Aging is associated with natural biological changes, which result in a decrease in the functional capacity of the body, which is also accompanied by an increased incidence of inflammatory processes that contribute to the development of neurodegeneration. The intestinal microbiota and its interaction with the intestine and the central nervous system play a key role in maintaining the function of biological homeostatic systems at an older age. This opens the possibility of influencing or modifying human microbiota for the development of therapeutic strategies. Based on the analysis of stool samples by HPLC MS / MS, the study confirmed the effect of selected probiotics on the modification of metabolic pathways and the proper functioning of the microbiota per se. The greatest effects were observed on tyrosine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism and bile acid biosynthesis metabolism. A positive effect of selected probiotic bacteria was found in the memory component of cognitive functions. Significant improvements were observed in verbal learning and verbal memory. In subjects with mild cognitive impairment, the progression of cognitive deficit has been slowed. Significant improvement was also observed for executive functions. These findings were not followed by a subjective...

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Föreliggande studies syfte var att undersöka om det fanns något samband mellan regelbunden fysisk aktivitet respektive kognitiv aktivitet samt kognitiva funktioner bland individer över 65 år. Mer specifikt har föreliggande studie fokuserat på sambandet mellan regelbunden fysisk aktivitet i termer om total träningsmängd samt träningsintensitet och slutligen stillasittande. De kognitiva funktionerna; analytiskt tänkande, bearbetningshastighet och exekutiva funktioner har även studerats. Rekryteringen av deltagare skedde en mötesplats för målgruppen. Sammanlagd deltog totalt 30 deltagare varav 19 kvinnor samt 11 män. Åldrarna för deltagarna varierade mellan 65 till 84 år (M= 73.93, SD=5.85). Deltagarna besvarade först ett frågeformulär med bakgrundsfrågor (kön, ålder, utbildningsnivå) samt om deras fysiska aktivitet (International Physical Activities Questionnaire, IPAQ) och kognitionsvanor (Florida Cognitive Activities Scale, FCAS). Efter frågeformuläret var ifyllt och besvarat tilldelades deltagarna de kognitiva testerna som avser att mäta analytiskt tänkande (via Cognitive Reflection Test, CRT), bearbetningshastighet (via Trail Making Test A, TMT A, samt Symbol Digit Modalities Test, SDMT) samt exekutiva funktioner (via Trail Making Test B, TMT B).  Föreliggande studies resultat visar att Total kognitiv aktivitet har ett positivt samband med kognitiv förmåga, mer specifikt bearbetningshastighet samt exekutiva funktioner. Studien tyder inte på att det finns något samband mellan fysisk aktivitet och kognitiv förmåga. / The purpose of the present study was to study whether there was any relationship between regular physical activity and cognitive activity as well as cognitive functions for the age group 65+. More specifically, the present study has focused on the relationship between regular physical activity in terms of total amount of exercise as well as exercise intensity and finally being sedentary. The cognitive functions; analytical thinking, processing speed and executive functions have also been studied. The recruitment of participants took place via meeting places for the target group. A total of 30 participants took part, of which 19 were women and 11 were men. The ages of the participants varied between 65 to 84 years (M= 73.93, SD=5.85). The participants answered a questionnaire with background questions (gender, age, level of education) as well as about their exercise habits (International Physical Activities Questionnaire, IPAQ) and cognitive habits (Florida Cognitive Activities Scale, FCAS). After the questionnaire was completed and answered, the participants were assigned the cognitive tests that aim to measure analytical thinking (via the Cognitive Reflection Test, CRT), processing speed (via the Trail Making Test A, TMT A, and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, SDMT) and executive functions (via Trail Making Test B, TMT B). The results of the present study show that Total cognitive activity has a positive relationship with cognitive ability, more specifically processing speed and executive functions. The study does not indicate that there is any relationship between physical activity and cognitive ability.

Sufficient blood concentrations of folate and the products from its metabolism are necessary for several cellular functions. The C677T MTHFR polymorphism, present in over half of the U.S. population, reduces the efficiency of folate metabolism and has been linked to the onset of multiple psychiatric disorders and cognitive decline. The intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii can infect the human brain and is associated with increased prevalence of psychiatric disorders and cognitive decline. In vitro studies have found that Toxoplasma gondii may salvage unmetabolized folate from host cells. Since the C677T MTHFR polymorphism and infection by Toxoplasma gondii both affect folate metabolism or availability, I used data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to test the hypothesis that latent toxoplasmosis and the C677T MTHFR polymorphism interact to predict worse cognitive functioning in U.S. adults. I found a statistically significant interaction effect between Toxoplasma gondii infection and the C677T MTHFR polymorphism in predicting performance on a test of reaction time. Subjects who were not infected with Toxoplasma gondii experienced declines in reaction time with the presence of one or two alleles for the C677T MTHFR polymorphism. However, this association was reversed for subjects who were seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii. No interaction effects were observed when predicting performance on a test of processing speed or a test of short term memory. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the co-occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and the C677T MTHFR polymorphism maybe associated with improved reaction time.

Sufficient blood concentrations of folate and the products from its metabolism arenecessary for several cellular functions. The C677T MTHFR polymorphism, present in over halfof the U.S. population, reduces the efficiency of folate metabolism and has been linked to theonset of multiple psychiatric disorders and cognitive decline. The intracellular parasiteToxoplasma gondii can infect the human brain and is associated with increased prevalence ofpsychiatric disorders and cognitive decline. In vitro studies have found that Toxoplasma gondiimay salvage unmetabolized folate from host cells. Since the C677T MTHFR polymorphism andinfection by Toxoplasma gondii both affect folate metabolism or availability, I used data fromthe third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to test the hypothesis that latenttoxoplasmosis and the C677T MTHFR polymorphism interact to predict worse cognitivefunctioning in U.S. adults. I found a statistically significant interaction effect betweenToxoplasma gondii infection and the C677T MTHFR polymorphism in predicting performanceon a test of reaction time. Subjects who were not infected with Toxoplasma gondii experienceddeclines in reaction time with the presence of one or two alleles for the C677T MTHFRpolymorphism. However, this association was reversed for subjects who were seropositive forToxoplasma gondii. No interaction effects were observed when predicting performance on a testof processing speed or a test of short term memory. In conclusion, these findings suggest thatthe co-occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and the C677T MTHFR polymorphism maybe associated with improved reaction time.

This thesis investigates the effect of acute isometric handgrip exercise on cognitive function in young healthy adults / Acute whole-body exercise transiently improves cognitive function which may be mediated by increased cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arousal. Interestingly, small muscle mass exercise, like isometric handgrip exercise (IHG) may stimulate the same physiological responses as whole body-exercise and improve cognitive function. However, these effects are poorly understood, and whether sex-based differences exist in the cognitive response to IHG is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether acute IHG improves cognitive function in young healthy adults and examine potential sex differences in the cognitive response to IHG. We hypothesized that acute IHG would improve cognitive function compared to a control condition, and that females would have greater improvements in cognitive function due to a lower exercise pressor response. To test this, 30 participants (n=15 females, mean age=23.8±3.3 years;BMI=25.3±4.1 kg/m2) completed either IHG or a control condition in a randomized-crossover design separated by at least 2 days. IHG consisted of four sets of 2-min unilateral squeezing a handgrip dynamometer at 30% maximal voluntary contraction separated by 3-min of rest. The control condition watched a nature documentary for 20-min. Hemodynamics (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate) were assessed throughout. Executive function, working memory, and processing speed were assessed via the 4-Choice, Corsi Block, and N-Back tests. Arousal was assessed using the Felt Arousal Scale (FAS). Middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv) was assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Compared to the control condition, IHG significantly increased MAP (∆ 26 ± 17 mmHg; P<0.001), HR(∆ 18 ±13 bpm; P<0.001), MCAv (∆ 5.27 ± 19.4 cm/s; P<0.001), cerebrovascular resistance (∆ 0.71 ±0.69 mmHg/cm/s; P=0.003), and arousal (∆ 2 ± 2 FAS score; P<0.001). Cerebrovascular resistance was calculated as MAP/MCAv. Overall, despite increases in MCAv and arousal, there was no effect of IHG on cognitive performance, and no sex differences were observed in the cognitive response to IHG. These findings stand in opposition to emerging work and suggests that increased CBF and arousal via acute IHG are an insufficient stimulus to enhance cognitive function in young adults. Furthermore, there seems to be no moderating effect of biological sex on the cognitive response to acute IHG. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / It is well known that whole-body exercise, such as running, swimming, or lifting weights, improves cognitive function. Cognitive function encompasses our ability to pay attention, remember new information, and make important decisions. We sought to investigate whether isometric handgrip exercise (IHG) could improve cognitive function in young adults, because it may be a new and accessible way to improve cognitive abilities. We also wanted to know if IHG had a different effect on cognitive function in females compared to males. To test cognitivefunction, participants played computer games that measured how their cognitive abilities were affected by IHG. In particular, we examined how IHG impacted a participant’s memory, decision making, and speed to completion. Our results show that IHG increased blood flow to the brain and made participants feel more alert compared to a control condition, however, IHG did not improve performance on the computer games. Males and females also did not differ in terms of their performance on the cognitive tests. Overall, a single session of IHG did not improve cognitive function in young adults. Although IHG did not improve cognitive function in young adults, it should be investigated in other individuals, such as older adults and people with hypertension, who may stand to gain more from IHG.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most common form of dementia. AD is characterized clinically by cognitive, behavioral, and learning and memory impairments and neuropathologically by amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques, neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), neuroinflammation, and synaptic and neuronal loss. Although AD was first described over a century ago, there is no cure and the limited treatment options do little to slow the progression of the devastating disease. Because of these reasons, there has been a significant interest in preventative strategies for AD. Previous studies have shown that perinatal choline supplementation can improve learning and memory, dampen neuroinflammation, diminish cholinergic deficits, reduce brain amyloidosis, and increase neurogenesis in AD model mice. In these studies, we investigated the roles of perinatal choline supplementation on anxiety and exploratory behavior, spatial and fearful learning and memory, brain Aβ42 deposition, and gene expression in the AppNL-G-F AD mouse model. We found that there were slight anxiety-related behavior changes in AppNL-G-F mice compared to wildtype mice. AppNL-G-F mice had impaired spatial learning that could be prevented by perinatal choline supplementation at early ages (3- and 6-months-old) but not a later age (12-months-old). Fearful learning and memory deficits were found in AppNL-G-F mice at 9- and 12-months of age and could be abolished by perinatal choline supplementation. Perinatal choline supplementation significantly reduced Aβ42 deposition across the brain in AppNL-G-F mice. The AppNL-G-F transcriptome was characterized by changes in genes related to inflammatory, neuronal and synaptic, energy, and metabolic pathways and led to a distinct transcriptional signature from wildtype mice. Perinatal choline supplementation was able to significantly reduce the transcriptional deficits found in AppNL-G-F mice and led to the identification of choline responsive AD-pathology-associated genes (CRADPAGs). Lastly, some of the CRADPAGs identified using AppNL-G-F AD model mice correlated significantly with AD diagnosis, clinical dementia rating, and AD pathologies in a human data set. Together, the results from these studies and the previously published data suggest that adequate choline intake during development may serve as a strategy to prevent or reduce AD dementia and pathologies. / 2025-01-24T00:00:00Z