[Better identifying and understanding post-traumatic stress disorder in the elderly]

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is particularly common in the elderly, including those with cognitive impairments. We need to stress the importance of early detection to better understand the specific signs of this disorder in the elderly. Psychotherapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing are being explored for their effectiveness and adaptability with the elderly. Identifying post-traumatic stress disorder should be a shared responsibility, for the mental health of the elderly.

[Better assessment, better care: Quetci, a questionnaire for assessing cognitive disorders in nursing practice]

Cognitive disorders can have significant repercussions on the quality of care and daily life for patients. We have developed a new tool specifically designed for nursing practice to identify these problems in patients with brain tumors. The Cognitive Impairment Assessment Questionnaire for nursing practice is an objective, quick and easy-to-administer tool that is readily accepted by patients.

[The multi-professional alliance in the diagnostic process]

Professional support for elderly people suffering from cognitive impairment needs to be comprehensive, and requires the active involvement of a wide range of professionals. Two clinical cases show how the combined support of a therapeutic day-care center and medical specialists can improve the quality of life of patients and their families, by helping to refine diagnoses or adjust treatment.

[The contribution of physical activity to motivation in patients with minor to major cognitive impairment]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) brings with it the need to think about the loss of autonomy caused by cognitive impairment, and how to manage it. In this context, adapted physical activity has been shown to benefit the overall quality of life of people suffering from the disease. In our study of thirteen patients with AD or related neurodegenerative diseases, we assessed the impact of physical activity on self-esteem and motivation, with patients taking part in group exercise sessions lasting twelve weeks, one hour a week.

[Multidisciplinary and multimodal rehabilitation care for patients suffering from multiple sclerosis]

The support provided at the Germaine-Revel medical center in the Rhône region involves assessing the patient as a whole, which is a key aspect of implementing personalized rehabilitation focused on one or more objectives. The team offers multidisciplinary and multimodal care, because the clinical symptoms of people with multiple sclerosis are very varied: they can include neuromotor, neurosensory, neurosensory and cognitive disorders, as well as bladder and bowel and genital disorders.

['Anti-fugue' plant device, an innovative concept in gerontology]

Plant features represent a modality of outdoor architecture that can be integrated into a project to take into account the particularities of patients and residents, and in particular those with cognitive disorders and risks of running away. The concept of a "plant-based security system" is an innovative and transposable prevention approach that reconciles the constitutional right to freedom of movement and security. A living concept illustrated by the Seilleraye EHPAD in Carquefou.

[General practitioners' views on cognitive disorders diagnosis: a qualitative study]

Diagnosis of cognitive disorders is at medical and ethical stake. The aim of an qualitative study based on interviews was to explore the views of general practitioners on this diagnosis. General practitioners are ambivalent about the relevance and temporality of the diagnosis of cognitive disorders, which could be resolved by a shared decision making at each stage of the diagnostic approach.

[Video calls to disoriented elderly persons during the COVID-19 health crisis]

Maintaining an exchange between the disoriented elderly patient and his family circle is essential to help reduce patient anxiety. When visits are not possible, the implementation of video calls with highly disoriented individuals shows a benefit of these virtual exchanges. The introduction of new technologies, if accompanied, does not disturb the patient and does not alter the quality of the relationship.

[COVID-19, impact on residents and caregivers]

Following the COVID-19's entry into France, in order to protect the residents, the doors of the accommodation facilities for dependent elderly have been closed and a complete reorganization has been necessary. This confinement and restructuring behind closed doors has many consequences both for the residents and for the staff who accompany them on a daily basis. For the resident, the physical and/or psychological impact will be different depending on his degree of autonomy. The staff fear for their health, their families health, and the one of the elderly they accompany.

[Techniques from EMDR Psychotherapy : a tool against disruptive psycho-behavioural disorders?]

Behavioural disorders in residential care facilities for dependent seniors are particularly common in residents with Alzheimer's and related diseases. Verbal agitation is one of the most disruptive behavioural disorders. The use of techniques from Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy in gerontology, its applications and research perspectives may be illustrated.

[Ethical challenges surrounding the ageing of HIV-positive patients]

More and more HIV-positive people now belong to the 50+ age group. This ageing is accompanied by specific medical and psychosocial problems. In 2018, the French National Consultative Ethics Committee published a paper on the ethical challenges of ageing. Ageing is not easy in a society from which people living with HIV and the elderly feel excluded.

[Diagnosis disclosure in geriatric oncology]

The disclosure of a cancer diagnosis in an elderly person is often difficult. It can be impacted by sensory or cognitive disorders, a depressive condition, or by the presence of family members. It is important to take account of a disease which is sometimes at an advanced stage, reduced life expectancy and obvious frailty. The disclosure should always be made whatever the clinical situation, but always with an adapted, honest and step-by-step process.

[The reconstruction of meaning in dementia]

Dementia brings about progressive cognitive deterioration, combining memory problems, language difficulties and thought disorders. While there is currently no treatment for the organic disorders causing the dementia, help can be given to patients to slow down the regressive processes. Psychological mediations exist to support patients in their efforts to make sense of their environment.

Association of Sympathovagal Imbalance With Cognitive Impairment in Type 2 Diabetes in Adults

OBJECTIVE

Sympathovagal imbalance (SVI) has been reported to be associated with metabolic derangements in type 2 diabetes. We investigated the association of SVI with cognitive impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Patients with a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (n=43) and age-matched healthy control subjects (n=43) were recruited for the study. Body mass index and blood pressure measurements were recorded. SVI was assessed by spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV), and cognitive function was assessed by recording the positive wave that appears in 300 milliseconds from application of stimulus in event-related potential tracing (P300). Insulin resistance was determined by the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) formula using blood glucose and insulin data, and oxidative stress was assessed by estimation of malondialdehyde. Association of various factors with cognitive impairment was evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis, and independent contributions of these factors to cognitive impairment were assessed by multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

P300 latency was significantly prolonged in the diabetes group compared with the control group. Ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency power (LF-HF ratio) of HRV, the marker of SVI was found to be significantly correlated and linked with P300. Malondialdehyde and HOMA-IR were correlated with LF-HF ratio.

CONCLUSION

Treatment-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes have SVI and considerable cognitive impairment. Insulin resistance and oxidative stress contribute to cognitive impairment, and SVI could be the physiologic link to cognitive impairment in treatment-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes.

[Alzheimer's disease, the importance of the choice of words]

The terms 'dementia' and 'demented' are frequently used to refer to people with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Based on the cross-analysis of some observational data (historical, linguistic, legal and medical), it is possible to highlight the risks and the issues related to the terminological choices for patients and health professionals.

[Cognitive disorders of head trauma patients]

The repercussions of cognitive disorders resulting from a traumatic brain injury are considerable in patients' daily life. Their quality of life and that of their families is significantly reduced; their reintegration into working life difficult. This chronic cognitive disability requires adapted treatment.

[Cognitive remediation and nursing care]

Therapies based on cognitive remediation integrate psychiatric care. Cognitive remediation helps to ease cognitive disorders and enable patients to improve their day-to-day lives. It is essential to complete nurses' training in this field. This article presents the example of a patient with schizophrenia who followed the Cognitive Remediation Therapy programme, enabling him to access mainstream employment.