Three new studies show exercise can improve cognitive function, psychotropics for PTSD may raise dementia risk, and 3 biomarkers can help predict cognitive decline in elderly persons.
1. Hsu CL, Best JR, Davis JC, et al. Aerobic exercise promotes executive functions and impacts functional neural activity among older adults with vascular cognitive impairment. Br J Sports Med. 2017 Apr 21. pii: bjsports-2016-096846. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096846.
2. Mawanda F, Wallace RB, McCoy K, Abrams TE. PTSD, psychotropic medication use, and the risk of dementia among US veterans: a retrospective cohort study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2017;65:1043-1050. doi:10.1111/jgs.14756.
3. Harrison SL, de Craen AJM, Kerse N, et al. Predicting risk of cognitive decline in very old adults using three models: the Framingham Stroke Risk Profile; the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Dementia Model; and oxi-inflammatory biomarkers. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2017;65:381-389.
Three new studies show that aerobic exercise can improve cognitive function in older persons with mild vascular cognitive impairment; psychotropic medications used to treat PTSD may increase the risk of dementia; and adding 3 biomarkers to cardiovascular risk scores may help predict cognitive impairment in elderly persons.[1-3] Scroll through the slides for the latest findings and take-home messages.