The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
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Am J Geriatr Psychiatry · Sep 2011
Effects of cholinesterase inhibitors on postoperative outcomes of older adults with dementia undergoing hip fracture surgery.
Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) may interact with muscle relaxants given during general anesthesia (GA), increasing the risk of postoperative complications. We evaluated the effects of ChEIs on the postoperative outcomes of older adults who underwent hip fracture surgery. ⋯ ChEI use was not associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications among older adults with dementia who underwent hip fracture surgery. However, the poor postoperative outcomes overall reinforced the need to prevent fractures and improve outcomes in this population.
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Am J Geriatr Psychiatry · Jul 2011
Comparative StudyBrain biochemical correlates of the plasma homocysteine level: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study in the elderly subjects.
An elevated plasma homocysteine level has been reported to be associated with various neuropsychiatric diseases. However, little is known about the brain biochemical changes associated with the higher plasma homocysteine level. The main goal of this study was to examine the sex difference in brain biochemical concentrations using brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H MRS), and to elucidate the biochemical changes associated with plasma homocysteine levels by sex in healthy elderly subjects. ⋯ This study found that there was a sex difference in brain biochemical concentrations in the elderly participants. A higher plasma homocysteine level was associated with a lower NAA in the hippocampus of elderly women. The sex difference in association between brain biochemical concentrations and plasma homocysteine levels needs further investigation. We speculate that after menopause, women lose protection of estrogen from the neurotoxic effects of homocysteine in the hippocampus. Future studies are required to examine this speculation.
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Am J Geriatr Psychiatry · Mar 2011
Controlled Clinical TrialEnhancing memory in late-life depression: the effects of a combined psychoeducation and cognitive training program.
To evaluate the efficacy of a multifactorial cognitive training (CT) program for older people with a lifetime history of depressive disorder. ⋯ CT may be a viable secondary prevention technique for late-life depression, a group who are at risk of further cognitive decline and progression to dementia.
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Am J Geriatr Psychiatry · Dec 2010
Course of neuropsychiatric symptoms in residents with dementia in nursing homes over 2-year period.
To determine the course of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) in nursing home residents with dementia and to determine their variability across diagnosis. ⋯ This is the first study examining the 2-year course of NPSs in a large group of nursing home residents with dementia. Virtually all residents demonstrated and/or developed NPSs. Although affective symptoms decreased, apathy tended to increase. Agitated behaviors were particularly persistent. Our data may contribute to improve mental healthcare for demented nursing home residents.