RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present article was to make a narrative review about the relation of cognitive functions and neurotrophic factors with aging. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The research problem concerns the issue of aging and the changes in cognitive and biochemical functioning that may occur in this process. The article uses the method of critical analyzes as well as the analyzes of the reference literature. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The first section of the article discusses population aging, the second addresses changes related to cognitive functions during aging. The third part show biochemical aspects that can directly influence the cognitive functions already mentioned, and on aging in general. RESEARCH RESULTS: The result of this review points out that the world population is aging in an accelerated way and during this process of aging there are several changes in the organism of the elderly, among which stand out the cognitive and biochemical, one being directly related to the other. In this case, there is a relation of the neurotrophic factors, which may be responsible for the changes in cognitive functions, specifically spatial memory alterations. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: It is necessary that more studies be carried out with this population, which may trace the elderly with cognitive impairment that may be suggestive or conclusive of a neurodegenerative disease. In addition, biochemical data may contribute to the search for new therapeutic models or early identification for Alzheimer’s disease or other associated dementias.
Clients in treatment and aftercare programmes with a history of long-term abuse of substances like alcohol, cannabis, methamphetamine or heroin often exhibit serious problems while coming back to the working process and managing complex responsibilities and difficulties. It is very important to find a job in the aftercare process for many reasons. It is a source of living, it enables clients to plan their own housing, and it makes repayment of debts possible. Job is also important for establishing new social relations which are not connected with problematic drug environment. Last but not least employment contributes to a reconstruction of a healthy rhythm of life and meaningful spending of time. Thus it is very important for decreasing a probability of a relapse. This process can be disrupted by the deteriorated cognitive functioning. These problems may not be evident in an everyday life routine while talking with friends or performing automatic activities, but can be evident in demanding working tasks, because the job usually requires concentration, memory, decision making etc. The Goal of this study is an evaluation of potential benefits an individual cognitive performance assessment can have in treatment and aftercare. The paper summarizes pilot research in which a complete Neuro-psychological battery of diagnostic methods such as Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), Verbal fluency Test (FAS), Trail Making Test (TMT), Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF), Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT), Stroop Colour Word Test (SCWT) and Numeric square is used for assessment of cognitive functions of a small sample of treated clients (N=24). We present two case histories with detailed results. In some cases, in line with the expectations, the worsened cognitive functioning is evident. We recommend a cognitive training focused on attention and memory for three clients. In other cases, surprisingly, we can find normal cognitive functions quality, but another obstruction for optimal performance, such as enhanced anxiety, can be detected. Probably, long-term drug abusers can have a larger tendency to be anxious, due to a problematical self-image and fighting other difficulties. An effect of comorbidity should also be taken into account. A depression or anxious syndromes or other common problems can take their part anyway. But it is important to notify that in our sample are not present any confirmed psychiatric diagnoses other than the syndrome of dependence. Standard aftercare programmes devote a lot of attention to another aspect of a treatment like psychosocial, physical and/or socioeconomic issues, but the cognitive assessment and the cognitive training is not a standard part of their effort. We believe that individualized and detailed assessment of cognitive functions of clients in the aftercare programmes can contribute to creating an optimal therapeutic plan which has a larger chance to be effective and successful. This paper is a pilot study for a more extensive quantitative study with larger number of clients in which we will try to compare specific effect of different kind of drugs. We would like to describe the long-term effect of abuse of drugs like alcohol, cannabis, methamphetamine and heroin. Negative effects of drugs for human cognitive functioning are evident. But we can't say that an effect of specific drugs itself is the only cause. Patterns of use, combinations with other substances, and effects of additives or regime of life and so on are also very important. From the point of view of methodology, this area is therefore rather problematic. We would like to bring more awareness of this theme using already tested battery of psychodiagnostic methods.
Late-life depression is a serious and increasing problem in contemporary society, although it seems to be underestimated in clinical practice. It leads to high mortality, deteriorates general somatic condition, escalates disability and destroys patients’ and their families’ quality of life. Depressive symptoms may be difficult to identify and interpret in the elderly because other concomitant pathologies mask the signs of depression. In the article, the specific psychosocial background and clinical features of late-life depression were described. The diagnostic challenges and their sources were recognized. Depression-executive dysfunction syndrome and other cognitive deficits manifested by patients with late-life depression were characterized. Monitoring of patients’ cognitive functioning was recommended in the course of late-life depression treatment.
PL
Depresja wieku podeszłego stanowi poważny i nasilający się w skali społecznej problem, choć w praktyce wydaje się on zbyt rzadko diagnozowany. Podwyższa ona wskaźniki śmiertelności, wiąże się z niepomyślnym przebiegiem schorzeń somatycznych, nasila niepełnosprawność i prowadzi do utraty samodzielności, wpływając na jakość życia pacjentów i ich bliskich. Zaburzenie to stanowi wyzwanie na etapie diagnozowania ze względu na maskowanie objawów depresyjnych przez inne problemy natury psychologicznej i zdrowotnej występujące w tym okresie życia. W artykule zarysowano specyfikę obrazu klinicznego depresji wieku podeszłego i psychospołeczny kontekst jej ujawniania. Wskazano na rodzaj trudności diagnostycznych i ich uwarunkowania. Scharakteryzowane zostały zaburzenia poznawcze występujące w przebiegu depresji, z uwzględnieniem tzw. depresyjnego zespołu dysfunkcji wykonawczych. Sformułowano też zalecenia dotyczące monitorowania stanu funkcji poznawczych starszych pacjentów z rozpoznaniem depresji.
According to the statistics, there are currently 36 million people with dementia of the Alzheimer type in the world. The incidence of disease increases with the age. According to the Slovak Alzheimer’s Society in 2010, Slovakia had approximately 60,000 patients with Alzheimer’s disease and some other related diseases. Estimated number in 2030 is 180 000 patients. The disease also applies to the other ten thousand of nursemaids and family members who care for the disabled. For these reasons, it is necessary that the society should respond to the situation. And also providers of social services are professionally prepared to work with this type of client.
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