ABSTRACT
Exhaled breath analysis using an e-nose is a groundbreaking tool for exhaled volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis, which has already shown its applicability in several respiratory and systemic diseases. It is still unclear whether food intake can be considered a confounder when analyzing the VOC-profile. We aimed to assess whether an e-nose can discriminate exhaled breath before and after predefined food intake at different time periods. We enrolled 28 healthy non-smoking adults and collected their exhaled breath as follows: (a) before food intake, (b) within 5 min after food consumption, (c) within 1 h after eating, and (d) within 2 h after eating. Exhaled breath was collected by a formerly validated method and analyzed by an e-nose (Cyranose 320). By principal component analysis, significant variations in the exhaled VOC-profile were shown for principal component 1 (capturing 63.4% of total variance) when comparing baseline vs. 5 min and vs. 1 h after food intake (both p < 0.05). No significance was shown in the comparison between baseline and 2 h after food intake. Therefore, the exhaled VOC-profile seems to be influenced by very recent food intake. Interestingly, two hours might be sufficient to avoid food induced alterations of exhaled VOC-spectrum when sampling for research protocols.
ABSTRACT
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00423.].
ABSTRACT
Learning a new language requires the use of extensive neural networks and can represent a powerful tool to reorganize brain neuroplasticity. In this study, we analyze how a 4 months long second language learning program (16, 2 h sessions) can lead to functional changes in the brain of healthy elderly individuals. A large number of studies point out a decline of brain-skills with age; here it is analyzed how cognition together with functional brain organization can be improved later in life. Twenty-six older adults (59-79 years old) were enrolled in the present study. A complete neuropsychological examination was administered before and after the intervention to measure global cognition levels, short- and long-term memory, attention, language access and executive functions. At the end of the program, in the intervention group, the results showed a significant improvement in global cognition together with an increased functional connectivity in the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG), right superior frontal gyrus (rSFG) and left superior parietal lobule (lSPL). These findings can be added to the current neurobiological breakthroughs of reshaping brain networks with a short language learning practice in healthy elderly subjects. Therefore, learning a foreign-language may represent a potentially helpful cognitive intervention for promoting healthy aging.
