The concentrations of serum, plasma and platelet BDNF are all increased by treadmill VO₂max performance in healthy college men

An important question in healthcare for older patients is whether age-related changes in cortical reorganization can be measured with advancing age. This study investigated the factors behind such age-related changes, using time-frequency analysis of event-related potentials (ERPs). We hypothesized that brain rhythms was affected by age-related changes, which could be reflected in the ERP indices. An oddball task was conducted in two experimental groups, namely young participants (N = 15; mean age 23.7 ± 2.8 years) and older participants (N = 15; mean age 70.1 ± 7.9 years). Two types of stimuli were used: the target (1 kHz frequency) and standard (2 kHz frequency). We scrutinized three ERP indices: event-related spectral power (ERPSP), inter-trial phase-locking (ITPL), and event-related cross-phase coherence (ERPCOH). Both groups performed equally well for correct response rate. However, the results revealed a statistically significant age difference for inter-trial comparison. Compared with the young, the older participants showed the following age-related changes: (a) power activity decreased; however, an increase was found only in the late (P3, 280-450 ms) theta (4-7 Hz) component over the bilateral frontal and temporo-frontal areas; (b) low phase-locking in the early (N1, 80-140 ms) theta band over the parietal/frontal (right) regions appeared; (c) the functional connections decreased in the alpha (7-13 Hz) and beta (13-30 Hz) bands, but no difference emerged in the theta band between the two groups. These results indicate that age-related changes in task-specific brain activity for a normal aging population can be depicted using the three ERP indices.     

Frontal brain oscillatory coupling among men who vary in salivary testosterone levels

Recent studies suggest that cross-frequency coupling supports the integration of distinct neuronal oscillatory modes. In particular, spectral coupling between slow-wave delta and fast-wave beta oscillations may reflect subcortical–cortical interactions. Prior experiments have shown that delta–beta coupling appears to be sensitive to steroid hormone patterning. We attempted to extend this hypothesis by examining the relation between delta–beta EEG spectral coupling and endogenous testosterone measures in men. We collected resting regional brain electrical (EEG) activity and salivary testosterone from 34 healthy young adult males (M age = 24 years). Males with high testosterone showed non-significant delta–beta coupling (delta–beta decoupling), while males with low testosterone exhibited significant delta–beta coupling. These relations were only found for the frontal brain region. There was also a significant group difference in the magnitude of coupling, but no differences in absolute delta and beta power. Findings are discussed in terms of emerging evidence relating steroid hormones to cross-frequency spectral coupling and directions for future work.     

Autonomic nervous system reactivity to positive and negative mood induction: the role of acute psychological responses and frontal electrocortical activity

The differential effects of positive versus negative emotions on autonomic nervous system activity are insufficiently understood. This study examined the role of acute mood responses and central nervous system activity on heart rate variability (HRV) using 5-min event recall tasks (happiness and anger recall) and a 5-min Stroop Color Word Test (SCWT) in 20 healthy individuals (mean age 25 ± 4 years, 55% female). HRV was measured in high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) domains, and frontal brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG) in the alpha frequency band in F3 and F4. Happiness Recall resulted in increased LF-HRV (p = 0.005) but not HF-HRV (p = 0.71). Anger Recall did not change HRV (p-values > 0.10). The SCWT produced decreases in HF-HRV (p = 0.001) as well as LF-HRV (p = 0.001). The magnitude of feeling “happy” during Happiness Recall was positively correlated with ΔHF-HRV (p = 0.050), whereas an incongruent mood state (“frustrated”) was associated with smaller ΔHF-HRV (p = 0.070). Associations between frontal EEG activation and HRV responses were mostly non-significant, except for increased right frontal activation during Happiness Recall which was associated with a decrease in LF/HF ratio (p = 0.009). It is concluded that positive and negative mood induction result in differential HRV responses, which is related to both task valence and the intensity of task-induced emotions.     

The effects of aging on lifetime of auditory sensory memory in humans

The amplitude change of cortical responses to repeated stimulation with respect to different interstimulus intervals (ISIs) is considered as an index of sensory memory. To determine the effect of aging on lifetime of auditory sensory memory, N100m responses were recorded in young, middle-aged, and elderly healthy volunteers (n = 15 for each group). Trains of 5 successive tones were presented with an inter-train interval of 10 s. In separate sessions, the within-train ISIs were 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 s. The amplitude ratio between N100m responses to the first and fifth stimuli (S5/S1 N100m ratio) within each ISI condition was obtained to reflect the recovery cycle profile. The recovery function time constant (τ) was smaller in the elderly (1.06 ± 0.26 s, p < 0.001) and middle-aged (1.70 ± 0.25 s, p = 0.009) groups compared with the young group (2.77 ± 0.25 s). In conclusion, the present study suggests an aging-related decrease in lifetime of auditory sensory memory.     

EEG network connectivity changes in mild cognitive impairment — Preliminary results

Resting state EEGs were compared between patients with amnestic subtype of mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and matched elderly controls at two times over a one year period. The study aimed at investigating the role of functional connectivity between and within different brain regions in relation to the progression of cognitive deficit in MCI. The EEG was recorded in two sessions during eyes closed and eyes open resting conditions. Functional brain connectivity was investigated based on the measurement of phase synchronization in different frequency bands. Delta and theta synchronization characteristics indicated decreased level of local and large-scale connectivity in the patients within the frontal, between the frontal and temporal, and frontal and parietal brain areas which was more pronounced 1 year later. As a consequence of opening the eyes connectivity in the alpha1 band within the parietal lobe decreased compared to the eyes closed condition but only in the control group. The lack of alpha1 band reactivity following eye opening could reliably differentiate patients from controls. Our preliminary results support the notion that the functional disconnection between distant brain areas is a characteristic feature of MCI, and may prove to be predictive in terms of the progression of this condition.     

Frontal EEG delta/alpha ratio and screening for post-stroke cognitive deficits: The power of four electrodes

This study analysed correlations between post-stroke, quantitative electroencephalographic (QEEG) indices, and cognition-specific, functional outcome measures. Results were compared between QEEG indices calculated from the standard 19 versus 4 frontal (or 4 posterior) electrodes to assess the feasibility and efficacy of employing a reduced electrode montage. Resting-state EEG was recorded at the bedside within 62–101 h after onset of symptoms of middle cerebral artery, ischaemic stroke (confirmed radiologically). Relative power for delta, theta, alpha and beta, delta/alpha ratio (DAR) and pairwise-derived brain symmetry index (pdBSI) were averaged; over all electrodes (global), over F3, F4, F7, F8 (frontal) and P3, P4, T5, T6 (posterior). The functional independence measure and functional assessment measure (FIM–FAM) was administered at mean 105 days post-stroke. Total (30 items) and cognition-specific (5 items) FIM–FAM scores were correlated with QEEG indices using Spearman's coefficient, with a Bonferroni correction. Twenty-five patients were recruited, 4 died within 3 months and 1 was lost to follow-up. Hence 20 cases (10 female; 9 left hemisphere; mean age 68 years, range 38–84) were analysed. Two QEEG indices demonstrated highly-significant correlations with cognitive outcomes: frontal DAR (ρ = − 0.664, p ≤ 0.001) and global, relative alpha power (ρ = 0.67, p ≤ 0.001). After correction there were no other significant correlations. Alpha activity – particularly frontally – may index post-stroke attentional capacity, which appears to be a key determinant of functional and cognitive outcomes. Likewise frontal delta pathophysiology influences such outcomes. Pending further studies, DAR from 4 frontal electrodes may inform early screening for post-MCA stroke cognitive deficits, and thereby, clinical decisions.     

REM and NREM power spectral analysis on two consecutive nights in psychophysiological and paradoxical insomnia sufferers

The objectives of the study were to examine EEG activities using power spectral analysis (PSA) of good sleepers (GS), psychophysiological (PsyI) and paradoxical (ParI) insomnia sufferers on two consecutive nights. Participants completed three nights of PSG recordings in a sleep laboratory following a clinical evaluation. Participants were 26 PsyI, 20 ParI and 21 GS (mean age = 40 years, SD = 9.4). All sleep cycles of Nights 2 and 3 were retained for PSA. The absolute and relative activity in frequency bands (0.00 to 125.00 Hz) were computed at multiple frontal, central and parietal sites in REM and NREM sleep. Mixed model ANOVAs were performed with absolute and relative PSA data to assess differences between groups and nights. Over the course of the two nights, more absolute delta activity at F3, C3, and P3 was observed in ParI compared with PsyI suggesting deactivation of the left hemisphere in ParI and/or hyperactivation in PsyI. Further analysis on absolute PSA data revealed that differences between groups relate mostly to NREM. In REM, lower relative activity in slower frequency bands was found in ParI in comparison with GS and less relative theta activity was found in PsyI compared with GS implying higher activation in insomnia. In addition, between nights variability has been found in absolute powers of faster frequency bands (beta to omega). Signs of decreased cortical activity in absolute PSA in NREM combined with increased relative cortical activation in REM were found in ParI which might contribute to the misperception of sleep in ParI.     

Localised micro-mechanical stiffening in the ageing aorta

Age-related loss of tissue elasticity is a common cause of human morbidity and arteriosclerosis (vascular stiffening) is associated with the development of both fatal strokes and heart failure. However, in the absence of appropriate micro-mechanical testing methodologies, multiple structural remodelling events have been proposed as the cause of arteriosclerosis. Therefore, using a model of ageing in female sheep aorta (young: <18 months, old: >8 years) we: (i) quantified age-related macro-mechanical stiffness, (ii) localised in situ micro-metre scale changes in acoustic wave speed (a measure of tissue stiffness) and (iii) characterised collagen and elastic fibre remodelling. With age, there was an increase in both macro-mechanical stiffness and mean microscopic wave speed (and hence stiffness; young wave speed: 1701 ± 1 m s⁻¹, old wave speed: 1710 ± 1 m s⁻¹, p < 0.001) which was localized to collagen fibril-rich regions located between large elastic lamellae. These micro-mechanical changes were associated with increases in both collagen and elastic fibre content (collagen tissue area, young: 31 ± 2%, old: 40 ± 4%, p < 0.05; elastic fibre tissue area, young: 55 ± 3%, old: 69 ± 4%, p < 0.001). Localised collagen fibrosis may therefore play a key role in mediating age-related arteriosclerosis. Furthermore, high frequency scanning acoustic microscopy is capable of co-localising micro-mechanical and micro-structural changes in ageing tissues.     

Long-term adherence to the Mediterranean diet reduces the prevalence of hyperuricaemia in elderly individuals, without known cardiovascular disease: the Ikaria study

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of adherence to Mediterranean diet on serum uric acid (UA) levels in elderly individuals, without known cardiovascular disease.

Methods

During 2009, 281 females (75 ± 6 years old) and 257 males (75 ± 7 years old) permanent inhabitants of the island, were voluntarily enrolled. A diet score that assesses the inherent characteristics of the Mediterranean diet (MedDietScore, range 0-55) was applied. Serum levels of UA were determined using an enzymatic colorimetric test through the uricase-peroxidase method. Hyperuricaemia was defined as UA > 7 mg/dL in males and 6 mg/dL in females.

Results

Prevalence of hyperuricaemia was 34% in males and 25% in females (p = 0.02). Mean level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet was 35 ± 2. Linear regression analysis revealed that MedDietScore was inversely associated with UA levels (b ± SE: −1.48 ± 0.17, p < 0.001) in the overall sample, after controlling for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, creatinine clearance, physical activity, and coffee consumption. When the analysis was stratified by gender, MedDietScore was inversely associated with UA levels in males (b ± SE: −1.10 ± 0.42, p = 0.009), but not in females (b ± SE: 0.04 ± 0.41, p = 0.92).

Conclusion

Another cardioprotective effect of Mediterranean diet was revealed, through the modification of UA levels in elderly individuals. The potential different effect size as regards the relationship between diet and UA levels between genders, deserves further investigation.     

Leukocyte telomere length is preserved with aging in endurance exercise-trained adults and related to maximal aerobic capacity

Telomere length (TL), a measure of replicative senescence, decreases with aging, but the factors involved are incompletely understood. To determine if age-associated reductions in TL are related to habitual endurance exercise and maximal aerobic exercise capacity (maximal oxygen consumption, VO₂max), we studied groups of young (18-32 years; n = 15, 7 male) and older (55-72 years; n = 15, 9 male) sedentary and young (n = 10, 7 male) and older (n = 17, 11 male) endurance exercise-trained healthy adults. Leukocyte TL (LTL) was shorter in the older (7059 ± 141 bp) vs. young (8407 ± 218) sedentary adults (P < 0.01). LTL of the older endurance-trained adults (7992 ± 169 bp) was ∼900 bp greater than their sedentary peers (P < 0.01) and was not significantly different (P = 0.12) from young exercise-trained adults (8579 ± 413). LTL was positively related to VO₂max as a result of a significant association in older adults (r = 0.44, P < 0.01). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that VO₂max was the only independent predictor of LTL in the overall group. Our results indicate that LTL is preserved in healthy older adults who perform vigorous aerobic exercise and is positively related to maximal aerobic exercise capacity. This may represent a novel molecular mechanism underlying the “anti-aging” effects of maintaining high aerobic fitness.     

A comparative analysis of sensory visual evoked oscillations with visual cognitive event related oscillations in Alzheimer's disease

We compared visual evoked oscillatory responses of subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD) (n = 22) to healthy elderly controls (n = 19) elicited by simple light stimuli. The visual evoked oscillatory responses in AD subjects without cholinergic treatment (n = 11) show significant differences (df = 2.38, F = 4.957, P = 0.012) from the controls and the AD subjects treated with a cholinesterase inhibitor (n = 11). Higher theta oscillatory responses in untreated AD subjects are seen on the electrode locations over bi-parietal and right occipital regions after simple light stimuli with less, if any, cognitive load. These changes were restricted to the theta frequency range only and are related to location, frequency bands and drug effects. In our previous work we observed that visual event related oscillations elicited after the visual stimuli with a higher cognitive load, i.e. an oddball target, display lower amplitudes: between controls and AD subjects in delta frequency band without a drug effect, over the left and mid-central region. These differences between the visual evoked oscillations and the visual event related oscillations imply that there are at least two different cognitive circuits that are activated upon visual stimuli in AD patients.     

Occipital cortex activation studied with simultaneous recordings of functional transcranial Doppler ultrasound (fTCD) and visual evoked potential (VEP) in cognitively normal human subjects: Effect of healthy aging

We evaluated effect of aging, gender and eye (sighting) dominance on relationship between visual evoked flow response (VEFR) and visual evoked potential (VEP), which refers to neurovascular coupling. The VEFR was defined as a percentage increase of the ratio of mean blood flow velocity in the contralateral (according to the side of dominant eye processing) posterior cerebral artery P2 segment to those in ipsilateral middle cerebral artery from the baseline during half-field stimulation. Vasoneural coupling index (CI) was defined as “100 × VEFR/VEP P100 amplitude”. Compared to the healthy elderly subjects (n: 19; female/male: 6/13, mean age: 69.7 ± 7), younger participants (n: 28; female/male: 16/12; mean age: 31.1 ± 4.7) had significantly higher VEFR for both sides: 18.9 ± 6.7% versus 11.2 ± 6.7%, p < 0.001 and 17.3 ± 7.7% versus 11.8 ± 5.5%, p: 0.007, for the hemisphere contralateral to dominant and nondominant eye (D and ND side), respectively. Albeit absence of any correlation between their latencies, VEP and VEFR amplitudes were well correlated. However, this was significant only for younger subjects and more evident in D side. The CI was higher in young subjects compared to those in old ones (6.49 ± 2.79 versus 4.75 ± 2.35, respectively, p = 0.007). But, this age-related trend remained as borderline when sides were analyzed individually: In the young subjects CI was 5.99 ± 2.21 and 6.96 ± 3.22 for D and ND sides, while those were 4.27 ± 2.60 and 5.19 ± 2.07 in old ones. This study confirmed diminished visual evoked flow in relation with advancing age, and suggested that “weakened” neurovascular coupling (as evidenced by a decreased VEP and VEFR correlation along with decreased CI) as one of the underlying mechanisms.     

Olfactory loss and nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation in the elderly

Olfactory dysfunction may precede common neurodegenerative disorders in the elderly, such as Alzheimer (AD) or Parkinson disease (PD). However, pathobiological mechanisms of olfactory loss in the elderly are poorly understood. Although nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation is a key patholobiological feature of PD, age-associated nigrostriatal denervation (AASDD) occurs also with normal aging and can be more prominent in some elderly. We investigated the relationship between AASDD and olfactory performance in community-dwelling subjects. Community-dwelling subjects (n = 73, 44 F/29 M, mean age 64.0 ± 16.4, range 20–85) underwent brain dopamine transporter (DAT) [¹¹C]2-β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-fluorophenyl) tropane (β-CFT) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and olfactory assessment using the 40-odor University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT). Subjects with clinical or DAT PET evidence of Parkinson disease (PD) were not eligible for the study. AASDD was defined based on normative data in young and middle-aged subjects. Compared to a mild and general linear decline in odor identification observed in most subjects (R² = 0.18, P = 0.0002), there were 13 subjects who deviated below the 5% confidence interval level in age-predicted UPSIT scores. Analysis limited to elderly subjects 60 years and over demonstrated a significant association between poor smell (n = 10 out of 49, 20.4%) and AASDD (χ² = 4.4, P < 0.05). There is a significant association between olfactory dysfunction and more prominent nigrostriatal denervation in the elderly. Olfactory assessment may have potential as a screening tool to detect age-accelerated neurodegeneration in the elderly.     

Resting-state beta and gamma activity in Internet addiction

Internet addiction is the inability to control one's use of the Internet and is related to impulsivity. Although a few studies have examined neurophysiological activity as individuals with Internet addiction engage in cognitive processing, no information on spontaneous EEG activity in the eyes-closed resting-state is available. We investigated resting-state EEG activities in beta and gamma bands and examined their relationships with impulsivity among individuals with Internet addiction and healthy controls. Twenty-one drug-naïve patients with Internet addiction (age: 23.33 ± 3.50 years) and 20 age-, sex-, and IQ-matched healthy controls (age: 22.40 ± 2.33 years) were enrolled in this study. Severity of Internet addiction was identified by the total score on Young's Internet Addiction Test. Impulsivity was measured with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 and a stop-signal task. Resting-state EEG during eyes closed was recorded, and the absolute/relative power of beta and gamma bands was analyzed. The Internet addiction group showed high impulsivity and impaired inhibitory control. The generalized estimating equation showed that the Internet-addiction group showed lower absolute power on the beta band than did the control group (estimate = − 3.370, p < 0.01). On the other hand, the Internet-addiction group showed higher absolute power on the gamma band than did the control group (estimate = 0.434, p < 0.01). These EEG activities were significantly associated with the severity of Internet addiction as well as with the extent of impulsivity. The present study suggests that resting-state fast-wave brain activity is related to the impulsivity characterizing Internet addiction. These differences may be neurobiological markers for the pathophysiology of Internet addiction.     

Children's internalizing symptoms: the role of interactions between cortisol and respiratory sinus arrhythmia

We examined interactions between children's physiological activity across two systems, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), as predictors of child-reported internalizing symptoms (depression, anxiety). HPA activity was indexed by baseline salivary cortisol, and PNS activity was indexed by baseline respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). Study 1 consisted of 57 children (54% girls; M age = 8.81 years ±.34), and Study 2 included 219 children (51% girls; M age = 9.31 years ±.79). Cortisol interacted with RSA to explain unique variance in children's internalizing symptoms. Across the two studies, children with higher cortisol levels in conjunction with higher RSA levels tended to exhibit the lowest levels of depression and anxiety symptoms. Findings demonstrate that contemporaneous consideration of physiological activity across multiple systems can advance understanding of internalizing symptoms in children.     

Early malnutrition,but not age,modulates in the rat the l-Arginine facilitating effect on cortical spreading depression

Nutritional factors acting during brain development can permanently alter brain electrophysiology. l-Arginine is the precursor of nitric oxide synthesis, which can modulate brain function. Here we investigated the effect of early-in-life administration (during postnatal days 7–28) of l-Arginine (300 mg/(kg day)) on cortical spreading depression (CSD), recorded in well-nourished and malnourished (large litters technique) rats aged 30–40 days (young) and 90–110 days (adult). Compared to water-treated controls, well-nourished l-Arginine-treated rats, but not the malnourished ones, displayed higher CSD velocities (P < 0.05) at both ages. The mean ± S.D. CSD velocities (in mm/min) were: for water- and l-Arginine well-nourished rats, 3.78 ± 0.23 and 4.36 ± 0.19 (young groups), and 3.28 ± 0.16 and 4.09 ± 0.30 (adult); for the same conditions in the malnourished rats, 4.22 ± 0.09 and 4.27 ± 0.21 (young), and 4.11 ± 0.18 and 4.21 ± 0.33 (adult). l-Arginine treatment did not affect body and brain weights. It is concluded that early l-Arginine treatment long lastingly increased brain CSD-susceptibility and this effect is abolished by early malnutrition.     

Anterior genu corpus callosum and impulsivity in suicidal patients with bipolar disorder

Suicidality is a life-threatening symptom in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). Impulsivity and mood instability are associated with suicidality in mood disorders. Evidence suggests that gray and white matter abnormalities are linked with impulsivity in mood disorders, but little is known about the association between corpus callosum (CC) and impulsivity in BD. We examined the relationship between CC areas, impulsivity and suicidality in BD patients. We studied 10 female BD patients with a history of suicide attempt (mean ± SD age 36.2 ± 10.1 years), 10 female BD patients without suicide attempt history (44.2 ± 12.5 years) and 27 female healthy subjects (36.9 ± 13.8 years). Impulsivity was evaluated by the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS). We traced MR images to measure the areas of the CC genu, anterior body, posterior body, isthmus and splenium. The genu was divided into anterior, middle and posterior regions. The suicidal and non-suicidal BD patients had significantly higher BIS total, attention and non-planning scores than the healthy subjects (ps < 0.01), and the suicidal BD patients had significantly higher BIS motor scores than the non-suicidal BD and healthy subjects (ps < 0.01). There were no significant differences among the three groups on any regional CC areas, although the suicidal BD patients had the smallest areas. The suicidal BD patients showed a significant inverse correlation between anterior genu area and the BIS total (r = −0.75, p = 0.04), motor (r = −0.79, p = 0.02) and non-planning scores (r = −0.79, p = 0.02). These correlations were not found in the non-suicidal BD patients or healthy subjects. The results suggest that the anterior medial frontal region may be involved in the pathophysiology of impulsive and suicidal behaviors in BD.     

Tibolone in postmenopausal women with systemic lupus erythematosus: A pilot study

Objective

To determine the influence of the use of tibolone on the frequency of flares of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in postmenopausal patients.

Methods

Thirty patients with inactive or controlled SLE were included in the study. Patients were randomized to receive a 12-month course of either tibolona (2.5 mg/day) or placebo. The following were investigated: hypoestrogenism symptoms by Kupperman index, weight; anti-dsDNA antibodies; SLE flares (frequency) assessed by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI); and biochemical profile (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], triglycerides, complement components [C3/C4], α1-acid glycoprotein, urea, creatinine, 24-h proteinuria, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate).

Results

The reduction in Kupperman index was greater in the patients using tibolone than in those using placebo. The mean SLEDAI was not different between the groups during the study as well as SLE flare frequency (tibolone: 2/15 [13.3%] vs. placebo: 1/15 [6.7%]; p = 0.54). All cases of flares were considered mild to moderate. Although the groups were similar at the baseline evaluation, after 6 and 12 months of treatment lower values were found in the tibolone group for triglycerides (6 months: 161.6 ± 30.9 mg/dl vs. 194.4 ± 46.5; p = 0.04; 12 months 163.7 ± 29.8 mg/dl vs. 204.1 ± 49.9 mg/dl; p = 0.02; tibolone vs. placebo group, respectively) and for HDL-C (6 months: 40.7 ± 10.7 mg/dl vs. 53.4 ± 16.5; p = 0.02; 12 months: 47.2 ± 7.9 mg/dl vs. 63.2 ± 16.3 mg/dl; p < 0.01; tibolone vs. placebo group, respectively). There were no differences between the two groups in any of the remaining variables.

Conclusion

In patients with inactive or stable SLE, the short-term use of tibolone did not significantly affect the frequency of flares. In addition, tibolone was well tolerated and effective to control hypoestrogenism related symptoms in SLE patients.     

Odor perception between heterosexual partners: its association with depression, anxiety, and genetic variation in odorant receptor OR7D4

We performed a study on a sample of 856 individuals to answer whether the pleasantness/unpleasantness of the odor perception of their partners (rating of partner odor) is associated with depression and anxiety. To evaluate the influence of common genetic variation of the odorant receptor OR7D4 on the rating of partner odor, the variant rs8109935 was genotyped in the whole sample. The rating of partner odor was significantly associated with scores of anxiety and depression. Depression (OR: 0.75, 95%CI: 0.56-0.98, p = 0.039) and anxiety (Robust Coef ± SE: −13 ± 0.6, p = 0.044) were inversely associated with pleasantness rating of partner odor. Ordered probit regression analysis shows that the rating of partner odor was significantly associated with the rs8109935 genotypes (Coef ± robust SE: 0.19 ± 0.09, p = 0.028). These findings suggest that odor perception between heterosexual partners may have an impact on the development of depression and anxiety, and that it might be influenced by genetic variation in OR7D4.     

Stress augments food 'wanting' and energy intake in visceral overweight subjects in the absence of hunger

Stress may induce eating in the absence of hunger, possibly involving changes in food reward, i.e. ‘liking’ and ‘wanting’. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of acute psychological stress on food reward, and on energy intake, in visceral overweight (VO) vs. normal weight (NW) subjects. Subjects (27 NW, age = 26 ± 9 yrs, BMI = 22 ± 2 kg/m²; 15 VO, age = 36 ± 12 yrs, BMI = 28 ± 1 kg/m²) came to the university twice, fasted, for either a rest or stress condition (randomized cross-over design). Per test-session ‘liking’ and ‘wanting’ for 72 items divided in six categories (bread, filling, drinks, dessert, snacks, and stationery (control)) were measured twice, each time followed by a wanted meal. Appetite profile (visual analogue scales, VAS), heart rate, mood state and level of anxiety (POMS/STAI questionnaires) were measured.High hunger and low satiety (64 ± 19, 22 ± 20 mmVAS) confirmed the fasted state. Elevated heart rate, anger and confusion scores (p ≤ 0.03) confirmed the stress vs. rest condition. Consumption of the first meal decreased hunger, increased satiety, and decreased ranking of ‘liking’ of bread vs. increased ranking of ‘liking’ of the control (p < 0.001). ‘Wanting’ for dessert and snacks, energy intake, carbohydrate and fat intake for the second meal stress vs. rest relatively increased in VO vs. decreased in NW (p < 0.02). During stress vs. rest VO showed a 6 ± 9% increase in percentage of daily energy requirements consumed over the two meals (p = 0.01).To conclude, visceral overweight subjects showed stress-induced food intake in the absence of hunger, resulting in an increased energy intake.