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Successful Ageing (successful + ageing)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	100%

Selected Abstracts

Metabolic age modelling: the lesson from centenarians

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 10 2000
G. Paolisso
Evolutionary theories of ageing, and data emerging from cellular and molecular biology of ageing, suggested that animals and humans capable of reaching an age close to the extreme limit of the life span should be equipped with a very efficient network of anti-ageing mechanisms. Indeed several evidences have demonstrated that starting from young to very old subjects, ageing is associated with a progressive remodelling. Thus, a new paradigm, the remodelling theory of age, was proposed. This theory, focusing on the human immune system, suggested that immunosenescence is the net result of the continuous adaptation of the body to the deteriorative changes occurring over time. According to this hypothesis, body resources are continuously optimized, and immunosenescence must be considered a very dynamic process including both loss and gain. Whether the metabolic pathways and the endocrine functions are also part of the age remodelling is not investigated. The aim of this review is to focus on the age-related changes in metabolic pathways and endocrine functions and to demonstrate that healthy centenarians (HC) represent the best living example of successful age-remodelling in whom the age remodelling has occurred without problems. In order to design the clinical picture of such successful ageing, anthropometric, endocrine and metabolic characteristics of healthy centenarians (HC), compared with aged subject, have been outlined. [source]

A randomized, two-year study of the efficacy of cognitive intervention on elderly people: the Donostia Longitudinal Study

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2008
Cristina Buiza
Abstract Background Research on non-pharmacological therapies (cognitive rehabilitation) in old age has been very limited, and most has not considered the effect of interventions of this type over extended periods of time. Objective To investigate a new cognitive therapy in a randomized study with elderly people who did not suffer cognitive impairment. Methods The efficacy of this therapy was evaluated by means of post-hoc analysis of 238 people using biomedical, cognitive, behavioural, quality of life (QoL), subjective memory, and affective assessments. Results Scores for learning potential and different types of memory (working memory, immediate memory, logic memory) for the treatment group improved significantly relative to the untreated controls. Conclusions The most significant finding in this study was that learning potential continued at enhanced levels in trained subjects over an intervention period lasting two years, thereby increasing rehabilitation potential and contributing to successful ageing. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

The attitudes to ageing questionnaire (AAQ): development and psychometric properties

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 4 2007
K. Laidlaw
Abstract Objective This paper describes the development of the Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire (AAQ) which is a self-report measure with which older people themselves can express their attitudes to the process of ageing. Method The development of the AAQ followed a coherent, logical and empirical process taking full account of relevant gerontological knowledge and modern and classical psychometric analytical methods. Pilot testing with 1,356 participants from 15 centres worldwide refined the scale and provided the basis for a field test. A total of 5,566 participants from 20 centres worldwide contributed to the further development of this new scale with the derivation involving both classical and modern psychometric methods. Results The result is a 24-item cross-cultural attitudes to ageing questionnaire consisting of a three-factor model encompassing psychological growth, psychosocial loss, and physical change. The three-factor model suggests a way of conceptualizing and measuring successful ageing in individuals. Conclusions The AAQ provides researchers, clinicians and policy makers with a unique scale to measure the impact of successful ageing interventions. It also provides a vehicle for the measurement of how individuals age across cultures and under different economic, political and social circumstances. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Enteric neurodegeneration in ageing

NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY & MOTILITY, Issue 4 2008
M. Camilleri
Abstract, The objective of this article is to review the clinical presentation and neurobiology of degeneration of the enteric nervous system with emphasis on human data where available. Constipation, incontinence and evacuation disorders are frequently encountered in the ageing population. Healthy lower gastrointestinal function is essential for successful ageing as it is critical to maintaining independence and autonomy to pursue further activity. One clinical expression of enteric neurodegeneration is constipation. However, the aetiology may be multifactorial as disturbances of epithelial, muscle or neural function may all result from neurodegeneration. There is evidence of loss of excitatory (e.g. cholinergic) enteric neurons and interstitial cells of Cajal, whereas inhibitory (including nitrergic) neurons appear unaffected. Understanding neurodegeneration in the enteric nervous system is key to developing treatments to reverse it. Neurotrophins have been shown to accelerate colonic transit and relieve constipation in the medium term; they are also implicated in maintenance programmes in adult enteric neurons through a role in antioxidant defence. However, their effects in ageing colon require further study. There is evidence that 5-HT2 and 5-HT4 mechanisms are involved in development, maintenance and survival of enteric neurons. Further research is needed to understand and potentially reverse enteric neurodegeneration. [source]

Happy and healthy only if occupied?

AUSTRALIAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY JOURNAL, Issue 1 2010
Perceptions of health sciences students on occupation in later life
Background/aim:,In this study, we bring attention to the university education of health science students with respect to occupation in later life. Our goal was to provide descriptive data from narratives of a group of undergraduate students and initiate discussion about the place of occupation in the context of ageing to answer the following questions: (i) How young people perceive successful ageing in relation to occupation? and (ii) can spirituality-related activities be considered occupations in later life? Methods:,Based on a thematic selection, the quality of photographs and reflective narratives, 60 Photovoice assignments created by health sciences students were analysed using content analysis. Results:,The findings of this study indicate that students seem to neglect the benefits of ,being' through spiritual engagement, and instead emphasise the importance of ,doing', and perpetuate pervasive successful ageing discourses in Western societies. Conclusions:,Occupational therapists have potential to take an active role in undergraduate health science education and to inform the development of holistic models that would include spirituality as an avenue to live late life to its fullest potential. Photovoice emerged as a powerful teaching method to increase awareness, empathy and compassion of young adults towards ageing. [source]