Ageing: Not only an age-related issue

The therapeutic perspective of NAD+ precursors in age-related diseases

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is the fundamental molecule that performs numerous biological reactions and is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Studies have found that NAD+ decreases with age in certain tissues, and age-related NAD+ depletion affects physiological functions and contributes to various aging-related diseases. Supplementation of NAD+ precursor significantly elevates NAD+ levels in murine tissues, effectively mitigates metabolic syndrome, enhances cardiovascular health, protects against neurodegeneration, and boosts muscular strength. Despite the versatile therapeutic functions of NAD+ in animal studies, the efficacy of NAD+ precursors in clinical studies have been limited compared with that in the pre-clinical study. Clinical studies have demonstrated that NAD+ precursor treatment efficiently increases NAD+ levels in various tissues, though their clinical proficiency is insufficient to ameliorate the diseases. However, the latest studies regarding NAD+ precursors and their metabolism highlight the significant role of gut microbiota. The studies found that orally administered NAD+ intermediates interact with the gut microbiome. These findings provide compelling evidence for future trials to further explore the involvement of gut microbiota in NAD+ metabolism. Also, the reduced form of NAD+ precursor shows their potential to raise NAD+, though preclinical studies have yet to discover their efficacy. This review sheds light on NAD+ therapeutic efficiency in preclinical and clinical studies and the effect of the gut microbiota on NAD+ metabolism.

Risk Polymorphisms of FNDC5, BDNF, and NTRK2 and Poor Education Interact and Aggravate Age-Related Cognitive Decline

Cognitive abilities tend to decline with aging, with variation between individuals, and many studies seek to identify genetic biomarkers that more accurately anticipate risks related to pathological aging. We investigated the influence of BDNF, NTRK2, and FNDC5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the cognitive performance of young and older adults with contrasting educational backgrounds. We addressed three questions: (1) Is education associated with reduced age-related cognitive decline? (2) Does the presence of SNPs explain the variation in cognitive performance observed late in life? (3) Is education differentially associated with cognition based on the presence of BDNF, NTRK2, or FNDC5 polymorphisms? We measured the cognitive functions of young and older participants, with lower and higher education, using specific and sensitive tests of the Cambridge Automated Neuropsychological Test Assessment Battery. A three-way ANOVA revealed that SNPs were associated with differential performances in executive functions, episodic memory, sustained attention, mental and motor response speed, and visual recognition memory and that higher educational levels improved the affected cognitive functions. The results revealed that distinct SNPs affect cognition late in life differentially, suggesting their utility as potential biomarkers and emphasizing the importance of cognitive stimulation that advanced education early in life provides.

En bloc holmium laser enucleation of prostate in octogenarians and nonagenarians: clinical characteristics and outcome

Extended longevity leads to greater numbers of elderly patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who seek surgical solutions. We assessed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of octogenarians and nonagenarians with BPH who underwent en bloc holmium laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP). Retrospective cohort of all consecutive HoLEP patients treated in our medical center between January 2020 and January 2023. Cohort was divided into group aged < 80 years (n = 290) and group aged ≥ 80 years (n = 77). Their demographics, presentations, indications, and outcomes were compared. Octogenarians and nonagenarians had higher rates of indwelling catheters (p = 0.00001), chronic retention (p = 0.00006), larger prostates (p = 0.03), higher American Anesthesiology Association scores (p = 0.000001), and more antiplatelet medications (p = 0.0003) at presentation. They had longer operations (median 115 vs 90 min, respectively, p = 0.0008), longer hospital stay (median 2 vs 1 day, p = 0.01E-7), a higher complication rate (17% vs 7%, p = 0.02), and a higher transitory urinary incontinence (TUI) rate (54% vs 9%, p = 0.00001). TUI was more prevalent in the older group with indwelling catheters (61% vs, 13%, p = 0.00001). The functional outcome was similar for both age groups, and all patients could void spontaneously after the procedure. En-bloc HoLEP improves urinary symptoms and quality of life in patients ≥ 80 years of age despite larger prostates, more comorbidities, and higher complications rate, compared to younger men. HoLEP bestows a significant improvement in urologic quality of life regardless of age.

Networks of inflammation, depression, and cognition in aging males and females

BACKGROUND

Prioritizing the maintenance of healthy cognitive aging and personalizing preventive interventions to enhance their effectiveness is crucial as the global population ages. Systemic inflammation and depression in older people have been associated with decreased levels of cognition but results have been inconsistent.

AIMS

To explore the interactive network of inflammation, depression and cognition by sex in older people.

METHODS

We used novel network analysis to explore the unique associations between inflammatory biomarkers, depression, cognition, and somatic, genetic, and lifestyle risk factors in an older (aged 70-90 years), non-demented, community-dwelling sample from the longitudinal Sydney Memory and Aging Study (N = 916) at baseline and at a two-year follow-up.

RESULTS

The networks of biomarkers, depression, cognition, and relevant covariates were significantly different between males and females. A stable negative link between depression and cognition was found in females only; a stable positive association between biomarker interleukin-6 and depression was found in females only; and a stable positive association between biomarker interleukin-8 and alcohol was found in females only. For both males and females, a stable, positive relationship was found between the presence of APOE-ε4 gene and biomarker C-reactive protein; between education and cognition; and between biomarker interleukin-6 and all other biomarkers.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest different psychophysiological mechanisms underlie the interactive network of biomarkers, depression and cognition in males and females that should be considered when designing personalized preventive interventions to maintain cognitively healthy aging.

Implementation of geriatric assessment and long-term care insurance system by medical professionals in cancer treatment: a nationwide survey in Japan

BACKGROUND

A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the implementation status of geriatric assessment in cancer treatment and the potential for collaboration between medical care and the long-term care insurance system.

METHODS

Questionnaires were sent to 795 facilities in Japan. The questions were instructed to be answered via an online survey (SurveyMonkey®), which began in September 2020 and closed on 31 October 2020. The questionnaire consisted of 8 questions on the status of geriatric assessment implementation and 15 questions on the long-term care insurance system.

RESULTS

In total, 631 departments in 340 (42.8%) of 795 hospitals and clinics provided responses. Approximately 81.5% of the departments did not perform geriatric assessment. The common reasons were lack of knowledge about geriatric assessment (54.0%) and lack of personnel (35.5%). Even if geriatric assessment was conducted, 63.6% of departments did not utilize geriatric assessment results in clinical practice. Approximately 61.7% of respondents were familiar with the long-term care insurance system and 62.9% with the certification process. Moreover, 28% of respondents used certification examination results in treatment planning.

CONCLUSIONS

Geriatric assessment is less recognized than the long-term care insurance system, and its results are rarely used in clinical practice. However, 28% of certification examination results are utilized in treatment decision-making. Notably, this survey first showed the incorporation of the long-term care insurance system into the medical care of vulnerable elderly patients with cancer.