Integrative Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Healthspan, Age-Related Vascular Cognitive Impairment, and Dementia.

Growing life expectancy will contribute to the on-going shift towards a world population increasingly comprised of elderly individuals. This demographic shift is associated with a rising prevalence of age-related diseases, among all age-related pathologies it has become crucial to understand the age-associated cognitive changes that remain a major risk factor for the development of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). Furthermore, age-related Alzheimer's disease and other neurogenerative diseases with vascular etiology are the most prominent contributing factors for the loss of cognitive function observed in aging. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) achieves physiologic effects by increasing oxygen tension (PO2), raising oxygen tissue levels, decreasing intracranial pressure and relieving cerebral edema. Many of the beneficial effects of HBOT exert their protective effects at the level of the microcirculation. Furthermore, the microcirculation's exquisite pervasive presence across every tissue in the body, renders it uniquely able to influence the local environment of most tissues and organs, including the brain. As such, treatments aimed at restoring aging-induced functional and structural alterations of the cerebral microcirculation may potentially contribute to the amelioration of a range of age-related pathologies including vascular cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementias. Despite the presented evidence, the efficacy and safety of HBOT for the treatment of age-related vascular cognitive impairment and dementia remains understudied. The present review aims to examine the existing evidence indicative of a potential therapeutic role for HBOT-induced hyperoxia against age-related cerebromicrovascular pathologies contributing to cognitive impairment, dementia and decreased healthspan in the elderly.

A novel structure associated with aging is augmented in the DPP6-KO mouse brain.

In addition to its role as an auxiliary subunit of A-type voltage-gated K+ channels, we have previously reported that the single transmembrane protein Dipeptidyl Peptidase Like 6 (DPP6) impacts neuronal and synaptic development. DPP6-KO mice are impaired in hippocampal-dependent learning and memory and exhibit smaller brain size. Using immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, we report here a novel structure in hippocampal area CA1 that was significantly more prevalent in aging DPP6-KO mice compared to WT mice of the same age and that these structures were observed earlier in development in DPP6-KO mice. These novel structures appeared as clusters of large puncta that colocalized NeuN, synaptophysin, and chromogranin A. They also partially labeled for MAP2, and with synapsin-1 and VGluT1 labeling on their periphery. Electron microscopy revealed that these structures are abnormal, enlarged presynaptic swellings filled with mainly fibrous material with occasional peripheral, presynaptic active zones forming synapses. Immunofluorescence imaging then showed that a number of markers for aging and especially Alzheimer's disease were found as higher levels in these novel structures in aging DPP6-KO mice compared to WT. Together these results indicate that aging DPP6-KO mice have increased numbers of novel, abnormal presynaptic structures associated with several markers of Alzheimer's disease.

Estratégias de coping para cônjuges de idosos com diagnóstico neuropsiquiátrico / Coping strategies for conjugality of elderly partners with neuropsychiatric diagnosis

INTRODUÇÃO: A relação conjugal satisfatória é tida como um importante suporte de bem-estar social, principalmente frente a situações estressoras. Os diagnósticos neuropsiquiátricos podem ser um importante estressor, que pode abalar as relações conjugais de idosos. OBJETIVOS: Este estudo de caso teve por objetivo compreender as estratégias de coping para conjugalidade utilizadas por dois cônjuges de idosos com o diagnóstico neuropsiquiátrico. MÉTODOS: Os participantes, um homem e uma mulher, eram casados com participantes do Projeto de Extensão "Movimente", desenvolvido na Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, em Uberaba, Minas Gerais. Os idosos foram convidados e participaram de uma entrevista semiestruturada, com questões sobre o casamento antes e após o diagnóstico, suas estratégias para lidar com a conjugalidade e o diagnóstico do(a) parceiro(a). As entrevistas foram realizadas individualmente, em local separado de seus(suas) parceiros(as). As entrevistas foram transcritas e analisadas por meio de análise de conteúdo temática e interpretados com base na Psicologia da Saúde. RESULTADOS: Foram identificadas três categorias: 1) Conjugalidade e mudanças trazidas pela doença 2) Coping focalizado na emoção 3) Coping focalizado no problema. As principais estratégias de coping utilizadas pelos idosos foram comprometimento, admiração e crença religiosa. DISCUSSÃO E CONCLUSÃO: As estratégias se mostraram importantes para manter a boa conjugalidade, mesmo sendo observada mudança de foco do casamento para a função de cuidador, diante de diagnóstico neuropsiquiátrico.

INTRODUCTION: The satisfactory marital relationship is seen as an important support for social well-being, especially in the face of stressful situations. Neuropsychiatric diagnoses can be being, especially in tstressful situations. Neuropsychiatric diagnoses can be an important stressor, which can affect the marital relationships of the elderly. OBJECTIVES: This case study aimed to understand the coping strategies for conjugality used by two elderly spouses with a neuropsychiatric diagnosis. METHODS: Participants, a man and a woman, were married to participants in the "Movimente" Extension Project, developed at the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, in Uberaba, Minas Gerais. The elderly were invited and participated in a semi-structured interview, with questions about marriage before and after the diagnosis, their strategies for dealing with conjugality and the diagnosis of the partner. The interviews were carried out individually, in a place separate from their partner. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed through thematic content analysis and interpreted based on Health Psychology. RESULTS: Three categories were identified: 1) Conjugality and changes brought about by the disease 2) Coping focused on emotion 3) Coping focused on the problem. The main coping strategies used by the elderly were commitment, admiration and religious belief. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The strategies proved to be important to maintain good conjugality, even though there was a change in focus from marriage to the role of caregiver, in the face of neuropsychiatric diagnosis.