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Introduction: Aging has significant economic and social implications leading to an increase in chronic diseases and reduced autonomy of the elderly. Sleep disorders are common in the elderly, manifesting reduced sleep quality. Objective/Purpose: The study aimed to measure the prevalence of sleep disorders in older adults and assess sex differences in sleep quality and sleep problems. Method: A cross-sectional study based on an online survey was performed according to the STROBE checklist, using pre-validated questionnaires (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) distributed to a sample of older adults. This is the first study evaluating sex differences in sleep quality and problems in the Italian population context using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index assessment tool. The study was conducted in a university hospital in Rome from October 2020 to November 2020, on patients aged >65 years, independent in activities of daily living, with comorbidities and on treatment with up to 2 medications. Results: 59 patients were included in the study, with an average age of 71.12 years. The results show that among males, the prevalence of poor sleep quality was 51.9%, while among females, the prevalence of poor sleep quality was 62.5%. According to Shapiro-Wilk, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was not normally distributed. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index total scores in males did not differ significantly from females. Conclusions: Considering scientific literature, recent studies have highlighted the prevalence of sleep disorders in the elderly population and their underreporting. Providing early intervention not only improves the sleep quality of these people but may also reduce the risk of experiencing adverse health outcomes and susceptibility to frailty.

Late-life depression (LLD) is a relatively common and debilitating mental disorder, also associated with cognitive dysfunctions and an increased risk of mortality. Considering the growing elderly population worldwide, LLD is increasingly emerging as a significant public health issue, also due to the rise in direct and indirect costs borne by healthcare systems. Understanding the neuroanatomical and neurofunctional correlates of LLD is crucial for developing more targeted and effective interventions, both from a preventive and therapeutic standpoint. This ALE meta-analysis aims to evaluate the involvement of specific neurofunctional changes in the neurophysiopathology of LLD by analysing functional neuroimaging studies conducted on patients with LLD compared to healthy subjects (HCs). We included 19 studies conducted on 844 subjects, divided into 439 patients with LLD and 405 HCs. Patients with LLD, compared to HCs, showed significant hypoactivation of the right superior and medial frontal gyri (Brodmann areas (Bas) 8, 9), left cingulate cortex (BA 24), left putamen, and left caudate body. The same patients exhibited significant hyperactivation of the left superior temporal gyrus (BA 42), left inferior frontal gyrus (BA 45), right anterior cingulate cortex (BA 24), right cerebellar culmen, and left cerebellar declive. In summary, we found significant changes in activation patterns and brain functioning in areas encompassed in the cortico–limbic–striatal network in LLD. Furthermore, our results suggest a potential role for areas within the cortico–striatal–cerebellar network in the neurophysiopathology of LLD.

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Aging is the result of several complex and multifactorial processes, where several agents contribute to an increased intrinsic vulnerability and susceptibility to age-related diseases. The hallmarks of aging are a set of biological mechanisms that are finely regulated and strictly interconnected, initiating or contributing to biological changes and anticipating several age-related diseases. The complex network of cellular and intercellular connections between the hallmarks might represent a possible target for the research of agents with pleiotropic effects. Vitamin D (VitD) is known to have a positive impact not only on muscle and bone health but also on several extra-skeletal districts, due to the widespread presence of Vitamin D Receptors (VDRs). VitD and VDR could be molecules potentially targeting the hallmarks of the aging network. To date, evidence about the potential effects of VitD on the hallmarks of aging is scarce in humans and mainly based on preclinical models. Although underpowered and heterogeneous, in-human studies seem to confirm the modulatory effect of VitD on some hallmarks of aging and diseases. However, more investigations are needed to clarify the pleiotropic effects of VitD and its impact on the hallmark of aging, hopefully highlighting the courses for translational applications and potential clinical conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]