ABSTRACT
AIM: Vascular dementia (VaD) is defined as a loss of cognitive function resulting from ischemic, hypoperfusive, or hemorrhagic brain lesions due to cerebrovascular disease or cardiovascular pathology. The main types of VaD are: Small Vessel Disease Dementia (sVAD), Large vessel disease dementia, hypoperfusive-ischemic dementia and hemorragic dementia. The sVAD is divided into two main categories: subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD) and cortical dementia. Currently, no drugs are approved for the treatment of VaD. This study aimed to determine whether rivastigmine, a second generation cholinesterase inhibitor with selectivity for the CNS, with capacity to inhibit both acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyryl-cholinesterase (BuChE), slows the rate of cognitive decline associated with VaD. METHODS: Study subjects were 27 male and 43 female outpatients aged 80.03±6.53 years, with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ranging batween 22 and 12, affected by VaD. They were included in the study if they were undergoing pharmacological treatment with acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg for at least six months. Patients were divided into two groups: one group was treated with ASA 100 mg and rivastigmine patch 9.5 mg (Rivastigmine group), the other just with ASA 100 mg (ASA group). All patients were followed for 6 months, with a first evaluation (T0) and a second examination after six mounths of treatment (T1). RESULTS: Statistically data proved as the Rivastigmine group showed constant values at MMSE, compared with patients of the ASA group who experienced decline of their cognitive performances. The same result was found in CDR, ADL, GDS and NPI scales. It is remarkable to underline as Rivastigmine-treated patients had a mean improvement in GDS scales, in comparison with patients of the ASA group who showed a worsening of mood. CONCLUSION: Rivastigmine-therapy improves cognitive performance in elderly with SIVD.
Subject(s)
Acetylcholinesterase , Butyrylcholinesterase , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Cognition/drug effects , Dementia, Vascular/drug therapy , Neuroprotective Agents/therapeutic use , Phenylcarbamates/therapeutic use , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use , Aspirin/therapeutic use , Dementia, Vascular/classification , Disease Progression , Female , Humans , Male , Mental Status Schedule , RivastigmineABSTRACT
Few therapeutic options are available nowadays to improve the prognosis of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). There are rather several evidences in literature that controlling vascular risk factors may be an effective intervention for modifying the course of this disease. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of CRF in 50 patients with MCI according to Petersens's criteria, and to evaluate their influence on cognitive and behavioral features of the disease and on the development of dementia. Statistical analysis of the data showed that the 60% of the patients with MCI and CRF developed dementia, while 40% maintained the same cognitive conditions at the end of the study. Only 32% of the subjects without cardiovascular comorbidities developed dementia. The results of the study suggest that CRF play a key role in cognitive decline of patients with MCI. Patients with MCI and CRF showed not only worse cognitive performances, but also behavioral disorders, depression and functional disability. Patients with CRF had higher conversion rate to AD than the other group, with a mean disease-free period 3 months shorter than the control group.
Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/complications , Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology , Aged , Cardiovascular Diseases/psychology , Carotid Artery Diseases/complications , Carotid Artery Diseases/psychology , Dementia/etiology , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/psychology , Disease Progression , Female , Humans , Hyperlipidemias/complications , Hyperlipidemias/psychology , Hypertension/complications , Hypertension/psychology , Male , Neuropsychological Tests , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index , Smoking/adverse effects , Time FactorsSubject(s)
Cell Movement , Histiocytes , Mitosis , Animals , Culture Techniques , Microscopy, Phase-Contrast , Photography , UrodelaSubject(s)
Anemia, Pernicious/blood , Coenzymes/therapeutic use , Erythrocytes/drug effects , Vitamin B 12/therapeutic use , Anemia, Pernicious/drug therapy , Bone Marrow Cells , Bone Marrow Examination , Culture Techniques , Erythrocyte Aging , Humans , Male , Microscopy, Phase-Contrast , Middle Aged , MitosisABSTRACT
In vitro culture of rat peritoneal macrophages, cells generally considered devoid of proliferative activity, was found to lead to the appearance of mitosis. Mitotic index and percent phase incidence values were determined for these cells.
Subject(s)
Cell Proliferation , Macrophages, Peritoneal/physiology , Mitosis , Mitotic Index , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Male , RatsABSTRACT
In the course of further studies of mitotic activity in vitro cultures of rat peritoneal macrophages, an increment in proliferative volume between the 2nd and 6th day was observed, followed by a decrease. The relationships between these variations and those of the mitotic index (previously reported) are discussed.
Subject(s)
Cell Proliferation , Macrophages, Peritoneal/physiology , Mitotic Index , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Male , RatsABSTRACT
Contrast phase microscopy was employed to determine mitosis phase duration values in rat peritoneal macrophages in which proliferative activity had appeared following culture in vitro. Mitosis duration values were considerable and tended to increase in function of increases in culture time. These data are discussed in a general account of in vitro reproductive activity in peritoneal macrophages.
