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1. Multimodal analysis of aged wild-type mice exposed to repeated scanning ultrasound treatments demonstrates long-term safety.

Author

Blackmore DG, Turpin F, Mohamed AZ, Zong F, Pandit R, Pelekanos M, Nasrallah F, Sah P, Bartlett PF, and Götz J

Subjects
Aging physiology, Animals, Brain diagnostic imaging, Brain physiology, Female, Hippocampus diagnostic imaging, Hippocampus physiology, Hippocampus radiation effects, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Multimodal Imaging adverse effects, Spatial Memory radiation effects, Time Factors, Ultrasonic Therapy adverse effects, Ultrasonography, Aging radiation effects, Brain radiation effects
Abstract

The blood-brain barrier presents a major challenge for the delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain; however, it can be transiently opened by combining low intensity ultrasound with microbubble infusion. Studies evaluating this technology have largely been performed in rodents, including models of neurological conditions. However, despite promising outcomes in terms of drug delivery and the amelioration of neurological impairments, the potential for long-term adverse effects presents a major concern in the context of clinical applications. Methods: To fill this gap, we repeatedly treated 12-month-old wild-type mice with ultrasound, followed by a multimodal analysis for up to 18 months of age. Results: We found that spatial memory in these aged mice was not adversely affected as assessed in the active place avoidance test. Sholl analysis of Golgi impregnations in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus did not reveal any changes to the neuronal cytoarchitecture. Long-term potentiation, a cellular correlate of memory, was still achievable, magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed no major changes in metabolites, and diffusion tensor imaging revealed normal microstructure and tissue integrity in the hippocampus. More specifically, all measures of diffusion appeared to support a neuroprotective effect of ultrasound treatment on the brain. Conclusion: This multimodal analysis indicates that therapeutic ultrasound for blood-brain barrier opening is safe and potentially protective in the long-term, underscoring its validity as a potential treatment modality for diseases of the brain., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists.

Published
2018
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2. Microvesicles from the plasma of elderly subjects and from senescent endothelial cells promote vascular calcification.

Author

Alique M, Ruíz-Torres MP, Bodega G, Noci MV, Troyano N, Bohórquez L, Luna C, Luque R, Carmona A, Carracedo J, and Ramírez R

Subjects
Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cells, Cultured, Cellular Senescence, Humans, Young Adult, Aging pathology, Calcium metabolism, Cell-Derived Microparticles pathology, Endothelial Cells pathology, Vascular Calcification metabolism, Vascular Calcification pathology
Abstract

Vascular calcification is commonly seen in elderly people, though it can also appear in middle-aged subjects affected by premature vascular aging. The aim of this work is to test the involvement of microvesicles (MVs) produced by senescent endothelial cells (EC) and from plasma of elderly people in vascular calcification. The present work shows that MVs produced by senescent cultured ECs, plus those found in the plasma of elderly subjects, promote calcification in vascular smooth muscle cells. Only MVs from senescent ECs, and from elderly subjects' plasma, induced calcification. This ability correlated with these types of MVs' carriage of: a) increased quantities of annexins (which might act as nucleation sites for calcification), b) increased quantities of bone-morphogenic protein, and c) larger Ca contents. The MVs of senescent, cultured ECs, and those present in the plasma of elderly subjects, promote vascular calcification. The present results provide mechanistic insights into the observed increase in vascular calcification-related diseases in the elderly, and in younger patients with premature vascular aging, paving the way towards novel therapeutic strategies.

Published
2017
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4. The association between objective vision impairment and mild cognitive impairment among older adults in low- and middle-income countries

Author

Hans Oh, Ai Koyanagi, Guillermo F. López-Sánchez, Jae Il Shin, Yvonne Barnett, Lee Smith, Pinar Soysal, Louis Jacob, Laurie T. Butler, Nicola Veronese, Shahina Pardhan, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines - UFR Sciences de la santé Simone Veil (UVSQ Santé), Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), National Institute on Aging, NIA: 08-CN-0020, OGHA 04034785, R01-AG034479, R21-AG034263, Y1-AG-1005, YA1323, This paper uses data from WHO?s Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE). SAGE is supported by the U.S. National Institute on Aging through Interagency Agreements OGHA 04034785, YA1323?08-CN-0020, Y1-AG-1005?01 and through research grants R01-AG034479 and R21-AG034263., Smith, L., Shin, J.I., Jacob, L., López-Sánchez, G.F., Oh, H., Barnett, Y., Pardhan, S., Butler, L., Soysal, P., Veronese, N., Koyanagi, A., and SOYSAL, PINAR

Subjects
Male, Gerontology, China, Aging, medicine.medical_specialty, Visual acuity, genetic structures, Epidemiology, [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio], Visual impairment, Vision impairment, Logistic regression, Odds, 03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, Prevalence, Humans, Medicine, Dementia, Cognitive Dysfunction, 030212 general & internal medicine, Association (psychology), Developing Countries, Aged, Low- and middle-income countries, business.industry, Mild cognitive impairment, medicine.disease, eye diseases, Smith L., Shin J. I. , Jacob L., López-Sánchez G. F. , Oh H., Barnett Y., Pardhan S., Butler L., Soysal P., Veronese N., et al., -The association between objective vision impairment and mild cognitive impairment among older adults in low- and middle-income countries.-, Aging clinical and experimental research, 2021, Vision impairment, Mild cognitive impairment, Older adults, Low- and middle-income countries, Epidemiology, Cross-Sectional Studies, Ageing, Older adults, Female, Geriatrics and Gerontology, medicine.symptom, business, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Abstract

Aim: The association between visual impairment and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has not been investigated to date. Thus, we assessed this association among older adults from six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (China, India, Ghana, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa) using nationally representative datasets. Methods: Cross-sectional, community-based data from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) were analyzed. Visual acuity was measured using the tumbling ElogMAR chart, and vision impairment (at distance and near) was defined as visual acuity worse than 6/18 (0.48 logMAR) in the better-seeing eye. The definition of MCI was based on the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer’s Association criteria. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted. Results: Data on 32,715 individuals aged ≥ 50years [mean (SD) age 62.1 (15.6) years; 51.2% females] were analyzed. Compared to those without far or near vision impairment, those with near vision impairment but not far vision impairment (OR = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.16–1.52), and those with both far and near vision impairment (OR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.27–2.29) had significantly higher odds for MCI. Only having far vision impairment was not significantly associated with MCI. Conclusions: Visual impairment is associated with increased odds for MCI among older adults in LMICs with the exception of far vision impairment only. Future longitudinal and intervention studies should examine causality and whether improvements in visual acuity, or early intervention, can reduce risk for MCI and ultimately, dementia. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG part of Springer Nature.

Published
2021

5. Association between food insecurity and fall-related injury among adults aged ≥65 years in low- and middle-income countries: The role of mental health conditions

Author

Jae Il Shin, Igor Grabovac, Louis Jacob, Lee Smith, Guillermo F. López-Sánchez, Yvonne Barnett, Pinar Soysal, Hans Oh, Nicola Veronese, Ai Koyanagi, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines - UFR Sciences de la santé Simone Veil (UVSQ Santé), Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Dr. Antoni Pujadas, This paper uses data from WHO's Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE). SAGE is supported by the U.S. National Institute on Aging through Interagency Agreements OGHA 04034785 , YA1323-08-CN-0020 , Y1-AG-1005-01 and through research grants R01-AG034479 and R21-AG034263 ., SOYSAL, PINAR, Smith, L., Shin, J.I., López-Sánchez, G.F., Veronese, N., Soysal, P., Oh, H., Grabovac, I., Barnett, Y., Jacob, L., and Koyanagi, A.

Subjects
Male, Aging, Health (social science), Low- and middle-income countries, Psychological intervention, Logistic regression, Food Supply, Odds, 03 medical and health sciences, Older adults, 0302 clinical medicine, Fall-related injury, Environmental health, Prevalence, Humans, Medicine, 030212 general & internal medicine, Developing Countries, Depression (differential diagnoses), Aged, 2. Zero hunger, 030214 geriatrics, Food insecurity, business.industry, [SDV.MHEP.GEG]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Human health and pathology/Geriatry and gerontology, Confounding, Cognition, MESH: Accidental Falls, Aged, Cross-Sectional Studies, Developing Countries, Female, Food Insecurity, Food Supply, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Prevalence, Mental health, 3. Good health, Cross-Sectional Studies, Mental Health, Low- and middle-income countrie, Anxiety, Accidental Falls, Female, Geriatrics and Gerontology, medicine.symptom, business, Gerontology, The role of mental health conditions.-, Archives of gerontology and geriatrics, cilt.96, ss.104438, 2021 [Smith L., Shin J. I. , López-Sánchez G. F. , Veronese N., Soysal P., Oh H., Grabovac I., Barnett Y., Jacob L., Koyanagi A., -Association between food insecurity and fall-related injury among adults aged ≥65 years in low- and middle-income countries]
Abstract

Purpose:\ud \ud We investigated the association between food insecurity and fall-related injury among older adults from six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and the extent to which this association is mediated by mental health.\ud \ud Methods:\ud \ud Cross-sectional, community-based, nationally representative data from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) were analyzed. Past 12-month food insecurity was assessed with two questions on frequency of eating less and hunger due to lack of food. Fall-related injury referred to those that occurred in the past 12 months. Multivariable logistic regression analysis and mediation analysis were conducted to assess associations.\ud \ud Results:\ud \ud Data on 14,585 adults aged ≥65 years [mean (SD) age 72.5 (11.5) years; 54.9% females] were analyzed. After adjustment for potential confounders, severe food insecurity (versus no food insecurity) was associated with 1.95 (95%CI = 1.11–3.41) times higher odds for fall-related injury. Moderate food insecurity was not significantly associated with fall-related injury (OR = 1.34; 95%CI = 0.81–2.25). The mediation analysis showed that 37.3%, 21.8%, 17.7%, and 14.0% of the association between severe food insecurity and fall-related injury was explained by anxiety, sleep problems, depression, and cognition, respectively.\ud \ud Conclusion:\ud \ud Severe food insecurity was associated with higher odds for injurious falls among older adults in LMICs, and a large proportion of this association may be explained by mental health complications. Interventions to improve mental health among those who are food insecure and a strong focus on societal and government efforts to reduce food insecurity may contribute to a decrease in injurious falls.

Published
2021

6. Sleep problems and mild cognitive impairment among adults aged ≥50 years from low- and middle-income countries

Author

Yvonne Barnett, Christina Carmichael, Guillermo F. López Sánchez, Pinar Soysal, Ai Koyanagi, Louis Jacob, Damiano Pizzol, Nicola Veronese, Lee Smith, Hans Oh, Mark A. Tully, Laurie T. Butler, Jae Il Shin, SOYSAL, PINAR, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines - UFR Sciences de la santé Simone Veil (UVSQ Santé), Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), National Institute on Aging, NIA: OGHA 04034785, R01-AG034479, R21-AG034263, Y1-AG-1005-01, YA1323-08-CN-0020, This paper uses data from WHO's Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE). SAGE is supported by the U.S. National Institute on Aging through Interagency Agreements OGHA 04034785, YA1323-08-CN-0020, Y1-AG-1005-01 and through research grants R01-AG034479 and R21-AG034263 ., Smith, L., Shin, J.I., Jacob, L., Carmichael, C., López Sánchez, G.F., Oh, H., Butler, L.T., Barnett, Y., Pizzol, D., Tully, M.A., Soysal, P., Veronese, N., and Koyanagi, A.

Subjects
Male, Aging, Low- and middle-income countries, [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio], Middle-aged adults, Psychological intervention, Sleep problems, Logistic regression, Biochemistry, 0302 clinical medicine, Endocrinology, Prevalence, Mild cognitive impairment, Medicine, 030212 general & internal medicine, Cognitive impairment, Morning, Older adults, Aged, 80 and over, Middle Aged, Sleep in non-human animals, 3. Good health, Female, Sleep Wake Disorders, Dementia, Odds, 03 medical and health sciences, mental disorders, Genetics, Humans, Cognitive Dysfunction, Developing Countries, Molecular Biology, Aged, business.industry, Cell Biology, medicine.disease, Cross-Sectional Studies, Ageing, Smith L., Shin J. I. , Jacob L., Carmichael C., López Sánchez G. F. , Oh H., Butler L. T. , Barnett Y., Pizzol D., Tully M. A. , et al., -Sleep problems and mild cognitive impairment among adults aged ≥50 years from low- and middle-income countries.-, Experimental gerontology, ss.111513, 2021, Mild cognitive impairment, Dementia, Sleep problems, Low- and middle-income countries, Middle-aged adults, Older adults, business, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery, Demography
Abstract

Background-\ud \ud The limited available literature suggests that sleep problems are linked to an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, this association has been little studied to date in low-income settings.\ud \ud Objective-\ud \ud To investigate the association between sleep problems and MCI in a large sample of adults from six low-and middle-income countries (LMICs).\ud \ud Design-\ud \ud Cross-sectional.\ud \ud Setting-\ud \ud Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE).\ud \ud Subjects-\ud \ud 32,715 individuals aged ≥50 years with preservation in functional abilities [age range 50–114 years; 51.7% females].\ud \ud Methods-\ud \ud MCI was defined using the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association criteria. Sleep problems were assessed by the question “Overall in the last 30 days, how much of a problem did you have with sleeping, such as falling asleep, waking up frequently during the night or waking up too early in the morning?” and categorized as “None”, “Mild”, “Moderate”, “Severe/Extreme”. Multivariable logistic regression analysis and meta-analysis were conducted.\ud \ud Results-\ud \ud Compared to no sleep problems, mild, moderate, and severe/extreme sleep problems were associated with significant 1.40, 1.83, and 2.69 times higher odds for MCI with similar associations being observed between age groups and sex. Severe/extreme sleep problems were positively associated with MCI (i.e., OR > 1) in the six countries studied with the overall estimate being OR = 1.80 (95% CI = 1.50–2.16), and a low level of between-country heterogeneity was observed (I2 = 28.2%).\ud \ud Conclusions-\ud \ud Sleep problems were associated with higher odds for MCI. Interventions to improve sleep quality among middle-aged and older adults in LMICs may be an effective strategy in reducing risk of MCI and dementia.

Published
2021

7. Cellular Senescence: Defining a Path Forward

Author

John M. Sedivy, Paul D. Robbins, Cleo L. Bishop, Vassilis G. Gorgoulis, Konstantinos Vougas, Konstantinos Evangelou, Valery Krizhanovsky, Dorothy C. Bennett, Eiji Hara, Diana Jurk, Gerardo Ferbeyre, Judith Campisi, Masashi Narita, Laura J. Niedernhofer, Manuel Serrano, Clemens A. Schmitt, Peter D. Adams, Oliver Bischof, Andrea Alimonti, Marco Demaria, Jesús Gil, Daohong Zhou, Manuel Collado, Thomas von Zglinicki, Andrea B. Maier, João F. Passos, Institut Pasteur [Paris], National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), University of Manchester [Manchester], Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA), Institute of Cancer Sciences [Glasgow, UK] (CR-UK Beatson Institute), University of Glasgow, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Università della Svizzera italiana = University of Italian Switzerland (USI), Universita degli Studi di Padova, Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine [Padova, Italy] (VIMM), University of London [London], Organisation Nucléaire et Oncogenèse / Nuclear Organization and Oncogenesis, Institut Pasteur [Paris]-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Bart's and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela [Spain] (USC ), Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CR CHUM), Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Université de Montréal (UdeM)-Université de Montréal (UdeM), Université de Montréal (UdeM), MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMC), Imperial College London, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases [Osaka, Japan] (RIMD), Osaka University [Osaka], Department of Molecular Cell Biology [Rehovot], Weizmann Institute of Science [Rehovot, Israël], Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging [Rochester, MN, USA], Mayo Clinic, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam [Amsterdam] (VU), University of Melbourne, University of Cambridge [UK] (CAM), University of Minnesota [Twin Cities] (UMN), University of Minnesota System, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine [Berlin] (MDC), Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft = Helmholtz Association, Charité - UniversitätsMedizin = Charité - University Hospital [Berlin], Kepler University Hospital, Brown University, Newcastle University [Newcastle], University of Florida [Gainesville] (UF), Institute for Research in Biomedicine [Barcelona, Spain] (IRB), University of Barcelona-Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), University of Groningen [Groningen], European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing [Groningen] (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen [Groningen] (UMCG), M.D. is funded by the Dutch Cancer Foundation, Netherlands (grant ID 10989). V.G., K.E., and K.V. were financially supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grants agreement no. 722729 (SYNTRAIN), the Welfare Foundation for Social & Cultural Sciences (KIKPE), Greece, the KIKPE Foundation, Athens, Greece, Pentagon Biotechnology, UK, DeepMed IO, UK, grant no. 775 from the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (HFRI), and NKUA-SARG grants 70/3/9816, 70/3/12128, and 70/3/15603. M.S.: is funded by the IRB and by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Economy co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (SAF2013-48256-R), the European Research Council (ERC-2014-AdG/669622), and 'laCaixa' Foundation., We would like to thank Nikolaos Kastrinakis, Panagiotis V.S. Vasileiou, Gkikas Magiorkinis, Eleni Fitsiou, and Michela Borghesan for their valuable support to this work. We apologize in advance that, for reason of space, we have omitted the citations of relevant papers and reviews., National and Kapodistrian University of Athens = University of Athens (NKUA | UoA), Organisation Nucléaire et Oncogenèse - Nuclear Organization and Oncogenesis, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Institut Pasteur [Paris], University of Santiago de Compostela [Spain] (USC), Centre de recherche du Chum [Montréal] (CRCHUM), Université de Montréal [Montréal], Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Weizmann Institute of Science, University of Minnesota [Twin Cities], Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine [Berlin], Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin / Charite - University Medicine Berlin, University of Florida [Gainesville], University of Barcelona, Università degli Studi di Padova = University of Padua (Unipd), Institut Pasteur [Paris] (IP)-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Narita, Masashi [0000-0001-7764-577X], and Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository

Subjects
Senescence, EXPRESSION, Aging, Cell cycle checkpoint, [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio], Cell, DNA-DAMAGE RESPONSE, [SDV.CAN]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Cancer, Computational biology, [SDV.BC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Cellular Biology, Mitochondrion, Biology, General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, CHROMATIN LANDSCAPE, 03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, MITOCHONDRIA, ONCOGENE-INDUCED SENESCENCE, medicine, Humans, OXIDATIVE STRESS, Senolytic, Cellular Senescence, 11 Medical and Health Sciences, ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS, 030304 developmental biology, Regulation of gene expression, 0303 health sciences, P53, [SDV.MHEP.GEG]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Human health and pathology/Geriatry and gerontology, Genetic Diseases, Inborn, DARK SIDE, Cell Cycle Checkpoints, 06 Biological Sciences, CANCER, Chromatin, medicine.anatomical_structure, Gene Expression Regulation, CELLS, Developmental biology, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery, Biomarkers, Developmental Biology
Abstract

International audience; Cellular senescence is a cell state implicated in various physiological processes and a wide spectrum of age-related diseases. Recently, interest in therapeutically targeting senescence to improve healthy aging and age-related disease, otherwise known as senotherapy, has been growing rapidly. Thus, the accurate detection of senescent cells, especially in vivo, is essential. Here, we present a consensus from the International Cell Senescence Association (ICSA), defining and discussing key cellular and molecular features of senescence and offering recommendations on how to use them as biomarkers. We also present a resource tool to facilitate the identification of genes linked with senescence, SeneQuest (available at http://Senequest.net). Lastly, we propose an algorithm to accurately assess and quantify senescence, both in cultured cells and in vivo.

Published
2019
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8. Environment, epigenetics and neurodegeneration: Focus on nutrition in Alzheimer's disease

Author

Marco Lucarelli, Andrea Fuso, Vincenzina Nicolia, Department of Surgery, Università degli Studi di Roma 'La Sapienza' = Sapienza University [Rome], Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology, Università degli Studi di Roma 'La Sapienza' = Sapienza University [Rome]-Institut Pasteur, Fondation Cenci Bolognetti - Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur (RIIP)-Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur (RIIP), European Center for Brain Research (CERC)/Santa Lucia Foundation I.R.C.C.S., This paper was supported by funding from the EC 7th Framework Program (FP7/2007–2013) grant no. 278486 'DEVELAGE' and from the Sapienza Università di Roma, Scientific Research Programs 2012 and 2013., European Project: 278486,EC:FP7:HEALTH,FP7-HEALTH-2011-two-stage,DEVELAGE(2012), Università degli Studi di Roma 'La Sapienza' = Sapienza University [Rome] (UNIROMA), Institut Pasteur, Fondation Cenci Bolognetti - Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, and Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur (RIIP)-Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur (RIIP)-Università degli Studi di Roma 'La Sapienza' = Sapienza University [Rome] (UNIROMA)

Subjects
Adult, Aging, Nutritional Status, Disease, Biology, Alzheimer's Disease, Biochemistry, Epigenesis, Genetic, Endocrinology, Alzheimer Disease, Mental stress, Genetics, medicine, Humans, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Epigenetics, Neurodegeneration, Molecular Biology, Organism, DNA methylation, [SDV.MHEP.GEG]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Human health and pathology/Geriatry and gerontology, Age Factors, food and beverages, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Cell Biology, Epigenome, medicine.disease, 3. Good health, B vitamins, Vitamin B Complex, Gene-Environment Interaction, [SDV.NEU]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC], Neuroscience, epigenetics, neurodegeneration, Alzheimer's disease
Abstract

International audience; Many different environmental factors (nutrients, pollutants, chemicals, physical activity, lifestyle, physical and mental stress) can modulate epigenetic markers in the developing and adult organism. Epigenetics, in turn, can cause and is associated with several neurodegenerative and aging-dependent human diseases. Alzheimer's disease certainly represents one of the most relevant neurodegenerative disorders due to its incidence and its huge socio-economic impact. Therefore, it is easy to understand why recent literature focuses on the epigenetic modifications associated with Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. One of the most intriguing and, at the same time, worrying evidence is that even "mild" environmental factors (such as behavioral or physical stress) as well as the under-threshold exposure to pollutants and chemicals, can be effective. Finally, even mild nutrients disequilibria can result in long-lasting and functional alterations of many epigenetic markers, although they don't have an immediate acute effect. Therefore, we will probably have to re-define the current risk threshold for many factors, molecules and stresses. Among the many different environmental factors affecting the epigenome, nutrition represents one of the most investigated fields; the reasons are probably that each person interacts with nutrients and that, in turn, nutrients can modulate at molecular level the epigenetic biochemical pathways. The role that nutrition can exert in modulating epigenetic modifications in Alzheimer's disease will be discussed with particular emphasis on the role of B vitamins and DNA methylation.

Published
2015