1
|
Rajendran K, Krishnan UM. Mechanistic insights and emerging therapeutic stratagems for Alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 97:102309. [PMID: 38615895 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a multi-factorial neurodegenerative disorder has affected over 30 million individuals globally and these numbers are expected to increase in the coming decades. Current therapeutic interventions are largely ineffective as they focus on a single target. Development of an effective drug therapy requires a deep understanding of the various factors influencing the onset and progression of the disease. Aging and genetic factors exert a major influence on the development of AD. Other factors like post-viral infections, iron overload, gut dysbiosis, and vascular dysfunction also exacerbate the onset and progression of AD. Further, post-translational modifications in tau, DRP1, CREB, and p65 proteins increase the disease severity through triggering mitochondrial dysfunction, synaptic loss, and differential interaction of amyloid beta with different receptors leading to impaired intracellular signalling. With advancements in neuroscience tools, new inter-relations that aggravate AD are being discovered including pre-existing diseases and exposure to other pathogens. Simultaneously, new therapeutic strategies involving modulation of gene expression through targeted delivery or modulation with light, harnessing the immune response to promote clearance of amyloid deposits, introduction of stem cells and extracellular vesicles to replace the destroyed neurons, exploring new therapeutic molecules from plant, marine and biological sources delivered in the free state or through nanoparticles and use of non-pharmacological interventions like music, transcranial stimulation and yoga. Polypharmacology approaches involving combination of therapeutic agents are also under active investigation for superior therapeutic outcomes. This review elaborates on various disease-causing factors, their underlying mechanisms, the inter-play between different disease-causing players, and emerging therapeutic options including those under clinical trials, for treatment of AD. The challenges involved in AD therapy and the way forward have also been discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kayalvizhi Rajendran
- School of Chemical & Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India; Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India
| | - Uma Maheswari Krishnan
- School of Chemical & Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India; Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India; School of Arts, Sciences, Humanities & Education, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gómez-Soria I, Ferreira C, Oliván-Blázquez B, Aguilar-Latorre A, Calatayud E. Effects of cognitive stimulation program on cognition and mood in older adults, stratified by cognitive levels: A randomized controlled trial. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2023; 110:104984. [PMID: 36921506 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2023.104984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH Cognitive stimulation (CS) is defined as activities that involve cognitive processing, usually conducted in a social context and often in a group. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a personalized-adapted CS program in older adults on global cognition, neuropsychological constructs, activities of daily living (ADLs), and mood. MATERIALS AND METHODS The randomized controlled single-blind trial involving 337 participants (235 women and 102 men) ≥ 65 years of age in a Primary Care centre classified participants into 4 groups: 101 for the no deterioration (ND) group; 100 for the subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) group; 108 for the level deterioration (LD) group and 28 for the moderate deterioration group. The intervention consisted of a personalized CS adapted program for 10 weeks. Follow-up assessments were conducted post-intervention, and at 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome was global cognition measured by the Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. The secondary outcomes were measured by the Barthel Index, the Lawton and Brody Scale, the Goldberg Questionnaire (anxiety sub-scale) and the abbreviated Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale. RESULTS The intervention showed a tendency of improvement on global cognition and different cognitive functions for groups with no deterioration or level deterioration. The group with moderate deterioration improved in anxiety. CONCLUSIONS The findings demonstrated benefits in global cognition, different cognitive functions, semantic fluency, IADLs and anxiety. The most benefits are given in the intermediate groups, SCI, and LD. Moreover, the intervention works by increasing the benefits in the different phases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Gómez-Soria
- Department of Physiatry and Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), building CIBA, Avda. San Juan Bosco, 13, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Chelo Ferreira
- Department of Applied Mathematics and IUMA, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Bárbara Oliván-Blázquez
- Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), building CIBA, Avda. San Juan Bosco, 13, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Department of Psychology and Sociology, Faculty of Social and Labor Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Alejandra Aguilar-Latorre
- Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), building CIBA, Avda. San Juan Bosco, 13, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Estela Calatayud
- Department of Physiatry and Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), building CIBA, Avda. San Juan Bosco, 13, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Brühl AB, d'Angelo C, Sahakian BJ. Neuroethical issues in cognitive enhancement: Modafinil as the example of a workplace drug? Brain Neurosci Adv 2020; 3:2398212818816018. [PMID: 32166175 PMCID: PMC7058249 DOI: 10.1177/2398212818816018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of cognitive-enhancing drugs by healthy individuals has been a feature for much of recorded history. Cocaine and amphetamine are modern cases of drugs initially enthusiastically acclaimed for enhancing cognition and mood. Today, an increasing number of healthy people are reported to use cognitive-enhancing drugs, as well as other interventions, such as non-invasive brain stimulation, to maintain or improve work performance. Cognitive-enhancing drugs, such as methylphenidate and modafinil, which were developed as treatments, are increasingly being used by healthy people. Modafinil not only affects ‘cold’ cognition, but also improves ‘hot’ cognition, such as emotion recognition and task-related motivation. The lifestyle use of ‘smart drugs’ raises both safety concerns as well as ethical issues, including coercion and increasing disparity in society. As a society, we need to consider which forms of cognitive enhancement (e.g. pharmacological, exercise, lifelong learning) are acceptable and for which groups under what conditions and by what methods we would wish to improve and flourish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annette B Brühl
- Department of Psychiatry, Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Camilla d'Angelo
- Department of Psychiatry, Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Barbara J Sahakian
- Department of Psychiatry, Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Morera-Herreras T, Gioanni Y, Perez S, Vignoud G, Venance L. Environmental enrichment shapes striatal spike-timing-dependent plasticity in vivo. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19451. [PMID: 31857605 PMCID: PMC6923403 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55842-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Behavioural experience, such as environmental enrichment (EE), induces long-term effects on learning and memory. Learning can be assessed with the Hebbian paradigm, such as spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), which relies on the timing of neuronal activity on either side of the synapse. Although EE is known to control neuronal excitability and consequently spike timing, whether EE shapes STDP remains unknown. Here, using in vivo long-duration intracellular recordings at the corticostriatal synapses we show that EE promotes asymmetric anti-Hebbian STDP, i.e. spike-timing-dependent-potentiation (tLTP) for post-pre pairings and spike-timing-dependent-depression (tLTD) for pre-post pairings, whereas animals grown in standard housing show mainly tLTD and a high failure rate of plasticity. Indeed, in adult rats grown in standard conditions, we observed unidirectional plasticity (mainly symmetric anti-Hebbian tLTD) within a large temporal window (~200 ms). However, rats grown for two months in EE displayed a bidirectional STDP (tLTP and tLTD depending on spike timing) in a more restricted temporal window (~100 ms) with low failure rate of plasticity. We also found that the effects of EE on STDP characteristics are influenced by the anaesthesia status: the deeper the anaesthesia, the higher the absence of plasticity. These findings establish a central role for EE and the anaesthetic regime in shaping in vivo, a synaptic Hebbian learning rule such as STDP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Morera-Herreras
- Team Dynamic and Pathophysiology of Neuronal Networks, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College de France, CNRS UMR7241/INSERM U1050, MemoLife Labex, Paris, France
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, BioCruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Yves Gioanni
- Team Dynamic and Pathophysiology of Neuronal Networks, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College de France, CNRS UMR7241/INSERM U1050, MemoLife Labex, Paris, France
| | - Sylvie Perez
- Team Dynamic and Pathophysiology of Neuronal Networks, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College de France, CNRS UMR7241/INSERM U1050, MemoLife Labex, Paris, France
| | - Gaetan Vignoud
- Team Dynamic and Pathophysiology of Neuronal Networks, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College de France, CNRS UMR7241/INSERM U1050, MemoLife Labex, Paris, France
| | - Laurent Venance
- Team Dynamic and Pathophysiology of Neuronal Networks, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College de France, CNRS UMR7241/INSERM U1050, MemoLife Labex, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Purohit DC, Mandyam AD, Terranova MJ, Mandyam CD. Voluntary wheel running during adolescence distinctly alters running output in adulthood in male and female rats. Behav Brain Res 2019; 377:112235. [PMID: 31521739 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Adult female rats show greater running output compared with age-matched male rats, and the midbrain dopaminergic system may account for behavioral differences in running output. However, it is unknown if the lower running output in adult males can be regulated by wheel running experience during adolescence, and whether wheel running experience during adolescence will diminish the sex differences in running output during adulthood. We therefore determined and compared the exercise output in adult male and female rats that either had initiated voluntary wheel running only during adulthood or during adolescence. Our results demonstrate that running output in adult males were significantly higher when running was initiated during adolescence, and this higher running output was not significantly different from females. Running output did not differ during adulthood in females when wheel running was initiated during adolescence or during adulthood. Higher running output in females was associated with reduced expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and hyperactivation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in the dorsal striatum. Notably, running during adolescence-induced higher exercise output in adult males was associated with hyperactivation of CaMKII in the dorsal striatum, indicating a mechanistic role for CaMKII in running output. Together, the present results indicate sexually dimorphic adaptive biochemical changes in the dorsal striatum in rats that had escalated running activity, and highlight the importance of including sex as a biological variable in exploring neuroplasticity changes that predict enhanced exercise output in a voluntary physical activity paradigm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Atulya D Mandyam
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92161, USA
| | | | - Chitra D Mandyam
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92161, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sobolewski M, Singh G, Schneider JS, Cory-Slechta DA. Different Behavioral Experiences Produce Distinctive Parallel Changes in, and Correlate With, Frontal Cortex and Hippocampal Global Post-translational Histone Levels. Front Integr Neurosci 2018; 12:29. [PMID: 30072878 PMCID: PMC6060276 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2018.00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
While it is clear that behavioral experience modulates epigenetic profiles, it is less evident how the nature of that experience influences outcomes and whether epigenetic/genetic "biomarkers" could be extracted to classify different types of behavioral experience. To begin to address this question, male and female mice were subjected to either a Fixed Interval (FI) schedule of food reward, or a single episode of forced swim followed by restraint stress, or no explicit behavioral experience after which global expression levels of two activating (H3K9ac and H3K4me3) and two repressive (H3K9me2 and H3k27me3) post-translational histone modifications (PTHMs), were measured in hippocampus (HIPP) and frontal cortex (FC). The specific nature of the behavioral experience differentiated profiles of PTHMs in a sex- and brain region-dependent manner, with all 4 PTHMs changing in parallel in response to different behavioral experiences. These different behavioral experiences also modified the pattern of correlations of PTHMs both within and across FC and HIPP. Unexpectedly, highly robust correlations were found between global PTHM levels and behavioral performances, suggesting that global PTHMs may provide a higher-order pattern recognition function. Further efforts are needed to determine the generality of such findings and what characteristics of behavioral experience are critical for modulating PTHM responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marissa Sobolewski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Garima Singh
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jay S. Schneider
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Deborah A. Cory-Slechta
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
O'Leary JD, Hoban AE, Cryan JF, O'Leary OF, Nolan YM. Differential effects of adolescent and adult-initiated voluntary exercise on context and cued fear conditioning. Neuropharmacology 2018; 145:49-58. [PMID: 29793890 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical period for postnatal brain maturation and a time during which there is increased susceptibility to developing emotional and cognitive-related disorders. Exercise during adulthood has been shown to increase hippocampal plasticity and enhance cognition. However, the impact of exercise initiated in adolescence, on brain and behaviour in adulthood is not yet fully explored or understood. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of voluntary exercise that was initiated either during adolescence or early adulthood on cognitive performance in hippocampal and amygdala-dependent fear conditioning tasks in adulthood. Adult (eight weeks old) and adolescent (four weeks old) male Sprague Dawley rats had access to a running wheel (exercise) or were left undisturbed (sedentary control) for seven weeks. Adult-initiated exercise enhanced both contextual and cued fear conditioning, while conversely, exercise that began in adolescence did not affect performance in these tasks. These behaviours were accompanied by differential expression of plasticity-related genes in the hippocampus and amygdala in adulthood. Specifically, adolescent-initiated exercise increased the expression of an array of plasticity related genes in the hippocampus including BDNF, synaptophysin, Creb, PSD-95, Arc, TLX and DCX, while adult-initiated exercise did not affect hippocampal plasticity related genes. Together results show that exercise initiated during adolescence has a differential effect on hippocampal and amygdala-dependent behaviour and neuronal plasticity compared to when exercise was initiated in adulthood. These findings reinforce adolescence as a period during which environmental influences have a distinct impact on neuronal plasticity and cognition. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled "Neurobiology of Environmental Enrichment".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James D O'Leary
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Alan E Hoban
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Olivia F O'Leary
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Yvonne M Nolan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Birch AM, Kelly ÁM. Lifelong environmental enrichment in the absence of exercise protects the brain from age-related cognitive decline. Neuropharmacology 2018; 145:59-74. [PMID: 29630903 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.03.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Environmental manipulations enhance neuroplasticity, with enrichment-induced cognitive improvements linked to increased expression of growth factors and enhanced hippocampal neurogenesis. Environmental enrichment (EE) is defined as the addition of social, physical and somatosensory stimulation into an animal's environment via larger group housing, extra objects and, often, running wheels. Previous studies from our laboratory report that physical activity is a potent memory enhancer but that long-term environmental stimulation can be as effective as exercise at ameliorating age-related memory decline. To assess the effects of EE, in the absence of exercise, rats were housed in continuous enriched conditions for 20 months and memory assessed at young, middle aged and aged timepoints. MRI scans were also performed at these timepoints to assess regional changes in grey matter and blood flow with age, and effects of EE upon these measures. Results show an age-related decline in recognition, spatial and working memory that was prevented by EE. A parallel reduction in βNGF in hippocampus, and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus, was prevented by EE. Furthermore, EE attenuated an age-related increase in apoptosis and expression of pro-inflammatory markers IL-1β and CD68. Long-term EE induced region-specific changes in grey matter intensity and partially rescued age-related reductions in cerebral blood flow. This study demonstrates that sensory enrichment alone can ameliorate many features typical of the ageing brain, such as increases in apoptosis and pro-inflammatory markers. Furthermore, we provide novel data on enrichment-induced regional grey matter alterations and age-related changes in blood flow in the rat. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled "Neurobiology of Environmental Enrichment".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy M Birch
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine & Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience & Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Áine M Kelly
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine & Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience & Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
[Doping for the brain]. Z Gerontol Geriatr 2017; 51:143-148. [PMID: 29209802 DOI: 10.1007/s00391-017-1351-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The enhancement of physical and cognitive abilities (i. e. concentration, vigilance, memory) has always been desirable for humans. The term pharmacological neuroenhancement refers to the use of legal or nonprescription psychoactive substances by healthy subjects with the intention of cognitive enhancement. To give the most prominent example, caffeine serves worldwide as a natural stimulant. Brain doping, however, specifies the use of illegal substances or prescription drugs beyond approval with the purpose of cognitive enhancement. Only amphetamines, methylphenidate and modafinil have significant effects on attentiveness, concentration and alertness, whereas other substances, such as anti-dementia drugs or anti-depressants failed to demonstrate cognitive enhancement in healthy subjects.
Collapse
|
10
|
Liu T, Fu M, Yuan T, Xu DW. Commentary: Stimulation of the Posterior Cortical-Hippocampal Network Enhances Precision of Memory Recollection. Front Psychol 2017; 8:899. [PMID: 28611722 PMCID: PMC5447746 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Liu
- School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal UniversityNanjing, China
| | - Mingchen Fu
- School of Education Science, Nanjing Normal UniversityNanjing, China
- Faculty of Education, University of Hong KongHong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Tifei Yuan
- School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal UniversityNanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Tifei Yuan
| | - Dong-Wu Xu
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou, China
- Dong-Wu Xu
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ryan SM, Kelly ÁM. Exercise as a pro-cognitive, pro-neurogenic and anti-inflammatory intervention in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2016; 27:77-92. [PMID: 27039886 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2016.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
It is now well established, at least in animal models, that exercise elicits potent pro-cognitive and pro-neurogenic effects. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the leading causes of dementia and represents one of the greatest burdens on healthcare systems worldwide, with no effective treatment for the disease to date. Exercise presents a promising non-pharmacological option to potentially delay the onset of or slow down the progression of AD. Exercise interventions in mouse models of AD have been explored and have been found to reduce amyloid pathology and improve cognitive function. More recent studies have expanded the research question by investigating potential pro-neurogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of exercise. In this review we summarise studies that have examined exercise-mediated effects on AD pathology, cognitive function, hippocampal neurogenesis and neuroinflammation in transgenic mouse models of AD. Furthermore, we attempt to identify the optimum exercise conditions required to elicit the greatest benefits, taking into account age and pathology of the model, as well as type and duration of exercise.
Collapse
|
12
|
Brühl AB, Sahakian BJ. Drugs, games, and devices for enhancing cognition: implications for work and society. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2016; 1369:195-217. [PMID: 27043232 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As work environments change, the demands on working people change. Cognitive abilities in particular are becoming progressively more important for work performance and successful competition in a global environment. However, work-related stress, performance over long hours, lack of sleep, shift work, and jet lag affect cognitive functions. Therefore, an increasing number of healthy people are reported to use cognitive-enhancing drugs, as well as other interventions, such as noninvasive brain stimulation, to maintain or improve work performance. This review summarizes research on pharmacological and technical methods as well as cognitive training, including game apps for the brain, in healthy people. In neuropsychiatric disorders, impairments in cognitive functions can drastically reduce the chances of returning to work; therefore, this review also summarizes findings from pharmacological and cognitive-training studies in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annette B Brühl
- Department of Psychiatry, and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Barbara J Sahakian
- Department of Psychiatry, and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|