Articles tagged with Gerontology
Researchers found that knee extension velocity, not quadriceps strength, is a strong predictor of walking performance in elderly patients after total knee arthroplasty. This study suggests that training to enhance knee extension velocity could be effective in recovering gait function.
A study by Plamen Nikolov and Shahadath Hossain found that access to retirement plans can lead to significant adverse effects on cognitive functioning among the elderly. The researchers discovered that pension benefits and retirement resulted in reduced cognitive performance, particularly among females.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found a sharp increase in cannabis-related emergency department visits among California adults ages 65 and older from 2005 to 2019. The rate increased by 1,808%, with more than 12,000 visits reported in 2019.
A new USC study found that the buildup of amyloid beta protein in the brain is not directly linked to Alzheimer's disease, but rather a general change associated with aging. Researchers discovered higher levels of soluble Aβ protein in healthy brains, while insoluble fibrillary amyloid was more closely tied to poor brain health.
A 16-year longitudinal study found associations between DNA methylation-based measures and neuropsychologically-validated cognitive decline in midlife. The results suggest that these measures may serve as biomarkers for a molecular aging mechanism, potentially identifying individuals at risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.
The article discusses the use of Rapamycin in the context of Pascal's Wager, a philosophical framework used to justify beliefs. ChatGPT's generative pre-trained transformer model provides an exhaustive research perspective on the pros and cons of taking Rapamycin for anti-aging purposes.
Researchers found that white matter hyperintensities are independently associated with premature brain aging, leading to progressive age-like brain atrophy. The study used machine-learning algorithms to estimate brain age and analyzed the relationship between WMH load and BrainGAP scores.
As we age, fat cells replace immune system tissue in lymph nodes, impairing their ability to fight infections and respond to vaccinations. This phenomenon, known as lymph node lipomatosis, is more common and prevalent with age, affecting the effectiveness of our immune system.
Researchers developed a new epigenetic biomarker, GrimAge version 2, which leverages two DNAm-based estimators of plasma proteins to predict mortality risk. The study found that GrimAge 2 outperforms existing clinical biomarkers in predicting mortality across multiple racial/ethnic groups and associations with age-related conditions.
A study published in Aging-US reveals changes in gene expression associated with age-related muscle loss and frailty. Researchers identified unique cellular subpopulations in aged and sarcopenic skeletal muscle, which may facilitate the development of new treatments for age-related frailty.
Researchers tested three widely believed aging treatments in mice and found no impact on aging. A new analytical approach allowed them to measure aging processes more precisely, revealing that these treatments promote general health rather than targeting aging mechanisms.
Researchers highlight recent progress in organotypic models, which offer a balance between the accessibility and control of in vitro context. These models have been used to study various aging-related phenotypes, including skin, gut, and skeletal muscle, providing valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms.
The COVID-19 pandemic had significant effects on the lives of older women, including impacts on their health, living situations, lifestyle, healthcare access, and SARS-CoV-2 testing behaviors. Despite experiencing disruptions to daily life, many women showed remarkable resilience.
Researchers found that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of dynapenia, an age-associated loss of muscle strength, by 70-78%. Vitamin D supplementation was shown to reduce this risk. The study analyzed data from over 3,000 individuals aged 50 and over, highlighting the importance of vitamin D for maintaining muscle strength.
A new study estimates that at least 2.5 million 'sandwich generation' caregivers are serving as primary caregivers for both older and younger family members. These women face higher rates of financial difficulty and emotional distress compared to their peers who only care for an older adult.
A retrospective cohort study of 1,404 subjects with type 2 diabetes found that metformin use reduced the risk of delirium by 50% and decreased 3-year mortality rates. The study suggests that metformin may be a potential benefit for patients with diabetes, particularly in reducing age-related disorders such as dementia.
Researchers found that glutaminase inhibitor BPTES selectively eliminates senescent dermal fibroblasts, improving skin aging phenotype by increasing collagen density and cell proliferation. The study suggests BPTES as a potential therapeutic agent for skin aging, offering new treatment options.
Researchers discovered that krill oil protects dopaminergic neurons from age-related degeneration through temporal transcriptome rewiring and suppression of several hallmarks of aging. Krill oil increases neuronal resilience, promoting anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation, and abrogating multiple aging hallmarks.
An SFU study is evaluating evidence-based interventions for older adults experiencing homelessness in Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary. The project aims to improve services with a focus on 'Aging in the Right Place', addressing unique challenges such as harassment and bullying.
Researchers from UCSF and the San Francisco VA Health Care System found that veterans with PTSD had an 8% increased risk of death and a 9% increased risk of hospitalization compared to those without psychiatric diagnoses. Patients with psychosis had a 58% increased risk of death and a 66% increased risk of hospitalization.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that teaching fall prevention using home floor plans reduced falls in older hospital patients by 97% compared to a control group. The intervention group had no falls within two months of discharge, while the control group experienced 7.7% falls.
Researchers found drastic differences in microglia marker Iba1 and factors influencing Sirt1 levels and activity between elder groups. Preserving microglia and Sirt1 functional efficiency is crucial for longevity.
The IOF and ESCEO position paper recommends retaining the current WHO diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis, which has served the field well. The paper suggests that distinguishing between diagnostic and intervention thresholds can help improve treatment of patients at high risk of fractures.
A new study suggests that prelamin A, a precursor of lamin A, accumulates with age and may drive normal aging. Researchers propose this protein as a target for intervention strategies to extend healthspan and lifespan.
Researchers found that rapamycin treatment during developmental growth phase decelerates aging rate and extends lifespan in animals. A transient late-life treatment is not effective, but a transient early-life treatment can reprogram aging.
Researchers found that knockdown of secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4) suppresses SASP and improves age-related skin phenotypes. This suggests a potential candidate for the development of new skin rejuvenation therapies.
Researchers have identified a class of lipids called SGDGs that decline in the brain with age and may have anti-inflammatory effects. These findings could lead to new therapeutic interventions for age-related neurological diseases. Further research will be needed to explore the role of SGDGs in human neuroinflammation.
Researchers suggest new criteria for diagnosing sarcopenia, a syndrome characterized by loss of muscle mass and force, with lower cutoff points leading to improved prediction of mortality risk. The study found that raising handgrip strength thresholds can detect the onset of sarcopenia earlier and more accurately.
Researchers found that centenarians have a lower epigenetic age than expected, suggesting slowed biological aging. The study used four epigenetic clocks based on small CpG sites to reveal these differences.
A recent study published in The Journals of Gerontology Series A found that men are biologically older than women due to factors such as smoking and body size. Despite the initial sex difference, the gap between men and women has narrowed in recent decades.
A University at Buffalo-led research team has been awarded a $5 million grant to develop digital tools that can help older adults recognize and protect themselves from online deceptions. The project, DART, aims to reduce online fraud among older adults, who lose billions of dollars each year due to scams.
Researchers found significant regional differences in LTC spending, driven by factors such as population demographics and disability classification. Preventive measures may help reduce costs by reducing the need for long-term care.
A UCL-led study found that grandparents who stopped looking after their grandchildren during the Covid-19 pandemic were more likely to experience depressive symptoms. The study also found that reduced grandparental childcare provision was linked to lower life satisfaction and quality of life among grandparents.
Edward Chouchani, PhD, and Ömer Yilmaz, MD, PhD, will use the BIG Award to investigate redox active metabolites' role in longevity and age, and their impact on intestinal stem cells. Their research may lead to new therapeutics targeting human aging and healthspan.
The Journalists in Aging Fellows Program has selected 16 new fellows to produce in-depth aging-focused stories or series in 2023. The projects span concerns such as the financial burden of breast cancer, mental-health challenges of long COVID, and issues facing LGBTQ+ older adults.
The fasting-mimicking diet reduced Alzheimer's pathology in mice, including amyloid beta and tau protein levels, and showed less brain inflammation. Mice on the diet also performed better on cognitive tests, with some showing improved performance comparable to non-Alzheimer's mice.
A recent study published in Aging-US found that feeling lonely, unhappy, or hopeless increases one's biological age more than smoking. The research used digital models of aging to analyze the effects of various factors on aging rates, revealing a significant correlation between mental health and accelerated aging.
A collaborative home-based palliative care model has been shown to improve health care outcomes for adults with chronic heart failure. The study found that patients who received this care were less likely to die in the hospital and more likely to die at home compared to those who received usual care.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have received $19.3 million in NIH grants to map senescent cells and develop senolytic drugs. The project aims to create a 4D atlas of human senescent cells and advance knowledge on how to use senolytics to improve human health.
A new study has found associations between plasma miRNAs and cognitive function among cognitively normal men, including those with higher MMSE scores and slower rates of cognitive decline. These findings suggest that extracellular microRNAs may play a role in the early stages of cognitive decline.
A new study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that daily multivitamin-mineral supplementation resulted in statistically significant cognitive improvement in older adults. The researchers estimated that three years of multivitamin supplementation roughly translated to a 60% slowing of cognitive decline.
Researchers found that mTOR inhibition is crucial for p53-mediated tumor suppression, delaying cancer and increasing lifespan. In the absence of mTOR inhibition, cancer-promoting senescent cells drive tumor growth.
Researchers found that combining BCL-2 inhibitors can selectively eliminate senescent cells, improving efficacy and reducing toxicity by targeting high-MCL-1 expressing subpopulation of cells. This synergistic approach enables lower doses of drugs to be used, overcoming resistance to monotherapy.
A combination of anemia and weak muscles in older people increases the risk of death by 64% for men and 117% for women. The two conditions together pose a significant risk, especially for elderly women, according to a study published in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics.
A recent study published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity found that higher levels of light physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were associated with lower risk of death. In contrast, higher sedentary time was linked to increased mortality risk, regardless of genetic predisposition for longevity.
A study led by University College London found that poor heart health at age 36 predicts a higher brain age later in life, with men having older brains than women of the same age. The research used machine learning to estimate brain age from MRI scans and found an association between brain age and increased brain shrinkage over time.
A study of 350 older adults found that those with multiple chronic health conditions, especially women, are more prone to large blood pressure drops and lower brain oxygenation after standing up. This increases their risk of dizziness, faints, and falls, highlighting the importance of detecting and managing multi-morbidity.
The new GSA KAER Toolkit provides a framework for primary care teams to address obesity in older adults, focusing on patient-centered care and addressing biases. The toolkit builds on the successful KAER Framework and offers additional resources, including information on getting paid for KAER-based care.
A randomized controlled trial found that virtual museum visits significantly improved the health of seniors stuck at home, reducing social isolation and improving well-being, quality of life, and frailty. The study recruited 106 participants aged 65 and older who attended guided tours online once a week for three months.
A new scale called the Geriatric Oncology-Potentially Inappropriate Medications (GO-PIMs) Scale was found to be more effective at predicting frailty than conventional methods. The scale identifies high-risk medications linked to falls and fatigue, allowing oncology teams to deprescribe them and improve patients' overall health.
Researchers analyzed data from over 3,000 participants and found no association between electrocardiogram measures and telomere length. The study suggests that ECG prolongation is age-dependent but not a marker of biological aging.
A new study found that HIV-1 Tat expression accelerates age-related diseases in male mice by disrupting neuroendocrine function. Researchers discovered that Tat alters steroid hormone levels, leading to anxiety-like behavior, cognitive errors, and reduced grip strength.
A study of 1,813 older women found that accelerated biological aging is associated with lower odds of living to be 90 years old and maintaining physical and cognitive function. Slower age acceleration was linked to a reduced risk of mortality.
Nancy R. Hooyman, a renowned gerontologist, has received the 2022 Donald P. Kent Award from the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) for her outstanding leadership in promoting gerontological education and research.
A cross-sectional study found that the elderly's daily step count and physical activity level are strongly influenced by the number of places they visit, not just their out-of-home time. The researchers suggest that encouraging outings to diverse locations can be a healthier approach than simply going for longer periods.
A study found a link between depression, an inflammatory diet, and the development of frailty. Consuming a pro-inflammatory diet may exacerbate the development of frailty in individuals with depressive symptoms.
Research on Scotland's minimum unit pricing (MUP) policy found that it was associated with larger reductions in consumption among heavier drinkers, but not among women or those who tend to drink less heavily. Consumption actually increased among the heaviest drinking men following MUP introduction.
Researchers found associations between perceived discrimination and epigenetic aging in US middle-aged and older adults. Depressive symptoms were identified as a potential mediator in these relationships, particularly among women and White adults.
Researchers found that CXCL9 levels were higher in pre-fracture blood samples of Chinese men with subsequent hip fractures, improving the prediction of osteoporotic hip fracture risk in men. In contrast, no association was found between CXCL10 and hip fracture risk in either gender.
A study published in CMAJ found that patients who received care from physicians speaking their primary language had shorter hospital stays and fewer falls and infections. Francophones had a 24% lower risk of death, while allophones had a 54% lower risk.