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Biomedical subjects

A Bianchetti

Publications and source records attributed to A Bianchetti.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Corticobasal degeneration: neuropsychological assessment and dopamine D2 receptor SPECT analysis.

We report a case of clinically diagnosed corticobasal degeneration, in whom neuropsychological testing was performed along with functional imaging with IBZM SPECT. HM-PAO SPECT showed marked perfusion asymmetry in parietal cortical regions, lower to the right, contralateral to the most affected side. IBZM SPECT, which gives information about postsynaptic dopaminergic D2 receptors, showed severe reduction of tracer uptake in the right basal ganglia. Our findings suggest that a postsynaptic lesion in the basal ganglia might account for the lack of response of extrapyramidal motor symptoms to dopaminergic agonists in corticobasal degeneration.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Computed tomography in the detection of the vascular component in dementia.

We evaluated the presence and type of vascular lesions with computerized tomography (CT) in 94 cognitively impaired elderly patients who had been defined as degenerative (Alzheimer's disease, AD) or vascular (multi-infarct dementia, MID) dementia patients on the basis of clinical data. Twenty-six percent of the 77 AD, but only 59% of the 17 MID patients had vascular lesions. The most represented vascular lesions were leukoaraiosis in AD and hemispherical cortical lesions in MID patients. Age, signs indicative of, and risk factors for vascular disease were associated with vascular lesions on CT. We conclude that CT scan is a necessary complement to historical and clinical data in the detection of vascularity in demented patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Dementia of the frontal type: neuropsychological and [99Tc]-HM-PAO SPET features.

Dementia of the frontal type (DFT) is a degenerative disorder with early behavioral and language disturbances and with relative preservation of memory and visuospatial abilities. On neuropathology, DFT lacks the pathologic hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We assessed the neuropsychological and SPET imaging features of 11 DFT and 16 AD patients. The two groups had similar performances on verbal learning, while the former had significantly higher nonverbal learning scores. Testing of verbal and nonverbal instrumental abilities showed that this different behavior could be due to poorer verbal fluency of DFT patients, and not necessarily to poorer learning. Neuropsychological data indicated that the often reported sparing of memory in daily functions of DFT patients can also be shown with formal neuropsychological testing of nonverbal learning. SPET showed a comparatively higher perfusion deficit of frontal regions in the left hemisphere of DFT patients, suggesting that this region might be affected more often in the disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Reality orientation therapy in Alzheimer disease: useful or not? A controlled study.

The aim of this controlled study was to evaluate the effects of a long-term program of formal didactic group therapy [class reality orientation therapy (ROT)] in Alzheimer disease. The study was conducted in the day hospital of an Alzheimer Dementia Research and Care Unit (Brescia, Italy), a multidisciplinary care center providing diagnostic evaluation and treatment for elderly patients with cognitive impairment. The criteria for the inclusion of patients in the study were mild to moderate cognitive impairment [Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) between 11 and 24/30] and absence of major aphasia, blindness, and overt behavioral disturbances such as wandering or agitation. Sixteen patients constituted the experimental group and 12 the control group. The last cognitive, functional, and affective evaluation in the experimental and control group was performed 8.2 and 8.5 months after baseline assessment, respectively. The experimental group had repeated cycles of 1-month ROT classes, and 5-7 weeks was allowed between each cycle. Differential change for MMSE score between the two groups was significant. In the experimental group, there was mild improvement in MMSE score (0.68 point) at the last assessment, whereas the control group declined (-2.58 points). This treatment effect on MMSE score (3.27 points) was controlled for potential confounders in a multiple regression analysis. Adjusted treatment effect, including age, education, baseline MMSE, disease duration, disease severity, number of diseases other than Alzheimer, and time elapsing from baseline to last assessment, was very slightly lower: 3.12. In the experimental group, treatment effect was evaluated by comparing ROT cycle changes and resting period changes. A clearly significant treatment effect was found for MMSE and verbal fluency.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Age-related changes in the relative abundance of NMDAR1 mRNA spliced variants in the rat brain.

We have investigated the age-dependent profile of two groups of NMDAR1 mRNA isoforms, the NR1(0)XX and the NR1(1)XX, which are characterized by the absence and the presence, respectively, of an N-terminal positioned 21 amino acid insert. mRNAs of the two spliced variants were investigated at different ages in discrete rat brain areas by means of the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The existence of regional variations was confirmed as well as a region-specific pattern of NR1(0)XX/1XX ratio and its age-dependent changes. At 6 months, the ratio was > 3 in prosencephalic structures and < 1 in metencephalic regions. The greatest age-related changes were found in the cerebellum that switched from a maximal ratio of 5.1 +/- 0.4 at day 6 through a progressive decay down to the value of 0.3 +/- 0.04 at 24 months. Age-dependent changes of the different NR1 spliced variant mRNAs are relevant to understand possible regulatory mechanisms of the pharmacological properties and functions of different NMDAR subtypes.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

Characterization and distribution of protein kinase C isoforms in human skin fibroblasts.

In the present study we have examined the distribution of several isoforms of protein kinase C, a lipid-regulated serine/threonine kinase essential for signal transduction and cell regulation, in cultured human skin fibroblasts. By Western blot analysis we have detected the presence of at least three of the known protein kinase C isoforms. The calcium-dependent protein kinase C alpha was primarily associated with the cytosolic fraction. Three non-calcium-dependent isoforms, protein kinases C epsilon, C delta, and C zeta, were also detected. Protein kinases C zeta and C delta were present primarily in the cytosol, while protein kinase C epsilon was associated primarily with the membrane fraction. Binding and activity studies were consistent with the pattern of expression and distribution defined by Western blot analysis. These results provide a useful frame of reference for the study of isoform-specific effects of protein kinase C in the regulation of cell growth and metabolism.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Studies on lipid peroxidation in the rat brain.

The aim of this study was to set up a simple procedure for assessing lipid peroxidation (L.P.) and testing the activity of antioxidant compounds. L.P. was determined in rat brain homogenates by measuring the endogenous and stimulated accumulation of malonaldehyde (MDA). MDA was assayed by an HPLC method. Homogenates spontaneously formed appreciable amounts of MDA. The addition of increasing concentrations of FeCl2 resulted in a linear accumulation of MDA, up to 16.6-fold at 50 microM. An organic form of iron (Fe-saccharate) was less active on MDA formation (11.4-fold increase at 100 microM). The addition of xanthine-xanthine oxidase resulted in only a 2.4-fold increase in MDA formation. Various antioxidant or chelating compounds effectively inhibited L.P., with IC50 between 0.1 microM (phenoxazine) and 4-50 microM (alpha-tocopherol). Their potencies depended on the iron concentration and time of preincubation with the homogenates. In conclusion, this is a simple and reliable procedure for studying L.P. and inhibiting agents, provided that the experimental conditions are carefully assessed.

Allopurinol↗
PubMed1994

GABA and phosphatidylserine in human photosensitivity: a pilot study.

Previous experimental studies have shown that the simultaneous administration of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and phosphatidylserine (PS) can exert an anticonvulsant activity in different seizure models; moreover, a preliminary trial showed some effect of the association GABA-PS in patients with absence seizures. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiepileptic properties of GABA-PS in the model of human photosensitivity. Nine patients with epilepsy associated with an EEG pattern of photoconvulsive response at intermittent photic stimulation entered a 3-day study. The photosensitivity range (PSR) was determined at hourly intervals both in basal conditions and after the administration of a single oral dose of GABA (3000 mg) and PS (600 or 1200 mg). The administration of GABA-PS was not associated with any systematic changes of PSR, nor with any significant differences of time course profiles on each daily session. No correlation was found between PSR percent deviations from baseline and GABA serum levels. These results indicate that a single acute administration of GABA-PS has no effect in the human photosensitivity model, and suggest that the efficacy of GABA-PS in human epilepsy, as shown by a preliminary investigation, may possibly require chronic administration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Single photon emission computed tomography with [99Tc]-HM-PAO and [123I]-IBZM in Alzheimer's disease and dementia of frontal type: preliminary results.

Dementia of frontal type (DFT) is a fairly common degenerative disease distinct from Alzheimer's disease (AD), whose reportedly distinctive instrumental feature is frontal lobe hypoperfusion on SPECT. We evaluated the cortical dopaminergic system in 6 AD, 5 DFT, and 6 control subjects with SPECT and both [99Tc]-HM-PAO, a perfusion tracer, and [123I]-IBZM, a D2 postsynaptic ligand. Both in AD and DFT patients, [99Tc]-HM-PAO SPECT showed a relative frontal hypoperfusion. On the contrary, [123I]-IBZM SPECT showed significantly reduced ligand uptake in superior frontal regions of DFT (0.89 +/- 0.08 relative to control subjects) as compared to AD patients (0.97 +/- 0.02; difference of means: 0.08, 95% Confidence Interval 0.004 to 0.156; p = 0.041). Results suggest more marked involvement of the frontal cortical dopaminergic system in DFT than in AD patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Influence of nutritional intake on 6-year mortality in an Italian elderly population.

Many observations agree on the existence, in older ages, of nutritional deficiencies secondary to dietary intake. This study investigated to what extent dietary intake of calories, protein, iron and vitamins influences the 6-year mortality in an elderly population living at home. To prevent the confounding effect of non-dietary factors, such as gender, functional and health status, socio-economic conditions and health risk habits, these variable have also been considered. The dietary intake was calculated comparing the content of nutrients in self-reported, 24-hour diet, with the 1980 Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) obtaining a percentage for each nutrient. The percentage difference from the RDA was tested on 6-year mortality using a bivariate regression model. The intake of protein, vitamin A, thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6 and folate was significantly related to mortality: subjects with a lower dietary intake of those nutrients had a higher risk of death. When nutrient intake was tested in a multiple regression model, adjusted for non-dietary potential confounders, only folate was an independent predictor of mortality. This study shows that most of the dietary nutrient's intake is related to socio-economic and physical factors.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1993

Principal lifetime occupation and MMSE score in elderly persons.

Age and education are known to be independently associated with MMSE score. This study addressed the relationship of principal lifetime occupations, which are related to both age and education, with MMSE scores in 524 community-dwelling elders aged 70 and older. The data suggest that principal lifetime occupations are correlated with MMSE scores independently of the effect of age and education. As an example, formers have an average MMSE score 2.33 points lower than white-collar workers in a multiple linear regression analysis (95% C.I. 0.46-4.21), even after adjustment for age, education, and financial dissatisfaction.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1993

Physical Performance Test and Activities of Daily Living scales in the assessment of health status in elderly people.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the ability of Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), and the Physical Performance Test (PPT) to detect health status impairments. PATIENTS: Five hundred forty nine community-dwelling elders (89.8% of the eligible elderly population) aged 70 and over; mean age [was] 76.8 +/- 6.1; 179 were males and 370 females. SETTING: City of Ospitaletto, Brescia, Northern Italy. MEASUREMENTS: A multidimensional questionnaire assessing demographic variables, indicators of social activities, psychological function, and somatic health and functional status (BADL and IADL). Also, the PPT was administered. RESULTS: Cognitive and effective status were independently associated with BADL, IADL function, and age; number of drugs were also associated with IADL function. Other health variables (number of diseases, number of symptoms, and global health score) did not independently contribute to explaining the BADL and IADL variance. Cognitive status, number of symptoms, number of diseases, number of drugs, and global health were independently associated with PPT. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic diseases may affect functional status in a manner that is insensitive to traditional self-report ADL and IADL measures. Performance-based measures may capture this impairment before more severe functional loss emerges.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1993

Sensory impairment and quality of life in a community elderly population.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between quality of life measures and sensory impairment in aged individuals living at home. DESIGN: Survey SETTING: A community survey, carried out in the historical center of a town in Northern Italy. PATIENTS: 1191 non-institutionalized elders (age 70-75 years). MEASUREMENTS: Comprehensive QOL questionnaire, free-field voice testing, and Snellen eye chart. RESULTS: Single sensory impairments (either visual or auditory) were significantly and independently associated with increased risk for depression (odds ratio: 2.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.5-3.4; OR:1.8, CI:1.1-2.7, respectively) and decreased self-sufficiency in daily living activities (OR:1.7, CI:1.1-2.6; OR:2.1, CI:1.4-3.2, respectively). Visual dysfunction, but not hearing dysfunction, was independently associated with lower social relationships (OR:2.0, CI:1.3-3.1). CONCLUSION: The quality of life of community-dwelling elderly people is significantly linked to sensory impairment, which can be detected through simple physical examination. Mood level and social relationships are particularly affected by visual impairment, whereas self-sufficiency in daily living is more strongly related to hearing impairment.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1993

Delusions in Alzheimer's disease and multi-infarct dementia.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms such as delusions and misidentifications have been reported in dementia ranging from 10% to 73% in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and up to 40% in multi-infarct dementia (MID) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate in 61 AD and 31 MID patients both the frequency and the content of delusions during the course of illness and to evaluate the relationship between these and both functional and mental decline. The results indicated that delusion experiences had occurred in 45% of AD patients and in 38% of MID patients, occurring most frequently during the first year of illness. Patients who experienced psychiatric symptoms showed higher mini mental state examination scores and were less impaired in functional disability measures. With regard to the content, no significant differences were observed between AD and MID patients; 53% of psychotic symptoms were found to be paranoid delusions while 47% were misidentification delusions.

Aged↗