Transcriptional profile of Parkinson blood mononuclear cells with LRRK2 mutation.

To gain insight into systemic molecular events associated with an age-related neurodegenerative disorder, we compared gene expression patterns in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) sampled from elderly, healthy controls and from Parkinson's disease (PD) patients carrying the most frequently found mutation of the LRRK2 gene (G2019S). A transcriptomic approach enabled us to detect differentially expressed genes and revealed perturbations of pathways known to be involved in PD-related neurodegeneration: the ubiquitin-proteasome system, the mitochondrial oxidation system, inflammation, axonal guidance, calcium signalling and apoptosis. Moreover, alterations of the MAP kinase pathway, the actin cytoskeleton, the ephrin receptor system and vesicular transport - all recently associated with the LRRK2 G2019S mutation pathogenesis - were noted.

Leptin and old person's nutrition.

The leptin, protein of 146 amino acids, produced gene ob (chromosome 7) acts via the hypothalamus on the control of energy balance. It is implied in the adequacy between the food intake and the energy expenditure, and maintains stable body mass. We studied leptine's diurnal rhythm in old person of more than 75 years in institution, according to its state of nutrition and the undercurrent events likely to modify it.

Changes in the edentate mandible in the elderly.

Resorption of alveolar bone is the best recognized feature of mandibular aging in the edentate subject. The other consequences of the loss of teeth in the elderly are less well known. An anthropometric study of the mandible by antero-posterior and lateral radiographs of subjects older than 70 years both dentate and edentate but without any maxillo-mandibular dysmorphosis has been done to demonstrate the differences, which exist between the dentate and edentate mandible.

Is there a relation between APOE expression and brain amyloid load in Alzheimer's disease?

Background: It has been proposed that, independent of the epsilon4 allele, APOE promoter polymorphisms (-491 A/T and -219 G/T) may be risks factor for Alzheimer's disease by modulating APOE expression.

Objective: To measure the level of APOE expression in Alzheimer's disease.

Methods: Brains were obtained at necropsy from 114 patients with early and late onset sporadic Alzheimer's disease in Greater Manchester (UK) during years 1986 to 2001.

[Awareness of deficits and anosognosia in Alzheimer's disease].

This article reviews studies concerning unawareness of deficits in Alzheimer's disease. Unawareness of the deficits associated with dementia has frequently been reported in clinical descriptions of the later stages of the disease. Consistent with the literature, we shall use the expressions impaired awareness, unawareness of deficits, anosognosia, and lack of insight interchangeably.