Cognitive ageing and dementia

إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَٱخۡتَلَطَ بِهِۦ نَبَاتُ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مِمَّا يَأۡكُلُ ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمُ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَخَذَتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ زُخۡرُفَهَا وَٱزَّيَّنَتۡ وَظَنَّ أَهۡلُهَآ أَنَّهُمۡ قَٰدِرُونَ عَلَيۡهَآ أَتَىٰهَآ أَمۡرُنَا لَيۡلًا أَوۡ نَهَارࣰ ا فَجَعَلۡنَٰهَا حَصِيدࣰ ا كَأَن لَّمۡ تَغۡنَ بِٱلۡأَمۡسِۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لِقَوۡمࣲ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

The life of this world is like this: rain that We send down from the sky is absorbed by the plants of the earth, from which humans and animals eat. But when the earth has taken on its finest appearance, and adorns itself, and its people think they have power over it, then the fate We commanded comes to it, by night or by day, and We reduce it to stubble, as if it had not flourished just the day before. This is the way We explain the revelations for those who reflect

أَوۡ يَكُونَ لَكَ بَيۡتࣱ مِّن زُخۡرُفٍ أَوۡ تَرۡقَىٰ فِي ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَن نُّؤۡمِنَ لِرُقِيِّكَ حَتَّىٰ تُنَزِّلَ عَلَيۡنَا كِتَٰبࣰ ا نَّقۡرَؤُهُۥۗ قُلۡ سُبۡحَانَ رَبِّي هَلۡ كُنتُ إِلَّا بَشَرࣰ ا رَّسُولࣰ ا

or have a house made of gold; or ascend into the sky- even then, we will not believe in your ascension until you send a real book down for us to read.’ Say, ‘Glory be to my Lord! Am I anything but a mortal, a messenger?’

وَزُخۡرُفࣰ اۚ وَإِن كُلُّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۚ وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

and golden ornaments. All of these are mere enjoyments of this life; your Lord reserves the next life for those who take heed of Him

وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلۡنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ عَدُوࣰّ ا شَيَٰطِينَ ٱلۡإِنسِ وَٱلۡجِنِّ يُوحِي بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضࣲ زُخۡرُفَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ غُرُورࣰ اۚ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ مَا فَعَلُوهُۖ فَذَرۡهُمۡ وَمَا يَفۡتَرُونَ

In the same way We assigned to each prophet an enemy, evil humans and evil jinn. They suggest alluring words to one another in order to deceive- if it had been your Lord’s will, [Prophet], they would not have done this: leave them to their inventions

Thus have We made for every prophet an enemy, satans of jinn and men. When someone's rank is higher, his trial will be more complete. When someone is nearer to the Real and his heart more limpid, his soul will be more captured by the hand of the enemy. Yes, without the grief of tribulation, the story of love cannot be told. Without the venom of trial, the honey of friendship cannot be found. Look at what Adam the Chosen, that sapling honored by the Real and nurtured by hallowing, saw from his enemy Iblis. God says, “Then Satan made them slip therefrom and brought them out from what they were in” [2:36]. And that other elder of the prophets and father of the world's folk, Noah-look at what he saw from his own people. For nine hundred and some years he invited them, and every day they beat him so much that he became unconscious, and they advised his own children to be his enemies. That par

The likeness the description of the life of this world is only as water rain which We send down from the heaven then the plants of the earth mingle with it they mingle because of it attaching themselves one to another whereof mankind eat plants such as wheat and barley and so on and cattle eat of pasture until when the earth has taken on its ornaments its splendour of plants and has adorned itself with flowers izzayyanat ‘adorned itself’ is originally tazayyanat but the tā’ has been substituted with the zāy and assimilated with it and its inhabitants think that they are masters of it fully capable of harvesting its fruits Our command Our decree or Our chastisement comes upon it by night or day and We make it that is its crops as reaped corn like that which has been reaped with sickles as though ka-an is softened in other words read it as ka-annahā the previous day it had not flourished a

or until you come to have a house adorned with gold or ascend into the heaven upon a ladder and even then we will not believe your ascension if you were to ascend into it until you bring down for us therefrom a book in which is confirmed your truthfulness that we may read’. Say to them ‘Glory be to my Lord — this is a statement of amazement — Am I anything but a human a messenger from God?’ in other words I am like all other messengers for they never brought any signs except by God’s leave.

And so We have appointed to every Prophet an enemy just as We have appointed these your enemies and this ‘adūwwan ‘an enemy’ is substituted by the following shayātīn ‘devils’ devils the rebels of mankind and jinn who inspire whisper fine speech to each other the falsehood that is disguised as such fine speech in delusion that is in order to delude them; yet had your Lord willed they would never have done it that mutual inspiration. So leave them let the disbelievers be with what they fabricate of disbelief and otherwise of what has been adorned for them — this was revealed before the command to fight them.

Verily, the parable of the life of the world is as the water which We send down from the sky; so by it arises the intermingled produce of the earth of which men and cattle eat: until when the earth is clad in its adornments and is beautified, and its people think that they have all the powers of disposal over it, Our command reaches it by night or by day and We make it like a clean-mown harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday! Thus do We explain the Ayat in detail for the people who reflect (24)Allah calls to the Abode of Peace (Paradise) and guides whom He wills to the straight path (25) The Parable of this Life Allah the Almighty has set an example of the similitude of the life of this world, its glitter and the swiftness of its passage, likening it to the plant and vegetation that Allah brings out from the earth. This plant grows from the water that comes down from the sky. T

And they say: "We shall not believe in you, until you cause a spring to gush forth from the earth for us; (90)"Or you have a garden of date palms and grapes, and cause rivers to gush forth in their midst abundantly; (91)"Or you cause the heaven to fall upon us in pieces, as you have pretended, or you bring Allah and the angels before (us) face to face; (92)"Or you have a house of Zukhruf, or you ascend up into the sky, and even then we will put no faith in your ascension until you bring down for us a Book that we would read." Say: "Glorified be my Lord! Am I anything but a man, sent as a Messenger? (93) The Demand of Quraysh for a specific Sign, and the Rejection of that Ibn Jarir recorded from Muhammad bin Ishaq, "An old man from among the people of Egypt who came to us forty-odd years ago told me, from 'Ikrimah, from Ibn 'Abbas, that 'Utbah and Shaybah – the two sons of Rabi'ah, Abu

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ابْنِ بُحَيْنَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّهُ قَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَامَ مِنِ اثْنَتَيْنِ مِنَ الظُّهْرِ لَمْ يَجْلِسْ بَيْنَهُمَا، فَلَمَّا قَضَى صَلاَتَهُ سَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ‏.‏

Narrated `Abdullah bin Buhaina:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) got up after the second rak`a of the Zuhr prayer without sitting in between (the second and the third rak`at). When he finished the prayer he performed two prostrations (of Sahu) and then finished the prayer with Taslim

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنِ الْحَكَمِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلَّى الظُّهْرَ خَمْسًا فَقِيلَ لَهُ أَزِيدَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ وَمَا ذَاكَ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ صَلَّيْتَ خَمْسًا‏.‏ فَسَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ مَا سَلَّمَ‏.‏

Narrated' `Abdullah:Once Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) offered five rak`at in the Zuhr prayer, and somebody asked him whether there was some increase in the prayer. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "What is that?" He said, "You have offered five rak`at." So Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) performed two prostrations of Sahu after Taslim

أَخْبَرَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا غَيْلاَنُ بْنُ جَرِيرٍ، عَنْ مُطَرِّفِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ صَلَّى عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَكَانَ يُكَبِّرُ فِي كُلِّ خَفْضٍ وَرَفْعٍ يُتِمُّ التَّكْبِيرَ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ عِمْرَانُ بْنُ حُصَيْنٍ لَقَدْ ذَكَّرَنِي هَذَا صَلاَةَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏

It was narrated that Mutarrif bin 'Abdullah said:"Ali bin Abi Talib prayed, and he said the takbir every time he went down and came up, in all movements of the prayer. 'Imran bin Husain said: 'This reminds me of the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)

أَخْبَرَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الدَّوْرَقِيُّ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لَهُ - قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْحَمِيدِ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَمْرِو بْنِ عَطَاءٍ، عَنْ أَبِي حُمَيْدٍ السَّاعِدِيِّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يُحَدِّثُ، قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ السَّجْدَتَيْنِ كَبَّرَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ كَمَا صَنَعَ حِينَ افْتَتَحَ الصَّلاَةَ ‏.‏

It was narrated from Abu Humaid As-Sa'idi that:When the Prophet (ﷺ) stood up following two prostrations, he would say the takbir and raise his hands until they were level with his shoulders, as he had done at the beginning of the prayer

وبيان درجاته وبيان أقسام المخاوف وبيان فضيلة الخوف وبيان الأفضل من الخرف والرجاء وبيان دواء الخوف وبيان معنى سوء الخاتمة وبيان أحوال الخائفين من الأنبياء صلوات الله عليهم والصالحين رحمة الله عليهم ونسأل الله حسن التوفيق بيان حقيقة الخوف

فلا أحسن من هذه النصيحة وهذا الإرشاد والتعليم الذي لو أخذ به الناس لم يضع في الأكثر حق أحد ولم يتمكن المبطل من الجحود والنسيان

قالوا وكيف يظن بالشرع أنه يخفف عن هذا المتعمد المفرط العاصي لله ورسوله بترك الوجوب ويوجبه على المعذور بالنوم أو النسيان

| فصل قال : والذكر : هو التلخص من الغفلة والنسيان والفرق بين الغفلة

وصرح هؤلاء : أن التوكل والدعاء عبودية محضة لا فائدة لهما إلا ذلك ولو ترك العبد التوكل والدعاء ما فاته شيء مما قدر له ومن غلاتهم من يجعل الدعاء بعدم المؤاخذة على الخطإ والنسيان عديم الفائدة إذ هو مضمون الحصول

وأنشدني المنتصر بن بلال الأنصاري % الرفق ممن سيلقى اليمن صاحبه % والخرف منه يكون العنف والزلل % % والحزم أن يتأنى المرء فرصته % والكف عنها إذا ما أمكنت فشل % % والبر لله خير الأمر عاقبة % والله للبر عون ماله مثل % % خير البريه قولا خيرهم عملا % لا يصلح القول حتى يصلح العمل % $

The role of the Mediterranean diet in reducing the risk of cognitive impairement, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease: a meta-analysis.: Age-related cognitive impairment and dementia pose a significant global health, social, and economic challenge. While Alzheimer's disease (AD) has historically been viewed as the leading cause of dementia, recent evidence reveals the considerable impact of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID), which now accounts for nearly half of all dementia cases. The Mediterranean diet-characterized by high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil-has been widely reco

Sleep disorders increase the risk of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive decline: a meta-analysis.: Sleep disorders, particularly insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea, are increasingly implicated as significant contributors to cognitive decline, dementia, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). However, the extent and specificity of these associations remain uncertain. This meta-analysis evaluates the impact of common sleep disorders on the risk of developing dementia and cognitive decline. A comprehensive search of

Modifiable predictors of dementia in mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.: Objective: Public health campaigns encouraging early help seeking have increased rates of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnosis in Western countries, but we know little about how to treat or predict dementia outcomes in persons with the condition. Method: The authors searched electronic databases and references for longitudinal studies reporting potentially modifiable risk factors for incident dementia after MCI. Two authors independently evaluated study quality using a checklist. Meta-analy

Dietary Intake, Mediterranean and Nordic Diet Adherence in Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: A Systematic Review.: Background/objectives: Dementia is not a single disease but an umbrella term that encompasses a range of symptoms, such as memory loss and cognitive impairments, which are severe enough to disrupt daily life. One of the most common forms of dementia is Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a complex neurodegenerative condition influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Recent research has highlighted diet as a potential modifiable risk factor for AD. Decades of research have explored the role of

Technology-enhanced multi-domain at home continuum of care program with respect to usual care for people with cognitive impairment: the Ability-TelerehABILITation study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.: Background: According to the World Alzheimer Report (Prince, The Global Impact of Dementia: an Analysis of Prevalence, Incidence, Cost and Trends, 2015), 46.8 million people worldwide are nowadays living with dementia. And this number is estimated to approximate 131.5 million by 2050, with an increasing burden on society and families. The lack of medical treatments able to stop or slow down the course of the disease has moved the focus of interest toward the nonpharmacological approach and psych

Physical exercise attenuates cognitive decline and reduces behavioural problems in people with mild cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review.: Questions: What is the effect of physical exercise on cognitive decline and behavioural problems in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia? What is the effect of physical exercise on particular domains of cognitive function? How do training protocols and patients' characteristics influence the outcomes? Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials. Participants: People with MCI or dementia as their primary diagnosis. Intervention: Physical exercise. Outcome m

Circadian activity rhythms and risk of incident dementia and mild cognitive impairment in older women.

Objective: Previous cross-sectional studies have observed alterations in activity rhythms in dementia patients but the direction of causation is unclear. We determined whether circadian activity rhythms measured in community-dwelling older women are prospectively associated with incident dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: Activity rhythm data were collected from 1,282 healthy community-dwelling women from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF) cohort (mean age 83 years) with wrist actigraphy for a minimum of three 24-hour periods. Each participant completed a neuropsychological test battery and had clinical cognitive status (dementia, MCI, normal) adjudicated by an expert panel approximately 5 years later. All analyses were adjusted for demographics, body mass index (BMI), functional status, depression, medications, alcohol, caffeine, smoking, health status, and com…

matched on Dementia (mesh), Cognitive Dysfunction (mesh), mild cognitive impairment (text)

The impact of dementia and mild memory impairment (MMI) on intimacy and sexuality in spousal relationships.

Background: Sexuality and intimacy in couples in which one partner is affected by dementia has been widely researched. Few studies have explored these issues in couples where one partner is affected by mild memory impairment (MMI) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The objectives of this study were to (1) identify and contrast issues of intimacy and sexuality that spousal caregivers of persons with MMI and dementia may experience, and (2) identify future lines of research in this population. Methods: Fourteen dementia and nine MMI spousal caregivers participated in focus groups conducted between 2008 and 2009 at the Stanford/VA Alzheimer's Research Center. Content analyses were conducted to identify themes. Results: Five themes emerged: communication, marital cohesion, affectional expression, caregiver burden, and ambiguity concerning the future of the relationship. Dementia caregivers …

matched on Dementia (mesh), Memory Disorders (mesh), mild cognitive impairment (text)

Concerted type I interferon signaling in microglia and neural cells promotes memory impairment associated with amyloid β plaques.

The principal signals that drive memory and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD) remain elusive. Here, we revealed brain-wide cellular reactions to type I interferon (IFN-I), an innate immune cytokine aberrantly elicited by amyloid β plaques, and examined their role in cognition and neuropathology relevant to AD in a murine amyloidosis model. Using a fate-mapping reporter system to track cellular responses to IFN-I, we detected robust, Aβ-pathology-dependent IFN-I activation in microglia and other cell types. Long-term blockade of IFN-I receptor (IFNAR) rescued both memory and synaptic deficits and resulted in reduced microgliosis, inflammation, and neuritic pathology. Microglia-specific Ifnar1 deletion attenuated the loss of post-synaptic terminals by selective engulfment, whereas neural Ifnar1 deletion restored pre-synaptic terminals and decreased plaque accumulation. Overa…

matched on Alzheimer Disease (mesh), Memory Disorders (mesh), Amyloid beta-Peptides (mesh)

Nrf2 Suppresses Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in App Knock-In Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice.

Nrf2 (NF-E2-related-factor 2) is a stress-responsive transcription factor that protects cells against oxidative stresses. To clarify whether Nrf2 prevents Alzheimer's disease (AD), AD model AppNL-G-F/NL-G-F knock-in (AppNLGF ) mice were studied in combination with genetic Nrf2 induction model Keap1FA/FA mice. While AppNLGF mice displayed shorter latency to escape than wild-type mice in the passive-avoidance task, the impairment was improved in AppNLGF ::Keap1FA/FA mice. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry imaging revealed that reduced glutathione levels were elevated by Nrf2 induction in AppNLGF ::Keap1FA/FA mouse brains compared to AppNLGF mouse brains. Genetic Nrf2 induction in AppNLGF mice markedly suppressed the elevation of the oxidative stress marker 8-OHdG and Iba1-positive microglial cell number. We also determined the plasmalogen-phosphatidylethanolamin…

matched on Alzheimer Disease (mesh), Cognitive Dysfunction (mesh), Amyloid beta-Peptides (mesh)

Recent advancement in understanding of Alzheimer's disease: Risk factors, subtypes, and drug targets and potential therapeutics.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a significant neocortical degenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of neurons and secondary alterations in white matter tracts. Understanding the risk factors and mechanisms underlying AD is crucial for developing effective treatments. The risk factors associated with AD encompass a wide range of variables, including gender differences, family history, and genetic predispositions. Additionally, environmental factors such as air pollution and lifestyle-related conditions like cardiovascular disease, gut pathogens, and liver pathology contribute substantially to the development and progression of AD and its subtypes. This review provides current update and deeper insights into the role of diverse risk factors, categorizing AD into its distinct subtypes and elucidating their specific pathophysiological mechanisms. Unlike previous studies that o…

matched on Alzheimer Disease (mesh)

Recent advances in Alzheimer's disease: Mechanisms, clinical trials and new drug development strategies.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) stands as the predominant form of dementia, presenting significant and escalating global challenges. Its etiology is intricate and diverse, stemming from a combination of factors such as aging, genetics, and environment. Our current understanding of AD pathologies involves various hypotheses, such as the cholinergic, amyloid, tau protein, inflammatory, oxidative stress, metal ion, glutamate excitotoxicity, microbiota-gut-brain axis, and abnormal autophagy. Nonetheless, unraveling the interplay among these pathological aspects and pinpointing the primary initiators of AD require further elucidation and validation. In the past decades, most clinical drugs have been discontinued due to limited effectiveness or adverse effects. Presently, available drugs primarily offer symptomatic relief and often accompanied by undesirable side effects. However, recent approvals of…

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The path to next-generation disease-modifying immunomodulatory combination therapies in Alzheimer's disease.

The cautious optimism following recent anti-amyloid therapeutic trials for Alzheimer's disease (AD) provides a glimmer of hope after years of disappointment. Although these encouraging results represent discernible progress, they also highlight the need to enhance further the still modest clinical efficacy of current disease-modifying immunotherapies. Here, we highlight crucial milestones essential for advancing precision medicine in AD. These include reevaluating the choice of therapeutic targets by considering the key role of both central neuroinflammation and peripheral immunity in disease pathogenesis, refining patient stratification by further defining the inflammatory component within the forthcoming ATN(I) (amyloid, tau and neurodegeneration (and inflammation)) classification of AD biomarkers and defining more accurate clinical outcomes and prognostic biomarkers that better reflec…

matched on Alzheimer Disease (mesh)

Neuroinflammation: A Modifiable Pathway Linking Obesity, Alzheimer's disease, and Depression.

Obesity, depression and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are three major interrelated modern health conditions with complex relationships. Early-life depression may serve as a risk factor for AD, while late-life depression may be a prodrome of AD. Depression affects approximately 23% of obese individuals, and depression itself raises the risk of obesity by 37%. Mid-life obesity independently increases AD risk, while late-life obesity, particularly metabolically healthy obesity, may offer protection against AD pathology. Chronic inflammation serves as a key mechanism linking obesity, AD, and depression, encompassing systemic inflammation from metabolic disturbances, immune dysregulation through the gut microbiome, and direct interactions with amyloid pathology and neuroinflammation. In this review, we explore the biological mechanisms of neuroinflammation in relation to obesity, AD, and depressio…

matched on Alzheimer Disease (mesh)

Sleep Duration and Executive Function in Adults.

Purpose of review: To review the literature examining the relationship between sleep and cognition, specifically examining the sub-domain of executive function. We explore the impact of sleep deprivation and the important question of how much sleep is required for optimal cognitive performance. We consider how other sleep metrics, such as sleep quality, may be a more meaningful measure of sleep. We then discuss the putative mechanisms between sleep and cognition followed by their contribution to developing dementia. Recent findings: Sleep duration and executive function display a quadratic relationship. This suggests an optimal amount of sleep is required for daily cognitive processes. Poor sleep efficiency and sleep fragmentation are linked with poorer executive function and increased risk of dementia during follow-up. Sleep quality may therefore be more important than absolute duration…

matched on Dementia (mesh)

Technology-Based Interventions to Address Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Informal Dementia Caregivers: A Scoping Review.

Objective: Social isolation and loneliness are major public health concerns. Informal dementia caregivers are particularly vulnerable, as many are older adults themselves and at elevated risk of adverse mental and physical health outcomes. Technology-based interventions could offer accessible, affordable, and convenient solutions. A previous review included Internet-based supportive interventions for informal dementia caregivers published up to 2013; however, new publications, technological advances, and targeted outcomes justify conducting this scoping review. Here, we identified and synthesized recent technology-based interventions that addressed social isolation and loneliness among informal dementia caregivers. Design: Scoping review. Setting and participants: Informal dementia caregivers in the community. Methods: Following Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework, we conducte…

matched on Dementia (mesh)

The Role of Diet as a Modulator of the Inflammatory Process in the Neurological Diseases.

Neurological diseases are recognized as major causes of disability and mortality worldwide. Due to the dynamic progress of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), Schizophrenia, Depression, and Multiple Sclerosis (MD), scientists are mobilized to look for new and more effective methods of interventions. A growing body of evidence suggests that inflammatory processes and an imbalance in the composition and function of the gut microbiome, which play a critical role in the pathogenesis of various neurological diseases and dietary interventions, such as the Mediterranean diet the DASH diet, or the ketogenic diet can have beneficial effects on their course. The aim of this review was to take a closer look at the role of diet and its ingredients in modulating inflammation associated with the development and/or progression of central nervous system diseases. Present…

matched on Alzheimer Disease (mesh)

Palliative care to support the needs of adults with neurological disease.

Neurological diseases cause physical, psychosocial, and spiritual or existential suffering from the time of their diagnosis. Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for people with serious illness and their families by addressing this multidimensional suffering. Evidence from clinical trials supports the ability of palliative care to improve patient and caregiver outcomes by the use of outpatient or home-based palliative care interventions for people with motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson's disease; inpatient palliative care consultations for people with advanced dementia; telephone-based case management for people with dementia in the community; and nurse-led discussions with decision aids for people with advanced dementia in long-term care. Unfortunately, most people with neurological diseases do not get the support that they need for their palliative …

matched on Dementia (mesh)

The Role of Obesity and Diabetes in Dementia.

Chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and dementia are increasing in the United States (US) population. Knowledge of these chronic conditions, preventative measures, and proper management tactics is important and critical to preventing disease. The overlap between obesity, diabetes, and dementia is becoming further elucidated. These conditions share a similar origin through the components of increasing age, gender, genetic and epigenetic predispositions, depression, and a high-fat Western diet (WD) that all contribute to the inflammatory state associated with the development of obesity, diabetes, and dementia. This inflammatory state leads to the dysregulation of food intake and insulin resistance. Obesity is often the cornerstone that leads to the development of diabetes and, subsequently, in the case of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), progression to "type 3 diabetes mellitus (…

matched on Dementia (mesh)

Me, myself, and nature: living with dementia and connecting with the natural world - more than a breath of fresh air? A literature review.

Objective: Despite growing awareness of the importance of engagement with the natural world for people living with dementia, little is known about the impact specifically for people living independently in their own home. This review identifies, analyses and synthesises existing research, incorporating first-person narrative accounts of the benefits and potential challenges experienced in forging meaningful connections with the natural world. Methods: Six databases were searched from February 2000 to February 2021. Relevant organisations and authors were contacted, and a hand search of included study reference lists was conducted. The findings of included studies were synthesised using a thematic analysis approach. Findings: Sixteen studies were included: 13 qualitative and three mixed methods. Eight themes and three sub-themes were identified, revealing how contact with the natural worl…

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Gene-environment interactions in Alzheimer disease: the emerging role of epigenetics.

With the exception of a few monogenic forms, Alzheimer disease (AD) has a complex aetiology that is likely to involve multiple susceptibility genes and environmental factors. The role of environmental factors is difficult to determine and, until a few years ago, the molecular mechanisms underlying gene-environment (G × E) interactions in AD were largely unknown. Here, we review evidence that has emerged over the past two decades to explain how environmental factors, such as diet, lifestyle, alcohol, smoking and pollutants, might interact with the human genome. In particular, we discuss how various environmental AD risk factors can induce epigenetic modifications of key AD-related genes and pathways and consider how epigenetic mechanisms could contribute to the effects of oxidative stress on AD onset. Studies on early-life exposures are helping to uncover critical time windows of sensitiv…

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Gut Microbiota Interact With the Brain Through Systemic Chronic Inflammation: Implications on Neuroinflammation, Neurodegeneration, and Aging.

It has been noticed in recent years that the unfavorable effects of the gut microbiota could exhaust host vigor and life, yet knowledge and theory are just beginning to be established. Increasing documentation suggests that the microbiota-gut-brain axis not only impacts brain cognition and psychiatric symptoms but also precipitates neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). How the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a machinery protecting the central nervous system (CNS) from the systemic circulation, allows the risky factors derived from the gut to be translocated into the brain seems paradoxical. For the unique anatomical, histological, and immunological properties underpinning its permeable dynamics, the BBB has been regarded as a biomarker associated with neural pathogenesis. The BBB permeability of mice and rats cause…

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Interventions to reduce loneliness in caregivers: An integrative review of the literature.

Older adults are at an increased risk of loneliness. Many also serve as informal caregivers for persons with dementia and other disabling conditions, further predisposing them to loneliness. The primary objective was to assess current loneliness interventions for caregivers to inform development of effective therapies to improve their quality of life. An integrative review of the literature was conducted using five electronic databases and 12 studies were included for further analysis. Data were extracted regarding the type of intervention implemented, caregiver characteristics, and intervention effects. Five main intervention types emerged: mindful meditation, computer applications, music therapy, peer support, and community programs. Most care recipients had dementia, and most caregivers were spouses. Peer support was the most frequently utilized intervention, and common intervention s…

matched on Dementia (mesh)

Reimagining cholinergic therapy for Alzheimer's disease.

Currently, enhancement of cholinergic neurotransmission via cholinesterase inhibitors represents the main available approach to treat cognitive and behavioural symptoms of the early as well as late stages of Alzheimer's disease. Restoring the cholinergic system has been a primary means of improving cognition in Alzheimer's disease, as four of the six approved therapies are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Memantine is an N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonist with a well-documented clinical effect on behavioural symptoms, which is often added to cholinesterase inhibitors to potentiate their effect and aducanumab, targeting the amyloid pathology, has recently been approved. The early, progressive and selective degeneration of the cholinergic system together and its close relation to cognitive deficits supports the use of cholinergic therapy for Alzheimer's disease. This review provides an update…

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Impaired insulin signalling and allostatic load in Alzheimer disease.

The discovery of insulin in 1921 revolutionized the treatment of diabetes and paved the way for numerous studies on hormone signalling networks and actions in peripheral tissues and in the central nervous system. Impaired insulin signalling, a hallmark of diabetes, is now established as a key component of Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology. Here, we review evidence showing that brain inflammation and activation of cellular stress response mechanisms comprise molecular underpinnings of impaired brain insulin signalling in AD and integrate impaired insulin signalling with AD pathology. Further, we highlight that insulin resistance is an important component of allostatic load and that allostatic overload can trigger insulin resistance. This bidirectional association between impaired insulin signalling and allostatic overload favours medical conditions that increase the risk of AD, including d…

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Role of gut-brain axis, gut microbial composition, and probiotic intervention in Alzheimer's disease.

Gut microbiota represents a diverse and dynamic population of microorganisms harboring the gastrointestinal tract, which influences the host health and disease. Gut microbiota communicates with the brain and vice versa through complex bidirectional communication systems - the gut-brain axis, which integrates the peripheral intestinal function with emotional and cognitive brain centers via neuro-immuno-endocrine mediators. Aging alters the gut microbial population, which not only leads to gastrointestinal disturbances but also causes central nervous system (CNS) disorders such as dementia. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia affecting the older person, characterized by beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles leading to the cognitive deficit and memory impairment. Multiple experimental and clinical studies revealed the role of gut microbiota in host c…

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Regulation of Neurotransmitters by the Gut Microbiota and Effects on Cognition in Neurological Disorders.

Emerging evidence indicates that gut microbiota is important in the regulation of brain activity and cognitive functions. Microbes mediate communication among the metabolic, peripheral immune, and central nervous systems via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. However, it is not well understood how the gut microbiome and neurons in the brain mutually interact or how these interactions affect normal brain functioning and cognition. We summarize the mechanisms whereby the gut microbiota regulate the production, transportation, and functioning of neurotransmitters. We also discuss how microbiome dysbiosis affects cognitive function, especially in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

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Nutritional Support of Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Function in Infants and Young Children-An Update and Novel Insights.

Proper nutrition is crucial for normal brain and neurocognitive development. Failure to optimize neurodevelopment early in life can have profound long-term implications for both mental health and quality of life. Although the first 1000 days of life represent the most critical period of neurodevelopment, the central and peripheral nervous systems continue to develop and change throughout life. All this time, development and functioning depend on many factors, including adequate nutrition. In this review, we outline the role of nutrients in cognitive, emotional, and neural development in infants and young children with special attention to the emerging roles of polar lipids and high quality (available) protein. Furthermore, we discuss the dynamic nature of the gut-brain axis and the importance of microbial diversity in relation to a variety of outcomes, including brain maturation/function…

matched on Cognitive Aging (mesh)

The impact of the microbiota-gut-brain axis on Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology.

The gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem that comprises of more than 100 trillion symbiotic microbial cells. The microbiota, the gut, and the brain form an association, 'the microbiota-gut-brain axis,' and synchronize the gut with the central nervous system and modify the behavior and brain immune homeostasis. The bidirectional communication between gut and brain occurs via the immune system, the vagus nerve, the enteric nervous system, and microbial metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), proteins, and tryptophan metabolites. Recent studies have implicated the gut microbiota in many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this review, we present an overview of gut microbiota, including Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, SCFA, tryptophan, bacterial composition, besides age-related changes in gut microbiota composition, the microbiota-gut-brain axis pat…

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The Impact of Systemic Inflammation on Alzheimer's Disease Pathology.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating age-related neurodegenerative disorder with an alarming increasing prevalence. Except for the recently FDA-approved Aducanumab of which the therapeutic effect is not yet conclusively proven, only symptomatic medication that is effective for some AD patients is available. In order to be able to design more rational and effective treatments, our understanding of the mechanisms behind the pathogenesis and progression of AD urgently needs to be improved. Over the last years, it became increasingly clear that peripheral inflammation is one of the detrimental factors that can contribute to the disease. Here, we discuss the current understanding of how systemic and intestinal (referred to as the gut-brain axis) inflammatory processes may affect brain pathology, with a specific focus on AD. Moreover, we give a comprehensive overview of the different prec…

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Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of social robots for older adults and people with dementia: a scoping review.

Background: Psychosocial issues, such as social isolation and loneliness among older adults and people with dementia, continue to pose challenges with a rapidly aging population worldwide. Social robots are a rapidly emerging field of technology, developed to help address the psychosocial needs of this population. Although studies have reported positive findings regarding their psychosocial benefits, their implementation in real-world practice remains a challenge. Nevertheless, little is known about the factors affecting their implementation. The purpose of this review is to provide a systematic overview of the barriers and facilitators affecting the implementation of social robots for older adults and people with dementia. Method: The Arksey and O'Malley approach with methodological enhancement by Levac et al. was used to guide the conduct of this review. Seven electronic databases were…

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