Sex and age differences in "theory of mind" across 57 countries using the English version of the "Reading the Mind in the Eyes" Test.

The "Reading the Mind in the Eyes" Test (Eyes Test) is a widely used assessment of "theory of mind." The NIMH Research Domain Criteria recommends it as one of two tests for "understanding mental states." Previous studies have demonstrated an on-average female advantage on the Eyes Test. However, it is unknown whether this female advantage exists across the lifespan and across a large number of countries. Thus, we tested sex and age differences using the English version of the Eyes Test in adolescents and adults across 57 countries. We also tested for associations with sociodemographic and cognitive/personality factors. We leveraged one discovery dataset (N = 305,726) and three validation datasets (Ns = 642; 5,284; and 1,087). The results show that: i) there is a replicable on-average female advantage in performance on the Eyes Test; ii) performance increases through adolescence and shallowly declines across adulthood; iii) the on-average female advantage is evident across the lifespan; iv) there is a significant on-average female advantage in 36 out of 57 countries; v) there is a significant on-average female advantage on translated (non-English) versions of the Eyes Test in 12 out of 16 countries, as confirmed by a systematic review; vi) D-scores, or empathizing-systemizing, predict Eyes Test performance above and beyond sex differences; and vii) the female advantage is negatively linked to "prosperity" and "autonomy," and positively linked to "collectivism," as confirmed by exploratory country-level analyses. We conclude that the on-average female advantage on the Eyes Test is observed across ages and most countries.

Effects of sleep deprivation on language-related brain functional connectivity: differences by gender and age.

Sleep deprivation (SD) negatively affects many cognitive functions, such as language performance. However, what remains unclear is whether and how SD affects the language-related brain network based on gender and age differences. The current study of 86 healthy adults used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to measure language-related functional connectivity after full sleep or partial SD. Gender and age differences in functional connectivity were assessed across four linguistic aspects: phonetics, morphology, semantics, and syntax. The results showed that SD can affect the connectivity status of language-related brain networks, especially syntax-related networks. Furthermore, the influence of SD on the functional connectivity in language-related networks differed between male and female groups, and between younger and older groups. Specifically, there were gender differences in the temporal association cortex and age differences in the parietal association cortex, during full sleep versus partial SD. These findings highlight changes in the brain's functional connectivity in response to SD as a potential source of gender and age differences in brain function.

Sympathoinhibition during cardiopulmonary baroreceptor loading is attenuated in older females.

The purpose of the present study was to clarify the impact of age on the sympathoinhibitory response to cardiopulmonary baroreceptor loading in females. Nine older females (mean ± SD, 70 ± 6 yr) and 11 younger females (20 ± 1 yr) completed the study. A passive leg raising (PLR) test was performed wherein the participants were positioned supine (baseline, 0°), and their lower limbs were passively lifted at 10°, 20°, 30°, and 40° (3 min at each angle). Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was recorded via microneurography of the left radial nerve. The central venous pressure was estimated based on peripheral venous pressure (eCVP), which was monitored using a cannula in the right large antecubital vein. Baseline MSNA was higher in older females than in younger females. MSNA burst frequency (BF) decreased during the PLR test in both older and younger females, but the magnitude of the decrease in MSNA BF was smaller in older females than in younger females (older, -3.5 ± 1.5 vs. younger, -6.3 ± 1.5 bursts/min at 40° from baseline, P = 0.014). The eCVP increased during the PLR in both groups, and there was no difference in the changes in eCVP between the two groups (older, +1.07 ± 0.37 vs. younger, +1.12 ± 0.33 mmHg at 40° from baseline, P = 0.941). These results suggest that inhibition of sympathetic vasomotor outflow during cardiopulmonary baroreceptor loading could be blunted with advancing age in females.NEW & NOTEWORTHY There were no available data concerning the effect of age on the sympathoinhibitory response to cardiopulmonary baroreceptor loading in females. The magnitude of the decrease in muscle sympathetic nerve activity during passive leg raising (10°-40°) was smaller in older females than in young females. In females, inhibition of sympathetic vasomotor outflow during cardiopulmonary baroreceptor loading could be blunted with advancing age.

Employing a Toxic Aging Coin approach to assess hexavalent chromium (Cr[VI])-induced neurotoxic effects on behavior: Heads for age differences.

We are facing a rapidly growing geriatric population (65+) that will live for multiple decades and are challenged with environmental pollution far exceeding that of previous generations. Consequently, we currently have a poor understanding of how environmental pollution will impact geriatric health distinctly from younger populations. Few toxicology studies have considered age differences with geriatric individuals. Critically, all top ten most prevalent age-related diseases are linked to metal exposures. Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a metal of major environmental health concern that can induce aging phenotypes and neurotoxicity. However, there are many knowledge gaps for Cr(VI) neurotoxicity, including how Cr(VI) impacts behavior. To address this, we exposed male rats across three ages (3-, 7-, and 18-months old) to Cr(VI) in drinking water (0, 0.05, 0.1 mg/L) for 90 days. These levels reflect the maximum contaminant levels determined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Here, we report how these Cr(VI) drinking water levels impacted rat behaviors using a battery of behavior tests, including grip strength, open field assay, elevated plus maze, Y-maze, and 3-chamber assay. We observed adult rats were the most affected age group and memory assays (spatial and social) exhibited the most significant effects. Critically, the significant effects were surprising as rats should be particularly resistant to these Cr(VI) drinking water levels due to the adjustments applied in risk assessment from rodent studies to human safety, and because rats endogenously synthesize vitamin C in their livers (vitamin C is a primary reducer of Cr[VI] to Cr[III]). Our results emphasize the need to broaden the scope of toxicology research to consider multiple life stages and suggest the current regulations for Cr(VI) in drinking water need to be revisited.

Effects of Dapagliflozin in Chronic Kidney Disease Across the Spectrum of Age and by Sex.

BACKGROUND: The sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitor dapagliflozin reduces the risk of progressive kidney disease and cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease, with and without type 2 diabetes. Whether its effects are uniform across the spectrum of age and among men and women is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We performed a pre-specified analysis in DAPA-CKD to evaluate efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin according to baseline age and sex. DESIGN: Prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 4304 adults with chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 25-75 mL/min/1.73 m2; urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio 200-5000 mg/g) with and without type 2 diabetes. INTERVENTION: Dapagliflozin 10 mg versus placebo once daily. MAIN MEASURES: Primary endpoint was a composite of ≥ 50% sustained eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease, and kidney or cardiovascular death. Secondary endpoints included kidney composite endpoint (same as primary composite endpoint but without cardiovascular death), cardiovascular composite endpoint (hospitalized heart failure or cardiovascular death), and all-cause mortality. KEY RESULTS: Median follow-up was 2.4 years. Absolute risks of cardiovascular composite endpoint and all-cause mortality were higher in older patients. Absolute risk of kidney composite endpoint was highest in patients < 50 years (10.7 and 6.2 per 100 patient-years in the placebo and dapagliflozin groups, respectively) and lowest in patients ≥ 80 years (3.0 and 1.2 per 100 patient-years in the placebo and dapagliflozin groups, respectively). There was no evidence of heterogeneity of the effects of dapagliflozin on the primary or secondary endpoints based on age or sex. Neither age nor sex modified the effects of dapagliflozin on total or chronic eGFR slope. CONCLUSIONS: Dapagliflozin reduced the risks of mortality, cardiovascular events, and CKD progression in older patients, including in septuagenarians and octogenarians who comprised 25% of participants. Ageism and/or therapeutic nihilism should not discourage the use of dapagliflozin in older women and men who are likely to experience considerable benefit. TRIAL REGISTRY: clinicaltrials.gov NIH TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBER: NCT03036150.

Optimizing the sodium iodate model: Effects of dose, gender, and age.

Sodium iodate (NaIO3) is a commonly used model for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but its rapid and severe induction of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and photoreceptor degeneration can lead to the premature dismissal of potentially effective therapeutics. Additionally, little is known about how sex and age affect the retinal response to NaIO3. This study aims to establish a less severe yet reproducible regimen by testing low doses of NaIO3 while considering age- and sex-related effects, enabling a broader range of therapeutic evaluations. In this study, young (3-5 months) and old (18-24 months) male and female C57Bl/6J mice were given an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 15, 20, or 25 mg/kg NaIO3. Damage assessment one week post-injection included in vivo imaging, histological examination, and qRT-PCR analysis. The results revealed that young mice showed no damage at 15 mg/kg IP NaIO3, with varying degrees of damage observed at 20 mg/kg. At 25 mg/kg, most young mice displayed widespread retinal damage, with females exhibiting less retinal thinning than males. In contrast, older mice at 20 and 25 mg/kg displayed a more patchy degeneration pattern, outer retinal undulations, and greater variability in degeneration than the young mice. The most effective model for minimizing damage while maintaining consistency utilizes young female mice injected with 25 mg/kg NaIO3. The observed sex- and age-related differences underscore the importance of considering these variables in research, aligning with the National Institutes of Health's guidance. While the model does not fully replicate the complexity of AMD, these findings enhance its utility as a valuable tool for testing RPE/photoreceptor protective or replacement therapies.

Age Differences in Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction in Adult Populations.

BACKGROUND: Whereas differences in inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO) presentation based on age have been demonstrated within pediatric populations, age-based differences in adult populations is lacking. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe differences in ILO based on age in adults. METHODS: Subjects age >16 years with confirmed ILO (vocal cord adduction >50% during inspiration) via provocation-challenge rhinolaryngoscopy by their treating allergist were included. An investigator designed questionnaire was administered using REDCap with corresponding medical data collection. Chi-square tests, Student's t-tests, ANOVA, Cochran-Armitage test for trend, and Fisher's exact test were utilized. RESULTS: The median age of the 67 subjects was 50 years. P-values <0.05 were considered significant. Those age <50 years (N=31; mean age 35.6 years) reported more symptoms vs age ≥50 years (N=36; mean age 61.8 years), including shortness of breath at rest and exertion (84% vs 39%, 94% vs 72%), throat tightness (81% vs 50%), chest tightness (81% vs 47%), and difficulty getting air in (81% vs 56%). Those age <50 years had increased history of anxiety (68% vs 33%), asthma (55% vs 31%), positive methacholine challenge (52% vs 22%), increasing triggers with time (87% vs 43%), higher Pittsburgh Vocal Cord Dysfunction Index Scores (6.9 vs 5.5), and inspiratory curve flattening (48% vs 24%). Additional age-based subdivisions confirmed significant trends with lowest reported ILO characteristics and symptoms in those age ≥65 years. CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion for ILO should be maintained in older adults as they may report less typical ILO symptoms and anxiety associations that prompt ILO evaluation.

Age and sex differences in the association between Dietary Inflammatory Index and severe headache or migraine: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Migraine and severe headaches are extremely prevalent neurological disorders that plague humans and society. Prior research has revealed that DII may affect the occurrence of migraines, but there are too few relevant studies and more are required. This study aimed to determine the association between severe headache or migraine and the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), with particular attention to age and gender differences. METHODS: Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we performed a cross-sectional study. In addition, we investigated the association between DII and severe headache or migraine using weighted multivariate logistic regression models, and restricted cubic splines models were plotted to explore their linear correlation. RESULTS: There were a total of 13,439 people participating in the study, and of those, 2745 experienced a severe headache or migraine within the previous three months. The DII was linearly and positively correlated with severe headache or migraine (odds ratio [OR] = 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-1.08, p = 0.0051). Stratified analysis showed that this relationship persisted among women and those aged < 60 years, with ORs of 1.08 (95% CI = 1.04-1.13, p = 0.0004) and 1.05 (95% CI = 1.01-1.09, p = 0.0071), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found that greater levels of DII were significantly related to an increased likelihood of migraine onset, especially among women and young and middle-aged populations. Further research is required to validate and expand upon our results.

Detecting the veracity of children's experiences through drawings.

Research is lacking regarding adults' ability to determine whether children's drawings are based on an experience or not. Drawings are useful in professional settings to alleviate linguistic demands, facilitate memory, and have been used as evidence. Determining the accuracy of veracity assessments of children's drawings would inform professionals regarding their use as evidence of experiences. Twenty-eight children (14 younger, Mage = 7.53 years, SDage = 1.19; 14 older, Mage = 11.67 years, SD = 1.27) produced drawings of two events: one staged experienced, and one narrative-based not experienced event. Fifty (Study 1, Mage = 23.72 years, SDage = 9.70) and 63 (Study 2, Mage = 25.92, SDage = 12.79) adults indicated whether each drawing was based on experience and their confidence in each assessment. In Study 2, additional drawing quality assessments were collected. Results indicated that adults were more accurate at distinguishing experienced than not experienced drawings for older artists. An inverse relationship was observed between confidence and accuracy-participants were more confident when they were inaccurate, especially for younger artists. Drawing quality improved with age and for drawings of experienced events. Adults tended to rate drawings of higher quality as resulting from experience leading to the highest accuracy for drawings from older artists that were based on experience. Overall, results suggest that there may be some features of drawings that allow for above chance levels of accuracy (up to 75%). However, rates are not high enough across assessments (M = 53.93%, range: 39%-75%) to reliably use them as indicators of experience.

Younger and older adults' memory of past feelings surrounding an election.

People often misremember their past feelings, especially when recalling their prior mood as opposed to their specific emotions in response to events. A previous study also found that the direction of memory errors varies based on feeling type; younger adults overestimated the intensity of prior moods but underestimated the intensity of prior event-specific emotions. This study aimed to replicate these patterns and test whether they vary with age. In doing so, we also tested whether an age-related positivity effect would emerge, such that older adults would be relatively more likely to overestimate past positive feelings and underestimate past negative feelings. Using a sample of American voters, who reported their feelings following the 2020 United States presidential election, we found that both younger and older adults subsequently overestimated the intensity of their past mood in the week following the election but were relatively accurate in recalling the intensity of their prior emotions about the election result. Unexpectedly, among election losers, we also observed an age-related negativity effect in recall for prior mood. When faced with negative real-world events, older adults may not show the same positivity biases that are observed in lab studies.

Objectification and body esteem: age group patterns in women's psychological functioning.

OBJECTIVES: Sexual objectification is related to negative outcomes for young adult women, but whether sexual objectification operates similarly for women in mid-life or older adulthood is less clear. Our aim was to assess self-objectification and sexually objectifying experiences for women in two different age groups, 18-27 and 48-90 and, further, test the relationship between objectification and psychological functioning. Based on objectification theory, we hypothesized that young adults would report higher self-objectification and sexually objectifying experiences compared to women in the older group. We further expected that these age differences would be related to body esteem and psychological functioning. METHODS: We surveyed 218 women regarding their sexually objectifying experiences and self-objectification, as well as body esteem, global self-esteem, and mood/anxiety, all outcomes theoretically expected to be related to sexual objectification and self-objectification. RESULTS: Sexually objectifying experiences and self-objectification were correlated with lower body esteem, lower global self-esteem, and higher mood/anxiety symptoms. Further, older women reported lower objectification and better psychological functioning. Tests of serial mediation showed that the relationship between age and two outcomes (self-esteem and mood/anxiety symptoms) was mediated by self-objectification and body esteem, while the model using experiences of sexually objectifying experiences was not supported. CONCLUSION: Older women differed from younger women in the impact of self-objectification. We discuss these outcomes referencing age patterns and objectification theory.

'Who tells me when to stay active or to leave?' age differences in and predictors of endorsement of prescriptive views of aging.

OBJECTIVES: Prescriptive views of aging (PVoA) are normative age-based expectations about age-appropriate behavior for older adults, e.g. that they should stay fit/active (active aging norms) but also behave altruistically toward younger generations (altruistic disengagement norms). We aimed at examining age differences in endorsement of active aging and altruistic disengagement and investigated predictors of endorsement. METHOD: In the AGEISM Germany survey, a representative sample of N = 1,915 German participants was recruited, covering a wide age range (Mage=56.57 years, 16-96 years). Cross-sectional data was collected via computer-assisted telephone interviews. RESULTS: Active aging was more strongly endorsed than altruistic disengagement. Endorsement of both PVoA was higher in older age groups - even more pronounced for altruistic disengagement. Endorsement of both norms was positively associated with positive age stereotypes. Furthermore, active aging was predicted by age centrality whereas altruistic disengagement was predicted by negative age stereotypes. Age was still a robust predictor of PVoA even after entering additional predictors. CONCLUSION: Although associated, prescriptive age norms (i.e. beliefs how older people should behave) and descriptive age norms (i.e. beliefs about how older adults and the aging process are like) represent partly independent belief systems, highlighting the importance to assess & further investigate predictors and consequences of PVoA, which become more prevalent with age.

Sex gaps and age differences in the structure of academic cyberloafing from early to middle adolescence: A network analysis.

BACKGROUND: Academic cyberloafing refers to students' engagement in non-learning-related online activities during online courses, which can negatively affect their academic performance. Prior studies investigated cyberloafing primarily in the workplace, neglecting core behaviors and interactions among academic cyberloafing in educational contexts. AIMS: This study employed network analysis to capture academic cyberloafing as an interactive behavior network to explore the core behavioral patterns of academic cyberloafing and the interactions between these behaviors. MATERIALS & METHODS: A total of 3537 adolescents (Mage = 12.49; 53.7% boys and 46.3% girls) in China were included in this study. RESULTS: The findings indicated that "seeking gossip news" and "watching short videos" are central behaviors. Among boys, "browsing nonacademic web pages" and "watching short videos" are central behaviors; "seeking gossip news" is the most central behavior among girls. Furthermore, in early adolescence, central behaviors encompass "chatting privately" and "seeking gossip news"; in middle adolescence, central behaviors include "seeking gossip news" and "watching short videos." Additionally, the comparisons indicated that academic cyberloafing networks (between boys and girls; between early and middle adolescence) show a similar structure and global strength but differ in specific academic cyberloafing associations. CONCLUSION: As adolescents of different sexes and ages engage in academic cyberloafing differently, tailored education interventions can be implemented to address unregulated cyberloafing.

Differential Impact of Serotonin Signaling Methylphenidate on Young versus Adult: Insights from Behavioral and Dorsal Raphe Nucleus Neuronal Recordings from Freely Behaving Rats.

Methylphenidate (MPD) remains a cornerstone pharmacological intervention for managing ADHD, yet its increasing usage among ordinary youth and adults outside clinical contexts necessitates a thorough investigation into its developmental effects. This study seeks to simultaneously investigate the behavioral and neuronal changes within the dorsal raphe (DR) nucleus, a center of serotonergic neurons in the mammalian brain, before and after the administration of varying doses of acute and chronic MPD in freely behaving young and adult rats implanted with DR recording electrodes. Wireless neuronal and behavioral recording systems were used over 10 consecutive experimental days. Eight groups were examined: saline, 0.6, 2.5, and 10.0 mg/kg MPD for both young and adult rats. Six daily MPD injections were administered on experimental days 1 to 6, followed by a three-day washout period and MPD re-administration on experimental day 10 (ED10). The analysis of neuronal activity recorded from 504 DR neurons (DRNs) in young rats and 356 DRNs in adult rats reveals significant age-dependent differences in acute and chronic MPD responses. This study emphasizes the importance of aligning electrophysiological evaluations with behavioral outcomes following extended MPD exposure, elucidating the critical role of DRNs and serotonin signaling in modulating MPD responses and delineating age-specific variations in young versus adult rat models.

The Influence of Instructional Constraints and Cognitive Control on the Positivity Bias and the Positivity Effect in Autobiographical Memory.

The positivity effect and the positivity bias were examined in voluntary and involuntary autobiographical memories in a sample of younger (n = 69, Mage = 23.2) and older adults (n = 57, Mage = 67.72). The positivity effect has been shown to be sensitive to instructional constraints and cognitive resources. Instructions were manipulated in the voluntary autobiographical memory condition such that participants were instructed to retrieve memories with different levels of constraints. Participants also completed two measures of cognitive control and an assessment of future time perspective. There was no evidence of the positivity effect or positivity bias once depressive symptoms were included as a covariate in the analyses, nor did cognitive control influence memory valence. Future time perspective did not mediate the relationship between age and memory valence. These results suggest that additional research should focus on potential variables that may influence the positivity effect and bias within autobiographical memories.

Examining Differences in Behavioural Avoidance Between Younger and Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Studies have found older adults report fewer anxiety symptoms than younger adults. As behavioral avoidance is theoretically associated with maintaining anxiety, this study sought to examine age-related differences in avoidance and anxiety in a cross-cultural sample of older (n = 60, 60-92 years) and younger adults (n = 70; 17-24 years). METHODS: Community dwelling participants from Australia and the United States of America completed self-report measures of anxiety, worry, and depression. Participants also self-rated levels of avoidance to 133 common fearful situations using a card sort task. RESULTS: Older adults reported significantly less avoidance of age-adjusted social and medical scenarios, more avoidance of aggressive scenarios, with no significant difference for animal or agoraphobic scenarios when compared to younger adults. Age-related effects were no longer significant in full models, in which the main effect of anxiety explained variance in avoidance for social, medical, animal, agoraphobic, but not aggression scenarios. CONCLUSIONS: Age differences in avoidance behavior were accounted for by differences in anxiety symptoms, except for avoidance of aggressive scenarios, which was not associated with anxiety. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Age differences in levels of avoidance of common fearful situations were found, and may be associated with differences in anxiety symptom severity.

Injury Patterns and Gender in Italy.

Introduction: Globally, injuries pose significant public health challenges, with road traffic accidents in particular being responsible for considerable morbidity, mortality, and economic distress. Italy has been significantly impacted due to its high population density and frequency of road traffic and domestic incidents. Method: This study set out to investigate the incidence of self-reported road traffic and home and leisure accidents in the Italian general population. A particular emphasis was placed on exploring possible gender differences across varying age groups. The data was obtained from the European Health Interview Survey and a representative sample of the Italian population was analyzed. Results: The analysis revealed that regardless of age, women experienced a reduced risk of road traffic accidents compared to men. However, gender disparities in home-leisure accidents were observed to be age-dependent. Women under the age of 25 exhibited a lower likelihood of home-leisure accidents and serious accidents necessitating hospital admission in comparison to their male counterparts. In contrast, women aged 65 and above had an increased likelihood of home-leisure accidents as opposed to men in the same age category. Conclusions: The findings of this study highlight the importance of considering age and gender as significant factors in the occurrence of different types of accidents, offering insight into how injury rates vary between these demographic groups within Italy.

Age and an obesogenic diet affect mouse behaviour in a sex-dependent manner.

Obesity is rising globally and is associated with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders among children, adolescents and young adults. Whether obesity is the cause or the consequence of these disorders remains unclear. To examine the behavioural effects of obesity systematically, locomotion, anxiety and social behaviour were assessed in male and female C57Bl/6J mice using the open field, elevated plus maze and social preference task. First, the effects of age and sex were examined in control mice, before investigating post-weaning consumption of a high fat-high sugar diet commonly consumed in human populations with high rates of obesity. In the open field and elevated plus maze, locomotor activity and anxiety-related behaviours reduced with aging in both sexes, but with different sex-specific profiles. The high fat-high sugar diet reduced food and calorie intake and increased body mass and fat deposition in both sexes. In the open field, both male and female mice on the obesogenic diet showed reduced locomotion; whereas, in the elevated plus maze, only females fed with the obesogenic diet displayed reduced anxiety-related behaviours. Both male and female mice on the obesogenic diet had a significantly higher social preference index than the control group. In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that the behavioural effects of age and diet-induced obesity all depend on the sex of the mouse. This emphasises the importance of considering the age of the animal and including both sexes when assessing behavioural phenotypes arising from dietary manipulations.

Age differences of patients treated with wearable cardioverter defibrillator: Data from a multicentre registry.

BACKGROUND: Wearable cardioverter defibrillators (WCD) are used as a 'bridging' technology in patients, who are temporarily at high risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD). Several factors should be taken into consideration, for example patient selection, compliance and optimal drug treatment, when WCD is prescribed. We aimed to present real-world data from seven centres from Germany and Switzerland according to age differences regarding the outcome, prognosis, WCD data and compliance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 04/2012 and 03/2021, 1105 patients were included in this registry. Outcome data according to age differences (old ≥45 years compared to young <45 years) were analysed. At young age, WCDs were more often prescribed due to congenital heart disease and myocarditis. On the other hand, ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) was more present in older patients. Wear days of WCD were similar between both groups (p = .115). In addition, during the WCD use, documented arrhythmic life-threatening events were comparable [sustained ventricular tachycardia: 5.8% vs. 7.7%, ventricular fibrillation (VF) .5% vs. .6%] and consequently the rate of appropriate shocks was similar between both groups. Left ventricular ejection fraction improvement was documented over follow-up with a better improvement in younger patients as compared to older patients (77% vs. 63%, p = .002). In addition, at baseline, the rate of atrial fibrillation was significantly higher in the older age group (23% vs. 8%; p = .001). The rate of permanent cardiac implantable electronic device implantation (CiED) was lower in the younger group (25% vs. 36%, p = .05). The compliance rate defined as wearing WCD at least 20 h per day was significantly lower in young patients compared to old patients (68.9% vs. 80.9%, p < .001). During the follow-up, no significant difference regarding all-cause mortality or arrhythmic death was documented in both groups. A low compliance rate of wearing WCD is predicted by young patients and patients suffering from non-ischaemic cardiomyopathies. CONCLUSION: Although the compliance rate in different age groups is high, the average wear hours tended to be lower in young patients compared to older patients. The clinical events were similar in younger patients compared to older patients.

Effects of pair-housing pubertal and adult male and female mice on LPS-induced age-dependent immune responses: A potential role for the gut microbiota.

Puberty is a critical period of development that is marked by the maturation of the stress and immune systems. There are marked age and sex differences in peripheral and central inflammatory responses to an immune challenge between pubertal and adult mice. Given the strong link between the gut microbiome and immune system, it is possible that the age and sex differences in immune responses are mediated by age and sex differences in gut microbial composition. The current study investigated whether cohousing adult and pubertal CD1 mice through three weeks of pair-housing, with the potential for microbiome exchange via coprophagy and other close contact, could mitigate age-dependent immune responses. Cytokine concentrations in the blood and cytokine mRNA expression in the brain were assessed following exposure to the immune challenge lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results show that all mice displayed increased cytokine concentrations in serum and central cytokine mRNA expression in the hippocampus, hypothalamus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) at eight hours following LPS treatment. Pubertal male and female mice, that were pair-housed with a pubertal counterpart, displayed lower cytokine concentrations in serum and lower cytokine mRNA expression in the brain compared to adult mice that were pair-housed with an adult counterpart. However, when adult and pubertal mice were pair-housed, the age differences in both peripheral cytokine concentrations and central cytokine mRNA expression were mitigated. We also found that pair-housing adult and pubertal mice eliminated the age difference in gut bacterial diversity. These results suggest that microbial composition could be involved in modulating these age-associated immune responses and thus may represent a potential therapeutic target.