<p><strong>Background</strong></p><p>Cognitive impairment and dementia are some of the major health concerns in the aging population. Many studies showed positive effects of physical exercise in delaying or preventing these conditions. Brain Gym ® exercises is a structured aerobic exercise involving head, eyes and crossing movements of the extremities in order to stimulate both brain hemispheres. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Brain Gym ® exercises sessions on cognitive function and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the elderly.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Methods</strong></p><p>A non-blinded randomized controlled study involving 64 healthy women aged >60 years who were randomized into Brain Gym ® exercises treatment group (n=32) and control group (n=32). Treatment group joined 60 minutes of brain gym exercises sessions twice a week for 12 weeks. The measured outcomes were cognitive function (assessed by mini-mental state examination [MMSE] questionnaire) and plasma BDNF levels. The outcomes were measured at base-line and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used to analyze the data.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Results</strong></p><p>The BDNF levels were increased in both groups after 12 weeks, and there was a significant difference between treatment group (41.26 ± 6,82 ng/mL) and control group (37.10 ± 8.11 ng/mL)(p=0.040). However, the MMSE score was not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.200).</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p>Brain Gym ® exercises sessions significantly increase plasma BDNF level in the elderly population. In practical terms, we may suggest evaluation of the effects of Brain Gym ® exercises as a strategy in the treatment of disorders associated with central degenerative changes.<p class="email"> </p>
BACKGROUNDAtherosclerosis is initiated by endothelial dysfunction, as a result of increasing degradation of nitrit oxide by reactive oxygen species, thereby increasing oxydative stress. Dyslipidemia is one of the risk factors of endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of blood pressure and serum lipid level with carotid intimamedia thickness (CIMT) in subjects aged between 55-65 years.
BACKGROUNDAtherosclerosis, the underlying cause of heart attack, stroke and peripheral disease, is a main cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia are independent factors in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. The atherosclerotic index (AI) is a strong indicator of cardiovascular heart disease. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between lipid serum level and AI in subjects 50-70 years of age.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.