Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Sex And Gender In Ageing And Longevity: Highlights From An International Course, Giuseppina Candore, Giulia Accardi, Anna Aiello, Giovannella Baggio, Tiziana Bellini, Vittorio Calabrese, Anna Paola Carreca, Ignazio Carreca, Anna Masucci, Monica Cattaneo, Serena Dato, Danilo Di Bona, Luca Fabris, Caterina Gambino, Gabriele Di Lorenzo, Claudio Franceschi, Mattia Emanuela Ligotti, Maria Cristina Manfrinato, Annibale Alessandro Puca, Martina Tamburello, Roberta Vassallo, Calogero Caruso

Translational Medicine @ UniSa

Gender medicine is a multidisciplinary science and represents an important perspective for pathophysiological and clinical studies in the third millennium. Here, it is provided an overview of the topics discussed in a recent course on the Role of Sex and Gender in Ageing and Longevity. The paper highlights three themes discussed in the course, i.e., the interaction of gender/sex with, i) the pathophysiology of age-related diseases; ii), the role of genetics and epigenetics in ageing and longevity and, iii) the immune responses of older people to pathogens, vaccines, autoantigens, and allergens. Although largely unexplored, sex and gender are modulators …

The Use Of Deception In Dementia-Care Robots: Should Robots Tell "White Lies" To Limit Emotional Distress?, Samuel R. Cox, Grace Cheong, Wei Tsang Ooi

ROSA Journal Articles and Publications

With projections of ageing populations and increasing rates of dementia, there is need for professional caregivers. Assistive robots have been proposed as a solution to this, as they can assist people both physically and socially. However, caregivers often need to use acts of deception (such as misdirection or white lies) in order to ensure necessary care is provided while limiting negative impacts on the cared-for such as emotional distress or loss of dignity. We discuss such use of deception, and contextualise their use within robotics.

Mechanisms Underlying Stem Cell Depletion In Ageing., Mackenzie Hsu

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

As we age, our bodies lose the ability to repair damaged tissues. This impairment may be due to age-related deficits in our regenerative stem cells. Stem cells reside in specialized areas called stem cell niches. Ageing may cause alterations in the stem cells directly or may alter the stem cell niche to generate deficits. However, systematic studies mapping stem cell deficits and alterations to stem cell niche are lacking. Here, I investigated the bone marrows of young and aged mice to determine age-related changes in the microenvironment that may alter resident stem cells.

To achieve my research objective, I examined …

Strategies For Improving Mental Health And Wellbeing Used By Adults Ageing With Hiv From The Kenyan Coast: A Qualitative Exploration, Peter Mwangala, Ryan G. Wagner, Charles R. Newton, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development

Background: Physical and mental health problems are common among older adults living with HIV (OALWH). Adaptive coping strategies play a vital role in improving these adults' mental health and well-being despite the deleterious effects of HIV and ageing. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, limited evidence exists on the commonly utilized coping strategies in this population. We explore the coping strategies used by Kenyan OALWH to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted between October and December 2019 with 56 participants: 34 OALWH (53% female), 11 healthcare providers (63% female) and 11 primary caregivers (73% female) in …

Clonal Haematopoiesis And Risk Of Chronic Liver Disease, Waihay J. Wong, Connor Emdin, Alexander G. Bick, Seyedeh M. Zekavat, John Blangero, Joanne E. Curran, Ravi Duggirala, Harald H. H. Goring, Michael Mahaney, Juan M. Peralta

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Chronic liver disease is a major public health burden worldwide1. Although different aetiologies and mechanisms of liver injury exist, progression of chronic liver disease follows a common pathway of liver inflammation, injury and fibrosis2. Here we examined the association between clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) and chronic liver disease in 214,563 individuals from 4 independent cohorts with whole-exome sequencing data (Framingham Heart Study, Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, UK Biobank and Mass General Brigham Biobank). CHIP was associated with an increased risk of prevalent and incident chronic liver disease (odds ratio = 2.01, 95% confidence …

Health And Socioeconomic Resource Provision For Older People In South Asian Countries: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan And Sri Lanka Evidence From Neesama, Natasha Roya Matthews, George James Porter, Mathew Varghese, Nidesh Sapkota, Murad Khan, Ammu Lukose, Stella-Maria Paddick, Malathie Dissanayake, Naila Zaman Khan, Richard Walker

Brain and Mind Institute

Background: The global population is ageing rapidly, with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) undergoing a fast demographic transition. As the number of older adults in LMICs increases, services able to effectively address their physical and mental health needs will be increasingly important.

Objective: We review the health and socioeconomic resources currently available for older people in South Asian countries, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, to identify gaps in available resources and assess areas for improvement.

Methods: We conducted a search of grey and published literature via Google Search, Compendex, EBSCO, JSTOR, Medline, Ovid, ProQuest databases, …

Facilitation–Inhibition Control Of Motor Neuronal Persistent Inward Currents In Young And Older Adults, Lucas B. R. Orssatto, Gabriel L. Fernandes, Anthony J. Blazevich, Gabriel S. Trajano

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A well-coordinated facilitation–inhibition control of motor neuronal persistent inward currents (PICs) via diffuse neuromodulation and local inhibition is essential to ensure motor units discharge at required times and frequencies. Present best estimates indicate that PICs are reduced in older adults; however, it is not yet known whether PIC facilitation–inhibition control is also altered with ageing. We investigated the responses of PICs to (i) a remote handgrip contraction, which is believed to diffusely increase serotonergic input onto motor neurones, and (ii) tendon vibration of the antagonist muscle, which elicits reciprocal inhibition, in young and older adults. High-density surface electromyograms were collected …

Epigenomic And Other Evidence For Cannabis-Induced Aging Contextualized In A Synthetic Epidemiologic Overview Of Cannabinoid-Related Teratogenesis And Cannabinoid-Related Carcinogenesis, Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Twelve separate streams of empirical data make a strong case for cannabis-induced accelerated aging including hormonal, mitochondriopathic, cardiovascular, hepatotoxic, immunological, genotoxic, epigenotoxic, disruption of chromosomal physiology, congenital anomalies, cancers including inheritable tumorigenesis, telomerase inhibition and elevated mortality. Methods: Results from a recently published longitudinal epigenomic screen were analyzed with regard to the results of recent large epidemiological studies of the causal impacts of cannabis. We also integrate theoretical syntheses with prior studies into these combined epigenomic and epidemiological results. Results: Cannabis dependence not only recapitulates many of the key features of aging, but is characterized by both age-defining and …

A Qualitative Systematic Review On The Experiences Of Homelessness Among Older Adults, Phuntsho Om, Lisa Whitehead, Caroline Vafeas, Amanda Towell-Barnard

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Adults who experience homelessness for an extended period of time also experience accelerated ageing and other negative impacts on their general health and wellbeing. Homelessness amongst older adults is on the rise, yet there are few systematic reviews investigating their experiences. Thus, this review classifies and synthesises qualitative research findings of studies published between 1990 to 2020 that have examined the needs and challenges of homeless older adults to elucidate their journey of homelessness. Seven papers met the requirements for inclusion. Three main themes were identified in the review: - (1) Pathways to homelessness, (2) Impact of homelessness, and (3) …

From 'Pandemic' To 'Endemic' And Beyond: Key Aspects Of Research On Older Singaporeans In A Year Of Transition, Nadya Haifan, Jane Tan, Rachel Wen Yi Ngu, Mindy Eiko Tadai, Yan Er Tan, Grace Cheong, Micah Tan, Wensi Lim

ROSA Research Briefs

The past year has been one marked by transition – as a country we have moved from treating COVID-19 as a pandemic to living with it as an endemic disease. Research conducted by the Centre for Research on Successful Ageing (ROSA) has taken a similar trajectory, expanding the scope of investigations from COVID-19 topics to other areas that are important for the general well-being of older adults in Singapore. This report showcases ROSA’s research involving older Singaporeans and the partnerships that have been forged in the past year. These developments will be presented in two sections. The first outlines the …

Strategies For Improving Mental Health And Well Being Used By Adults Ageing With Hiv: A Qualitative Exploration, Patrick N. Mwangala, Ryan G. Wagner, Charles R. Newton, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development

Background: Physical and mental health problems are common among older adults living with HIV (OALWH). Adaptive coping strategies play a vital role in improving these adults' mental health and well-being despite the deleterious effects of HIV and ageing. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, limited evidence exists on the commonly utilized coping strategies in this population. We explore the coping strategies used by Kenyan OALWH to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted between October and December 2019 with 56 participants: 34 OALWH (53% female), 11 healthcare providers (63% female) and 11 primary caregivers (73% female) in …

Identification Of Healthspan-Promoting Genes In Caenorhabditis Elegans Based On A Human Gwas Study, Nadine Saul, Ineke Dhondt, Mikko Kuokkanen, Markus Perola, Clara Verschuuren, Brecht Wouters, Henrik Von Chrzanowski, Winnok H. De Vos, Liesbet Temmerman, Walter Luyten

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

To find drivers of healthy ageing, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed in healthy and unhealthy older individuals. Healthy individuals were defined as free from cardiovascular disease, stroke, heart failure, major adverse cardiovascular event, diabetes, dementia, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, rheumatism, Crohn’s disease, malabsorption or kidney disease. Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with unknown function associated with ten human genes were identified as candidate healthspan markers. Thirteen homologous or closely related genes were selected in the model organism C. elegans for evaluating healthspan after targeted RNAi-mediated knockdown using pathogen resistance, muscle integrity, chemotaxis index and the …

Women's Health: Optimal Nutrition Throughout The Lifecycle, Edith J M Feskens, Regan Bailey, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Hans-Konrad Biesalski, Heather Eicher-Miller, Klaus Krämer, Wen-Harn Pan, James C. Griffiths

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Sex differences are an important consideration when researching and establishing policies for nutrition and optimal health. For women's health, there are important physiologic, neurologic, and hormonal distinctions throughout the lifecycle that impact nutritional needs. Distinct from those for men, these nutritional needs must be translated into appropriate nutrition policy that aims to not only avoid overt nutritional deficiency, but also to promote health and minimize risk for chronic disease. Through a series of webinars, scientific experts discussed the advances in the understanding of the unique nutritional needs, challenges and opportunities of the various life stages for women across the life …

Comprehensive Analysis Of Epigenetic Clocks Reveals Associations Between Disproportionate Biological Ageing And Hippocampal Volume, Lidija Milicic, Michael Vacher, Tenielle Porter, Vincent Doré, Samantha C. Burnham, Pierrick Bourgeat, Rosita Shishegar, James Doecke, Nicola J. Armstrong, Rick Tankard, Paul Maruff, Colin L. Masters, Christopher C. Rowe, Victor L. Villemagne, Simon M. Laws, Alzheimer’S Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Australian Imaging Biomarkers And Lifestyle (Aibl) Study

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The concept of age acceleration, the difference between biological age and chronological age, is of growing interest, particularly with respect to age-related disorders, such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Whilst studies have reported associations with AD risk and related phenotypes, there remains a lack of consensus on these associations. Here we aimed to comprehensively investigate the relationship between five recognised measures of age acceleration, based on DNA methylation patterns (DNAm age), and cross-sectional and longitudinal cognition and AD-related neuroimaging phenotypes (volumetric MRI and Amyloid-β PET) in the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) and the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Significant …

An Intergenerational Playgroup In An Australian Residential Aged-Care Setting: A Qualitative Case Study, Gabrielle B. Rosa Hernandez, Carolyn M. Murray, Mandy Stanley

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Intergenerational programs are emerging within the aged-care context as they provide a unique opportunity for older adults living with or without cognitive impairments to connect with children. One type of intergenerational program is an ‘intergenerational playgroup’ which creates opportunities for children to develop their skills, parents to create a local peer support network and provides older adults at risk of isolation with vital community interaction. The objective of this research was to evaluate an intergenerational playgroup taking place weekly within a residential aged-care setting. A qualitative case study research design was used to perform five observation sessions and semi-structured in-depth …

Possible Association Of Telomere Length With Sleep Duration. A Preliminary Pilot Study In A Sicilian Cohort With Centenarians., Anna Aiello, Giulia Accardi, Sawan Alì, Calogero Caruso, Maxine Chen, Immaculata De Vivo, Mattia Emanuela Ligotti, Giovanni Scapagnini, Sergio Davinelli, Giuseppina Candore

Translational Medicine @ UniSa

Telomere length (TL) is considered a biomarker of ageing although this topic is still debated. Also, sleep pattern changes are physiological part of the normal ageing process. In fact, it is widely recognized that sleep duration declines with age, leading to dysregulation of circadian rhythms. The aim of our study was to analyse the possible association of sleep duration with TL in a sample of 135 subjects with ages ranging from 20 to 111 years, recruited from Palermo and neighbouring municipalities in Sicily (Italy). Preliminary data suggest that relative TL (RTL) decreases with age in both men and women. However, …

Positive Selection And Enhancer Evolution Shaped Lifespan And Body Mass In Great Apes, Daniela Tejada-Martinez, Roberto A Avelar, Inês Lopes, Bruce Zhang, Guy Novoa, João Pedro De Magalhães, Marco Trizzino

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

Within primates, the great apes are outliers both in terms of body size and lifespan, since they include the largest and longest-lived species in the order. Yet, the molecular bases underlying such features are poorly understood. Here, we leveraged an integrated approach to investigate multiple sources of molecular variation across primates, focusing on over 10,000 genes, including approximately 1,500 previously associated with lifespan, and additional approximately 9,000 for which an association with longevity has never been suggested. We analyzed dN/dS rates, positive selection, gene expression (RNA-seq), and gene regulation (ChIP-seq). By analyzing the correlation between dN/dS, maximum lifespan, and body …

Independent And Interactive Associations Of Dietary Nitrate And Salt Intake With Blood Pressure And Cognitive Function: A Cross-Sectional Analysis In The Inchianti Study, Andrea M. Mcgrattan, Blossom C. M. Stephan, Oliver M. Shannon, Mohsen Mazidi, Mark Gilchrist, Miranda Smallwood, Paul Winyard, Nicholas Mcmahon, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Devi Mohan, Stefania Bandinelli, Louise Robinson, Luigi Ferrucci, Mario Siervo

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Blood pressure (BP) control is a key target for interventions to reduce cognitive decline. This cross-sectional study explored associations between objective (24-hour urine excretion) and subjective (food frequency questionnaire [FFQ]) measures of dietary sodium and nitrate intakes with cognitive function and resting BP in the InCHIANTI cohort. Baseline data from 989 participants aged >50 years were included. In fully adjusted models, participants with concurrent high nitrate and low sodium (Odds Ratio (OR)=0.49, 95%CI 0.32–0.76, p = 0.001) and high nitrate and high sodium (OR = 0.49, 95%CI 0.32–0.77, p = 0.002) 24-hour urinary concentrations had lower odds of high BP …

Associations Of The Lipidome With Ageing, Cognitive Decline And Exercise Behaviours, Maria Kadyrov, Luke Whiley, Belinda Brown, Kirk I. Erickson, Elaine Holmes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

One of the most recognisable features of ageing is a decline in brain health and cognitive dysfunction, which is associated with perturbations to regular lipid homeostasis. Although ageing is the largest risk factor for several neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia, a loss in cognitive function is commonly observed in adults over the age of 65. Despite the prevalence of normal age-related cognitive decline, there is a lack of effective methods to improve the health of the ageing brain. In light of this, exercise has shown promise for positively influencing neurocognitive health and associated lipid profiles. This review summarises age-related changes …

An Il1rl1 Genetic Variant Lowers Soluble St2 Levels And The Risk Effects Of Apoe-Ε4 In Female Patients With Alzheimer’S Disease, Yuanbing Jiang, Xiaopu Zhou, Hiu Yi Wong, Li Ouyang, Fanny C. F. Ip, Vicky M. N. Chau, Shun-Fat Lau, Wei Wu, Daniel Y. K. Wong, Heukjin Seo, Wing-Yu Fu, Nicole C. H. Lai, Yuewen Chen, Yu Chen, Estella P.S. Tong, Alzheimer’S Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Vincent C. T. Mok, Timothy C. Y. Kwok, Kin Y. Mok, Maryam Shoai, Benoit Lehallier, Patricia Morán Losada, Eleanor O'Brien, Tenielle Porter, Simon Laws, John Hardy, Tony Wyss-Coray, Colin L. Masters, Amy K.Y. Fu, Nancy Y. Ip

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Changes in the levels of circulating proteins are associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), whereas their pathogenic roles in AD are unclear. Here, we identified soluble ST2 (sST2), a decoy receptor of interleukin-33–ST2 signaling, as a new disease-causing factor in AD. Increased circulating sST2 level is associated with more severe pathological changes in female individuals with AD. Genome-wide association analysis and CRISPR–Cas9 genome editing identified rs1921622, a genetic variant in an enhancer element of IL1RL1, which downregulates gene and protein levels of sST2. Mendelian randomization analysis using genetic variants, including rs1921622, demonstrated that decreased sST2 levels lower AD …

Endothelial Dysfunction In Hindlimb Arteries Of Old Sprague Dawley Rats, And The Type 2 Diabetic Zucker Diabetic Sprague Dawley Strain., Andrea N. Wang

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Ageing, and type 2 diabetes are associated with cardiovascular diseases and endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by a decline in endothelium-mediated vasodilation. In this thesis, we determined the vascular function of hindlimb arteries supplying skeletal muscle and extremities using isolated arteries and wire myography. For ageing studies, we used Sprague Dawley rats and for type 2 diabetes we used the Zucker Diabetic Sprague Dawley strain. Vasodilation of hindlimb arteries with acetylcholine were impaired in both models. However, protease-activated receptor 2 mediated vasodilation was upregulated in arteries. Evidence of non-nitric oxide mechanisms were also found in peripheral vasculature. These data …

Abdominal Aortic Calcification Is Associated With A Higher Risk Of Injurious Fall-Related Hospitalizations In Older Australian Women, Abadi K. Gebre, Marc Sim, Alexander J. Rodríguez, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Pawel Szulc, Nicola Bondonno, Kun Zhu, Catherine Bondonno, Douglas P. Kiel, John T. Schousboe, Richard L. Prince, Joshua R. Lewis

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Backgrounds and aims: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is associated with weaker grip strength, an established risk factor for fall-related hospitalizations. However, its association with long-term fall-related hospitalisations remains unknown. This study investigated the association between AAC and long-term fall-related hospitalizations in community-dwelling older women. Methods: Fall-related hospitalizations were obtained from linked data over 14.5-years in a prospective cohort of 1053 older women (mean age 75.0 ± 2.6 years). At baseline (1998/99), AAC was assessed from lateral spine images obtained using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and scored using a semi-quantitative method (AAC24, range 0–24). The presence of any AAC was defined by …

The Effects Of Acute Exercise On Bone Turnover Markers In Middle-Aged And Older Adults: A Systematic Review, Cassandra Smith, Alexander Tacey, Jakub Mesinovic, David Scott, Xuzhu Lin, Tara C. Brennan-Speranza, Joshua R. Lewis, Gustavo Duque, Itamar Levinger

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2020 Elsevier Inc. Background: Bone turnover is the cellular machinery responsible for bone integrity and strength and, in the clinical setting, it is assessed using bone turnover markers (BTMs). Acute exercise can induce mechanical stress on bone which is needed for bone remodelling, but to date, there are conflicting results in regards to the effects of varying mechanical stimuli on BTMs. Objectives: This systematic review examines the effects of acute aerobic, resistance and impact exercises on BTMs in middle and older-aged adults and examines whether the responses are determined by the exercise mode, intensity, age and sex. Methods: We …

Prevalence And Patterns Of Multimorbidity In Australian Baby Boomers: The Busselton Healthy Ageing Study, Michael L. Hunter, Matthew W. Knuiman, Bill A. W. Musk, Jennie Hui, Kevin Murray, John P. Beilby, David R. Hillman, Joseph Hung, Robert U. Newton, Romola S. Bucks, Leon Straker, John P. Walsh, Kun Zhu, David G. Bruce, Robert H. Eikelboom, Timothy M. E. Davis, David A. Mackey, Alan L. James

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background and objective: Chronic medical conditions accumulate within individuals with age. However, knowledge concerning the trends, patterns and determinants of multimorbidity remains limited. This study assessed the prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity using extensive individual phenotyping in a general population of Australian middle-aged adults. Methods: Participants (n = 5029, 55% female), born between 1946 and 1964 and attending the cross-sectional phase of the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study (BHAS) between 2010 and 2015, were studied. Prevalence of 21 chronic conditions was estimated using clinical measurement, validated instrument scores and/or self-reported doctor-diagnosis. Non-random patterns of multimorbidity were explored using observed/expected (O/E) prevalence …

Genome-Wide Meta-Analysis Of Muscle Weakness Identifies 15 Susceptibility Loci In Older Men And Women, Garan Jones, Katerina Trajanoska, Adam J. Santanasto, Najada Stringa, Chia-Ling Kuo, Janice L. Atkins, Joshua R. Lewis, Thuyvy Duong, Shengjun Hong, Mary L. Biggs, Jian’An Luan, Chloe Sarnowski, Kathryn L. Lunetta, Toshiko Tanaka, Mary K. Wojczynski, Ryan Cvejkus, Maria Nethander, Sahar Ghasemi, Jingyun Yang, M. Carola Zillikens, Stefan Walter, Kamil Sicinski, Erika Kague, Cheryl L. Ackert-Bicknell, Dan E. Arking, B. Gwen Windham, Eric Boerwinkle

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2021, The Author(s). Low muscle strength is an important heritable indicator of poor health linked to morbidity and mortality in older people. In a genome-wide association study meta-analysis of 256, 523 Europeans aged 60 years and over from 22 cohorts we identify 15 loci associated with muscle weakness (European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People definition: n = 48,596 cases, 18.9% of total), including 12 loci not implicated in previous analyses of continuous measures of grip strength. Loci include genes reportedly involved in autoimmune disease (HLA-DQA1p = 4 × 10−17), arthritis (GDF5p = 4 × 10−13), cell cycle …

A Study Of Covid-19 Mortality Under Varying Patient Frailty, Alison N. Sifuentes

Theses and Dissertations

Modeled the spread and mortality of COVID-19 throughout the city of Chicago. By incorporating group frailty into a classic SEIR infectious disease model, we were able to differentiate the population of Chicago by their response to COVID-19. Three age groups with different COVID-19-induced death rates were examined, and the model sought to showcase the multiplicative deviation of each age group death rate from the average disease-induced death rate. This adjustment for different death rates among age groups accounted for heterogeneity within the population, and sought to introduce a more accurate manner for modeling the spread of infectious diseases.

Neuroligin-1 Is Altered In The Hippocampus Of Alzheimer's Disease Patients And Mouse Models, And Modulates The Toxicity Of Amyloid-Beta Oligomers, Julien Dufort-Gervais, Chloé Provost, Laurence Charbonneau, Christopher M. Norris, Frédéric Calon, Valérie Mongrain, Jonathan Brouillette

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Synapse loss occurs early and correlates with cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Synaptotoxicity is driven, at least in part, by amyloid-beta oligomers (Aβo), but the exact synaptic components targeted by Aβo remain to be identified. We here tested the hypotheses that the post-synaptic protein Neuroligin-1 (NLGN1) is affected early in the process of neurodegeneration in the hippocampus, and specifically by Aβo, and that it can modulate Aβo toxicity. We found that hippocampal NLGN1 was decreased in patients with AD in comparison to patients with mild cognitive impairment and control subjects. Female 3xTg-AD mice also showed a decreased NLGN1 level …

Healthspan Enhancement By Olive Polyphenols In C. Elegans Wild Type And Parkinson’S Models, Gabriele Di Rosa, Givovanni Brunetti, Maria Scuto, Angela Trovato Salinaro, Edward Calabrese Ph.D., Roberto Crea, Christian Schmitz-Linneweber, Vittorio Calabrese, Nadine Saul

Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Publication Series

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most prevalent late-age onset neurodegenerative disorder, affecting 1% of the population after the age of about 60 years old and 4% of those over 80 years old, causing motor impairments and cognitive dysfunction. Increasing evidence indicates that Mediterranean diet (MD) exerts beneficial effects in maintaining health, especially during ageing and by the prevention of neurodegenerative disorders. In this regard, olive oil and its biophenolic constituents like hydroxytyrosol (HT) have received growing attention in the past years. Thus, in the current study we test the health-promoting effects of two hydroxytyrosol preparations, pure HT and Hidrox …

Isokinetic Eccentric Exercise Substantially Improves Mobility, Muscle Strength And Size, But Not Postural Sway Metrics In Older Adults, With Limited Regression Observed Following A Detraining Period, Anthony David Kay, Anthony John Blazevich, Millie Fraser, Lucy Ashmore, Mathew William Hill

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2020, The Author(s). Introduction: Eccentric exercise can reverse age-related decreases in muscle strength and mass; however, no data exist describing its effects on postural sway. As the ankle may be more important for postural sway than hip and knee joints, and with older adults prone to periods of inactivity, the effects of two 6-week seated isokinetic eccentric exercise programmes, and an 8-week detraining period, were examined in 27 older adults (67.1 ± 6.0 years). Methods: Neuromuscular parameters were measured before and after training and detraining periods with subjects assigned to ECC (twice-weekly eccentric-only hip and knee extensor contractions) or …

The Effects Of Vitamin K-Rich Green Leafy Vegetables On Bone Metabolism: A 4-Week Randomised Controlled Trial In Middle-Aged And Older Individuals, Marc Sim, Joshua R. Lewis, Richard L. Prince, Itamar Levinger, Tara C. Brennan-Speranza, Claire Palmer, Catherine P. Bondonno, Nicola P. Bondonno, Amanda Devine, Natalie C. Ward, Elizabeth Byrnes, Carl J. Schultz, Richard Woodman, Kevin Croft, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: High vegetable intake is associated with beneficial effects on bone. However, the mechanisms remain uncertain. Green leafy vegetables are a rich source of vitamin K1, which is known to have large effects on osteoblasts and osteocalcin (OC) metabolism. Objective: To examine the effects of consumption of two to three extra serves of green leafy vegetables daily on bone metabolism. Methods: Thirty individuals (mean age 61.8 ± 9.9 years, 67% male) completed three experimental phases in a randomised controlled crossover design, each lasting four weeks, with a washout period of four weeks between phases (clinical trial registration: ACTRN12615000194561). The three …