Разработка инвестиционного проекта «Пасека» в развитии агротуризма

Материалы V Междунар. науч. конф. студентов, аспирантов и молодых ученых, Гомель, 24 мая 2012

Kognitiv och motorisk funktion i tidig fas av Parkinsons sjukdom.

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease. The diagnosis is based on a combination of the motor signs: tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity and postural abnormalities. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is common early in the disease and a large proportion of patients with PD develop dementia (PDD). Associations between motor symptoms and cognitive decline have been suggested but the results are inconclusive due to differences in the selection of participants and variables tested. Large population based studies with comprehensive neuropsychological investigation in newly diagnosed cases with PD followed prospectively are rare. The aim of this thesis was to improve characterization and understanding of cognition in PD, and to explore the relationship to motor impairment in the early phase of PD. Methods: All new patients with suspected idiopathic parkinsonism in the catchment area (142 ooo inhabitants) were examined during a period of five years and four months. Among other investigations, a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation was carried out in 119 of 148 patients with PD together with 30 age matched healthy controls. Assessments were repeated after one three and five years. Results: Patients performed worse than healthy controls in a majority of neuropsychological tests. MCI at the time of diagnosis were found in 36% according to recently published MCI criteria. Thirty % were cognitively impaired using another definition. One fourth of the patients developed PDD within five years after diagnosis and 25 % of those with MCI at baseline reversed back to normal cognition. Age and MCI were significant predictors of dementia. Education was an independent predictor for severe cognitive dysfunction at diagnosis but did not predict PDD. Patients with MCI converting to PDD had worse performance on visuospatial function, semantic fluency, episodic memory, mental flexibility and conceptual thinking. There were no differences in cognitive performance between patients with predominant Postural and Gait Disturbances (PIGD) and the tremor dominant subtype at the baseline investigation and belonging to the PIGD subgroup at baseline did not predict PDD. Dementia converters declined more rapidly than non-converters in posture/gait function. Associations between bradykinesia and measures of executive functions and working memory were found, and between posture and gait disturbances and visuospatial function. Some of these associations were persistent after one year. Patients receiving the dopamine agonist pramipexole performed significantly worse on a measure of verbal fluency at the one year follow up. Conclusions: The differences in proportions of cognitively impaired in the different studies emphasize the value of joint criteria for PD-MCI. Even when using such criteria, a substantial proportion of patients revert back to normal function. The increase in motor disability in patients with PDD could have several different causes that need to be further investigated. Associated motor and cognitive dysfunctions could reflect common pathophysiological processes in partly shared networks. Both dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic motor and cognitive functions seems to be involved in PDD which suggests that pharmacological treatment in PD needs to go beyond the scope of dopaminergic deficiency in search for new therapies that would also be effective for non-motor symptoms.NYPU

On-line vs. On-site Dance for People with Parkinson’s Disease: An Evaluation Study

Background: Dance for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) has received much attention with studies showing its benefits in terms of physical and psychological changes. As people with PD experience barriers to participate in on-site activities, home-based telehealth interventions are becoming increasingly popular. This study examined the differences between digital and on-site dance for people with PD. Methods: This evaluation study used a secondary qualitative analysis of focus group data from six participants with PD who had experience of digital and on-site dance, as well as two interviews with the dance teacher of both dance formats for people with PD. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: Both the dancers and the dance teacher reported how the social and artistic aspects of on-site dance are not present to the same degree in digital dance. These aspects were experienced as important for acceptance of oneself and PD. Conclusions: This evaluation study demonstrates that the social and artistic aspects of dance are not experienced to the same degree within both types of dance. As these aspects were closely connected to acceptance of oneself and PD, this study encourages future efforts to focus on the social and artistic constructs within digital dance.Godkänd;2023;Nivå 0;2023-12-20 (marisr);Full text license: CC BY-NC</p

Early Recognition of Cognitive Ability and Nutritional Markers for Dementia in Parkinson’s Disease

Background: Cognitive decline and dementia are common non-motor problems in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The underlying aetiology is multifaceted and both chronic and reversible causes for cognitive decline are likely to be present. Malnutrition is frequent in the Parkinson population, both early and late in the disease, and nutritional deficiencies could play a role in some cognitive deficits. Objectives: The objective is to study the association between nutritional status with focus on iron intake and homeostasis, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and PD dementia (PDD). Setting and Participants: This study included 73 out of 145 patients with PD participating in a population-based study in northern Sweden. Measurements: Registration of nutritional status by laboratory analyses of blood plasma and neuropsychological assessments at time of diagnosis were performed. MCI and PDD were assessed yearly up to ten years after diagnosis. Mini Nutritional Assessments (Full-MNA score) and plasma variables detecting iron homeostasis were compared between patients with MCI and patients with normal cognition (NC). Motor severity was measured using the Unified Parkinson´s disease rating scale III, (UPDRS III) and Hoehn and Yahr (H&amp;Y) staging scale. Cox proportional Hazard model were performed to see if any variables that differed between MCI and NC could predict PDD at follow-up. Results: Patients with MCI at time of diagnosis had lower levels of plasma iron (P-Fe) and albumin (P-Albumin) as well as a lower score on Full-MNA score. Dietary intake of iron was higher in patients with MCI than in patients with NC (p = 0.012). In logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, and UPDRS III, lower levels of P-Fe (p = 0.025) and P-Albumin (p = 0.011) and higher dietary iron intake (p = 0.019) were associated with MCI at baseline. A Cox regression model with dementia as endpoint revealed that lower levels of P-Fe increase the risk of dementia at follow-up with adjustments for age, sex, UPDRS III, and MCI at baseline (HR 95% CI = 0.87 (0.78-0.98), p = 0.021). Conclusions: Low P-Fe was associated with cognitive disturbance at baseline and predicted dementia up to ten years after diagnosis in patients with PD. Low P-Albumin and malnutrition assessed with Full-MNA score were associated with MCI at baseline but did not predict dementia at follow-up

Backward relative to forward walking speed and falls in older adults with dementia

Background: Adults with dementia have a high risk of falls and fall-related injuries. A greater slowing of backward walking speed (BWS) relative to forward (FWS) has been indicated with older age, and slower BWS has been related to an increased risk of falls. Similarly, slow BWS relative to FWS has been observed in people with dementia. Research question: Is slower BWS, and slower BWS relative to FWS associated with increased risk of prospective falls in older adults with dementia? Methods: In total, 52 women and 12 men with dementia living in nursing homes, mean age 86 years, and mean Mini-Mental State Examination score of 14.2 points were included. BWS and FWS was measured over 2.4 m, and the directional difference (DD) calculated (100*((FWS-BWS)/FWS)). Falls were followed for 6 months by review of fall incident reports in electronic medical records at nursing homes and the regional healthcare provider. Results: Altogether, 95 falls occurred with mean incidence rate 3.1 falls per person-years. Of included participants, 15 (23%) fell once, and 17 (27%) fell twice or more. In negative binomial regression analyses, greater DD was associated with lower prospective incidence fall rate ratio, IRR (IRR= 0.96, p &lt; .001), while BWS was not (IRR= 0.04, p = .126). Significance: In this study of adults with dementia, slower BWS was not associated with prospective falls. However, slower BWS relative to forward (greater DD) was associated with fewer falls, and possibly a protective response. This is novel research, yet results are promising and indicate that assessing walking speed in multiple directions may inform fall risk in adults with dementia

Longitudinal changes in task-evoked brain responses in Parkinson's disease patients with and without mild cognitive impairment

Cognitive deficits are common in Parkinson's disease. Previous cross-sectional research has demonstrated a link between cognitive impairments and fronto-striatal dopaminergic dysmodulation. However, longitudinal studies that link disease progression with altered task-evoked brain activity are lacking. Therefore, our objective was to longitudinally evaluate working-memory related brain activity changes in Parkinson's disease patients with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Patients were recruited within a longitudinal cohort study of incident patients with idiopathic parkinsonism. We longitudinally (at baseline examination and at 12-months follow-up) compared 28 patients with Parkinson's disease without MCI with 11 patients with Parkinson's disease and MCI. Functional MRI blood oxygen level dependent signal was measured during a verbal two-back working-memory task. Patients with MCI under-recruited bilateral medial prefrontal cortex at both time-points (main effect of group: p &lt; 0.001, uncorrected). Critically, a significant group-by-time interaction effect (p &lt; 0.001, uncorrected) was found in the right fusiform gyrus, indicating that working-memory related activity decreased for patients with Parkinson's disease and MCI between baseline and follow-up, while patients without MCI were stable across time-points. The functional connectivity between right fusiform gyrus and bilateral caudate nucleus was stronger for patients without MCI relative to patients with MCI. Our findings support the view that deficits in working-memory updating are related to persistent fronto-striatal under-recruitments in patients with early phase Parkinson's disease and MCI. The longitudinal evolution of MCI in Parkinson's disease translates into additional task-evoked posterior cortical changes

Digital Dance for People With Parkinson's Disease During the COVID-19 Pandemic : A Feasibility Study

Background: Dance as a treatment to support physical, cognitive and emotional functioning, has gained increased acceptance as a healthcare intervention for people with Parkinson's Disease (PD). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been far reaching with devastating effects for at-risk populations. To find alternative and safe treatment delivery options during the pandemic has been of utmost importance. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to evaluate the feasibility and the experience of digital dance for people with PD (Dance for PD©) and to examine change in self-reported quality of life, psychological health, subjective cognitive complaints and mental fatigue. Methods: 23 participants with PD (mean age 70) partook in 10-h weekly digital Dance for PD sessions. Feasibility outcome measures were assessed at post-test. Web-based questionnaires examining quality of life, subjective memory complaints, depression, anxiety and mental fatigue were administered at pre- and post-test. Moreover, nine participants partook in focus group discussions at post-test. Results: The results showed an acceptable feasibility to home-based digital Dance for PD, where 86% of the dance classes were completed, only minor negative side effects were reported (i.e., sore joints), and all experienced the dance classes as motivating and safe to do at home. The majority also reported positive effects on mood and physical functioning. The results from the questionnaires showed significant improvements in depressive symptoms (p = 0.006) and quality of life (p &lt; 0.001) at post-test. In the focus groups, participants indicated that digital dance was a beneficial and enjoyable activity with a strong added value during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, they experienced that digital dance missed some important elements of live dance. Conclusions: This study showed that digital Dance for PD is feasible and holds promise as a viable and safe method to keep people with PD dancing even when physical meetings are not possible. Beyond the pandemic, digital dance could be applied to a wide variety of patient groups including rural populations and patients for whom transportation may not be feasible for practical or financial reasons. Trial Registration: Retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 25/06/2021 with the following registration number: NCT04942392

Longitudinal changes in task-evoked brain responses in Parkinson's disease patients with and without mild cognitive impairment

Cognitive deficits are common in Parkinson's disease. Previous cross-sectional research has demonstrated a link between cognitive impairments and fronto-striatal dopaminergic dysmodulation. However, longitudinal studies that link disease progression with altered task-evoked brain activity are lacking. Therefore, our objective was to longitudinally evaluate working-memory related brain activity changes in Parkinson's disease patients with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Patients were recruited within a longitudinal cohort study of incident patients with idiopathic parkinsonism. We longitudinally (at baseline examination and at 12-months follow-up) compared 28 patients with Parkinson's disease without MCI with 11 patients with Parkinson's disease and MCI. Functional MRI blood oxygen level dependent signal was measured during a verbal two-back working-memory task. Patients with MCI under-recruited bilateral medial prefrontal cortex at both time-points (main effect of group: p &lt; 0.001, uncorrected). Critically, a significant group-by-time interaction effect (p &lt; 0.001, uncorrected) was found in the right fusiform gyrus, indicating that working-memory related activity decreased for patients with Parkinson's disease and MCI between baseline and follow-up, while patients without MCI were stable across time-points. The functional connectivity between right fusiform gyrus and bilateral caudate nucleus was stronger for patients without MCI relative to patients with MCI. Our findings support the view that deficits in working-memory updating are related to persistent fronto-striatal under-recruitments in patients with early phase Parkinson's disease and MCI. The longitudinal evolution of MCI in Parkinson's disease translates into additional task-evoked posterior cortical changes

Computerised cognitive training in Parkinson's disease : a protocol for a systematic review and updated meta-analysis

IntroductionCognitive impairment is recognised as an important non-motor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD) and there is a need for evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions that may prevent or slow cognitive decline in this patient group. One such intervention is computerised cognitive training (CCT), which has shown efficacious for cognition across older adult populations. This systematic review aims to investigate the efficacy of CCT across cognitive, psychosocial and functional domains for people with PD and examine study and intervention design factors that could moderate CCT effects on cognition.Methods and analysisRandomised controlled trials investigating the effects of CCT in patients with PD without dementia, on cognitive, psychosocial or functional outcomes, will be included. The primary outcome is overall cognitive function. Secondary outcomes are domain-specific cognitive function, psychosocial functioning and functional abilities. We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO through 14 May 2020 to identify relevant literature. Risk of bias will be assessed using the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Effect sizes will be calculated as standardised mean difference of baseline to postintervention change (Hedges' g) with 95% CI for each eligible outcome measure. Pooling of outcomes across studies will be conducted using random-effects models, accounting for dependency structure of effect sizes within studies. Heterogeneity will be assessed using tau (2) and I-2 statistic. Potential moderators, based on key study and intervention design factors, will be investigated using mixed-effects meta-regression models.Ethics and disseminationNo ethical approval is required. The findings will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020185386

Cognitive function in clinical burnout : a systematic review and meta-analysis

Clinical burnout has been associated with impaired cognitive functioning; however, inconsistent findings have been reported regarding the pattern and magnitude of cognitive deficits. The aim of this systematic review and multivariate meta-analysis was to assess cognitive function in clinical burnout as compared to healthy controls and identify the pattern and severity of cognitive dysfunction across cognitive domains. We identified 17 studies encompassing 730 patients with clinical burnout and 649 healthy controls. Clinical burnout was associated with impaired performance in episodic memory (g = −0.36, 95% CI −0.57 to −0.15), short-term and working memory (g = −0.36, 95% CI −0.52 to −0.20), executive function (g = −0.39, 95% CI −0.55 to −0.23), attention and processing speed (g = −0.43, 95% CI −0.57 to −0.29) and fluency (g = −0.53, 95% CI −1.04 to −0.03). There were no differences between patients and controls in crystallized (k = 6 studies) and visuospatial abilities (k = 4). Our findings suggest that clinical burnout is associated with cognitive impairment across multiple cognitive domains. Cognitive dysfunction needs to be considered in the clinical and occupational health management of burnout to optimise rehabilitation and support return-to-work