Research on health and aging in later life. Covers attention and cognition, longevity, organ aging, and age-related disease.
The study found that drug resistance increased from 0.4% in 1994-1995 to 12.3% in 2003-2004, with 61% of resistant viruses coming from people in Asia. This alarming trend has significant implications for agencies and governments planning to stockpile anti-flu agents.
The study found that heritability of osteoporotic fractures is stronger than previously estimated, especially for early-occurring fractures. Genetic variation in liability to fracture differed considerably by type of fracture and age at fracture event.
The PREAMI study found that perindopril significantly reduces the risk of death, hospitalization for heart failure, and cardiac remodelling in elderly patients after acute myocardial infarction. Perindopril reduced these outcomes by 59% and cardiac remodelling by 64%, with consistent benefits across predefined subgroups.
A recent study published in Current Directions in Psychological Science found that hearing loss in older adults can compromise cognitive resources for memory. The research suggests that the extra effort needed to comprehend words detracts from the cognitive processes involved in memorization. This highlights the importance of sensitivi...
Researchers analyzed data from 12,461 patients who underwent cardiac surgery between 1996 and 2003. The study found that elderly patients were more likely to undergo emergency surgery, but their chances of survival were 50% better after the first year of surgery compared to their younger peers.
Researchers identify PLEKHA1 as a key gene associated with age-related macular degeneration (ARM), a leading cause of untreatable blindness in the elderly. The discovery may lead to the development of DNA tests to identify individuals at increased risk and new preventive strategies.
The study highlights that current clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) often fail to address the complexities of caring for older adults with multiple chronic diseases. The authors recommend that CPGs be revised to include information on comorbidity, patient preferences, and life expectancy to provide more tailored guidance for clinicians.
A new study suggests that a specific gene affecting angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) levels may influence physical function in older adults. Older exercisers with lower ACE production were found to be 45% more likely to experience mobility difficulties compared to those with higher ACE production.
Research by Jason Walker found that women make more workplace adjustments than men, leading to scheduling conflicts and time pressures. Public and private sector policies can help maintain employees' ties to the paid labour market while allowing care for family members with chronic health problems.
Researchers recommend a five-step approach to diagnose and manage insomnia in older adults, which may lead to reduced sleep disturbances and improved health outcomes. The steps include detection, elaboration, medical or psychiatric emergency assessment, further evaluation, and intervention with lifestyle or medication changes.
A recent study by the Women's Health and Aging Studies group found that obese older women are more likely to experience pre-frailty and frailty. The research also showed a strong association between frailty and conditions such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, and osteoarthritis.
A new type of footwear, Yaktrax Walker, has been shown to significantly reduce falls in the elderly population. The study found that participants who wore the device outdoors experienced a 76% lower rate of falls compared to those wearing normal winter footwear.
Researchers found that adding noise to weak vibrations increased the ability of participants to detect the frequency of the original signal. This effect could be useful in designing prosthetics for the elderly to prevent painful falls and improve balance control.
A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that 434 out of 3,340 older adults screened positive for dementia, but only half received a definitive diagnosis. This highlights the need for improved follow-up care and awareness to prevent misdiagnosis and ensure timely treatment.
As people age, their lenses become four times stiffer, increasing the risk of eye injury. The study recommends using safety systems like seat belts while driving and wearing impact-resistant glasses or protective lenses in sports or work environments.
Researchers extended the lifespan of blood vessel cells from elderly donors, enabling successful culture of engineered blood vessels. This breakthrough advances tissue engineering towards treating vascular disease.
A study found that chronic CMV infection is associated with frailty in older women, particularly those with high levels of inflammatory markers. The research highlights the importance of understanding the causes of frailty and developing potential treatments to improve outcomes for aging populations.
A study shows that ramelteon effectively reduces insomnia symptoms in elderly individuals, targeting the suprachiasmatic nucleus to regulate biological rhythms. Approximately half of older adults experience insomnia at least a few nights per week, affecting an estimated 60 million people in the US.
A study found that resistance training significantly improved blood sugar levels in older Hispanic adults with type 2 diabetes. The participants who underwent 16 weeks of resistance training showed a substantial reduction in body fat and increase in muscle mass, similar to the effects seen when weight loss is achieved through other means.
Researchers found that individuals over 80 with active root caries had twice the odds of cardiac arrhythmias. The study suggests that oral health issues in older adults can be a marker of general physical decline and may require serious attention.
Researchers found that high cortisol levels lead to poor memory performance and a smaller hippocampus in older adults. Stress also affects young adults and children, causing reversible memory impairments and higher cortisol levels in low SES children.
A randomized study of 829 older adults found that ramelteon significantly reduced time to fall asleep and showed no rebound insomnia. Ramelteon targets the brain's suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) and has a new mechanism of action, providing an alternative treatment option for insomnia.
Researchers found that primary care providers are equally likely to diagnose and treat depression in older African Americans compared to whites. The study highlights the importance of managing depression in the elderly due to multiple existing illnesses.
A review of nearly 1.8 million people age 52 and older revealed that hospitalized individuals are more likely to commit suicide. Researchers conclude that hospitalization may be a factor in suicidal tendencies among older adults, with women at increased risk.
A new study finds that fear of falling is surprisingly common among middle-aged African-American adults, affecting their activity levels and overall health. The phobia can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, causing individuals to become weaker and more prone to falls.
A study by Debarchana Ghosh found extreme inequality in health care resource availability, with western and southeastern Kansas counties facing significant challenges. The research identified 'high health care resource regions' and 'low or very low health care resource regions,' highlighting the need for policy-makers to address these ...
A four-year study published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirms RSV as a substantial burden of disease in adults, similar to influenza A. The study calls for the development of an RSV vaccine for elderly and high-risk adults.
A head-to-head retrospective analysis of 18,000 elderly patients with AMI found that five commonly prescribed statins were equally effective for secondary prevention. The study highlights the need to consider costs when selecting statins.
The study found that mortality decreased over time for both young and old patients, but the risk of postoperative stroke remained unchanged among older patients. Older patients undergoing elective procedures may experience similar outcomes to those of younger patients if there is a clinical need for CABG.
A study found that 1 in 6 elderly patients with clinically important vertebral fractures had unreported osteoporosis diagnoses, highlighting the need for better screening and treatment strategies.
A clinical trial found that elderly patients with locally advanced limited stage small cell lung cancer can benefit from combined modality therapy, with similar two- and five-year survival rates compared to younger patients. However, severe pneumonitis was more common in the elderly group.
A study of 474 older adults found no association between mercury exposure and adverse neurobehavioral effects. The research suggests that low blood mercury levels may not pose a concern for this vulnerable population, requiring further studies to confirm the findings.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that smoking doubles the risk of age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in the UK. The study suggests that up to 30,000 cases of visual impairment may be attributable to smoking, highlighting the importance of quitting smoking and promoting p...
Researchers analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study to assess the number of patients whose health is at risk from being uninsured. At least 23.3% of participants aged 51-57 were uninsured at some point, with a higher proportion in late middle age., Urgent policy measures are needed to expand coverage for this group
This study found that 71 percent of older adults used some form of alternative medicine in 2000, with chiropractor being the most commonly used. The findings suggest that older adults are using alternative medicine due to chronic health issues and dissatisfaction with conventional healthcare.
A long-term study found that lack of regular vigorous physical activity was the strongest predictor of functional decline in older adults with arthritis. Engaging in exercise or physical activity can reduce functional deterioration by up to 32 percent, according to researchers.
Researchers found that older adults are more likely to accept false claims after repeated warnings, highlighting a paradoxical effect of warnings. This phenomenon has important public policy implications for protecting older consumers from scams.
A new study found that drug therapy can be as effective as invasive cardiac procedures for elderly patients with heart attacks. The research analyzed data from over 158,000 Medicare patients and showed that a more intensive medical management style was associated with improved survival, regardless of the level of invasive treatment.
A study found that 19.8% of European home care elderly patients used at least one potentially inappropriate medication, with regional variations and associations with factors like polypharmacy and depression. Differences between Eastern and Western Europe highlight the need for targeted interventions.
A new study finds that treating depression in older adults improves their ability to perform tasks critical to independent living and slows physical decline. The study used collaborative care management and found improved outcomes for patients with late-life depression.
Research suggests that higher education helps older adults compensate for brain pathology and maintain cognitive function by engaging the frontal cortex. The study found a correlation between years of education and increased activity in the frontal lobes of older adults.
A new study by Penn State researchers suggests that elderly residents do not necessarily reduce school tax bases, but policy changes like property tax rebates can decrease spending. The study found that loyal senior citizens willing to pay higher taxes for the school district can support educational funding if they feel an emotional at...
A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that spouse caregiving situations are associated with potentially harmful behavior, compromised mental and physical health, and increased mortality risk. Researchers highlight the need for screening and intervention efforts to address this issue.
A study found that over 28% of elderly individuals received potentially inappropriate medications, with women receiving more than men. The use of these medications has not decreased, highlighting the need for further understanding of their rationale.
Researchers found comparable weight loss results in patients over 60 compared to those under 60 undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Both age groups also experienced significant reductions in obesity-related diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
A recent study found no correlation between increasing flu vaccination coverage in the elderly and declining death rates. The authors suggest that this disconnect may be due to disparities in who is likely to receive vaccination, particularly among those with fragile health. This finding has implications for influenza vaccination policy.
A study of 265 pairs of caregivers and care recipients found that spouses are more likely to be abusive when experiencing health problems or caring for a needy spouse. Researchers warn that such situations should trigger screening and intervention efforts to protect the elderly person.
A study by McGill University researchers found that COX-2 inhibitors like Vioxx increase the risk of heart attack by 24% in users who have not previously suffered a heart attack. Aspirin use can help mitigate this risk, but only in those taking low doses of Vioxx.
A study of 3,107 older adults found that screening for osteoporosis using a bone density test reduced the incidence of hip fractures by 36% compared to usual medical care. The study provides new evidence for the effectiveness of osteoporosis screening in preventing fractures.
Eating baked or broiled fish regularly has been linked to a reduced risk of stroke in older adults. A study found that consuming broiled or baked fish one to four times per week was associated with a 28-32% lower risk of ischemic stroke, while fried fish and fish sandwiches increased the risk by 37-44%.
A recent study found that most physicians prescribed potentially inappropriate medications for elderly patients, but adding awareness and education led to changes in prescribing practices. The researchers suggest using tools like the Beers criteria to identify these medications and plan interventions to improve elderly care.
Falls are a leading cause of death from unintentional injury in the US, with 7% of households reporting a fall requiring medical attention. Homeowners can take steps to prevent falls by installing protective devices such as grab bars, handrails, and safety gates.
A study of over 1,500 cervical cancer patients found that older women received less surgery and radiation therapy than younger counterparts. Treatment choices were influenced by tumor stage, medical conditions, and advanced age, which independently affected survival rates.
A study of 295 older men found that those who maintained daily physical activity had less cognitive decline than those who reduced or stopped activity. Physical activities of medium-to-low intensity, such as walking three miles per day, were associated with the least cognitive decline.
A study by University of South Florida researchers found that Medicare HMO beneficiaries who underwent colon resection incurred the same overall hospital charges as traditional Medicare patients, despite shorter hospital stays. The study suggests that Medicare HMOs failed to achieve their cost-saving goal in this instance.
A Northwestern University study shows that short-term exposure to social and physical activity improves cognitive performance and subjective sleep quality in older adults. The 14-day program included 90 minutes of daily activity, resulting in a 4-6% improvement in cognitive function.
A study of 1,518 older adults reveals that cumulative trauma across adulthood can worsen health in later years, particularly for those experiencing traumatic events between 18-30 and 31-64 years. Researchers found that younger adults were more affected by adult trauma than childhood adversity.
Researchers at VGTI found that aging mice have greater T cell clonal expansions, which are less effective in fighting disease. This leads to a reduced ability to fight off pathogens, making the immune system less diverse and capable.
A CT scan has identified air trapping as the cause of a puzzling cough among World Trade Center rescue workers. The test, which measures lung airways, reveals abnormalities not detected by standard pulmonary function tests.
The study found that older adults who received mental health treatment benefited considerably, refuting the notion that interventions are less effective for this age group. Mental health problems in later life lead to significant social, economic, and medical costs.