1,721,049 research outputs found
Adrenergic Drugs Blockers or Enhancers for Cognitive Decline ? What to Choose for Alzheimer's Disease Patients?
No full textThe adrenergic system has an important role in normal central nervous system function as well as in brain disease. The locus coeruleus, the main source of norepinephrine in brain, is involved in the regulation of learning and memory, reinforcement of sleep-wake cycle and synaptic plasticity. In Alzheimer's disease, locus coeruleus degeneration is observed early in the course of the disease, years before the onset of clinical cognitive signs, with neurofibrillary detected at the stage of mild cognitive impairment, preceding amyloid deposition. Thus, in the last years, a great interest has grown in evaluating the possibility of central adrenergic system modulation as a therapeutic tool in Alzheimer's disease. However, evidences do not show univocal results, with some studies suggesting that adrenergic stimulation might be beneficial in Alzheimer's Disease and some others favoring adrenergic blockade. In this review, we summarize data from both hypothesis and describe the pathophysiological role of the adrenergic system in neurodegeneration
The emerging role of microRNAs in Alzheimer’s disease
No full textMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA which have been shown to regulate gene expression. The alteration of miRNAs expression has been associated with several pathological processes, including neurodegeneration. In the search for easily accessible and non-invasive biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnosis and prognosis, circulating miRNAs are among the most promising candidates. Some of them have been consistently identified as AD-specific miRNAs and their targets also seem implicated in pathophysiological processes underlying AD. Here, we review the emerging role for miRNA in AD, giving an overview on general miRNAs biology, their implications in AD pathophysiology and their potential role as future biomarkers
Intricate relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and dementia in older adults
No full text: Numerous evidence reports direct correlation between cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease and sleep disorders, in particular obstructive sleep apnea. Both obstructive sleep apnea and Alzheimer's disease are highly prevalent conditions whose incidence increases with age. Several studies demonstrate how sleep-disordered breathing may lead to poor cognition, even though the underlying mechanisms of this association remain partially unclear. According to the most recent studies, obstructive sleep apnea may be considered a modifiable risk factor for cognitive dysfunction. In the present review, the authors aim to integrate recent research examining obstructive sleep apnea and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers, also focusing on the mechanisms that support this correlation, including but not limited to the role of hypoxia and cardiovascular risk. Moreover, the potential favourable effect of obstructive sleep apnea therapy on cognitive function is discussed, to evaluate the benefits deriving from appropriate treatment of sleep-disordered breathing on cognition
Atrial Fibrillation and Dementia: Focus on Shared Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications
No full textObjectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and dementia are highly prevalent chronic and debilitating conditions, especially affecting the older population. This review focuses on possible common pathophysiological mechanisms that could explain the association between the 2 conditions. Design: Narrative review. Setting and participants: Evidence from epidemiologic, observational, and interventional studies evaluating prevalence and incidence of cognitive impairment in patients with AF. Methods: Broad literature search between December 2022 and May 2023. Eligible categories for inclusion comprised interventional studies, observational studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analysis. Results: Evidence from different cohorts has shown that AF increases the risk of dementia, although the association with dementia subtypes is not always unequivocal. According to recent evidence, common pathophysiological mechanisms include thromboembolism and hypercoagulable states, proinflammatory state, infection, cerebral hypoperfusion, and brain atrophy. Moreover, we reviewed the evidence on therapeutic measures to prevent dementia in patients with AF. Conclusions and implications: Screening for cognition in patients with AF is of paramount importance, given the shared risk factors and common pathophysiological mechanisms. More evidence is needed to clarify whether antiarrhythmic and anticoagulant therapy have an impact on cognitive outcomes in AF patients
Cognitive Function and Heart Failure: The Role of the Adrenergic System
No full textHeart Failure (HF) and cognitive impairment (CI) represent two high incident diseases worldwide, with extremely elevated mortality and morbidity rates. Their prevalence is expected to further increase in the next years due to the aging population, thus they pose enormous clinical, social and economic challenges. Sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity is known to play a pivotal role in HF pathophysiology and progression. In fact, increased cardiac and circulating catecholamine levels are responsible for several molecular and structural abnormalities with detrimental effects on the failing heart. The proof of this latter concept is represented by the clinical success of .-Blocker therapy that is able to attenuate HF-related morbidity and mortality. Recently, adrenergic system alterations have been implied also in the pathogenesis of CI and dementia opening the window for new fascinating and promising therapeutic opportunities
Diabetes Mellitus and Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses
No full textA link between diabetes mellitus (DM) and Parkinson's disease (PD) have been proposed but evidence are sparse and inconsistent
Tailoring therapy for heart failure: the pharmacogenomics of adrenergic receptor signaling
No full textGrazia Daniela Femminella,1 Vincenzo Barrese,2,3 Nicola Ferrara,1,4 Giuseppe Rengo4 1Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy; 2Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University, Naples, Italy; 3Division of Biomedical Sciences, St George’s University of London, London, UK; 4”Salvatore Maugeri” Foundation – IRCCS – Scientific Institute of Telese Terme, Telese Terme, Benevento, Italy Abstract: Heart failure is one of the leading causes of mortality in Western countries, and β-blockers are a cornerstone of its treatment. However, the response to these drugs is variable among individuals, which might be explained, at least in part, by genetic differences. Pharmacogenomics is the study of genetic contributions to drug response variability in order to provide evidence for a tailored therapy in an individual patient. Several studies have investigated the pharmacogenomics of the adrenergic receptor system and its role in the context of the use of β-blockers in treating heart failure. In this review, we will focus on the most significant polymorphisms described in the literature involving adrenergic receptors and adrenergic receptor-related proteins, as well as genetic variations influencing β-blocker metabolism. Keywords: adrenergic system, polymorphisms, β-blockers, functional recover
T follicular helper cells (TFH): From physiological to pathological aging
No full text: The fraction that the elderly represent in the world's population is growing rapidly; numerous alterations that impact all organs and systems, including the immune system, are related to aging. A complex process common in the elderly, known as immunosenescence, is characterized by a decreased ability to respond to vaccination as well as an increased risk of bacterial and viral infections, autoimmune, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. These processes are associated with alterations in the innate and adaptive immune system and lead to a condition of chronic low-grade inflammation, referred to as inflammaging. However, the mechanisms underlying these processes are still unclear. Several types of immune cells are involved in this condition, including CD4+T cells subsets. T follicular helper (TFH) cells and T follicular regulatory cells (TFR) can be found in peripheral blood and lymphoid organs and are involved in maintaining immune homeostasis by regulating antibody production by B cells. Age-related changes in TFH cells phenotype and function have been observed in both aging humans and mouse models. Cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, prevalent in elderly subjects, are associated with dysfunctional TFH cells and an altered TFH/TFR ratio. This review discusses the cellular and molecular alterations in TFH cells and in their ratio to TFR cells that occur with age, along with recent findings suggesting a possible link between TFH cells and/or their subsets and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases
- …
