6B as a novel epigenetic regulator of hematopoietic differentiation and a target to improve aged immune function.

The effect of a multicomponent exercise program on cognitive function and functional ability in community dwelling older adults

Normal aging results in alterations in the structure and function of the brain, causing impairment in cognitive function and dependency in performing activities of daily living. A multicomponent physical activity program has been recommended to maintain physical and cognitive function in elderly individuals. The present study aimed at measuring the effect of such an exercise program on the cognitive function and activities of daily living(ADL) function in community dwelling elderly individuals. 52 elderly adults living in the community and ambulating independently were selected purposively and underwent a 10-week multi-component exercise program which included aerobic exercise, strength training, balance exercises and functional training. The participants were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Barthel Index(BI) at baseline and every two weeks up till 10 weeks. The data obtained was analysed usind descriptive statistics and t-test for finding the effect of the intervention program on the outcome measures. The results showed a significant difference in the pre- to post-intervention scores of both the outcome measures. A multicomponent exercise program was seen to be effective in improving the cognitive function and level of ADL activity in community dwelling elderly individuals. Such an exercise program should be recommended to all elderly adults in order to maintain their cognitive and overall functioning and to improve their productivity.

Effect of Weight Bearing and Neurobic Exercises on Bone Health and Physical Function in Elderly Individuals

Effect of Weight Bearing and Neurobic Exercises on Bone Health and Physical Function in Elderly Individuals

Comparison of cognitive functions in elderly population with and without hearing loss

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between hearing loss and cognitive functions in the elderly population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 12 elderly individuals with hearing loss (elderly hearing impaired [EHI]) and 20 elderly individuals with normal hearing (elderly normal hearing [ENH]). The participants in the study were aged between 60 and 65 years. The audiological and cognitive tests were performed on both the groups. Results: The data compiled through descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of variance revealed clinically significant differences between the EHI and ENH on different cognitive tests. This indicates that elderly population associated with hearing loss requires more time to process the tasks as compared to ENH individuals. Conclusion: There is a higher decline in cognitive functions in elderly individuals when associated with hearing loss compared to normal-hearing individuals. Since it is noticed as a comorbid condition, both cognition and hearing loss have to be assessed and treated in these individuals for better quality of life.

Association between Trunk Muscle Strength, Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Density, Lumbar Scoliosis Angle, and Skeletal Muscle Volume and Locomotive Syndrome in Elderly Individuals: A Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry Study.

Introduction The present study aimed to investigate the association between trunk muscle strength, lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD), lumbar scoliosis angle (LSA), and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) and the severity locomotive syndrome (LS) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) technology in elderly individuals. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 168 individuals aged >60 years. We measured their trunk muscle strength (flexion and extension) and BMD, LSA, and ASMI using DXA. We defined degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) as LSA ≥ 10° by the Cobb method using the DXA image. The locomotor function was evaluated using the timed up-and-go (TUG) test and the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25) score. Normal locomotor function, LS-1, and LS-2 were defined as a GLFS-25 score of <7, ≥7 and <16, and ≥16, respectively. We compared the three groups, analyzing the associations between all variables and the locomotor function using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Although there was no significant difference in sex ratio, BMD, ASMI, and trunk-flexor strength, significant differences were observed in age (p < 0.01), the prevalence of DLS (p = 0.02), trunk-extensor strength (p < 0.01), and trunk-extensor/flexor strength ratio (p < 0.01) among the three groups. In multiple regression analyses, the significant risk factors of the TUG test were age (β = 0.26), body mass index (β = 0.36), LSA (β = 0.15), ASMI (β = −0.30), and trunk-extensor strength (β = −0.19), whereas the significant factor of the GLFS-25 score was trunk-extensor strength (β = −0.31). Conclusions The results indicate that it is clinically important for LS to pay careful attention not only to BMD but also to lumbar scoliosis when DXA examination of the lumbar spine is routinely conducted. Moreover, it is essential to note that trunk-extensor strength is more important than trunk-flexor strength in maintaining locomotor function in elderly individuals.

Effects of Lower Extremity Eccentric-Based Training on Muscle Strength and Physical Function in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

PURPOSE: Reduced muscular strength is a key player in loss of physical function and quality of life in older adults. It has been reported that eccentric training has positive effects on the preservation of eccentric strength, produces less delayed onset muscle sore ness, and has a lower metabolic cost for older individuals. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of eccentric-based train ing on skeletal muscle strength and physical function in older adults. METHODS: Sixteen healthy older subjects (over the age of 65) participated either in eccentric training group (ETG, n=8) or in conven tional resistance training group (CTG, n=8) twice a week for eight weeks. The ETG group performed motorized eccentric training, and the CTG group performed a leg press using air pressure. Physical function and muscular strength assessments were performed before and after 8 weeks. The primary outcomes for physical function included gait speed, stair climbing, and the chair stand test, and the sec ondary outcomes included muscle strength and power. RESULTS: The ETG group demonstrated significant improvements in physical function (gait speed and stair climbing) and muscle strength (isokinetic strength and power in knee tests) (p .05) after 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Motorized eccentric-based training was more effective in improving muscle strength and physical function in aged individuals than conventional resistance training, which s suggests that eccentric training is may be more beneficial for older individuals to improve overall physical function.

Effects of computerised cognitive training on cognitive impairment: a meta-analysis.

Computerised cognitive training (CCT) has been shown to enhance cognitive function in elderly individuals with cognitive deterioration, but evidence is controversial. Additionally, whether specific CCT is most effective and which stages of cognitive impairment benefit most is unclear. We systematically searched nine medical and technological databases to collect randomized controlled trials related to CCT primarily conducted in patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We identified 12 studies in patients with SCD and MCI. Pooled analysis showed that CCT could significantly improve cognitive function (g = 0.518, p = 0.000), especially related to memory. In terms of different types of cognitive training, specific CCT was more efficacious than non-specific CCT (g = 0.381, p = 0.007) or placebo (g = 0.734, p = 0.000) but not traditional CT (p = 0.628). In terms of stages of cognitive deterioration, the effect of CCT on SCD (g = 0.926, p = 0.002) was almost double that of its effect on MCI (g = 0.502, p = 0.000). CCT was most effective in cognitive rehabilitation, particularly in the subdomain of memory. Early intervention in SCD is better.

Effects of Vitamin D on Depression, Cognitive Function, and Physical Function in Elderly Individuals Living Alone

Background: We examined the effects of vitamin D on depression, cognitive function, and physical function in elderly, community-dwelling individuals living alone. Methods: In this non-equivalent, control-group experimental study, participants with serum vitamin D levels ＜ 20 ng/mL and who lived alone were enrolled from eight senior centers in S city, Gyeonggi-do. Forty-six individuals were assigned to the experimental group and forty-eight to the control group. Vitamin D supplements and exercise programs were prescribed to the experimental group; the control group was prescribed only exercise programs. Treatment duration was 12 weeks. Depression, cognitive function, physical function (muscle mass, grip strength, static balance, time to walk a standard course, and arm flexibility), vitamin D and calcium levels were measured before and after treatment. Collected data were analyzed using chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, t-test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Depression levels and cognitive function improved in both groups, the difference was not significant. Vitamin D levels (p ＜ 0.001), muscle mass (p = 0.014), and time to walk a standard course (p = 0.012) improved in the experimental group. Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation for 12 weeks in vitamin-D deficient elderly individuals living alone was associated with improved vitamin D levels, muscle mass, and time to walk a standard course.

The hippocampal-to-ventricle ratio (HVR): Presentation of a manual segmentation protocol and preliminary evidence

Disentangling age-related changes from developmental variations in hippocampal volume has proven challenging. This article presents a manual segmentation protocol for the hippocampal-to-ventricle ratio (HVR), a measure combining the assessment of hippocampal volume with surrounding ventricular volume. By providing in a single measure both a standard volumetric assessment of the hippocampus and an approximation of volume loss, based on ventricular enlargement, we believe the HVR provides a superior cross-sectional estimation of hippocampal structural integrity.In a first attempt to validate this measure, we contrasted the HVR and standard hippocampal volume in their associations with age and memory performance in two independent cohorts of healthy aging individuals. The first cohort consisted in 50 cognitively normal subjects (mean age: 66.8 years, SD: 4.96, range: 60–75 years), while the second cohort included 88 cognitively normal subjects (mean age: 65.06 years, SD: 6.42, range: 55–80 years). We showed that the manual segmentation protocol for the HVR can be implemented with high reliability. In both cohorts, the HVR showed stronger negative associations with age than standard hippocampal volume. Correlations with memory performance were also numerically superior with the HVR than standard hippocampal volume, across the two cohorts.These findings support an added benefit of using the HVR over standard hippocampal volume when examining relationships with age or memory function in aging individuals. Although further validation is required, we propose that the computation of the HVR is a promising method to improve the evaluation of hippocampal integrity from cross-sectional MR images.

Three months of multimodal training contributes to mobility and executive function in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment, but not in those with Alzheimer's disease: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of a 12-week multimodal physical exercise program on global cognition, executive function and mobility in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD). DesignRandomized controlled trial (RCT) of two groups in parallel; single-blind. MethodPatients were allocated to a control group (CG; n = 28 comprising MCI = 14 and AD = 14) and an exercise group (EG; n = 28 comprising MCI = 14 and AD = 14). The participants’ physical and cognitive abilities were evaluated before and three months after the intervention. The training consisted of a 1-hour supervised program of multimodal physical exercises (aerobic, strength, balance and flexibility) of moderate intensity, delivered twice a week. ResultsThe independent t-test of the delta (Δ = post-intervention – pre-intervention) was used to compare the groups (CG x EG) for each diagnosis (MCI and AD). There was a significant difference only in the simple task mobility test (ΔCG: −0.18 ± 0.53; ΔEG: −1.05 ± 0.57; P = 0.03) and in the verbal fluency (ΔCG: −1.30 ± 2.49; ΔEG: 3.16 ± 1.72, P = 0.05) of the elderly with MCI, showing a beneficial effect of the multimodal exercise in this group. ConclusionOur findings indicate that a 12-week multimodal physical exercise program contributed to improvements in the mobility and executive function of elderly individuals with MCI, but not of those with AD. Although more RCTs are needed, physical exercise should be recommended to those in the early stages of neurocognitive disorder.

Association between respiratory capacity, quality of life and cognitive function in elderly individuals.

ABSTRACTObjective To investigate associations between respiratory capacity, quality of life and cognitive function in elderly individuals.Methods The sample included 386 elderly individuals (232 women). Respiratory capacity assessment was based on maximal expiratory pressure measured at peak expiratory flow. Subjects were classified according to peak expiratory flow values adjusted for sex, age and height of individuals with normal (peak expiratory flow curve <80% and >60%) or reduced (peak expiratory flow curve < 60%) respiratory capacity. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Mini-Mental State Examination were used to assess quality of life and cognitive function, respectively.Results Elderly women with reduced respiratory capacity scored lower on the Mini-Mental State Examination (p=0.048) and quality of life questionnaire (p=0.040) compared to those with normal respiratory capacity. These differences were not observed in men (p>0.05).Conclusion Reduced respiratory capacity was associated with poorer quality of life and cognitive function in elderly women. These associations were not observed in elderly men.

Defective respiration and one-carbon metabolism contribute to impaired naïve T cell activation in aged mice

T cell-mediated immune responses are compromised in aged individuals, leading to increased morbidity and reduced response to vaccination. While cellular metabolism tightly regulates T cell activation and function, metabolic reprogramming in aged T cells has not been thoroughly studied. Here, we report a systematic analysis of metabolism during young versus aged naïve T cell activation. We observed a decrease in the number and activation of naïve T cells isolated from aged mice. While young T cells demonstrated robust mitochondrial biogenesis and respiration upon activation, aged T cells generated smaller mitochondria with lower respiratory capacity. Using quantitative proteomics, we defined the aged T cell proteome and discovered a specific deficit in the induction of enzymes of one-carbon metabolism. The activation of aged naïve T cells was enhanced by addition of products of one-carbon metabolism (formate and glycine). These studies define mechanisms of skewed metabolic remodeling in aged T cells and provide evidence that modulation of metabolism has the potential to promote immune function in aged individuals.

Dog Visiting Programs for Managing Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults: A Meta-analysis

Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent in older adults and may contribute to functional impairment at old age. Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs), including interventions involving dog visiting, are increasingly recognized as an innovative approach to ameliorate social, behavioral, psychological, and physical outcomes among older adults. However, available data on their potential to manage depressive symptoms in the aging population are not clear cut. The aim of this review was to conduct a meta-analysis of all prospective controlled studies evaluating the effects of dog visiting on depressive symptoms in older adults. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on the electronic databases PubMed and Scopus. Included articles were published between 1980 and 2017 and report controlled empirical studies of dog visiting interventions to ameliorate depressive symptoms in older adults. There was substantial heterogeneity between included studies, which varied in their methodological quality, sample size, and other key features. Notwithstanding such methodological variety, results all go in the same direction and indicate a large beneficial effect of interventions involving dog visiting on depressive symptoms. This analysis confirms the potential value of dog visiting in ameliorating depressive symptoms in institutionalized and noninstitutionalized older adults. This is in line with previous research indicating AAIs as promising complementary programs for preserving/enhancing emotional and behavioral function in aged individuals. More research is still needed to allow AAIs to be effectively introduced in clinical practice.

EFFECT OF VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTATION ON MUSCLE FUNCTION IN ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS: A META-ANALYSIS

AbstractBackground: Sarcopenia (the loss of muscle mass and strength) has estimated prevalence rates of 5-13% and 11-50% in the young-old and old-old, respectively. Recent studies have shown that vitamin D plays important roles in various systems, including the musculoskeletal system. Objective:The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the effects of vitamin D supplementation on muscle function in community‐dwelling elderly individuals.Methods: We conducted systematic searches of PubMed, Medline, Egyptian Knowledge Bank, and the reference sections of previous reviews, and we discussed the topic with several experts in the field. Only randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on muscle function [muscle strength was evaluated by the hand grip strength (HGS) test, and physical performance was evaluated by the timed up-and-go (TUG) test] were included. Only studies published in English between January 2000 and June 2018 were considered.Results: In total, 14 randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) met our inclusion criteria. The participants in these studies were all community-dwelling elderly individuals, who were generally in good health for their age. The pooled mean difference in HGS was higher in the vitamin D supplementation group than in the control group. The pooled mean difference in the TUG test was slightly lower in the vitamin D supplementation group than in the control group.Conclusions: Our meta-analysis shows that vitamin D supplementation could improve muscle function in elderly individuals. Future studies should use standardized durations and doses of vitamin D supplementation.

Differential effects of dietary fibres on colonic barrier function in elderly individuals with gastrointestinal symptoms

Gastrointestinal problems are common in elderly and often associated with psychological distress and increased levels of corticotrophin-releasing hormone, a hormone known to cause mast cell (MC) degranulation and perturbed intestinal barrier function. We investigated if dietary fibres (non-digestible polysaccharides [NPS]) could attenuate MC-induced colonic hyperpermeability in elderly with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Colonic biopsies from elderly with diarrhoea and/or constipation (n = 18) and healthy controls (n = 19) were mounted in Ussing chambers and pre-stimulated with a yeast-derived beta (β)-glucan (0.5 mg/ml) or wheat-derived arabinoxylan (0.1 mg/ml) before the addition of the MC-degranulator Compound (C) 48/80 (10 ng/ml). Permeability markers were compared pre and post exposure to C48/80 in both groups and revealed higher baseline permeability in elderly with GI symptoms. β-glucan significantly attenuated C48/80-induced hyperpermeability in elderly with GI symptoms but not in healthy controls. Arabinoxylan reduced MC-induced paracellular and transcellular hyperpermeability across the colonic mucosa of healthy controls, but did only attenuate transcellular permeability in elderly with GI symptoms. Our novel findings indicate that NPS affect the intestinal barrier differently depending on the presence of GI symptoms and could be important in the treatment of moderate constipation and/or diarrhoea in elderly.

Differential effects of dietary fibres on colonic barrier function in elderly individuals with gastrointestinal symptoms

Differential effects of dietary fibres on colonic barrier function in elderly individuals with gastrointestinal symptoms

Altered monocyte phenotypes but not impaired peripheral T cell immunity may explain susceptibility of the elderly to develop tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading killer due to a single infectious disease worldwide. With the aging of the global population, the case rate and deaths due to TB are highest in the elderly population. While general immunosenescence associated with old age is thought to contribute to the susceptibility of the elderly to develop active TB disease, very few studies of immune function in elderly individuals with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection or disease have been performed. In particular, impaired adaptive T cell immunity to M.tb is one proposed mechanism for the elderly's increased susceptibility primarily on the basis of the decreased delayed type hypersensitivity response to tuberculin-purified protein derivative in the skin of elderly individuals. To investigate immunological reasons why the elderly are susceptible to develop active TB disease, we performed a cross-sectional observational study over a five year period (2012-2016) enrolling participants from 2 age groups (adults: 25-44 years; elderly: 65 and older) and 3 M.tb infection statuses (active TB, latent TB infection, and healthy controls without history of M.tb infection). We hypothesized that impaired peripheral T cell immunity plays a role in the biological susceptibility of the elderly to TB. Contrary to our hypothesis, we observed no evidence of impaired M.tb specific T cell frequency or altered production of cytokines implicated in M.tb control (IFN-γ, IL-10) in peripheral blood in the elderly. Instead, we observed alterations in monocyte proportion and phenotype with age and M.tb infection that suggest their potential role in the susceptibility of the elderly to develop active TB. Our results suggest a potential link between the known widespread low-grade systemic inflammation of old age, termed "inflammaging," with the elderly's specific susceptibility to developing active TB. Moreover, our results highlight the need for further research into the biological reasons why the elderly are more susceptible to disease and death from TB, so that public health systems can be better equipped to face the present and future problem of TB in an aging global population.

Arterial-spin-labeling (ASL) perfusion MRI predicts cognitive function in elderly individuals: A 4-year longitudinal study.

With the disappointing outcomes of clinical trials on patients with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), there is increasing attention to understanding cognitive decline in normal elderly individuals, with the goal of identifying subjects who are most susceptible to imminent cognitive impairment. To evaluate the potential of cerebral blood flow (CBF) as a biomarker by investigating the relationship between CBF at baseline and cognition at follow-up. Prospective longitudinal study with a 4-year time interval. 309 healthy subjects aged 20-89 years old. 3T pseudo-continuous-arterial-spin-labeling MRI. CBF at baseline and cognitive assessment at both baseline and follow-up. Linear regression analyses with age, systolic blood pressure, physical activity, and baseline cognition as covariates. Linear regression analyses revealed that whole-brain CBF at baseline was predictive of general fluid cognition at follow-up. This effect was observed in the older group (age ≥54 years, β = 0.221, P = 0.004), but not in younger or entire sample (β = 0.018, P = 0.867 and β = 0.089, P = 0.098, respectively). Among major brain lobes, frontal CBF had the highest sensitivity in predicting future cognition, with a significant effect observed for fluid cognition (β = 0.244 P = 0.001), episodic memory (β = 0.294, P = 0.001), and reasoning (β = 0.186, P = 0.027). These associations remained significant after accounting for baseline cognition. Voxelwise analysis revealed that medial frontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex, part of the default mode network (DMN), are among the most important regions in predicting fluid cognition. In a healthy aging cohort, CBF can predict general cognitive ability as well as specific domains of cognitive function. 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 3 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2018;48:449-458.

Effects of Exercise Intervention on Physical and Cognitive Functions in Elderly Individuals with Locomotive Syndrome

Effects of Exercise Intervention on Physical and Cognitive Functions in Elderly Individuals with Locomotive Syndrome

Cognitive, functional and physical activity impairment in elderly with Alzheimer's disease.

ABSTRACTAlzheimer's Disease (AD) is a progressive degenerative disorder that negatively affects quality of life of patients and family members.Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the cognition, level of physical activity and functioning of elderly individuals with mild AD and those without dementia.Methods: The study comprised 24 elderly with mild AD (mean age = 76.9 ± 5.3 years) and 30 elderly without dementia (mean age = 74.1 ± 5.6 years). The following instruments were applied to evaluate cognitive functions: MMSE; Frontal Assessment Battery; Clock Drawing Test; Corsi Blocks, and Verbal Paired Associates. Event-related potential P300 was used to evaluate cognitive processing. The Modified Baecke Questionnaire For Older Adults was applied to evaluate the level of physical activity together with use of a pedometer for 7 consecutive days. For the evaluation of the functioning, the Direct Assessment of Functional Status-Revised scale and functional tests were used.Results: There was a significant difference between the groups in level of physical activity and functioning, except on the test evaluating flexibility.Conclusion: Elderly with AD had cognitive, functional and physical activity deficits which can manifest even in the early stages of the disease.