Assessing tooth wear progression in non-human primates: a longitudinal study using intraoral scanning technology.

Intraoral scanners are widely used in a clinical setting for orthodontic treatments and tooth restorations, and are also useful for assessing dental wear and pathology progression. In this study, we assess the utility of using an intraoral scanner and associated software for quantifying dental tissue loss in non-human primates. An upper and lower second molar for 31 captive hamadryas baboons () were assessed for dental tissue loss progression, giving a total sample of 62 teeth.

Technical note: Micro-computed tomography calibration using dental tissue for bone mineral research.

Computed tomography (CT) and microcomputed tomography (μCT) require calibration against density phantoms scanned with specimens or during routine internal calibration for assessment of mineral concentration (MC) and density. In clinical studies involving bone, alternative calibration methods using bodily tissues and fluids ("phantomless" calibration) have been suggested. However, such tissues are seldom available in archeological and osteological research.

New horizon in improving ageing with improvisational theatre.

Cognitive decline, mental health and mindset factors can all affect the autonomy and well-being of older adults. As the number of older adults across the globe increases, interventions to improve well-being are urgently needed. Improvisational theatre (improv) and improv-based interventions are well-suited to address this need.

Perceived Stress, Blood Biomarkers, and Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults.

Introduction: There is a substantial gap in knowledge regarding how perceived stress may influence the relationship between serum-measured biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline.

Methods: This study consists of 1118 older adult participants from the Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP) (60% Black participants and 63% female participants). Linear mixed effects regression models were conducted to examine the role of perceived stress in the association between three blood biomarkers: total tau (t-tau), glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) on global cognitive decline.

Dietary fats and the APOE-e4 risk allele in relation to cognitive decline: a longitudinal investigation in a biracial population sample.

Background: APOE-e4 is the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. However, the influence of APOE-e4 on dietary fat intake and cognition has not been investigated.

Objective: We aim to examine the association of types of dietary fat and their association to cognitive decline among those with and without the APOE-e4 allele.

Temporal Patterns of Change in Physical and Cognitive Performance.

Background: This study examined the relation between declines in physical and cognitive performance in older people.

Methods: A population-based cohort of 7 483 adults (average age 72 years) were interviewed. Physical performance was assessed with 3 standardized tests and a combination of 4 cognitive tests was used to assess cognitive function.

Association of Whole Grain Consumption and Cognitive Decline: An Investigation From a Community-Based Biracial Cohort of Older Adults.

Background And Objectives: To examine the association of whole grain consumption and longitudinal change in global cognition, perceptual speed, and episodic memory by different race/ethnicity.

Methods: We included 3,326 participants from the Chicago Health and Aging Project who responded to a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), with 2 or more cognitive assessments. Global cognition was assessed using a composite score of episodic memory, perceptual speed, and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Association of Vitamin E and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults with and without the APOEɛ4 Allele: A Biracial Population-Based Community Study.

Background: The association of different types of tocopherols (vitamin E) with cognition might vary by the APOEɛ4 allele status.

Objective: We examined the association of dietary tocopherols with cognitive decline among participants with and without the APOEɛ4 allele over a median of 12 years.

Methods: 2,193 participants from the Chicago Health and Aging Project were included in the analyses.

Neuroticism, physical activity, and cognitive functioning in a population-based cohort of older adults.

Background: Little is known about how physical activity influences the relationship between neuroticism and cognitive function and cognitive decline.

Methods: Data from the Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP) was utilized to conduct this study. CHAP is a population-based cohort study of chronic conditions in older adults.

Dietary Sugar Intake Associated with a Higher Risk of Dementia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Background: We have limited evidence for the relationship of high sugar intake with dementia risk.

Objective: To determine whether high sugar intake is associated with an increased risk of dementia in community-dwelling older adultsMethods:This study included 789 participants of the Rush Memory and Aging Project (community-based longitudinal cohort study of older adults free of known dementia at enrollment), with annual clinical assessments and complete nutrient data (obtained by validated food frequency questionnaire). Clinical diagnosis of dementia is based on the criteria of the joint working group of the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association.

Neuroticism, Physical Activity, and Cognitive Functioning in a Population-Based Cohort of Older Adults.

Background: Little is known about how physical activity influences the relationship between neuroticism and cognitive function and cognitive decline.

Methods: Data from the Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP) was utilized to conduct this study. CHAP is a population-based cohort study of chronic conditions in older adults.

Cognitive Activity Is Associated with Cognitive Function over Time in a Diverse Group of Older Adults, Independent of Baseline Biomarkers.

Background: More frequent engagement in cognitive activity is associated with better cognitive function in older adults, but the mechanism of action is not fully understood. Debate remains whether increased cognitive activity provides a meaningful benefit for cognitive health or if decreased cognitive activity represents a prodrome of cognitive impairment. Neurological biomarkers provide a novel way to examine this relationship in the context of cognitive aging.

Depressive Symptoms, Glial Fibrillary Acid Protein Concentrations, and Cognitive Decline in a Cohort Study.

Background: Little is known about how depressive symptoms and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) concentrations taken together may influence cognitive functioning. Understanding this relationship may inform strategies for screening and early intervention to decrease the rate of cognitive decline.

Methods: This study sample includes 1 169 participants from the Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP), consisting of 60% Black participants and 40% White participants, and 63% female participants and 37% male participants.

Race and Apolipoprotein E-e4 Allele Status Differences in the Association Between Loneliness and Cognitive Decline.

Objective: This study aimed to examine race and apolipoprotein E-e4 allele (APOE-e4) status differences in the longitudinal associations between loneliness and cognitive decline.

Methods: The study sample is composed of participants ( N = 7696, 64% Black participants and 36% White participants) from the Chicago Health and Aging Project, a population-based cohort study. Mixed-effects regression models were conducted to examine the longitudinal associations between loneliness on global cognitive function and individual tests of cognitive function.

Association of Subjective Memory Complaints With White Matter Hyperintensities and Cognitive Decline Among Older Adults in Chicago, Illinois.

Importance: Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are associated with a faster cognitive decline; whether this association is also associated with structural brain alterations, such as white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volumes, requires investigation.

Objective: To evaluate the association of SMCs with WMH volumes and cognitive decline and investigate the role of WMH volumes in the association between SMCs and cognitive decline.

Design, Setting, And Participants: The Chicago Health and Aging Project, a population-based cohort study, enrolled adults aged 65 years or older.

Healthy lifestyle and life expectancy with and without Alzheimer's dementia: population based cohort study.

Objective: To determine the impact of lifestyle factors on life expectancy lived with and without Alzheimer's dementia.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: The Chicago Health and Aging Project, a population based cohort study in the United States.

Properties of the Cognitive Function Battery for the MIND Diet Intervention to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease.

Objective: To evaluate the properties of the cognitive battery used in the The is a randomized control trial to determine the relative effectiveness of the MIND diet in slowing cognitive decline and reducing brain atrophy in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's dementia.

Methods: The MIND cognitive function battery was administered at baseline to 604 participants of an average age of 70 years, who agreed to participate in the diet intervention study, and was designed to measure change over time. The battery included 12 cognitive tests, measuring the 4 cognitive domains of executive function, perceptual speed, episodic memory, and semantic memory.

Technical note: Artificial Resynthesis Technology for the experimental formation of dental microwear textures.

Dental microwear formation on the posterior dentition is largely attributed to an organism's diet. However, some have suggested that dietary and environmental abrasives contribute more to the formation process than food, calling into question the applicability of dental microwear to the reconstruction of diet in the fossil record. Creating microwear under controlled conditions would benefit this debate, but requires accurately replicating the oral environment.

Genetic risk, adherence to a healthy lifestyle, and cognitive decline in African Americans and European Americans.

Introduction: We investigated the role of genetic risk and adherence to lifestyle factors on cognitive decline in African Americans and European Americans.

Methods: Using data from the Chicago Health and Aging Project (1993-2012; n = 3874), we defined the genetic risk based on presence of apolipoprotein E (APOE) allele and determined a healthy lifestyle using a scoring of five factors: non-smoking, exercising, being cognitively active, having a high-quality diet, and limiting alcohol use. We used linear mixed-effects models to estimate cognitive decline by genetic risk and lifestyle score.

The potential of marine resources for retinal diseases: a systematic review of the molecular mechanisms.

We rely on vision more than on any other sense to obtain information about our environment. Hence, the loss or even impairment of vision profoundly affects our quality of life. Diet or food components have already demonstrated beneficial effects on the development of retinal diseases.

Anterior tooth-use behaviors among early modern humans and Neandertals.

Early modern humans (EMH) are often touted as behaviorally advanced to Neandertals, with more sophisticated technologies, expanded resource exploitation, and more complex clothing production. However, recent analyses have indicated that Neandertals were more nuanced in their behavioral adaptations, with the production of the Châtelperronian technocomplex, the processing and cooking of plant foods, and differences in behavioral adaptations according to habitat. This study adds to this debate by addressing the behavioral strategies of EMH (n = 30) within the context of non-dietary anterior tooth-use behaviors to glean possible differences between them and their Neandertal (n = 45) counterparts.

Dental microwear texture analysis of Homo sapiens sapiens: Foragers, farmers, and pastoralists.

Objectives: The current study seeks to determine if a sample of foragers, farmers, and pastoralists are distinguishable based on their dental microwear texture signatures.

Materials And Methods: The study included a sample of 719 individuals from 51 archeological sites (450 farmers, 192 foragers, 77 pastoralists). All were over age 12 and sexes were pooled.

: a pilot study of improv used to treat anxiety and depression.

: Improvisational theater exercises (improv) are used in various settings to improve mental health and medical outcomes. However, there is little documented evidence of the effectiveness of these interventions.: We developed a short-term, group intervention that used improv exercises in a therapeutic manner to treat psychiatric patients.

Anterior dental microwear textures show habitat-driven variability in Neandertal behavior.

The causes of Neandertal anterior tooth wear patterns, including labial rounding, labial scratches, and differential anterior-posterior wear, have been debated for decades. The most common explanation is the "stuff-and-cut" hypothesis, which describes Neandertals clamping down on a piece of meat and slicing a portion close to their lips. "Stuff-and-cut" has been accepted as a general aspect of Neandertal behavior without fully assessing its variability.