Effects of neurofeedback on major depressive disorder: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Background Major depressive disorder is a difficult-to-treat psychological disorder. Approximately 30% of patients with major depressive disorder do not respond to conventional therapies; thus, the efficacy of alternative therapies for treating major depressive disorder, such as neurofeedback, a non-invasive neuromodulation method used in the treatment of psychiatric diseases, must be investigated. Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of neurofeedback in minimizing and treating major depressive disorder and its application as a substitute to or an adjuvant with conventional therapies. Methods We searched for experimental studies published between 1962-2021 in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases and identified 1,487 studies, among which 13 met the inclusion exclusion criteria. Results We noted that not all patients responded to neurofeedback. Based on depression scales, major depressive disorder significantly improved in response to neurofeedback only in a few individuals. Additionally, the number of training sessions did not influence the results. Conclusion Neurofeedback can reduce depression symptoms in patients; however, not all patients respond to the treatment. Therefore, further studies must be conducted to validate the effectiveness of neurofeedback in treating major depressive disorder.

Hypothesis on ontogenesis and pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease

Abstract Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative condition that causes changes in memory and cognition, in addition to behavioral disorders, and most commonly affects the elderly. Several studies in the literature have presented therapeutic measures in an attempt to interfere with the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease and to mitigate its clinical manifestations. Some factors, such as excitotoxicity, cholinergic dysfunctions, oxidative stress, tau protein hyperphosphorylation, changes in amyloid-beta peptide metabolism, herpes viruses, apolipoprotein E, glycogen synthase kinase 3, insulin resistance, and the endocannabinoid system seem to be related to pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. Given this, a literature review was carried out to address the molecular mechanisms associated with the pathophysiological hypotheses previously mentioned, aiming to better understanding their underlying causes and contributing to possible pharmacological strategies about treatment of the disease.

Influence of Alzheimer's disease on the relationship between nutritional status and risk of fall

Although malnutrition and risk of falls in the elderly have increased in recent years, uncertainties exist as to whether these conditions are associated after controlling for sociodemographic variables, body composition, metabolic condition, and Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to analyze the association between nutritional status and risk of fall in the elderly population. Participants were matched by gender and age, after they had been grouped on the basis of diagnosis of AD. The risk of falls, nutritional status, and mental status were assessed using the Downton Fall Risk Score (FRS), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and Mini Mental State Evaluation (MMSE), respectively. Logistic regression modelsadjusted for the main confounders were used in the analyses. Among the 68 elderly individuals studied, participants who were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition were more likely to fall (odds ratio = 8.29; 95% confidence interval = 1.49-46.04) than those with normal nutritional status, regardless of gender, age, education, body composition, and metabolic condition. This association did not remain significant after adjustment for AD, a potential confounder in this association. Malnutrition or its risk was independently associated with high risk of fall; thus, malnutrition should be considered in the prevention of falls among the elderly population.

Nutritional profile and biochemical alterations in non-institutionalized senior citizens with Alzheimer disease: a case-control study / Perfil nutricional e alterações bioquímicas em idosos com doença de Alzheimer não institucionalizados: um estudo caso-controle

Assess the nutritional and biochemical state of patients with Alzheimer Disease (AD) compared to a control group. This is an observational, case-control and descriptive type study, based on the recruiting of 22 elderly individuals with a clinical diagnosis of AD considered as the case group, and 22 other elderly individuals considered as the control group. Evaluations were made using the results from the following scales Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), anthropometric measurements for obtaining the body mass index (BMI) and biochemical analyses. The analyses were performed on the program SPSS version 20.0, using absolute and relative measures, T test for independent samples for measurement comparisons and the Spearman correlation test. In the cognitive evaluation MMSE, those participants with AD present higher risk of cognitive decline (81.8%), greater risk of malnutrition according to MNA (45.5%) and altered levels of leptin (90.9%). Upon performing the comparison analysis between the group with AD and the control group, there existed noteworthy differences between the means for the variables MNA (4.40; BMI95% 2.75 ­ 6.06), MMSE (10.54; BMI95% 7.09 ­ 13.99) and doses of HDL (High Density Lipoproteins) (14.53; BMI95% 6.18 ­ 22.88). As well as differences in the p-value < 0.09 in the leptin doses (11.54; BMI95% (-24.98 ­ 1.89) and transferrin dose (-72.31; BMI95% -159.48 ­ 14.84). The Spearman correlation demonstrated that the cognitive decline in the group of senior citizens with AD was strongly associated with nutritional conditions MNA (R 0.484) and the leptin dose (R 0.590). Senior citizens with AD present worse nutritional conditions, cognitive decline and biochemical alterations when compared to senior citizens in the control group. As such, the study demonstrated the need for an integrated healthcare assistance concerning senior citizens with AD.

Avaliar o estado nutricional e bioquímico de pacientes com Doença de Alzheimer (DA) comparando com um grupo controle. Materiais e métodos: trata-se de um tipo observacional, caso-controle e descritivo a partir do recrutamento de 22 idosos diagnosticados clinicamente com DA considerados grupo caso e outros 22 idosos considerados controle, foi utilizado a escala Mini Avaliação nutricional (MNA), Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MMSE), medidas antropométricas para obtenção do índice de massa corporal (IMC) e análises bioquímicas. As análises foram realizadas no programa SPSS versão 20.0, utilizou-se de medidas absolutas e relativas, teste T para amostras independentes para comparação de médias e o teste de correlação de Spearman. Na avaliação cognitiva MMSE os participantes com DA apresentaram maior prevalência de declínio cognitivo (81,8%), maior prevalência de risco para desnutrição segundo MNA (45,5%) e níveis alterados de leptina (90,9%). Ao se realizar a análise de comparação o grupo com DA e o controle observou-se diferenças significativas entre as médias das variáveis MNA (4,40; IC95% 2,75 ­ 6,06), MMSE (10,54; IC95% 7,09 ­ 13,99) e dosagens de HDL (14,53; IC95% 6,18 ­ 22,88). E diferenças com o p-valor < 0,09 nas dosagens de leptina (11,54; IC95% (-24,98 ­ 1,89) e dosagem de transferrina (-72,31; IC95% -159,48 ­ 14,84). A correlação de Spearman demonstrou que o declínio cognitivo no grupo de idosos com DA, esteve associado significativamente às condições nutricionais MNA (R 0,484) e dosagem de leptina (R 0,590). Idosos com DA apresentaram piores condições nutricionais, declínio cognitivo e alterações bioquímicas, ao compara-los com idosos controles. Desta forma, o estudo demonstra a necessidade de uma assistência integral a esses idosos.

Nutritional and hematological factors associated with the progression of Alzheimer's disease: a cohort study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: We studied the users of the Specialized Drug Distribution Program of the public health network. METHODS: A prospective cohort examined the elderly at two intervals of three years and included 30 patients in phase I and 16 in phase II. The methodology was composed of home visits, anthropometric, nutritional and hematological evaluation. For the progression of AD, the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale was used. RESULTS: According to the CDR, the disease evolved, since in 2014 most of the patients were in CDR 3. In the analysis of the micronutrients, only the B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6) presented a significant reduction in 2014. The consumption of carbohydrates and lipids increased in the 2014 evaluation, and protein consumption decreased. As for the average weight of the elderly, there was an increase in 2014, 65.9 (± 15.6) Kg, with a BMI of 26.75 (± 4, 5), in 2011 the average weight was 62.44 kg (± 14, 36), BMI 24.64 (± 4.97). CONCLUSION: The hypothesis that patients are likely to be overweight or obese before the development of AD and that this may be associated with an increased risk of dementia is suggested.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Foram estudados os usuários do programa de distribuição de medicamentos especializados da rede pública de saúde de Guarapuava, Paraná, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Uma coorte prospectiva, em que os idosos foram examinados em dois momentos, com um intervalo de três anos, com 30 pacientes na fase I e 16 na fase II. A metodologia foi composta por visitas domiciliares, avaliação antropométrica; avaliação nutricional e hematológica. Para a progressão da DA, utilizou-se a escala Clinical Demential Rating (CDR). Os testes de Shapiro-Wilk, teste de Wilcoxon e correlações com associações (Δ%), p < 0,05 para as análises estatísticas. RESULTADOS: A progressão da doença, segundo o CDR, evoluiu, pois, em 2014, a maioria dos pacientes encontrava-se em CDR 3. Na análise dos micronutrientes, somente as vitaminas do complexo B (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6) apresentaram redução significativa em 2014. O consumo de carboidratos e lipídeos aumentou na avaliação de 2014, e o consumo de proteínas diminuiu. Quanto ao peso médio dos idosos, houve um aumento em 2014, 65,9 (± 15,6) kg, com IMC 26,75 (± 4, 5); em 2011, o peso médio foi 62,44 kg (± 14,36), IMC 24,64 (± 4,97). CONCLUSÃO: Não foram encontrados pacientes anêmicos ou desnutridos na amostra. A hipótese de que os pacientes provavelmente já apresentavam sobrepeso ou obesidade antes do desenvolvimento da DA, e que isso pode estar associado com um aumento de risco de demência, pode ser sugerida.