Fight Aging! Newsletter, July 20th 2020
This study was the first to demonstrate a causal relationship between glial senescence and neurodegeneration. In this study, accumulations of senescent astrocytes and microglia were found in tau-associated neurodegenerative disease model mice. Elimination of these senescent cells via a genetic approach can reduce tau deposition and prevent the degeneration of cortical and hippocampal neurons.
Most recently, it was shown that clearance of senescent oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in AD model mice with senolytic agents could lessen the Aβ plaque load, reduce neuroinflammation, and ameliorate cognitive deficits. This...
Source: Fight Aging! - July 19, 2020 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Newsletters Source Type: blogs
An Overactive Immune System Protects Against Infection at the Cost of More Rapid Aging
Greater immune activity implies greater inflammation, which has a negative impact on tissue function if maintained over time. In aging, a great deal of damage is done by the chronic inflammation of an overactive immune system. Researchers here provide evidence to indicate that the evolved state of immunity is a balancing act between a faster pace of aging on the one hand, resulting from an immune system that is more active, and vulnerability to infection on the other, resulting from an immune system that is less active.
As we age, the immune system gradually becomes impaired. One aspect of this impairment is chron...
Source: Fight Aging! - July 17, 2020 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs
Fight Aging! Newsletter, July 13th 2020
In conclusion, sitting for prolonged periods of time without interruption is unfavorably associated with DBP and HDL cholesterol.
Exercise Slows Inappropriate Growth of Blood Vessels in a Mouse Model of Macular Degeneration
https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2020/07/exercise-slows-inappropriate-growth-of-blood-vessels-in-a-mouse-model-of-macular-degeneration/
Excessive growth of blood vessels beneath the retina is a proximate cause of blindness in conditions such as macular degeneration. Researchers here provide evidence for physical activity to be influential in the pace at which this process of tissu...
Source: Fight Aging! - July 12, 2020 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Newsletters Source Type: blogs
Cortisol Declines in the Old, Causing Macrophages to Become More Inflammatory
Researchers here show that declining cortisol levels cause macrophage cells of the innate immune system to become more inflammatory with age. This contributes to the state of chronic inflammation in older individuals that accelerates the onset and progression of age-related disease. The aging immune system becomes overactive (inflammaging) and less capable (immunosenescence), and its chronic inflammation acts to disrupt tissue maintenance and cell behavior in numerous harmful ways. Loss of cortisol is only a proximate cause of chronic inflammation, however, and the present research says little of how this relates to deeper...
Source: Fight Aging! - July 8, 2020 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs
Autoimmune lung disease: Early recognition and treatment helps
A man who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) five years ago sees his rheumatologist for a follow-up visit. Fortunately, his arthritis is well controlled through medication. He can walk and do all his daily activities without pain. But over the past six months, he’s been feeling short of breath when climbing stairs. He has an annoying dry cough, too. COVID-19? That’s ruled out quickly. But a CT scan of his chest reveals early fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs, most likely related to rheumatoid arthritis. “I can finally walk normally, and now I can’t breathe when I walk!” says the frustrated patient, whose...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - June 24, 2020 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Paul F. Dellaripa, MD Tags: Arthritis Autoimmune diseases Health Inflammation Lung disease Source Type: blogs
How To Communicate With Your Older Parents So They Hear You
“My mom is 81 and lives alone in her condo,” Judy Hanson writes. “Her arthritis is painful, but she gets around with a walker. Her mind is okay for now, though she is sometimes forgetful. I also feel that she is lonely. “I’m worried about her safety and have been telling her for several years that she needs help,” she continues. “I’m not proud to say that I’ve stooped to yelling at her, but I have done it. I hate the thought of her falling and not having help, and I also think she’d be happier with more company. There’s a nice assisted living close by me so that’s where I want her to move. Wil...
Source: Minding Our Elders - June 4, 2020 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
Independent Mother Refuses Daughter's Care
My 79-year-old mom has been widowed for a little over a year. She’d always depended on Dad to help her because her arthritis limited her movement and she uses a walker much of the time. Now, though, there’s been a complete change in attitude, and she insists that she can take care of everything herself, even physical tasks that are clearly a challenge. I’m not certain whether she’s trying to prove something or if it has something to do with Dad’s death. Whatever her reasoning, I worry about her. I can’t be with her all the time, so I want to help make her home safer, wherever that home may be.
Conti...
Source: Minding Our Elders - May 29, 2020 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
What ’s a diagnosis about? COVID-19 and beyond
By MICHEL ACCAD
Last month marked the 400th anniversary of the birth of John Graunt, commonly regarded as the father of epidemiology. His major published work, Natural and Political Observations Made upon the Bills of Mortality, called attention to the death statistics published weekly in London beginning in the late 16th century. Graunt was skeptical of how causes of death were ascribed, especially in times of plagues. Evidently, 400 years of scientific advances have done little to lessen his doubts!
A few days ago, Fox News reported that Colorado governor Jared Polis had “pushed back against recen...
Source: The Health Care Blog - May 28, 2020 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Christina Liu Tags: COVID-19 Medical Practice Physicians Diagnosis MICHEL ACCAD Source Type: blogs
Fight Aging! Newsletter, May 25th 2020
In conclusion, our results suggest a previously unknown mechanism whereby the canonical NF-κB cascade and a mitochondrial fission pathway interdependently regulate endothelial inflammation.
Lin28 as a Target for Nerve Regeneration
https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2020/05/lin28-as-a-target-for-nerve-regeneration/
Researchers here show that the gene Lin28 regulates axon regrowth. In mice, raised levels of Lin28 produce greater regeneration of nerve injuries. Past research has investigated Lin28 from the standpoint of producing a more general improvement in regenerative capacity. It improves mitochondr...
Source: Fight Aging! - May 24, 2020 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Newsletters Source Type: blogs
Caregiver Burnout is Best Prevented Since Recovery Is Hard on Everyone
Dear Carol: My mom, age 79, has had steadily declining health for several years. Arthritis is a genetic problem in my family, so pain is an issue. Besides that, she has severe asthma, so her lungs show a lot of deterioration. The family has handled all of this but now her thinking is getting foggy. She’s resisted moving to assisted living even though we all know that this would probably be best. I work full time, so even though I live in her community, I can’t be with her all the time. I also have teenage kids so even checking on Mom every day is getting to be too much. I know that I’m just getting started with...
Source: Minding Our Elders - May 22, 2020 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
Some healthcare can safely wait (and some can ’t)
Among the many remarkable things that have happened since the COVID-19 pandemic began is that a lot of our usual medical care has simply stopped.
According to a recent study, routine testing for cervical cancer, cholesterol, and blood sugar is down nearly 70% across the country. Elective surgeries, routine physical examinations, and other screening tests have been canceled or rescheduled so that people can stay at home, avoid being around others who might be sick, and avoid unknowingly spreading the virus. Many clinics, hospitals, and doctors’ offices have been closed for weeks except for emergencies. Even if these facil...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - May 20, 2020 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Robert H. Shmerling, MD Tags: Health Health care Healthy Aging Men's Health Women's Health Source Type: blogs
What COVID-19 Tells Us About AI Inventors
Rachel ChiuScholars have associated artificial intelligence ( “AI”) with many words over the years: overhyped, underdeveloped, and even science fiction. But COVID-19 demonstrates that despite the skepticism and hysteria there is a place for AI in society, even if that space is still legally undefined. Since AI inventorship is not suitably addressed in U.S . patent law, the advancement of AI presents practical and conceptual challenges for the aging patent system.AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence performed on machines that can imitate cognition and evaluate autonomously. Expertise in pattern recognition...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - May 19, 2020 Category: American Health Authors: Rachel Chiu Source Type: blogs
Follistatin Gene Therapy Doubles Muscle Mass in Mice
Follistatin is an inhibitor of myostatin. Blocking myostatin activity enhances muscle growth, with accompanying beneficial side-effects such as a loss of excess fat tissue. This is well proven. There are a good number of animal lineages (mice, dogs, cows, and so forth) resulting from natural or engineered myostatin loss of function mutations, and even a few well-muscled human individuals with similar mutations. A number of groups are at various stages in the development of therapies to either upregulate follistatin or inhibit myostatin. The latter is further along in the formal regulatory process: human trials have been co...
Source: Fight Aging! - May 18, 2020 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research Source Type: blogs
The Case for Opening (some) Pools In COVID19 Pandemic
The COVID crisis has decimated water exercise. Can we rethink pool closures?
A significant number of my older patients relied on pools for their fitness. During a pandemic, you can stay active or fit only if you have good legs and joints. Walkers, runners, and cyclists have no problem; they play outside in the Spring weather. People with bone/joint problems, fitness swimmers, and young children who normally take swim lessons this time of year are out of luck.
Consider the place I swim—the Mary T Meagher Natatorium, named after Mary T, a Louisville native, who won Olympic gold in 1984. The place is an ode to Sparta...
Source: Dr John M - May 12, 2020 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr John Source Type: blogs
Agencies Might Be Able to Help Caregiving Families Prevent Burnout
Dear Carol: My mom, age 79, has had steadily declining health for several years. Arthritis is a genetic problem in my family, so pain is an issue. Besides that, she has severe asthma, so her lungs show a lot of deterioration. The family has handled all of this but now her thinking is getting foggy. She’s resisted moving to assisted living even though we all know that this would probably be best. I work full time, so even though I live in her community, I can’t be with her all the time. I also have teenage kids so even checking on Mom every day is getting to be too much. I know that I’m just getting started with...
Source: Minding Our Elders - May 11, 2020 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
