Longitudinal investigation of the role of cognitive reserve in the evolution of dementia in outpatients prescribed AChEI.

: The role of cognitive reserve (CR) in modulating dementia has been broadly investigated. We aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of CR on cognitive functions in outpatients newly treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.: Fifty older adults with dementia (age 80 ± 6.

Fibrinogen Levels and the Risk of Cerebrovascular Events in Older Adults With Both Depressive Symptoms and Cognitive Impairment: A Prospective Study.

Depression and cognitive impairment have been identified as risk factors for cerebrovascular events (CVE), and one of their potential etiological pathways is inflammatory status. This prospective study aims to investigate the association between inflammatory markers and the risk of CVE in a population of 2659 older adults, enrolled in the Progetto Veneto Anziani (Pro.V.

The importance of sexual health in the elderly: breaking down barriers and taboos.

Aging-related physical changes do not necessarily lead to a decline in sexual functioning: good physical and mental health, a positive attitude toward sex in later life, and access to a healthy partner are associated with continued sexual activity, and regular sexual expression is associated with good physical and mental health. However, it is usually assumed that older adults do not have sexual desires, and elderly people often find it difficult to discuss this topic with their doctor. There are many potential barriers concerning sexuality in older age: the lack of a healthy sexual partner, depression, the monotony of a repetitive sexual relationship, a spouse's physical unattractiveness, hormone variability, and illness and/or iatrogenic factors.

Effects of 21 months of cholinesterase inhibitors on cognitive and functional decline in demented patients.

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess, in a natural setting, the development of cognitive, behavioral and functional performance of elderly dementia patients treated with cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) during a 21-month follow-up. Another aim was to compare patterns of clinical changes in relation to patients' level of cognitive impairment at the beginning of therapy.

Method: Of the 1987 elderly demented patients seen at our unit, 143 met the inclusion/ exclusion criteria, were followed for at least 21 months, and were thus included in the study.

Nutritional and global indexes of progression in dementia: a 12-month prospective study.

Background: To assess the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the progression of dementia.

Methods: Sixty elderly outpatients with untreated dementia followed for 12 months. All patients underwent clinical, cognitive, functional, and nutritional assessment at the baseline and after 12 months.

An open-ended question: Alzheimer's disease and involuntary weight loss: which comes first?

Background And Aims: After the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a substantial percentage of patients experience involuntary weight loss (IWL), but there is some debate as to whether IWL is a cause or a consequence of AD. It may play a causal role, because nutritional deficiencies have been found to be associated with worsened cognitive performance, even in subjects without dementia. Conversely, it may be an effect of the disease, considering the hypothesis that the neurodegenerative process associated with AD may itself lead to IWL.