Publications by authors named "Flaminia Franchini"

Epilepsy is increasing, being more common in older adults, with more than 20% of late-onset cases with unknown aetiology (LOEU). Although epilepsy was associated with cognitive impairment, few studies evaluated the trajectories of cognitive decline in patients with LOEU. The present study aimed at assessing biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in patients with LOEU and evaluating their cognitive performance for 12 months.

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Background: Virtual reality (VR) has recently emerged as a promising means for the administration of cognitive training of seniors at risk of dementia. Immersive VR could result in increased engagement and performances; however, its acceptance in older adults with cognitive deficits still has to be assessed.

Objective: To assess acceptance and usability of an immersive VR environment requiring real walking and active participants' interaction.

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Oxidative stress is a major factor in aging and is implicated in the pathogenesis of tumors, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer Disease (AD). Bioactive constituents of tomato as polyphenols and carotenoids, among which lycopene (LYC) are effective in reducing markers of oxidative stress, and appear to have a protective modulator role on the pathogenetic mechanisms, cognitive symptoms and behavioral manifestations of these diseases in cell cultures and animal models. Epidemiological evidence indicates a consistent association between the intake of tomatoes and reduced cardiovascular and neoplastic risk.

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The lockdown strategies adopted to limit the spread of COVID-19 infection may lead to adopt unhealthy lifestyles which may impact on the mental well-being and future risk of dementia. Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may suffer important mental health consequences from measures of quarantine and confinement. The study aimed to explore the effects of COVID-19 and quarantine measures on lifestyles and mental health of elderly at increased risk of dementia.

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Purpose: Sedentary behaviors and muscle inactivity are being growingly recognized as important risk factors for health, adjunctively and independently from a scarce physical activity (PA), although the metabolic mechanism underneath is barely clear. To explore the relation between sedentary behaviors (SBs) and metabolism, we measured the metabolic profile in fasting condition and after oral glucose overload in a group of women, along with objective monitoring of their PA/sedentary lifestyle habits.

Subjects And Methods: Thirteen women (age: 32.

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Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. It is mainly characterized by a progressive deterioration of cognition, but sleep-wake cycle disturbances frequently occur. Irregular sleep-wake cycle, insomnia, and daytime napping usually occur in patients with AD in the course of the disease.

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Introduction: Epilepsy has a growing frequency, particularly in the elderly. Several triggers may cause late-onset epilepsy; however, more than 20% of epilepsies, manifesting in the elderly, has an unknown etiology. Although cognition is frequently altered in patients affected by epilepsy, there is a paucity of studies specifically evaluating cognition in patients affected by late-onset epilepsy.

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Background: Alzheimer's disease is the principal cause of dementia and is determined, in at least one third cases, by modifiable risk factors (MRF). The "Lifestyle for Brain Health (LIBRA)" index was recently developed to quantify the individual risk of progression to dementia ascribable to MRF.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between LIBRA scores and markers of cognitive performance, functional independence, and psycho-behavioral symptoms in a community-based sample of Italian elders.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia characterized by the prevalent memory impairment. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may represent the early stage of AD, in particular when MCI patients show biomarkers consistent with AD pathology (MCI due to AD). Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) frequently affect both MCI and AD patients.

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The growing elderly population and the increased incidence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) call for the improvement of the quality and the efficacy of the healthcare and social support services. Exercise and cognitive stimulation have been demonstrated to mitigate cognitive impairment and oxidative stress (OxS) has been recognized as a factor that contributes to the advancement of neurodegenerative diseases. Taking these aspects into account, the impact of a novel virtual reality (VR)-based program combining aerobic exercise and cognitive training has been evaluated in the pilot study proposed here.

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Late-life depression (LLD) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) are the two most frequent neuropsychiatric disorders affecting elderly. LLD and AD may clinically present with depressive and cognitive symptoms. Therefore, when cognitive decline is coupled with depression in the elderly, the differential diagnosis between LLD and AD could be challenging.

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