Suelen Bordignon

Relationship between Inflammation and Oxidative Stress and Cognitive Decline in the Institutionalized Elderly

Objective. Cognitive impairment reduces quality of life and is related to vascular and neurodegenerative disorders. However, there is also a close relationship between these diseases and oxidative stress. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess whether inflammation and oxidative damage are associated with low cognitive performance in the elderly with different housing conditions. Methods. The study groups consisted of 32 institutionalized and 25 noninstitutionalized Brazilian elderly subjects. Oxidative damage, inflammation markers, and cognitive function were evaluated. Results. The results demonstrated pronounced oxidative stress in the institutionalized elderly group, which also had a lower antioxidant status compared to noninstitutionalized subjects. High levels of proinflammatory cytokines were also observed in the institutionalized elderly. Furthermore, the raised levels of inflammatory markers were correlated with increased oxidative stress, and both were associated with low cognitive performance. However, based on multiple linear regression analysis, oxidative stress appears to be the main factor responsible for the cognitive decline. Conclusions. The findings suggest that individuals with lower antioxidant status are more vulnerable to oxidative stress, which is associated with cognitive function, leading to reduced life quality and expectancy.

Fatty Acid Status and Its Relationship to Cognitive Decline and Homocysteine Levels in the Elderly

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially the n-3 series, are known for their protective effects. Considering that cardiovascular diseases are risk factors for dementia, which is common at aging, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether fatty acid status in the elderly was associated with cognitive function and cardiovascular risk. Forty-five elderly persons (age ≥60 years) were included and divided into two groups based on their Mini-Mental Status Examination score adjusted for educational level: the case group (n = 12) and the control group (n = 33). Serum fatty acid composition, homocysteine (Hcy), hs-CRP, lipid profile and different cognitive domains were evaluated. The case group, characterized by reduced cognitive performance, showed higher levels of 14:0, 16:0, 16:1n-7 fatty acids and lower levels of 22:0, 24:1n-9, 22:6n-3 (DHA) and total PUFAs compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The n-6/n-3 ratio was elevated in both study groups, whereas alterations in Hcy, hs-CRP and lipid profile were observed in the case group. Cognitive function was positively associated with the 24:1n-9, DHA and total n-3 PUFAs, while 14:0, 16:0 and 16:1n-7 fatty acids, the n-6/n-3 ratio and Hcy were inversely associated. In addition, n-3 PUFAs, particularly DHA, were inversely associated with cardiovascular risk, assessed by Hcy levels in the elderly.

Are Delta-Aminolevulinate Dehydratase Inhibition and Metal Concentrations Additional Factors for the Age-Related Cognitive Decline?

Aging is often accompanied by cognitive impairments and influenced by oxidative status and chemical imbalances. Thus, this study was conducted to examine whether age-related cognitive deficit is associated with oxidative damage, especially with inhibition of the enzyme delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALA-D), as well as to verify the influence of some metals in the enzyme activity and cognitive performance. Blood ALA-D activity, essential (Fe, Zn, Cu, Se) and non-essential metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cr, Ni, V) were measured in 50 elderly and 20 healthy young subjects. Cognitive function was assessed by tests from Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) battery and other. The elderly group presented decreased ALA-D activity compared to the young group. The index of ALA-D reactivation was similar to both study groups, but negatively associated with metals. The mean levels of essential metals were within the reference values, while the most toxic metals were above them in both groups. Cognitive function impairments were observed in elderly group and were associated with decreased ALA-D activity, with lower levels of Se and higher levels of toxic metals (Hg and V). Results suggest that the reduced ALA-D activity in elderly can be an additional factor involved in cognitive decline, since its inhibition throughout life could lead to accumulation of the neurotoxic compound ALA. Toxic metals were found to contribute to cognitive decline and also to influence ALA-D reactivation.

Normas de associação semântica para 20 categorias em adultos e idosos

Es necesario el desarrollo de normas para categorias semanticas para poder comprender como las personas organizan el conocimiento en la memoria y para la construccion de instrumentos de evaluacion cognitiva. El objetivo de este estudio es proporcionar normas asociativas de 20 categorias semanticas para muestras de brasilenos adultos y ancianos. Participaron 236 personas entre 40 y 88 anos, de cinco regiones de Brasil. Los participantes completaron un cuestionario de datos sociodemografico y un cuestionario de items para categorias semanticas y se les solicito la produccion de los cinco primeros ejemplares de cada categoria presentada. Los resultados fueron agrupados y son presentadas las normas de las categorias (ejemplares, tamano de categoria, respuestas correctas, en blanco y errores), asi como las respuestas de cada categoria, comunes a todas las regiones de Brasil.The development of semantic category norms is necessary to assist in the understanding of how individuals organize knowledge in memory, and to the creation of cognitive assessment instruments. The aim of this study is to provide associative norms of 20 semantic categories for Brazilian adults and elderly. The study included 236 participants from 40 to 88 years of age from the five Brazilian regions. They answered a socio-demographic questionnaire and a semantic category questionnaire, in which they were asked to produce the first five items of each category. Results are presented in category norms (items, category set size, correct responses, no responses and errors), as well as the responses that were common to all Brazilian regions belonging to each category.

Normas de asociación semántica para 20 categorías en adultos y ancianos

Es necesario el desarrollo de normas para categorias semanticas para poder comprender como las personas organizan el conocimiento en la memoria y para la construccion de instrumentos de evaluacion cognitiva. El objetivo de este estudio es proporcionar normas asociativas de 20 categorias semanticas para muestras de brasilenos adultos y ancianos. Participaron 236 personas entre 40 y 88 anos, de cinco regiones de Brasil. Los participantes completaron un cuestionario de datos sociodemografico y un cuestionario de items para categorias semanticas y se les solicito la produccion de los cinco primeros ejemplares de cada categoria presentada. Los resultados fueron agrupados y son presentadas las normas de las categorias (ejemplares, tamano de categoria, respuestas correctas, en blanco y errores), asi como las respuestas de cada categoria, comunes a todas las regiones de Brasil.The development of semantic category norms is necessary to assist in the understanding of how individuals organize knowledge in memory, and to the creation of cognitive assessment instruments. The aim of this study is to provide associative norms of 20 semantic categories for Brazilian adults and elderly. The study included 236 participants from 40 to 88 years of age from the five Brazilian regions. They answered a socio-demographic questionnaire and a semantic category questionnaire, in which they were asked to produce the first five items of each category. Results are presented in category norms (items, category set size, correct responses, no responses and errors), as well as the responses that were common to all Brazilian regions belonging to each category.

Semantic association norms for 20 categories in adults and elderly

Es necesario el desarrollo de normas para categorias semanticas para poder comprender como las personas organizan el conocimiento en la memoria y para la construccion de instrumentos de evaluacion cognitiva. El objetivo de este estudio es proporcionar normas asociativas de 20 categorias semanticas para muestras de brasilenos adultos y ancianos. Participaron 236 personas entre 40 y 88 anos, de cinco regiones de Brasil. Los participantes completaron un cuestionario de datos sociodemografico y un cuestionario de items para categorias semanticas y se les solicito la produccion de los cinco primeros ejemplares de cada categoria presentada. Los resultados fueron agrupados y son presentadas las normas de las categorias (ejemplares, tamano de categoria, respuestas correctas, en blanco y errores), asi como las respuestas de cada categoria, comunes a todas las regiones de Brasil.The development of semantic category norms is necessary to assist in the understanding of how individuals organize knowledge in memory, and to the creation of cognitive assessment instruments. The aim of this study is to provide associative norms of 20 semantic categories for Brazilian adults and elderly. The study included 236 participants from 40 to 88 years of age from the five Brazilian regions. They answered a socio-demographic questionnaire and a semantic category questionnaire, in which they were asked to produce the first five items of each category. Results are presented in category norms (items, category set size, correct responses, no responses and errors), as well as the responses that were common to all Brazilian regions belonging to each category.

Memoria y aprendizaje en un procedimiento de recuerdo selectivo libre y facilitado

The objective of the study was to verify, in an exploratory way, the factor structure and differences between each trial on instruments that use the procedure Free and Cued Selective Reminding (FCSR). The responses of 83 elderly people to FCSR were retrospectively analyzed. The results suggest that there is an ascending curve between almost all trials in a free recall and no signifi cant differences after second trial in a total remembered. In addition, a three factor solution was observed. Factors 1 and 2 suggest maintaining a division between recovery and storage scores, while the presence of factor 3 suggests the presence of a score that asses a temporary storage of information. There is a hypothesis that factor 3 was related with episodic buffer in working memory. These results serve to better understanding the FCSR and used to develop a new memory test (MAPS Test).The objective of the study was to verify, in an exploratory way, the factor structure and differences between each trial on instruments that use the procedure Free and Cued Selective Reminding (FCSR). The responses of 83 elderly people to FCSR were retrospectively analyzed. The results suggest that there is an ascending curve between almost all trials in a free recall and no signifi cant differences after second trial in a total remembered. In addition, a three factor solution was observed. Factors 1 and 2 suggest maintaining a division between recovery and storage scores, while the presence of factor 3 suggests the presence of a score that asses a temporary storage of information. There is a hypothesis that factor 3 was related with episodic buffer in working memory. These results serve to better understanding the FCSR and used to develop a new memory test (MAPS Test).

Memória e aprendizagem no procedimentode recordação seletiva livre e com pistas

The objective of the study was to verify, in an exploratory way, the factor structure and differences between each trial on instruments that use the procedure Free and Cued Selective Reminding (FCSR). The responses of 83 elderly people to FCSR were retrospectively analyzed. The results suggest that there is an ascending curve between almost all trials in a free recall and no signifi cant differences after second trial in a total remembered. In addition, a three factor solution was observed. Factors 1 and 2 suggest maintaining a division between recovery and storage scores, while the presence of factor 3 suggests the presence of a score that asses a temporary storage of information. There is a hypothesis that factor 3 was related with episodic buffer in working memory. These results serve to better understanding the FCSR and used to develop a new memory test (MAPS Test).The objective of the study was to verify, in an exploratory way, the factor structure and differences between each trial on instruments that use the procedure Free and Cued Selective Reminding (FCSR). The responses of 83 elderly people to FCSR were retrospectively analyzed. The results suggest that there is an ascending curve between almost all trials in a free recall and no signifi cant differences after second trial in a total remembered. In addition, a three factor solution was observed. Factors 1 and 2 suggest maintaining a division between recovery and storage scores, while the presence of factor 3 suggests the presence of a score that asses a temporary storage of information. There is a hypothesis that factor 3 was related with episodic buffer in working memory. These results serve to better understanding the FCSR and used to develop a new memory test (MAPS Test).

Memory and learning in a free and cued selective reminding procedure

The objective of the study was to verify, in an exploratory way, the factor structure and differences between each trial on instruments that use the procedure Free and Cued Selective Reminding (FCSR). The responses of 83 elderly people to FCSR were retrospectively analyzed. The results suggest that there is an ascending curve between almost all trials in a free recall and no signifi cant differences after second trial in a total remembered. In addition, a three factor solution was observed. Factors 1 and 2 suggest maintaining a division between recovery and storage scores, while the presence of factor 3 suggests the presence of a score that asses a temporary storage of information. There is a hypothesis that factor 3 was related with episodic buffer in working memory. These results serve to better understanding the FCSR and used to develop a new memory test (MAPS Test).The objective of the study was to verify, in an exploratory way, the factor structure and differences between each trial on instruments that use the procedure Free and Cued Selective Reminding (FCSR). The responses of 83 elderly people to FCSR were retrospectively analyzed. The results suggest that there is an ascending curve between almost all trials in a free recall and no signifi cant differences after second trial in a total remembered. In addition, a three factor solution was observed. Factors 1 and 2 suggest maintaining a division between recovery and storage scores, while the presence of factor 3 suggests the presence of a score that asses a temporary storage of information. There is a hypothesis that factor 3 was related with episodic buffer in working memory. These results serve to better understanding the FCSR and used to develop a new memory test (MAPS Test).