The relationship of car driving and bicycle riding on physical activity and social participation in Japanese rural areas

Limited transportation leads to restriction of activity. However, few studies have paid attention to the effect of the type of transportation. This study focused on car driving and bicycle riding and aimed to examine the association of these transportation methods with physical activity and social participation in Japanese older adults. This cross-sectional study included 374 Japanese older adults living in a rural area. Physical activity was evaluated using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly. The data on transportation mode and 4 types of social participation were obtained from a self-reported questionnaire. An analysis of covariance and a multivariate Poisson regression analysis were conducted to evaluate associations. The sample comprised 304 participants who usually drive a car and 106 who regularly ride a bicycle. Although there was no significant association between car driving and physical activity, bicycle riding showed positive association with leisure time activity (p = .009), household activity (p = .001), and total physical activity (p community association (PR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.11–2.77) and volunteer activities (PR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.08–2.43). These results suggested that car driving and bicycle riding have different effects on physical activity and social participation.本文pdf：タイトル表記無

Effects of home-based manual dexterity training on cognitive function among older adults: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background The relationship between manual dexterity and cognitive function among older adults is well known; however, few studies have focused on manual dexterity training that confirms cognitive load of training in older adults through functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and verifies the effect of training. This study examined the effects of home-based manual dexterity training on cognitive function in older adults using a digital trail-making peg test device combining two conventional assessment tools namely, the peg and trail-making tests. Methods For 12 weeks, 57 healthy older adults aged 65–88 years participated in a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial, wherein home-based manual dexterity training was performed for approximately 20 min daily. To quantify the cognitive load in different manual dexterity conditions, we assessed the cortical activation patterns of the prefrontal cortex via a wearable four-channel fNIRS device. Participants in the control group were asked to continue their usual daily routines during the intervention period. Cognitive function was assessed using the Stroop Color and Word and Cognitive Impairment Tests. Manual dexterity was assessed using the Purdue Pegboard Test. All outcomes were estimated before and after the intervention. Results We observed significant differences in prefrontal cortical activation between the different manual dexterity conditions. Only the intervention group showed a significant improvement in Stroop interference (169.0–108.9 ms, p = 0.032) and an executive function and assembly task of the Purdue Pegboard Test (22.5–26.4 counts, p < 0.001). Additionally, except the clock drawing task, cognitive function had a larger effect size (Cohen’s d) in the intervention group (d = 0.26–0.45) than in the control group (d = 0.11–0.28). Conclusions Home-based manual dexterity training can improve performance in a complex manual dexterity task and executive functioning in older adults. Trial registration UMIN-CTR Clinical Trial, UMIN000047203. Registered 17 March 2022 – Retrospectively registered, https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr.cgi?function=brows&action=brows&recptno=R000053844&type=summary&language=

Effect of 12-Week Intake of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide on Sleep Quality, Fatigue, and Physical Performance in Older Japanese Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

Deteriorating sleep quality and physical or mental fatigue in older adults leads to decreased quality of life and increased mortality rates. This study investigated the effects of the time-dependent intake of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) on sleep quality, fatigue, and physical performance in older adults. This randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study evaluated 108 participants divided into four groups (NMN_AM; antemeridian, NMN_PM; post meridian, Placebo_AM, Placebo_PM). NMN (250 mg) or placebo was administered once a day for 12 weeks. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Fatigue was evaluated using the “Jikaku-sho shirabe” questionnaire. Grip strength, 5-times sit-to-stand (5-STS), timed up and go, and 5-m habitual walk were evaluated to assess the physical performance. Significant interactions were observed between 5-STS and drowsiness. 5-STS of all groups on post-intervention and drowsiness of the NMN_PM and Placebo_PM groups on mid- and post-intervention showed significant improvement compared with those in pre-intervention. The NMN_PM group demonstrated the largest effect size for 5-STS (d = 0.72) and drowsiness (d = 0.64). Overall, NMN intake in the afternoon effectively improved lower limb function and reduced drowsiness in older adults. These findings suggest the potential of NMN in preventing loss of physical performance and improving fatigue in older adults

Valproate alters dopamine signaling in association with induction of Par-4 protein expression.

Chromatin remodeling through histone modifications has emerged as a key mechanism in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. Valproate (VPA), a first-line medication for bipolar disorder, is known to have histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor activity, but the relationship between its efficacy as a mood stabilizer and HDAC inhibitory activity is unclear. Here we provide evidence that prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4), an intracellular binding partner of dopamine D2 receptors (DRD2), plays a role in mediating the effectiveness of VPA. We found that chronic VPA treatment enhanced the expression of Par-4 in cultured neurons and adult mouse brains. This Par-4 induction phenomenon occurred at the transcriptional level and was correlated with an increase in histone H3 and H4 acetylation of the Par-4 promoter regions. Furthermore, chronic VPA treatment potentiated the suppression of the cAMP signaling cascade upon dopamine stimulation, which was blocked by sulpiride treatment. These results indicate that VPA potentiates DRD2 activity by enhancing Par-4 expression via a chromatin remodeling mechanism