ABSTRACT
Virtual reality-based exercise (exergames) improves cognition of the elderly but the neurophysiological effects are poorly understood. The hypothesis herein established is that an ultrafast neurophysiological adaptation occurs in prefrontal cortex of elderly after completion of a single exergames session. To reinforce the aforementioned hypothesis, individuals living in a Long-Term Care Home (LTCH) participated in the study and were randomly allocated into two groups (Virtual Reality Group, VRG, n = 5; and Active Control Group, ACG n = 5). VRG performed six exercises with exergames and ACG performed exercises with the same VRG movements but with no virtual reality. Assessment of frontal cortical activity at rest and during cognitive testing via electroencephalographic activity (EEG) was performed before and immediately after the intervention. Significant decrease in relative power of EEG (RPEEG) Beta brainwave (-29 ± 18%) in the left prefrontal cortex of VRG compared to ACG (4 ± 9%) (p = 0.007). A slight improvement on semantic fluency in VRG (ES=0.21) was noted. An ultrafast prefrontal cortical adaptation may occur as an effect of a single exergames session, causing a small improvement on cognition of institutionalized elderly.
ABSTRACT
Diabetes is a metabolic condition associated with hyperglycemia manifested by the elevation of blood glucose levels occurring when the pancreas decreases or stops the production of insulin, in case of insulin resistance or both. The current literature supports that insulin resistance may be responsible for the memory decline associated with diabetes. Glucose transporters (GLUTs) are a family of proteins involved in glucose transport across biological membranes. GLUT-1 and GLUT-3 are involved in glucose delivery to the brain. Evidence suggests that both transporters are downregulated in chronic peripheral hyperglycemia. Here we show the mechanisms of glucose transport and its influence on cognitive function, including a hypothesis of how peripheral hyperglycemia related genes network interactions may lead to glucose transporters downregulation and its possible consequences.
