Cognitive Function

Eating Fish Slows Aging of the Brain
In brief, researchers looked at people 65 years of age and over to see if intakes of fish and omega-3 fatty acids protected against “age-related cognitive decline.”

Green Tea and Cognitive Function
Researchers writing in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition say that green tea consumption can improve cognitive function. The researchers measured the effects of drinking 3 cups a week, 4 to 6 cups a week, and two cups a day.

Poor Sleep and Cognitive Function
Researchers writing in the medical journal The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences say that Disturbed Sleep was related to poorer cognition.

Nutrition in Brain Development and Aging: Role of Essential Fatty Acids
Researchers writing in the the medical journal Nutrition Reviews say that essential fatty acids (EFAs) are increasingly seen to be of value in limiting the cognitive decline during aging.

Physical Function and Future Dementia
Medical researchers writing in the medical journal the Archives of Internal Medicine say that “Lower levels of physical performance were associated with an increased risk of dementia and AD (Alzheimer’s Disease)

Postmenopause and Cognitive Performance
Researchers writing in the medical journal Maturitas look into the nature of cognitive decline across a range of functions within a period of 5 years from early to late postmenopausal stage.

Low Estradiol Levels and Cognitive Function
Researchers writing in the medical journal Neurobiology of Aging, say that “Older women with low estradiol levels were more likely to experience decline in global cognitive function and verbal memory, and a similar trend was observed for verbal memory in men.”

Resistance Training Important for Aging Muscles and Tendons

Reeves ND, Narici MV, Maganaris CN. MYOTENDINOUS PLASTICITY TO AGEING AND RESISTANCE EXERCISE. Experimental Physiology (2006)DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2005.032896

Researchers writing the medical journal Experimental Physiology say that resistance training is not only good for preventing age-related loss of muscle but for tendons as well.

From the abstract: “The age-related loss of muscle mass known as sarcopenia is one of the main determinants of frailty in old age. Molecular, cellular, nutritional and hormonal mechanisms are at the basis of sarcopenia and are responsible for a progressive deterioration in skeletal muscle size and function.

Resistance training can however cause substantial gains in muscle mass and strength and provides a protective effect against several of the cellular and molecular changes associated with muscle wasting and weakness.

In old age, not only muscles, but also tendons are highly responsive to training, as an increase in tendon stiffness has been observed after a period of increased loading. Many of the myotendinous factors characterizing ageing can be at least partly reversed by resistance training.”

Read the full abstract

Sleep and Risk of Fractures

Researchers writing in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society say that long sleep and daily napping are associated with greater risk of falls and fractures in older women.

Stone KL, Ewing SK, Lui LY, Ensrud KE, Ancoli-Israel S, Bauer DC, Cauley JA, Hillier TA, Cummings SR. Self-reported sleep and nap habits and risk of falls and fractures in older women: the study of osteoporotic fractures. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2006 Aug;54(8):1177-83.

From the study abstract:

OBJECTIVES: To test the association between self-reported sleep and nap habits and risk of falls and fractures in a large cohort of older women.

DESIGN: Study of Osteoporotic Fractures prospective cohort study.

SETTING: Clinical centers in Baltimore, Maryland; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Portland, Oregon; and the Monongahela Valley, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
PARTICIPANTS: Eight thousand one hundred one community-dwelling Caucasian women aged 69 and older (mean 77.0).

MEASUREMENTS: Sleep and nap habits were assessed using a questionnaire at the fourth clinic visit (1993/94). Fall frequency during the subsequent year was ascertained using tri-annual questionnaire. Incident hip and nonspinal fractures during 6 years of follow-up were confirmed using radiographic reports. RESULTS: Five hundred fifty-three women suffered hip fractures, and 1,938 suffered nonspinal fractures. In multivariate models, women who reported napping daily had significantly higher odds of suffering two or more falls during the subsequent year (odds ratio=1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.03-1.69) and were more likely to suffer a hip fracture (hazard ratio (HR)=1.33, 95% CI=0.99-1.78) than women who did not nap daily. Those sleeping at least 10 hours per 24 hours had a higher risk of nonspinal fracture than (HR=1.26, 95% CI=1.00-1.58) and a similar but nonsignificant increased risk of hip fracture to (HR=1.43, 95% CI=0.95-2.15) those who reported sleeping between 8 and 9 hours.

CONCLUSION: Self-reported long sleep and daily napping are associated with greater risk of falls and fractures in older women. Interventions to improve sleep may reduce their risk of falls and fractures. Future research is needed to determine whether specific sleep disorders contribute to these relationships.

Hip Fracture in High Risk Groups

Researchers writing in the Journal of Postgraduate Medicine say “prevention of hip fracture is still inadequate in high risk patients. Discrepancy seemed to exist in treatment frequency among different high risk groups suggesting that emphasis on prevention of osteoporosis has not been reinforced in all people at risk.”

Peng EW, Elnikety S, Hatrick NC. Preventing fragility hip fracture in high risk groups: an opportunity missed. Postgrad Med J. 2006 Aug;82(970):528-31

From the study abstract:
OBJECTIVE: The national guideline recommends selective case finding as the main strategy by identification of high risk people. This study assessed whether high risk patients were identified before their presentation with fragility fracture.

METHODS: A prospective study for 3.5 consecutive months on patients with low energy hip fractures to Brighton and Sussex University Hospital NHS Trusts, which serves a population of 460,000. Data were collected by interview using standardised form, medical record review, and communication with family physicians.

Definition of high risk:
(1) untreated hypogonadism
(2) corticosteroid users
(3) disorders with increased bone loss
(4) previous fragility fractures.

RESULTS: 98 patients were admitted with hip fracture. Thirty nine (40%) had at least one high risk factor. High risk patients (7 of 39, 18%) were no more likely to receive prophylaxis compared with patients without high risk factor (5 of 59, 8%) (p = 0.21). Previous fragility fracture (23) was the commonest risk factor followed by disorders with increased bone loss (10), premature menopause (10), and corticosteroid users (5). Fifteen patients (15%) had susceptibility to frequent falls and two had maternal history of osteoporosis. The proportion of treated patients were 20% (2 of 10) in premature menopause, 10% (1 of 10) in diseases with secondary osteoporosis, 13% (3 of 23) in previous fragility fracture, and 80% (4 of 5) in corticosteroid users (p = 0.01)

CONCLUSION: Prevention of hip fracture is still inadequate in high risk patients. Discrepancy seemed to exist in treatment frequency among different high risk groups suggesting that emphasis on prevention of osteoporosis has not been reinforced in all people at risk.

Osteoporosis in Men

Testosterone and Estradiol Deficiency
Researchers writing in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism say that: Older men with total testosterone or estradiol deficiency were more likely to be osteoporotic. Those with osteoporosis were more likely to be total testosterone or estradiol deficient. Rapid hip bone loss was more likely in men with total testosterone deficiency.

Fink HA, Ewing SK, Ensrud KE, Barrett-Connor E, Taylor BC, Cauley JA, Orwoll ES. Association of Testosterone and Estradiol Deficiency with Osteoporosis and Rapid Bone Loss in Older Men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Jul 18

From the article abstract:
Context: The clinical value of measuring testosterone and estradiol in older men with osteoporosis and of measuring bone mineral density (BMD) in older men with testosterone or estradiol deficiency is uncertain.

Objective: To examine the association of testosterone and estradiol deficiency with osteoporosis and rapid bone loss in older men.

Participants: 2447 community-dwelling men aged >/=65.

Main Outcome Measures: Total testosterone deficiency defined as <200 ng/dl.

Total estradiol deficiency defined as <10 pg/ml.

Results: Prevalence of osteoporosis in men with deficient and normal total testosterone was 12.3% and 6.0% (P = 0.003), and in those with deficient and normal total estradiol was 15.4% and 2.8% (P < 0.0001).

Among osteoporotic men and those with normal BMD, prevalence of total testosterone deficiency was 6.9% and 3.2% (P = 0.01) and prevalence of total estradiol deficiency was 9.2% and 2.4% (P = 0.0001). Incidence of rapid hip bone loss in men with deficient and normal total testosterone was 22.5% and 8.6% (P = 0.007), and in those with deficient and normal total estradiol was 14.3% and 6.3% (P = 0.08).

Conclusions: Older men with total testosterone or estradiol deficiency were more likely to be osteoporotic. Those with osteoporosis were more likely to be total testosterone or estradiol deficient. Rapid hip bone loss was more likely in men with total testosterone deficiency. BMD testing of older men with sex steroid deficiency may be clinically warranted.

Lifelong Risk Factors for Osteoporosis and Fractures in Elderly Women with Low Body Mass Index

Researchers writing in the medical journal Bone, evaluated the association between lifelong lifestyle factors and bone density, falls and postmenopausal fractures in elderly women with low body mass index.

Korpelainen R, Korpelainen J, Heikkinen J, Vaananen K, Keinanen-Kiukaanniemi S. Lifelong risk factors for osteoporosis and fractures in elderly women with low body mass index-A population-based study. Bone. 2006 Aug;39(2):385-91.

From the abstract:
Low body weight is associated with an increased risk for osteoporosis and fractures, but the contribution of other lifestyle related factors have not been previously studied within lean elderly women. The present study evaluated the association between lifelong lifestyle factors and bone density, falls and postmenopausal fractures in elderly women with low body mass index (BMI).

Poor functional ability and symptoms of depression were associated with recent falling. In elderly women with low BMI, lifelong physical activity may protect from fractures, while low calcaneum bone mass and living unpartnered appear to be associated with an increased risk for fractures.

Poor functional ability and presence of depression may be associated with risk of falling. Type 2 diabetes may modify the risk of low bone mass and low-trauma postmenopausal fractures. Albeit that the results of this study need to be confirmed in prospective follow-up studies, multifactorial program with the emphasis on physical and social activation in the primary care setting for preventing falls and fractures in lean elderly women is recommended.

DHEA, Bone Mineral Density, Older Adults

Researchers writing in the medical journal The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, say that DHEA replacement therapy for one year improved hip Bone Mineral Density in older adults and spine Bone Mineral Density in older women.

Jankowski CM, Gozansky WS, Schwartz RS, Dahl DJ, Kittelson JM, Scott SM, Pelt RE, Kohrt WM. Effects of DHEA Replacement Therapy on Bone Mineral Density in Older Adults: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 May 30

The Importance of Strength Training Exercises in Aging

Researchers writing in the medical journal Aging Clinical and Experimental Research say that “although aerobic exercise is important in maintaining overall health, the resistance type of muscle training may be more applicable to the basic rules of bone adaptation and site-specific effects of exercise, have more favorable effects in maintaining or improving bone mass and architecture, and be safe and feasible for older people.”

Suominen H. Muscle training for bone strength. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2006 Apr;18(2):85-93.

From the abstract:
“The main function of bone is to provide the mechanical integrity for locomotion and protection; accordingly, bone mass and architecture are adjusted to control the strains produced by mechanical load and muscular activity.

Age-related patterns involve peak bone mass during growth, a plateau in adulthood, and bone loss during aging. The decline in bone mass and structural integrity results in increased risk of fractures, particularly in post-menopausal women.

Although aerobic exercise is important in maintaining overall health, the resistance type of muscle training may be more applicable to the basic rules of bone adaptation and site-specific effects of exercise, have more favorable effects in maintaining or improving bone mass and architecture, and be safe and feasible for older people.

It has been suggested that there is an opportunity for resistance training, for improved effects on BMD (Bone Mass Density) in postmenopausal women in bones which have less daily loading. In addition to BMC and BMD, bone geometry and mass distribution may also change as a result of training and other treatment, such as hormonal replacement therapy, thereby further improving bone strength and reducing fracture risk. Appropriate training regimens may reduce the risk of falls and the severity of fall-related injuries, and also constitute potential therapy to improve functional ability and the quality of life in osteoporotic patients. However, further research is needed on dose-response relationships between exercise and bone strength, the feasibility of high-load, high-speed and impact-type of physical training, and the risks and benefits of intensive exercisein elderly individuals.

Related articles
You May Need To Exercise More To Avoid Fat Accumulation Associated With Aging

Resistance Training Important for Aging Muscles AND Tendons

Bone Loss

Estradiol, Testosterone, and Hip Fractures in Men
Researchers writing in The American Journal of Medicine say “Men with low estradiol levels are at an increased risk for future hip fracture. Men with both low estradiol and low testosterone levels seem to be at greatest risk for hip fracture.”

The Importance of Strength Training Exercises in Aging
Researchers writing in the medical journal Aging Clinical and Experimental Research say that “although aerobic exercise is important in maintaining overall health, the resistance type of muscle training may be more applicable to the basic rules of bone adaptation and site-specific effects of exercise, have more favorable effects in maintaining or improving bone mass and architecture, and be safe and feasible for older people.”

DHEA, Bone Mineral Density, Older Adults
Researchers writing in the medical journal The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, say that DHEA replacement therapy for one year improved hip Bone Mineral Density in older adults and spine Bone Mineral Density in older women.

Lifelong risk factors for osteoporosis and fractures in elderly women with low body mass index
Researchers writing in the medical journal Bone, evaluated the association between lifelong lifestyle factors and bone density, falls and postmenopausal fractures in elderly women with low body mass index.

Osteoporosis in Men Testosterone and Estradiol Deficiency
Researchers writing in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism say that: Older men with total testosterone or estradiol deficiency were more likely to be osteoporotic. Those with osteoporosis were more likely to be total testosterone or estradiol deficient. Rapid hip bone loss was more likely in men with total testosterone deficiency.

Hip Fracture in High Risk Groups
Researchers writing in the Journal of Postgraduate Medicine say “prevention of hip fracture is still inadequate in high risk patients. Discrepancy seemed to exist in treatment frequency among different high risk groups suggesting that emphasis on prevention of osteoporosis has not been reinforced in all people at risk.”

Sleep and Risk of Fractures
Researchers writing in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society say that long sleep and daily napping are associated with greater risk of falls and fractures in older women

Salivary Cortisol and Memory Function

Researchers writing in the medical journal Neurobiology of Aging say their “results partially confirm previous findings that high cortisol is associated with impaired declarative memory function in non-demented older persons. In addition, our data show that high salivary cortisol concentrations predict a decline in memory function over the next 3 years.”

From the study abstract
Li G, Cherrier MM, Tsuang DW, Petrie EC, Colasurdo EA, Craft S, Schellenberg GD, Peskind ER, Raskind MA, Wilkinson CW. Salivary cortisol and memory function in human aging. Neurobiol Aging. 2006 Nov;27(11):1705-14. Epub 2005 Nov 4

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of salivary cortisol with cognitive changes in a 3 year longitudinal study. Previous studies have suggested that elevated glucocorticoid concentrations alter hippocampal neuronal morphology, inhibit neurogenesis, and impair cognition.

METHODS: Salivary cortisol samples were collected at home by 79 cognitively intact older persons (mean age 78+/-7 years) at 08:00, 15:00 and 23:00h, and collections were repeated annually for 3 years. Cognitive function was also assessed annually.

RESULTS: The mean cortisol level of samples taken at three times of day and the cortisol concentration at 23:00h were significantly associated with poorer performance on tasks of declarative memory and executive function. Of 46 subjects who completed the entire 3 year study, higher initial cortisol concentration at 23:00h predicted a decline in performance of delayed paragraph recall.

CONCLUSION: These results partially confirm previous findings that high cortisol is associated with impaired declarative memory function in non-demented older persons. In addition, our data show that high salivary cortisol concentrations predict a decline in memory function over the next 3 years.

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