Characterization of the lipid profile in dementia and depression in the elderly.

The purpose of the study was to examine the association of plasma lipid concentrations with changes in cognitive function and depressive states in elderly Greek individuals. The study population consisted of 3 groups: A) 37 subjects with dementia, B) 33 subjects with depression, and C) 33 controls. All individuals were screened with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and an evaluation of their psychiatric state. Lipid profile was assessed in all subjects, and the results were statistically evaluated at P < .05 level of significance. Groups A and B had significantly lower levels of total plasma cholesterol and HDL cholesterol than group C (P < .01). Triglyceride levels did not differ significantly between groups A and C, although they were significantly higher in group B. The results of this study suggest that an association does exist between the plasma concentration of cholesterol and HDL-C and depression and/or cognitive impairment. Further studies are required to explore the significance of these observations and establish if lipid levels could serve as markers for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Correlation of folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine plasma levels with depression in an elderly Greek population.

BACKGROUND: Alterations in folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine plasma levels have been associated with aging, neuronal development and depressive symptomatology. Nevertheless, the associations are not strong enough to suggest the use of these parameters in every day practice for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between plasma folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine in depressive states in the elderly. METHODS: Community-dwelling, elderly individuals over 60 years of age were screened with the Geriatric Depression Scale. The study population was divided into two groups: (a) 33 subjects with depression and (b) 33 healthy controls. All participants were clinically evaluated and completed a questionnaire for socio-demographic and clinical data. Measurements of folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine were estimated in all blood samples and results were statistically evaluated at p<0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: No statistical significance emerged for the socio-demographic data between the two groups. Chronic diseases such as stroke, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and diabetes also did not differ between the depression and control group. Group (a) had significantly lower levels of folate and vitamin B12 than group (b). Homocysteine was significantly higher in depressed individuals than in controls. CONCLUSION: Lower levels of plasma folate and/or vitamin B12, and higher levels of plasma homocysteine are associated with depression in elderly individuals.

Elevation of plasma concentration of adhesion molecules in late-life depression.

OBJECTIVES: Late-life depression may be associated with vascular disease. The purpose of the study was to investigate this association by determining the levels of soluble adhesion molecules (sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1) which represent markers of ischemia-induced inflammation in elderly individuals with depression. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 33 subjects with depression selected from a community-dwelling population after screening with the Geriatric Depression Scale, and 33 matched controls. Serum concentrations of sICAM-1 (ng/mL) and sVCAM-1 (ng/mL) were measured in both groups. RESULTS: Depressed patients (Group A) possessed significantly higher sICAM-1 levels compared to healthy controls (Group B) (674.94 +/- 166.90 ng/ml vs 467.05 +/- 231.26 ng/ml, respectively, p < 0.01). Similarly the same groups demonstrated elevated sVCAM-1 levels compared to controls (572.14 +/- 182.20 ng/ml vs 449.04 +/- 285.27 ng/ml, p < 0.05); a difference that in both cases remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders (gender, smoking, presence of metabolic syndrome). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate an association between high serum levels of VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 and depression in the elderly and further support the vascular depression hypothesis, which has important implications for the understanding and management of late-life depression.

Indices of low-grade chronic inflammation correlate with early cognitive deterioration in an elderly Greek population.

Elevated serum levels of adhesion molecules (AM) reflect low-grade chronic inflammation and have been associated with several conditions of neuronal damage. The aim of the present study was the investigation of possible correlation between early cognitive decline and inflammatory processes in the elderly as indicated by plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and AM levels. Thirty-seven subjects with dementia were selected from a community-dwelling, genetically isolated, geriatric population (above 60 years of age) based on the Mini Mental State Examination scale (MMSE) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) criteria. In parallel, a group of 33 age-matched healthy controls were selected from the same population. The levels of CRP (mg/l), sICAM-1 (ng/ml) and sVCAM-1 (ng/ml) were measured in the serum samples of both groups. Serum concentrations of all three molecules sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and CRP were significantly higher in the dementia group when compared to controls (656.78 +/- 161.51 versus 467.05 +/- 231.26, p < 0.01; 631.64 +/- 149.76 versus 449.04 +/- 285.27, p < 0.01; 1.53 +/- 0.97 versus 0.7221 +/- 0.61, p < 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between the three molecules studied and the degree of severity of cognitive impairment. The findings of this study enhance the hypothesis of the presence of an underlying inflammatory process leading to cognitive deterioration and predisposing dementia in the elderly. The present work supports the evaluation of inflammatory molecules as early indicators of cognitive decline in elderly individuals.

Association of cognitive impairment with plasma levels of folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Alterations in folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine plasma levels have been associated with aging, neuronal development and cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine and cognitive function in the elderly. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Elderly individuals over 60 years of age living in the community, were screened with the Mini-Mental State Examination. The study population was divided into two groups: (a) 37 subjects with dementia; and (b) 33 healthy controls. Blood samples were analyzed with the use of ELISA, and the results were statistically evaluated at p < 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: Group a had significantly lower levels of folate and vitamin B12 than group b. Homocysteine was significantly higher in demented individuals than in controls (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Lower levels of plasma folate and/or vitamin B12 and higher levels of plasma homocysteine are associated with cognitive impairment in elderly individuals.