美国一项新研究显示，老年人的人体昼夜节律（又称生物钟）较弱或不规律，可能会增加罹患痴呆症的 风险。相关论文发表在美国《神经学》期刊上。 昼夜节律是生物体内在的24小时活动规律，调控体温、睡眠、心率、代谢、激素分泌等生理过程，使身 体活动与自然环境（主要是光线明暗变化）同步。昼夜节律紊乱会导致多种健康问题，并可能是痴呆症 等神经退行性疾病的风险因素。 （来源：沈阳日报） 转自：沈阳日报 为了观察昼夜节律与老年人患痴呆症风险的关联，美国得克萨斯大学达拉斯西南医学中心等机构的研究 人员进行了一项调查，涉及2183名平均年龄79岁、开始调查时未患痴呆症的人。 参与者平均佩戴12天监测设备，记录心脏活动的变化，以衡量身体昼夜节律的强度和规律性。按照昼夜 节律的相对振幅，参与者被分为高、中、低三组。相对振幅较高表示活跃阶段与静息阶段的差异较大， 身体昼夜节律较强。 研究人员随后对参与者进行平均3年的随访，这期间有176人被诊断患上痴呆症，约占总人数的8%。高 振幅组的728人中有31人患上痴呆症，而低振幅组的727人中有106人患上痴呆症。研究显示，综合考虑 年龄、血压、心脏病等因素后，低振幅组患痴呆症的风险达到高振幅组 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant role of neuroinflammation in the development and progression of dementia, suggesting that neurotropic viruses, particularly herpes simplex virus, may contribute to or accelerate the course of dementia [1] Group 1: Research Findings - A recent study published in the journal Cell indicates that shingles vaccination can prevent or delay mild cognitive impairment and dementia in the elderly, as well as slow the progression of dementia in diagnosed patients, reducing the risk of dementia-related mortality [2] - The study utilized a natural experiment design based on the UK's vaccination policy, which created a unique opportunity to compare two groups with similar conditions but different vaccination eligibility based on birth dates [5] Group 2: Study Methodology - The research employed a rigorous regression discontinuity design, comparing over 300,000 participants, including more than 280,000 without cognitive impairment and over 14,000 diagnosed with dementia, tracked over nine years [7] - Results showed that vaccination reduced the risk of mild cognitive impairment by 3.1 percentage points in cognitively normal individuals, meaning that for every 100 vaccinated individuals, 3 avoided cognitive decline [7] Group 3: Gender Differences - The protective effect of the shingles vaccine was more pronounced in women, with a 5.1 percentage point reduction in mild cognitive impairment risk and a 52.3 percentage point reduction in dementia-related mortality risk, while the effects in men were not statistically significant [10] Group 4: Mechanisms of Action - The study proposes that the shingles vaccine may protect brain health by reducing the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which can cause neuroinflammation, a key factor in the development of dementia [12] - Additionally, the vaccine may help combat immune aging, maintaining a more youthful immune response that better protects the nervous system [12] Group 5: Implications for Public Health - The study's methodology offers a strong basis for causal inference, suggesting that shingles vaccination could be a cost-effective strategy for preventing or delaying dementia, especially in the context of an aging population [16][18] - The findings highlight the potential for vaccines to provide multiple health benefits beyond immediate infection prevention, opening new perspectives on public health strategies [16]

Core Viewpoint - The recent study from Oxford University indicates that any level of alcohol consumption increases the risk of dementia, challenging the notion that moderate drinking may have neuroprotective effects [4][10]. Group 1: Study Overview - The study published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine is the largest comprehensive observational and genetic research to date, showing a direct correlation between alcohol consumption and dementia risk [4][6]. - It utilized data from two major biobanks: the Million Veteran Program (MVP) and the UK Biobank (UKB), covering diverse populations [6]. Group 2: Research Findings - The observational analysis revealed a U-shaped association between alcohol consumption and dementia risk, where non-drinkers and heavy drinkers (40+ drinks per week) had a 41% and 51% higher risk of dementia, respectively, compared to light drinkers (less than 7 drinks per week) [7]. - Genetic analysis showed that higher genetic risk for alcohol consumption correlates with increased dementia risk, with a linear trend observed rather than a U-shaped one [8]. Group 3: Implications - The findings suggest that the previously held belief of "moderate drinking being neuroprotective" may stem from reverse causation, where early cognitive decline leads to reduced alcohol consumption [10]. - The study emphasizes the importance of considering reverse causation and residual confounding factors in alcohol and dementia research, indicating that reducing alcohol intake could be a significant strategy for dementia prevention [10].

Core Insights - Recent research indicates that cats can develop dementia similar to Alzheimer's disease in humans, potentially leading to breakthroughs in understanding and treatment [1][2] Group 1: Research Findings - A study conducted by a team from the University of Edinburgh involved post-mortem brain examinations of 25 cats that exhibited dementia symptoms, such as confusion, sleep disturbances, and increased vocalization [1] - The presence of β-amyloid protein accumulation was found in the synapses of the affected cats' brains, which is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, making cats an ideal natural model for studying the disease [1][2] Group 2: Implications for Treatment - The findings may clarify how β-amyloid protein leads to cognitive dysfunction and memory loss in cats, which is valuable for human dementia research [2] - The study suggests that understanding the synaptic pruning process, where supportive brain cells consume synapses with β-amyloid accumulation, could help in developing therapies for both human Alzheimer's and feline dementia [2] Group 3: Broader Impact - The research highlights the shared nature of dementia across species, emphasizing that findings could benefit both humans and cats, as dementia causes significant distress for both [2]