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Successful aging (SA) is a current positive aging-related perspective and it is important to determine the variables associated with this concept. Most longitudinal population-based studies on predictors of SA were carried out in developed countries. Objective: This investigation evaluated which baseline characteristics predicted successful aging in 16 years of follow-up in a southern Brazilian cohort - the Porto Alegre Longitudinal Aging study. Methods: At baseline, 345 community-dwelling healthy independent individuals aged 60 or older were assessed for medical and psychiatric conditions, memory, orientation, judgment and problem solving, functioning in the community and at home, and hobbies. SA, according to Rowe and Kahn’s definition, was the outcome assessed in the last evaluation at a maximum 16-year follow-up. All baseline variables were evaluated as potential predictors for the outcome SA. Results: Of the 345 individuals evaluated at baseline, 32 (9.3%) participants were classified as successful agers in the follow-up. Younger age (OR=0.926, 95%CI=0.863-0.994), female gender (OR=0.226, 95%CI=0.072-0.711) and higher MMSE (OR=1.220, 95%CI=1.031-1.444) were predictors of SA for the 16-year follow-up in a logistic regression model. Conclusion: In contrast with our previous hypothesis, the impact of the socioeconomic and socio-environmental characteristics was small, as was the baseline classification into successful and normal aging. RESUMO Envelhecimento bem sucedido (EBS) é uma perspectiva positiva sobre o envelhecimento, sendo importante determinar as variáveis associadas a esse conceito. A maioria dos estudos longitudinais de base populacional sobre preditores do EBS foi realizada em países desenvolvidos. Objetivo: Este estudo avaliou quais características da linha de base predisseram o envelhecimento bem sucedido em 16 anos de seguimento de uma coorte do sul-brasileira - o Estudo Longitudinal de envelhecimento de Porto Alegre (Porto Alegre Longitudinal Aging - PALA - study). Métodos: No início do estudo, 345 indivíduos da comunidade, saudáveis e independentes, com 60 anos ou mais foram avaliados para condições médicas e psiquiátricas, memória, orientação, julgamento e solução de problemas, funcionamento na comunidade, em casa e passatempos. EBS, segundo Rowe e Kahn, foi o desfecho obtido na última visita em um máximo de 16 anos de seguimento. Todas as variáveis da linha de base foram avaliadas como potenciais preditoras para o desfecho EBS. Resultados: Dos 345 indivíduos avaliados na linha de base, 32 participantes (9,3%) foram classificados como idosos com envelhecimento bem sucedidos em 16 anos de seguimento. No modelo de regressão logística, menor idade (OR=0,926; 95%CI=0,863-0,994), gênero feminino (OR=0,226; 95%CI=0,072-0,711) e MEEM mais elevado (OR=1,220; 95%CI=1,031-1,444) foram preditores de EBS para o seguimento de 16 anos. Conclusão: Em contraste com nossa hipótese prévia, o impacto das características socioeconômicas e socio-ambientais foi pequeno, bem como o da classificação inicial de envelhecimento normal e bem sucedido.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common and complex neurodegenerative disorder, the second most prevalent, only behind Alzheimer's disease. Recent studies suggest that environmental factors may contribute for neurodegeneration through induction of epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, that is carried out by enzymes, such as DNMT1 and DNMT3B. This present study targeted to investigate the association among DNMT1 and DNMT3B polymorphisms with PD. Five hundred and twenty-two participants (214 PD patients following UK Brain Bank criteria and 308 healthy individuals) were evaluated. DNA was obtained from whole blood and genotypes were detected by an allelic discrimination assay using TaqMan® MGB probes on a real-time PCR system. The polymorphisms studied were rs2162560 and rs759920 (DNMT1) and rs2424913, rs998382 and rs2424932 (DNMT3B). Was found association between DNMT3B rs2424913 in T allele carriers with PD. The presence of the T allele was associated with PD (OR=1.80, 95% CI 1.16-2.81, p=0.009). No significant difference was observed for others DNMT3B SNPs. Also, no association between PD and the control group were observed for DNMT1 polymorphisms. This is the first study addressing an association between DNMT3B polymorphism and PD. The polymorphism may play a role in the pathogenesis of PD.

Caregiver burden is common in Alzheimer's disease (AD), decreasing the quality of life among caregivers and patients. Projections of aging and aging-related diseases such as AD in developing countries justify additional data about this issue because people living in these countries have shown similarly high levels of caregiver strain as in the developed world. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the association of AD caregivers' burden with patients' neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), cognitive status, severity of dementia, functional capacity, caregiver sociodemographic characteristics, and the characteristics of care provided by caregivers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 39 consecutive AD patients and their primary caregivers. NPS were evaluated using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Severity of dementia was assessed with the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. Functional capacity was assessed using the Katz and Lawton scales. The burden level was rated using the Burden Interview (BI). Sociodemographic characteristics of caregivers and the characteristics of care provided by them were evaluated. The Mann-Whitney U-test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman's rho coefficient were performed. Results: The BI had a moderate correlation with NPI intensity (rho=0.563), p

Background/Aims: Hippocampal atrophy is a recognized biomarker of Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) reduction has been associated with neurodegeneration. We aimed to evaluate BDNF serum levels and hippocampal volume in clinical AD (dementia and mild cognitive impairment [MCI]). Methods: Participants were 10 patients with MCI and 13 with dementia due to AD as well as 10 healthy controls. BDNF serum levels were determined by ELISA and volumetric measures with NeuroQuant®. Results: MCI and dementia patients presented lower BDNF serum levels than healthy participants; dementia patients presented a smaller hippocampal volume than MCI patients and healthy participants. Discussion: The findings support that the decrease in BDNF might start before the establishment of neuronal injury expressed by the hippocampal reduction.