ABSTRACT
Environmental factors are responsible of cellular senescence and processes found in the development of cognitive disorders. The aim of this paper is to compare benefits of the Japanese, Mediterranean, and Argentinian Diet on the onset or prevention of senile dementia (SD) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Special focus was on the effects of specific compounds such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), antioxidants, and saturated and trans fatty acids. A high adherence to diets rich in PUFAs, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and antioxidants may decrease the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases; while the predominance of saturated and trans fatty acids possibly rises it.
Subject(s)
Diet , Neurodegenerative Diseases , Alzheimer Disease/diet therapy , Alzheimer Disease/prevention & control , Argentina , Dementia/diet therapy , Dementia/prevention & control , Diet, Mediterranean , Fatty Acids, Unsaturated , Humans , Japan , Mediterranean Region , Neurodegenerative Diseases/diet therapy , Neurodegenerative Diseases/prevention & control , NeuroprotectionABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Dopamine depletion is one of the most important features of Parkinson's Disease (PD). However, insufficient response to dopaminergic replacement therapy suggests the involvement of other neurotransmitter systems in the pathophysiology of PD. Cholinergic degeneration contributes to gait impairments, cognitive impairment, psychosis, and REM-sleep disturbances, among other symptoms. Areas covered: In this review, we explore the idea that enhancing cholinergic tone by pharmacological or neurosurgical procedures could be a first-line therapeutic strategy for the treatment of symptoms derived from cholinergic degeneration in PD. Expert opinion: Rivastigmine, a drug that increases cholinergic tone by inhibiting the enzyme cholinesterase, is effective for dementia, whereas the use of Donepezil is still in the realm of investigation. Interesting results suggest the efficacy of these drugs in the treatment of gait dysfunction. Evidence on the clinical effects of these drugs for psychosis and REM-sleep disturbances is still weak. Stimulation of the pedunculo-pontine tegmental nuclei (which provide cholinergic innervation to the brain stem and subcortical nuclei) has also been used with some success for the treatment of gait dysfunction. Anticholinergic drugs should be used with caution in PD, as they may aggravate cholinergic symptoms. Notwithstanding, in some patients they might help control parkinsonian motor symptoms.
Subject(s)
Cholinergic Agents/therapeutic use , Cholinergic Neurons/pathology , Nerve Degeneration/drug therapy , Parkinson Disease/drug therapy , Animals , Cholinergic Agents/pharmacology , Cholinergic Neurons/drug effects , Clinical Trials as Topic/methods , Cognition Disorders/diagnosis , Cognition Disorders/drug therapy , Cognition Disorders/epidemiology , Dementia/diagnosis , Dementia/diet therapy , Dementia/epidemiology , Donepezil , Gait/drug effects , Humans , Indans/pharmacology , Indans/therapeutic use , Nerve Degeneration/diagnosis , Nerve Degeneration/epidemiology , Parkinson Disease/diagnosis , Parkinson Disease/epidemiology , Piperidines/pharmacology , Piperidines/therapeutic use , Psychotic Disorders/diagnosis , Psychotic Disorders/drug therapy , Psychotic Disorders/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dementia weakens older people and can lead to malnutrition; therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the association between indicators of dementia and biochemical indicators, anthropometric indicators and food intake in institutionalised older people. METHODS: A total of 150 older people of both genders participated in this study. Nutritional status was determined by body mass index and other anthropometric variables, and biochemical indicators were used to analyse the differences between individuals with and without dementia. Energy and nutrient intakes were determined by food records, and dementia was investigated with the Mini-Mental State Examination. The data were analysed by the chi-square test, Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: Of the 150 individuals studied, 48% were men with a mean age of 73 ± 10 years and 52% were women with a mean age of 80 ± 9 years. Thirty-six per cent had some degree of malnutrition and 48% presented dementia, which was more prevalent in women (59%). The nutritional status of men and women individuals with and without dementia differed significantly (P < 0.001 for men and women). The only variables that presented a significant difference between individuals with and without dementia were those associated with muscle mass in men. There were no differences in energy and nutrient intakes between individuals with and without dementia except for vitamin C intake, which differed among women (P = 0.032). CONCLUSION: In the conditions of the present study, dementia was associated with nutritional status, but not with energy and nutrient intakes, suggesting that older people with dementia may have higher nutritional requirements. Implications for practice. Investigation of dementia may contribute to the nutritional status assessment of older people and energy expenditure and immobility should be investigated for a more complete assessment.