Cortisol reactivity to a psychosocial stressor significantly increases the risk of developing Cognitive Impairment no Dementia five years later.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients show high cortisol levels suggesting that biological mediators of stress may play a role in the neurodegenerative process of cognitive disorders. However, there is no consensus as to whether cortisol concentrations represent a risk factor for the development of cognitive impairment. We analyzed the potential association between the incidence of cognitive impairment and cortisol concentrations under basal and acute stress conditions in 129 individuals aged 50 years or older, with preserved cognitive and functional abilities.

Association between perceived psychological stress and cognitive decline in aging: a systematic review protocol.

The objective of this review is to identify, appraise and synthesize the best available evidence on the association between perceived psychological stress and cognitive decline in aging.

Association between heavy metal exposure and poor working memory and possible mediation effect of antioxidant defenses during aging.

Background: Inverse associations have been observed between memory performance and blood concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). Low antioxidant cell activity has also been linked to decline in memory due to aging. However, it has not yet been established whether the heavy metal-memory relationship is mediated by differences in antioxidant activity.

[Use of phytotherapy in children up to 5 years of age in a central and peripheral area of the city of Sao Paulo].

This research evaluated the use of phytotherapy in children who attend a Health Center in an urban area and a Health Center in the suburbs of São Paulo city. This is an exploratory and descriptive study with 120 mothers who attend two Health Centers (60 mothers in the urban area and another 60 in the suburbs), during December 2001. After receiving approval from the Ethics Committee, the mothers were individually interviewed and it was confirmed that 79 (66%) of them frequently used chamomile, fennel and peppermint for the intestinal cramps, flu symptoms and to calm their children down.