TITLE: Life of Family with a Child with the Toriello-Carey Syndrome AUTHOR: Bc. Ivana Valuchová DEPARTMENT: Department of Special Pedagogy SUPERVISOR: PhDr. Monika Mužáková, PhD. ABSTRACT: The thesis deals with the family of a child with a disease of rare Toriello-Carey syndrome. This is an isolated case of this disease in Europe. The main objective of the thesis is to process of complex information relating to disease of Toriello-Carey syndrome and to determine impacts of the syndrome on the quality of life of individuals and their families. The thesis is divided to theoretical and empirical parts. The theoretical part contains three chapters. The first theoretical chapter (Introduction) is devoted to detail syndrome- its etiology, symptoms, context, history, clinical assessment, treatment and prognosis. Other theoretical chapters describe a family with a child with disabilities and specifics of families with rare diseases. The empirical part of the thesis is focused on a research and mapping the life of the family of a child with Toriello-Carey syndrome by analyzing the documents and semi-structured interview with the parents and an active observation boy. KEYWORDS: Toriello-Carey syndrome; Child; Symptoms; Home care; Rehabilitation

Hurricane exposure places youth at risk for psychological distress such as symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, while social support may contribute to resilience following disasters. This study examined associations among family and peer social support, level of hurricane exposure, and psychological distress using both a large single-time assessment sample (N = 1098) and a longitudinal sample followed over a six-month period (n = 192). Higher levels of hurricane exposure were related to lower levels of social support from family and peers as well as to higher levels of psychological distress. Higher levels of family and peer social support demonstrated both concurrent and longitudinal associations with lower levels of psychological distress, with associations varying by social support source and psychological distress outcome. Findings suggested that the protective effects of high peer social support against the development of PTSD symptoms may be diminished by high hurricane exposure.

L’objectif de ce travail était d’étudier l’évolution des symptômes dépressifs (SD) chez 2590 sujets âgés français, issus de la population générale et suivis pendant 20 ans entre 1988 et 2008. Une méthode d’analyse du changement fondée sur l’identification de trajectoires individuelles de développement a été utilisée afin de tenir compte de l’hétérogénéité pressentie dans cette population. Les facteurs et évènements évolutifs associés aux trajectoires de SD ont été étudiés. Nous avons identifié cinq trajectoires d’évolution de SD entre 1988 et 2008 et trois trajectoires entre 65 et 104 ans. La majorité des individus ne présentait pas ou peu de SD au cours des 20 ans de suivi. Cependant, environ une personne sur dix suivait une trajectoire compatible avec un diagnostic de dépression chronique. Les antécédents psychiatriques, la polymédication, les comorbidités somatiques et la perte d’autonomie étaient des facteurs fortement prédictifs de dépression « émergente » ou « persistante ». Le veuvage apparaissait être un facteur protecteur d’appartenance à la trajectoire de dépression « persistante » pour les femmes uniquement. L’entrée en institution et le décès étaient plus fréquents dans les trajectoires les plus défavorables. Les trajectoires de SD étaient significativement associées aux trajectoires de consommation d’antidépresseur. Notre travail confirme l’hétérogénéité de l’évolution des symptômes dépressifs en population âgée. Il alerte sur la prévalence préoccupante de la chronicité et aide à déterminer des sujets à plus haut risque d’évolution défavorable qui pourraient faire l’objet d’actions de prévention. / The aim of this study was to investigate patterns of the course of depressive symptoms (DS) in 2590 community-dwelling older adults followed over a period of 20 years, between 1988 and 2008. Using a group-based trajectory method, we modelled the course of DS and examined associations between trajectory patterns and baseline socio-demographic and health variables, as well as outcomes. We identified five time-related trajectories between 1988 and 2008, and three age-related trajectories between 65 and 104 years old. A majority of participants experienced no or only mild DS. However, about one to ten belonged to high-level trajectories consistent with clinically relevant chronic depression. Psychiatric history, polypharmacy, somatic comorbidities and functional limitation were strongly associated with membership to increasing and persistently high trajectories. Being widowed seemed to be a protective factor for membership of this persistently high trajectory group only in women. Institutionalization and death were more prevalent in worse trajectories. Trajectories of DS and trajectories of antidepressant use were significantly associated. Our study confirmed heterogeneity of the evolution of DS in late-life and highlighted the problematic risk of chronicity. We identified several high-risk groups for later-life depression that can be easily detected and that are amenable to preventive intervention.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a childhood disorder that often persists into adulthood. Among adults, ADHD is highly comorbid with addictive behaviors (e.g., substance abuse and dependence), and depressive disorders. Recently, an association between ADHD and obesity has been reported in the literature; emotional and binge eating may be “addictive behaviors” that contribute to weight gain in this population. The purpose of this study was to test competing models of the hypothesized link between ADHD symptomology and overweight. Specifically, in Model 1, symptoms of depression are expected to mediate the relationship between symptoms of impulsivity and inattention and emotional and binge eating which, in turn, leads to weight gain (i.e., increased BMI). In Model 2, however, the impulsive symptoms have direct relationships with emotional and binge eating in addition to being mediated by depressive symptoms. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test how the models fit the data of 790 college men. Both models fit the data well, with Model 2 being preferred because of its greater connection to theory. All paths were significant indicating that increased impulsive and inattentive symptoms predicted increased symptoms of depression that, in turn, predicted increased emotional/binge eating, which has a direct and positive relationship with increased BMI. Moreover, impulsive symptoms were also directly related to emotional/binge eating, suggesting different paths to overweight across ADHD subtypes. The findings of the current study elucidate the links between ADHD symptoms and overweight (i.e., increased BMI).

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia manifests as a constellation of both psychotic symptoms (eg. hallucinations, delusions) and so-called negative symptoms. The latter includes anhedonia, avolition, amotivation and they are the strongest predictors of disability. Resting state fMRI (rsfMRI) has demonstrated that the brain is organized into low-dimensional number (7-17) brain networks and this allowed visualization of the relationship between symptom severity and large-scale brain network organization. Traditional rsfMRI analyses have assumed that the spatial organization of these networks are spatially invariant between individuals. This dogma has recently been overturned with the observation that the spatial organization of these brain networks shows significant variation between individuals. We sought to determine if previously observed relationships between symptom severity and network connectivity are actually due to individual differences in spatial organization. METHODS: 44 participants diagnosed with schizophrenia underwent rsfMRI scans and clinical assessment. A multivariate pattern analysis was used to examine how each participant’s whole brain functional connectivity correlates with ‘negative’ symptom severity. RESULTS: Brain connectivity to a region of the right dorso-lateral pre-frontal cortex (r DLPFC) correlates with symptom severity. The result is explained by the individual differences in the topographic distribution of two brain networks: the default mode network (DMN) and the task positive network (TPN). Both networks demonstrate strong (r~0.49) and significant (p<0.001) relationships between topography and symptom severity. For individuals with low symptom severity, this critical region is a part of the DMN. In highly symptomatic individuals, this region is a part of the TPN. CONCLUSIONS: Previously overlooked individual variation in brain organization is tightly linked to individual variation in schizophrenia symptom severity. The recognition of critical links between network topology and pathological symptomology may serve as a guide for future interventions aimed at establishing causal relationships between certain critical regions of the brain and cognitive and behavioral phenotypes. Thus, fMRI and network topology may be translated to a clinical setting as a viable, individual-centered treatment option. / 2020-06-17T00:00:00Z

Thesis advisor: Katherine Hutchinson / Lower urinary tract (LUTS) storage symptoms, including overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary incontinence (UI), are common conditions among women with significant health and economic consequences. Much of the existing literature on LUTS focuses on older, often postmenopausal women, and there is limited research available about prevalence, incidence and severity of LUTS in young women. For many young women in the United States, the period from the late teens through early twenties coincides with the period of emerging adulthood and college enrollment. The unique factors influencing women at this stage of development may be influential in understanding prevalence and correlates of OAB and UI later in the life-course. The purpose of this cross-sectional descriptive survey-based study was to explore and describe the experience of urinary storage symptoms, specifically OAB and UI, among female undergraduate college students, and to identify associated factors. Qualtrics online platform was used to create and distribute the survey to a sample of 1,800 female college undergraduate students at a private Catholic university in the northeast. Two instruments previously used to assess LUTS, the ICIQ-FLUTS and LUTS Tool, were combined into the Urinary Symptoms Scale with a one-week recall. Twelve items assessed LUTS storage symptoms of OAB and UI. The final sample consisted of 456 female undergraduate college students with a mean age of 20.3-years-old. The sample was predominantly White non-Hispanic. Most commonly reported symptoms included urgency (47.6%), frequency (52.6%), urinary incontinence (21.3%), stress urinary incontinence (28.8%), and urge urinary incontinence (16.4%). Total severity scores were low and highly skewed towards the lower range (M = 3.31; SD = 3.91). Participants with symptoms, most commonly reported experiencing symptoms rarely or sometimes during the past week. Perceived bother from urinary symptoms mean scores were low (M = 1.77) but extended the full range on a 0 to 10 scale. In this study, perceived bother from urinary symptoms as well as perceived impact of urinary symptoms on activities of daily life (ADLs) were significantly associated with care-seeking and use of self-management strategies. Interestingly, LUTS storage symptom severity was not significantly associated with care-seeking, but it was related to use of self-management strategies in this population. Perception of overall health, history of constipation/IBS, sexual activity, delayed toileting behaviors, and premature toileting behaviors were significant in multivariate analyses when controlling for other factors. Further research on the relationship of these factors and LUTS storage symptoms is needed. This study represented a first step in understanding college women’s experiences with LUTS storage symptoms and identifying the unique personal, behavioral and environmental factors associated with LUTS. The study found that OAB and UI symptoms are common among female college undergraduates. In addition, a number of personal and behavioral factors were found to be associated with LUTS storage symptoms. Given that many health-related behaviors established during college years may persist later in adulthood, identifying experiences and influences of young women’s LUTS storage symptoms is important in informing future research and practice recommendations. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2018. / Submitted to: Boston College. Connell School of Nursing. / Discipline: Nursing.

The objective of this study is to undertake research regarding Posttraumatic Growth and its relationship with Sense of Coherence, within the South African context. In addition, the associations between the three domains of SOC, in particular Meaningfulness, and the five domains of PTG, will be investigated. A further aim of this study is to explore whether the relationship between posttraumatic stress symptoms and Posttraumatic Growth is moderated by Meaningfulness. Sample: The sample consisted of tertiary education students, 18 years and older, and who have experienced a traumatic event as defined by the Traumatic Stress Schedule (N=79). Measures: In addition to a demographic questionnaire, the following measures were administered: the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC), the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R), and the Traumatic Stress Schedule (TSS). Results: Participants reported moderate scores on overall PTG with lower SOC scores relative to similar samples in the literature. Age was found to be associated with PTG, and PTG was associated with subjective distress as measured by the IES-R. In addition, those reporting PTG, particularly in the areas of Relating to Others, New Possibilities and Appreciation of Life, evidenced lower levels of Comprehensibility, and those low on Comprehensibility tended to report higher levels of subjective distress. High levels of subjective distress also appeared to be associated with lower levels of Manageability. Findings further suggested that participants who had been exposed to multiple traumas, as well as those who reported higher subjective distress, generally evidenced lower SOC. Multiple trauma exposures were strongly associated with increased subjective distress. Implications of the findings and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Introdução: A Insuficiência Mitral (IM) crônica orgânica tem fisiopatologia complexa. Os sintomas de insuficiência cardíaca e piora da capacidade funcional, podem aparecer apenas tardiamente, quando já existe disfunção contrátil do ventrículo esquerdo (VE). O teste cardiopulmonar de exercício (TCPE) pode avaliar objetivamente a capacidade funcional e auxiliar a conduta médica nos pacientes com IM, mas, pouco se conhece sobre o efeito da cirurgia em suas variáveis. Objetivos: Avaliar os efeitos da correção cirúrgica da IM nas variáveis do TCPE realizados em bicicleta e em esteira rolante. Métodos: Foram selecionados 72 pacientes com IM grave e submetidos à cirurgia corretiva da valvopatia, sendo nestes realizados ecocardiograma (ECO) e TCPE ± 30 dias antes da cirurgia, e de seis a 12 meses após a cirurgia. Resultados: A média das idades foi de 49,9 ± 16,9 anos. Houve predominância do sexo masculino, da etiologia degenerativa e da classe funcional I ou II pela NYHA em 41 pacientes (56,9%), 50 pacientes (69,4%) e 51 pacientes (70,8%), respectivamente. O reparo mitral foi realizado em 47 pacientes (65,3%) e a troca valvar em 25 pacientes. Após a cirurgia houve redução do volume atrial esquerdo (VAE), de 124,4 ± 58,9 ml para 76,4 ± 34,0 ml (p<0,001), do volume diastólico final do VE (VDFVE), de 151,7 ± 35,7ml para 109,6 ± 42,8 ml (p<0,001), do volume sistólico final do VE (VSFVE), de 47,6 ± 18,0 para 43,9 ± 27,1ml (p<0,001), da fração de ejeção (FE), de 69,1 ± 6,3 para 61,30 ± 8,2% (p<0,001) e da pressão sistólica em artéria pulmonar (PSAP), de 46,7 ± 15,9 para 35,4 ± 12,5 mm Hg (p<0,001). Também foi observado uma diminuição do consumo de oxigênio (VO2) pico em ambas as modalidades de exercício após a cirurgia (bicicleta: de 1356 ± 506 para 1269 ± 408 mL.min-1, p=0,015; esteira: de 1618 ± 579 para 1536 ± 447 mL.min-1, p=0,06), assim como a variável OUES (bicicleta: de 1530 ± 516 para 1414 ± 415, p=0,001; esteira: de 1761 ± 585 para 1691 ± 508, p=0,050). O pulso de oxigênio (O2) aumentou após a cirurgia apenas no TCPE realizado em esteira, de 10,7 ± 4,0 para 11,5 ± 3,2 mL.bat-1 (p=0,023). No TCPE realizado em esteira, a diferença percentual do OUES apresentou significativa correlação negativa com a diferença percentual do VDFVE (r=-0,277; p=0,034), do VAE (r=-0,275; p=0,035) e da PSAP (r=-0,282; p=0,041), respectivamente. No TCPE realizado na bicicleta, a diferença percentual do OUES revelou correlação negativa apenas com a diferença percentual da PSAP (r=-0,359; p=0,010). Conclusão: A cirurgia valvar mitral, não determinou aumento do VO2 pico e do OUES apesar da melhora sintomática avaliada pela classe funcional (NYHA). Entretanto, a variável OUES apresentou correlação negativa com parâmetros ecocardiográficos de remodelação cardíaca. O TCPE é uma ferramenta útil e promissora, podendo auxiliar na conduta médica em pacientes com IM. / Introduction: Chronic organic Mitral Regurgitation (MR) has a complex physiopathology. The symptoms of heart failure and functional capacity worsening may appear too late, when a left ventricle (LV) contractile dysfunction already exists. The cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) may objectively assess the functional capacity and helps in the medical conduct concerning patients with MR, but little is known about the surgery effect on its variables. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of the MR surgical correction on the variables related to the CPET performed on stationary bicycle and treadmill. Methods: A total of 72 patients with severe MR were selected and underwent a surgery for valvulopathy correction and an echocardiogram (ECHO) and CPET were performed around 30 days before the surgery and then from six to 12 months after the surgery. Results: The patients were aged an average 49.9 ± 16.9 years. There was a predominance of male patients [41 patients (56.9%)], degenerative etiology [50 patients (69.4%)] and NYHA I or II functional class [51 patients (70.8%)]. Forty-seven (47) patients (65.3%) had their mitral valves repaired and 25 patients had them replaced. After the surgery, there was a reduction in the left atrial volume (LAV) from 124.4 ± 58.9 ml to 76.4 ± 34.0 ml (p<0.001), in the LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) from 151.7 ± 35.7ml to 109.6 ± 42.8 ml (p<0.001), in the LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) from 47.6 ± 18.0 to 43.9 ± 27.1ml (p<0.001), in the ejection fraction (EF) from 69.1 ± 6.3 to 61.30 ± 8.2% (p<0.001) and in the pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) from 46.7 ± 15.9 to 35.4 ± 12.5 mm Hg (p<0.001). A reduction in the peak consumption of oxygen (VO2) was also observed in both types of exercise testing after the surgery (stationary bicycle: from 1356 ± 506 to 1269 ± 408 mL.min-1, p=0.015; treadmill: from 1618 ± 579 to 1536 ± 447 mL.min-1, p=0.06), as well as in the variable Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope (OUES) (stationary bicycle: from 1530 ± 516 to 1414 ± 415, p=0.001; treadmill: from 1761 ± 585 to 1691 ± 508, p=0.050). Pulse oxymetry readings (O2) increased after the surgery only for the CPET performed on the treadmill from 10.7 ± 4.0 to 11.5 ± 3.2 mL. heartbeat -1 (p=0.023). For the CPET performed on the treadmill, the OUES percent difference showed significant negative correlation with the percent difference of LVEDV (r=-0.277; p=0.034), LAV (r=-0.275; p=0.035) and PASP (r=-0.282; p=0.041), respectively. For the CPET performed on the stationary bicycle, the percent difference of the OUES showed a negative correlation only with the percent difference of PSAP (r=-0.359; p=0.010). Conclusion: The mitral valve surgery caused no increase in the peak VO2 or OUES despite the symptomatic improvement as assessed through the functional class (NYHA). However, the variable OUES showed negative correlation with the echocardiographic parameters of cardiac remodeling. The CPET is a useful and promising tool, and may help in the medical conduct concerning patients with MR.

Introdução: a coqueluche é uma doença causada pela Bordetella pertussis (BP), sendo mais frequente e grave em lactentes menores de um ano de idade. Com a introdução da vacina, houve redução na incidência mundial da doença, porém nos últimos 10 anos observa-se uma recrudescência. Pode apresentar-se de forma menos característica em lactentes, especialmente antes do final do esquema vacinal para o primeiro ano de vida. O quadro clínico, nesses pacientes, pode ser semelhante ao das infecções por vírus respiratórios (VR) que são os agentes etiológicos mais frequentes nas infecções de vias aéreas, nessa faixa etária. São necessários estudos que avaliem a importância da pesquisa de VR em lactentes com suspeita clínica de coqueluche. Objetivos: em lactentes com suspeita de coqueluche: identificar as prevalências de BP, VR e codetecções; analisar e comparar as características clínicas e a evolução, segundo a etiologia identificada e analisar o impacto do diagnóstico etiológico sobre o uso de macrolídeos. Métodos: estudo de coorte prospectivo, com crianças menores de um ano de idade, hospitalizadas com suspeita clínica de coqueluche entre junho de 2014 e junho de 2016 e submetidas à pesquisa etiológica para identificação de BP (\"swab\" de nasofaringe para cultura e/ou PCR) e pesquisa de VR (aspirado de nasofaringe para imunofluorescência indireta). Dados clínicos, demográficos e evolutivos foram coletados com o preenchimento de protocolo clínico-laboratorial padronizado. Resultados: no período de estudo foram analisados 59 lactentes. Em 18 (30,5%) houve identificação de BP, em 23 (39%) de algum vírus respiratório. Em quatro (7%), houve codetecção de BP e algum VR. O vírus mais frequentemente identificado foi o VSR (73%). As características com maior sensibilidade para o diagnóstico de infecção por BP foram tosse seguida de cianose e ser filho de mãe não vacinada com dTpa. Sibilos e desconforto respiratório apresentaram alta sensibilidade para a identificação de VR. Na análise bivariada apresentaram maior chance de infecção por BP: menor idade (OR = 1,86), ausência de febre (OR = 4,9), não ser vacinado para coqueluche (OR = 4,4), leucocitose superior a 20.000/mm3 (OR = 5,4), linfocitose superior a 10.000/mm3 (OR = 4,0) e de infecção por VR: sibilos (OR = 4,33). Após o ajuste para confundidores, os maiores preditores para BP de forma independente foram: ausência de sibilos (OR =5,7) e leucocitose superior a 20.000/mm3 (OR = 5,38). O número de pacientes com codetecção não permitiu a análise comparativa de gravidade com aqueles com agente único. Em apenas um paciente o resultado da pesquisa viral positiva resultou em suspensão de macrolídeo. Conclusão: além da BP, os VR também foram etiologias frequentes nos lactentes com suspeita clínica de coqueluche, além de casos de codetecção de BP e VR. Foram identificadas características clínicas/laboratoriais sugestivas, porém não patognomônicas das etiologias identificadas o que corrobora a necessidade da pesquisa etiológica para VR, nessa situação clínica / Introduction: Pertussis is a disease caused by Bordetella pertussis (BP), being more frequent and severe in infants less than one year old. After vaccine introduction, there was a reduction in the global incidence of the disease, but in the last ten years there was a resurgence. It may present less characteristically in infants, especially before the end of the vaccine scheme for the first year of life. The clinical picture in these patients may be similar to that of respiratory virus infections (VR), which are the most frequent etiologic agents in airway infections in this age group. Studies is necessary to evaluate the importance of RV research in infants with clinical suspicion of pertussis. Objectives: In infants with suspected pertussis: identify the prevalence of BP, VR and codetections; analyze and compare the clinical characteristics and evolution according to the identified etiology and analyze the impact of the etiological diagnosis on the use of macrolides. Methods: A prospective cohort study with children under one year of age hospitalized with suspected clinical pertussis between June 2014 and June 2016 and submitted to etiological research to identify BP (nasopharynx swab for culture and/or PCR) and VR (nasopharyngeal aspirate for indirect immunofluorescence). Clinical, demographic and evolution data were collected with the completion of a standardized clinical-laboratory protocol. Results: During the study period, 59 infants were analyzed. In 18 (30.5%) there was identification of BP, in 23 (39%) of some respiratory virus. In four (7%), there was BP detection and some RV. The virus most frequently identified was RSV (73%). The characteristics with greater sensitivity for the diagnosis of BP infection were cough followed by cyanosis and the mother\'s non-vaccinated dTpa. Wheezing and respiratory distress presented high sensitivity for RV identification. In the bivariate analysis they presented a greater chance of BP infection: lower age (OR = 1.86), absence of fever (OR = 4.9), not being vaccinated for pertussis (OR = 4.4), leukocytosis higher than 20,000/mm3 (OR = 5.4), lymphocytosis greater than 10,000/mm3 (OR = 4.0) and RV infection: wheezing (OR = 4.33). After adjustment for confounders, the largest predictors for BP independently were: no wheezing (OR = 5.7) and leukocytosis higher than 20,000/mm3 (OR = 5.38). The number of patients with codetection did not allow the comparative analysis of severity with those with single agent. In only one patient, the result of positive viral research resulted in macrolide suspension. Conclusion: In addition to BP, RVs were also frequent etiologies in infants with clinical suspicion of whooping cough, as well as cases of BP and VR codetection. Clinical/laboratory characteristics suggestive, but not pathognomonic, of the identified etiologies have been identified, which corroborates the need for etiological research for RV in this clinical situation

Objetivos: O presente trabalho é secundário a um estudo clínico randomizado, que teve por objetivos investigar os efeitos de uma substância simbiótica sobre a permeabilidade intestinal, a inflamação sistêmica, a cognição e sintomas depressivos em idosos. Métodos: quarenta e nove participantes, 65-90 anos de idade, ambos os gêneros, foram randomizados em dois grupos: grupo S (uso de simbióticos); e grupo P (uso de placebo). As seguintes avaliações foram realizadas no início e no final do experimento: Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (GDS-15); Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM); % de gordura corporal (%gordura); citocinas pró-inflamatórias e regulatórias no soro (IL-6, TNF-&#945; e IL-10); e marcadores de permeabilidade intestinal no soro (DAO, IFABP e LPS). Resultados: A interação entre tempo e grupo mostrou maior redução do LPS no grupo P e maior aumento do IL-10 no grupo S. Considerando somente o fator tempo, ambos os grupos reduziram a %gordura, TNF-&#945; e DAO. O IL-6, o GDS-15 e MEEM aumentaram em ambos os grupos. O valor final de GDS-15 foi explicado negativamente por DAO, IL-10, TNF-&#945;, %gordura, ser mulher e estar alocado no grupo P. As variáveis que explicaram positivamente o valor final do GDS-15 foram IL-6, IFABP, e LPS. As variáveis positivamente associadas aos valores finais do MEEM foram IL-10, DAO, ser mulher e estar alocado no grupo P; foram encontradas associações negativas entre o MEEM e IL-6, TNF-&#945;, %gordura, IFABP e LPS. Foi discutida a possibilidade de alguma interferência dos medicamentos utilizados pelos idosos, nas variáveis de interesse do estudo. Conclusões: de acordo com nossas condições experimentais, foram encontrados efeitos sutis da suplementação de simbióticos sobre sintomas depressivos e cognição em idosos da comunidade, aparentemente saudáveis; entretanto, os efeitos sobre a cognição parecem ter sido mais otimistas. Estudos futuros, com indivíduos com diagnóstico de depressão ou de comprometimento cognitivo, poderão clarear questões levantadas no presente estudo. / Objectives: This secondary study from a randomized clinical trial aimed to investigate the effect of a synbiotic substance on intestinal permeability, systemic inflammation, cognition and depressive symptoms in elderly. Methods: Forty-nine participants, 65-90 years old, both genders, were randomly assigned into two groups: S-group (synbiotic); and P-group (placebo). Evaluations performed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment were: Geriatric Depressive Symptoms scale (GDS-15); Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE); % of body fat (%fat); pro-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines (serum IL-6, TNF-&#945; and IL-10); gut permeability (serum DAO, IFABP and LPS). Results: The interaction between time and group showed higher reduction of LPS in P-group and higher increase of IL-10 in S-group. Considering only time, both groups had reduced their %Fat, TNF-&#945; and DAO. The IL-6, GDS-15 and MMSE were increased in both groups. The GDS-15 final was negatively explained by DAO, IL-10, TNF-&#945;, %Fat, being woman and being allocated in P-group. The variables that positively explained the GDS-15final were the IL-6, the IFABP, and the LPS. The variables that were positively associated to MMSE final were the IL-10, DAO, being woman, and being allocated in P-group; The negative associations were IL-6, TNF-&#945;, %Fat, IFABP and LPS. We discussed the possibility of some interference of the medicines used by the elderly on our outcomes of interest. Conclusions: our experimental conditions demonstrated weak effects of synbiotic supplementation in the management of depressive symptoms or cognitive decline in apparently healthy elderly living in the community, although the effect on cognition seems to be more optimist. Other comparative studies, with individuals diagnosed as depressive morbidity or cognitive decline, may clarify our hypothesis.