Neighborhood environment associations with cognitive function and structural brain measures in older African Americans.

Background: Since older adults spend significant time in their neighborhood environment, environmental factors such as neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage, high racial segregation, low healthy food availability, low access to recreation, and minimal social engagement may have adverse effects on cognitive function and increase susceptibility to dementia. DNA methylation, which is associated with neighborhood characteristics as well as cognitive function and white matter hyperintensity (WMH), may act as a mediator between neighborhood characteristics and neurocognitive outcomes.

Methods: In this study, we examined whether DNA methylation in peripheral blood leukocytes mediates the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and cognitive function (N = 542) or WMH (N = 466) in older African American (AA) participants without preliminary evidence of dementia from the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy (GENOA).

Neuronal traveling waves form preferred pathways using synaptic plasticity.

Traveling waves of neuronal spiking activity are commonly observed across the brain, but their intrinsic function is still a matter of investigation. Experiments suggest that they may be valuable in the consolidation of memory or learning, indicating that consideration of traveling waves in the presence of plasticity might be important. A possible outcome of this consideration is that the synaptic pathways, necessary for the propagation of these waves, will be modified by the waves themselves.

Demographic and clinical risk factors of developing clinically-recognized varicose veins in older adults.

Introduction: Varicose veins are common in older adults and are associated with adverse clinical outcomes such as deep venous thrombosis. Established risk factors for varicose veins include female sex, height, and obesity, but other risk factors are relatively uncharacterized.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort analysis of 6241 participants aged 66-70 years from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

Resident synovial macrophages in synovial fluid: Implications for immunoregulation.

Resident synovial macrophages (RSMs) are anti-inflammatory, self-renewing macrophages that provide physical immune sequestration of the joint space from the peripheral immune system. Increased permeability of this structure is associated with peripheral immune cells in the synovial fluid (SF). Direct measures of synovial barrier integrity are possible with tissue histology, but after barrier breakdown, if these cells perpetuate or initiate chronic inflammation in SF remains unknown.

A service evaluation of patient and clinician experience of video consultations in a specialist outpatient neurorehabilitation service.

Introduction: There has been a rapid adoption of telerehabilitation services, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with minimal guidance or evaluation of benefit. This survey explores experiences of video consultations in a specialist outpatient neurorehabilitation service.

Methods: Digital surveys were designed to evaluate experience of Attend Anywhere.