Current Aging Science - Online First

Vertigo significantly impacts the psychosocial functioning in older persons, limiting their ability to carry out daily activities. In older adults, the effects of vertigo are even more severe than in younger populations, as it negatively impacts gait and balance, increasing the risk of falls. This, in turn, has a profound effect on their independence and overall quality of life. Despite the importance of providing integrated treatment, only a few psychological interventions have been proposed for older people. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of biofeedback in decreasing the emotional, functional, and physical effects of vertigo in a sample of 190 older outpatients over a 3-month follow-up period.

This is a controlled clinical study involving 190 persons of an outpatients of a Medical Centre, aged over 65 years. All patients received treatment as usual; in addition, the experimental group participated in a brief biofeedback training, using Procomp Infinity by Thought Technology Ltd. No biofeedback booster sessions were provided to the experimental group during the 3- month follow-up. Changes in vertigo severity were assessed using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI).

Repeated ANOVA measures showed that older patients treated with biofeedback reported a reduction in DHI scores after three months, reflecting a decrease in the subjective perception of the disabling impacts of dizziness on their daily living.

These findings support the effectiveness of integrating biofeedback training into the standard care protocol for older patients living with vertigo. Biofeedback treatment has reduced the effects of dizziness and instability on the day-to-day activities in these patients. Through biofeedback training, these patients learned valuable strategies to manage their symptoms, using techniques such as muscle relaxation and breath control to mitigate the arousal and heightened alertness associated with vertigo episodes. Biofeedback empowered these patients, fostering in them a sense of autonomy and self-efficacy in managing their condition.

Despite these promising results, future research should delve deeper into the underlying mechanisms of vertigo in older persons, examining psychological factors and exploring potential correlations with other common comorbidities in this population, such as cardiovascular issues and cognitive decline. Understanding these interconnections will be crucial for developing more comprehensive and effective treatment strategies for older patients with vertigo.

The decline in prospective memory is one of the age-related changes that accounts for a significant portion of complaints among older adults. This study aimed to assess the status of prospective memory and identify the factors associated with it in older people.

In this cross-sectional study, 212 older adults (aged 60 and above) were selected from the residents of Chaldoran County in 2023 using a stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using the Self-Rated Health (SRH) Scale, the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and the Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire for the Elderly (HEAL). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26, employing both descriptive and analytical statistical tests.

The mean age of participants was 71.73 ± 6.65 years, with 57.1% (121 individuals) being females. The mean score for prospective memory was 19.74 ± 6.35. Based on the scale cut-off point, 65.1% of participants had low prospective memory. Pearson’s correlation test indicated that age (r= 0.56, p< 0.05), depression(r= 0.49, p< 0.05), self-perceived health status(r= -0.53, p< 0.05), and lifestyle (r= -0.52, p< 0.05) significantly correlated with weak prospective memory status. Furthermore, according to multiple linear regression, age (β = 0.34, p< 0.001), depression(β = 0.18, p ≤ 0.05), self-perceived health (β = -0. 305, p< 0.001), and lifestyle (β = -0.25, p< 0.001) were significant predictors of weak prospective memory status.

The present study, which shows reduced prospective memory among older adults, is consistent with several studies reporting prospective memory deficits in the elderly. Additionally, multiple factors may contribute to the worsening of prospective memory in old age.

According to this study, older, unemployed, depressed individuals and those with unhealthy lifestyles are prone to decreased prospective memory. These factors could be the basis for developing prospective memory-improving interventions in older adults.

Minimal serous uterine cancers (MUSCs) represent a distinct subset of endometrial malignancies characterized by early-stage presentation and unique histopathological features. These tumors typically manifest as intraepithelial or superficial serous carcinomas confined to endometrial polyps without myometrial invasion or lymphovascular involvement. MUSCs are predominantly diagnosed in postmenopausal women and are associated with favorable prognosis.

The present case report briefs the finding of a 60-year-old woman presenting to the gynecological outpatient department for a routine gynaecological check-up. She was a known case of type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and asthma. She had no history of postmenopausal bleeding or vaginal discharge. Incidentally, on per speculum examination, a polyp of 2x3 cm was seen protruding through the cervical opening (cervical os). Her transvaginal ultrasound revealed a postmenopausal uterus with a thickened endometrium of 10mm. Her histopathology report of dilatation and curettage with polypectomy revealed serous carcinoma against the background of atrophic endometrium. The patient was managed with staging laparotomy with Wertheim’s hysterectomy with bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection, omentectomy, and parietal peritoneum biopsy. Her final histopathology report revealed Stage 1A1 MUSC with atrophic endometrium.

The case report highlights the clinical significance of recognizing MUSC as an early-stage variant of endometrial cancer. Postmenopausal women, vulnerable to uterine serous carcinoma, require comprehensive sampling of all endometrial biopsies, curettings, and endometrial polyps to ensure early detection and accurate staging.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) refers to a spectrum of brain illnesses that mostly affects the frontal and temporal lobes. These regions are commonly related to personality, behaviour, and communication. It is brought on by aberrant protein aggregates, genetics and mutation. FTD most frequently affect people between the ages of 45 and 65 but can also affect young and elderly people. It is estimated that 1.0 to 15.4 per 100,000 members of the population can be affected by FTD in the near future. About 20,000 to 30,000 cases of FTD were reported in the USA alone in 2016. Presently, no specific pharmaceutical treatments for FTD have been authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration. Nowadays, various biomarkers are available for the correct diagnosis of the disease.

The present review demonstrates the risk factors, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria and treatment of FTD using a number of synthetic and natural drugs to treat the disease and focuses on natural products used to manage the disease. The literature search was done by online databases of SciFinder, Medline, Pubmed, GoogleScholar and Scopus.

Various pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions have been recorded to treat the disease. Primary treatment is a temporary reduction in the symptoms and progression of the disease. Anticholinesterase, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant compounds are gaining interest in the management of FTD. Herbal remedies and Phytoconstituents, either alone or in combination, could serve as excellent therapies for dementia with fewer adverse effects.

Skin aging is a complex biological process driven by intrinsic factors, such as genetics and cellular metabolism, and extrinsic factors, including environmental stressors like UV radiation, pollution, and lifestyle choices. These factors result in visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles, reduced skin elasticity, and pigmentation. This review presents the recent findings on phytoextracts as natural anti-aging agents, highlighting their bioactive compounds, mechanisms of action, and applications in skin rejuvenation.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in databases including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science, focusing on articles published from 2000 to 2023. Search terms such as “phytoextracts and skin aging,” “natural antioxidants and collagen synthesis,” and “bioactive compounds and skin rejuvenation” were used. Inclusion criteria involved peer-reviewed studies on phytoextracts with experimental evidence of anti-aging effects, focusing on human and in-vitro models. Exclusion criteria included non-English articles, review papers without experimental data, and studies unrelated to skin aging. Recent research articles focusing on skin aging mechanisms and the efficacy of phytoextracts were identified. Particular attention was given to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and collagen-boosting properties of phytoextracts.

This study provides novel insights into the mechanisms through which phytoextracts counteract oxidative stress, inflammation, and extracellular matrix degradation. Notable examples include the role of resveratrol in activating longevity genes, curcumin in reducing UV-induced damage, and ginseng in improving skin elasticity. These compounds were found to exhibit potent anti-aging mechanisms through their antioxidant activity and collagen-boosting effects. Advanced delivery technologies, such as nanocarriers, enhance the efficacy of these bioactives.

Phytoextracts demonstrate significant potential in combating skin aging by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, and enhancing collagen production. While the results are promising, further clinical studies are required to validate their long-term efficacy and safety in skin aging management.

Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder that can be characterized by seizures and can be caused by abnormal electrical impulses in the brain. Various genetic, environmental, age-related, and lifestyle factors are associated with its pathogenesis, which causes neuronal cells to degenerate over time.

Epilepsy often results from an imbalance between excitatory neurotransmitters, such as glutamate, and inhibitory neurotransmitters, such as GABA. Abnormalities in glutamate receptors like N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) can lead to excessive neuronal excitation, while dysfunctions in GABA receptors can result in insufficient inhibition, both of which can provoke seizures. Additionally, a variety of receptors and pathways like NF-κB, DAPK, Trκb, COX-2, etc. are associated with the expression of epilepsy. This disorder often faces various limitations in treatment with current anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), such as drug resistance, adverse effects, and high costs. In context, flavonoids exhibit significant neuroprotective properties in epilepsy through various mechanisms such as antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects, neurotransmitter systems, and receptor modulation.

Flavonoids communicate with different signaling pathways and adjust their activities, prompting valuable neuroprotective impacts. Essential flavonoids such as quercetin, rutin, apigenin, luteolin, genistein, fisetin, chrysin, vitexin, naringin, baicalin, catechin, morin, hesperetin, kaempferol, gallic acid, silibinin, wogonin, etc. have shown promising results in channel regulation, reduced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, and neuronal excitability in experimental models of epilepsy. Given their inherent neuroprotective properties and ability to modulate multiple pathways involved in epilepsy, flavonoids hold considerable promise as multitargeted, accessible, and low-cost alternatives to conventional AEDs. Although there are challenges with target specificity and bioavailability, innovative approaches such as nanotechnology and chemical modifications are being developed to enhance these aspects.

Focusing on the mechanisms of action and neuroprotective benefits the paper highlights the promising role of flavonoids and flavonoid-based nanotherapeutics as a beneficial addition to epilepsy treatment strategies.

Regular physical activity (PA) promotes mental and physical health. Nevertheless, inactivity is a worldwide pandemic, and methods to augment exercise benefits are required. The constrained disorder principle (CDP) characterizes biological systems based on their inherent variability. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between intra-individual variability in PA and disability among non-athlete adults.

In this retrospective analysis of the longitudinal SHARE survey, we included non-disabled adults aged >50 with at least six visits over 14 years. Self-reported PA frequency was documented bi- to triennially. Low PA intensity was defined as vigorous PA frequency less than once a week. Stable PA was described as an unchanged PA intensity in all consecutive middle observations. The primary outcome was defined as a physical limitation in everyday activities at the end of the survey. Secondary outcomes were cognitive functions, including short-term memory, long-term memory, and verbal fluency.

The study included 2,049 non-disabled adults with a mean age of 53 and 49.1% women. In the initially high PA intensity group, variability in PA was associated with increased physical disability prevalence (23.3% vs. 33.2%, stablevs.unstable PA; P<0.01; adjusted P<0.01). In the initially low PA intensity group, variability was associated with a reduced physical disability (45.6% vs. 33.3%, stablevs.unstable PA; P=0.02; adjusted P=0.03). There were no statistically significant differences in cognitive parameters between the groups. Among individuals with the same low PA intensity at the beginning and end of follow-up, variability was associated with reduced physical disability (56.9% vs. 36.5%, stablevs.unstable PA; P=0.02; adjusted P=0.04) and improved short-term memory (score change: -0.28 vs. +0.29, stablevs.unstable PA; P=0.05).

Incorporating variability into PA regimens of inactive adults may enhance their physical and cognitive benefits.

Recently, there has been a significant evolution in our understanding of the molecular pathways causing the genesis and progression of cancer via the inter-individual variations. Thus, one-size-fits-all methods for cancer treatment have been replaced by precision oncology (PO) targeting individual cancer symptoms, offering increased effectiveness, and decreased safety concerns and cost load.

The identification of novel actionable indications, rapid, precise, and comprehensive detection of complex phenotypes in every individual, pioneering clinical trial projects with enhanced response feedback, and widespread availability of innovative targeted anticancer management for every patient are vital for the effective implementation of next-generation precision oncology. Additionally, the emergence of precision medicine has altered the perspective of oncologic biomarkers, drug discovery, drug development, and, improvements for cancer patients.

This paper narratively reviewed to identify actionable abnormalities, Genomic profiling of tumors employing clinical next-generation sequencing (NGS) from both tumor tissues and liquid biopsies along with the multi-omics strategies as the key component of PO.

Our increasing information on tumor biology, specifically microenvironment and heterogeneity-associated data, would improve our understanding of the resistance of targeted drugs and specific mechanisms of action, as well as help enhance existing metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment strategies.

Collectively, this paper indicated the current and innovative strategies for prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of various cancer types based on PO overview with a groundbreaking emphasis on CRC suggesting the integrations of multi-omics, highlighting Genomics, and utilizing AL and ML algorithms with targeted therapies. Notably, these findings can help improve the life-span and ageing of the predisposed people.