[Assessment of cognitive and motor functions in older age groups: clinical significance, diagnostic tools, promising directions.]

Assessment of cognitive and motor function in older age groups is carried out to identify neurological deficits, clinical and functional prognosis, determination of rehabilitation potential, organization of accessible environment, prevention of progression of geriatric syndromes. The development of an applied methodology aimed at assessing both cognitive and motor functions, as well as cognitive-motor interaction in aging in normal and pathological conditions, is at the initial stage of formation. This article presents an overview of the methods used to assess cognitive and motor functions in clinical practice, analyzes the possibilities of their use for older age groups, and considers promising areas.

[Age-related features of expression of melatonin and its receptors in myocardial tissues in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.]

In recent years, more and more attention of researchers has been paid to the study of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP). The prevalence of this disease in older age groups is higher than previously thought, and the course of the disease is associated with a worse prognosis and treatment difficulties. Researchers are considering various signaling molecules whose expression changes are associated with myocardial damage and the development of DCMP; evaluation of changes in the expression of melatonin and its receptors in DCMP requires further study. The aim of the study was to study the age-related features of the expression of melatonin and its receptors (MT1, MT2) in the myocardium and their changes depending on the presence of dilated cardiomyopathy. Immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical methods were used to evaluate the expression of melatonin and its MT1, MT2 receptors in myocardial autopsy material and cardiomyocyte cultures of people of different ages with and without cardiovascular pathology. The study revealed age-associated changes in the form of a decrease in the expression of melatonin and its MT1 and MT2 receptors in the myocardium. In individuals with DCMP of all age groups, a more significant decrease in expression was noted: melatonin by 1,6-1,7 times in old age and 3,2 times in old age; MT1 by 1,8 and 2 times, respectively; MT2 by 1,4 and 4 times, respectively. The relationship between the decrease in the expression of melatonin and its receptors in myocardial tissues with age and the presence of DCMP was revealed. The data obtained allow us to clarify age-dependent changes in melatonin and its receptors, as well as to assume their important role in the development of DCMP, which requires further study.

[Parametres of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with lung and esophagus cancer according to their gender and age.]

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is a diagnostic method, which can be used for oncological patients. It shows its perspectives in measuring reserve capacity of the human organism, determining the risk of postoperative complications, and long-term prognosis. The method is also useful for optimization of rehabilitation measures, which is actual for polymorbid aged patients. In this article we present data of cardiopulmonary exercise testing of 362 patients, men and women of different ages with lung and esophagus cancer. We performed a comparative analysis of aerobic ability of gerontological patients and patients from the other age groups. The patients showed higher ranges at rest in comparison to normal population, and lower rates on anaerobic threshold. Patients from the 40-49 age group showed the best values of aerobic exchange. Aged patients had lower oxygen uptake on anaerobic threshold than other groups. Women of all ages had higher values of peak oxygen uptake then men; aged patients showed better results in comparison to the normal ranges.