22 results on '"Abbondanza S"'
Search Results
2. Assessing the impact of Social Networking Site use on older people's loneliness and social isolation. A randomized controlled trial: The Aging in a Networked Society-Social Experiment Study (ANS-SE)
- Author
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Zaccaria, D, Guaita, A, Vaccaro, R, Casanova, G, Abbondanza, S, Pettinato, L, Cerati, G, Rolandi, E, Sala, E, Zaccaria, Daniele, Guaita, Antonio, Vaccaro, Roberta, Casanova, Georgia, Abbondanza, Simona, Pettinato, Laura, Cerati, Gabriele, Rolandi, Elena, Sala, Emanuela, Zaccaria, D, Guaita, A, Vaccaro, R, Casanova, G, Abbondanza, S, Pettinato, L, Cerati, G, Rolandi, E, Sala, E, Zaccaria, Daniele, Guaita, Antonio, Vaccaro, Roberta, Casanova, Georgia, Abbondanza, Simona, Pettinato, Laura, Cerati, Gabriele, Rolandi, Elena, and Sala, Emanuela
- Abstract
Introduction: An ageing society poses unprecedented challenges to societies. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), including Social Networking Sites (SNSs), may contribute to contrast loneliness and social isolation in old age. Despite of the potentialities of SNSs, there is only a handful of studies assessing the causal relationship of SNS use and older people's well-being. This paper aims to provide further evidence on the design of randomised controlled trials exploring the causal impact of SNS use on loneliness and social isolation in old age. Methods and analysis: The Aging in a Networked Society-Social Experiment Study (ANS-SE) is a randomised controlled trial conducted on people aged 75 and over residing in a town located in the Milan area (Italy) aiming to assess the impact of SNS use on loneliness and social isolation (i.e. the primary outcomes of this study). The study is constituted of two stages, i.e. the baseline and the follow up. The experiment is structured into one treatment group and two control groups; the interventions are the attendance to a course on SNS use (T1) and lifestyle education and brain functioning (C1). The inactive control group (C) is constituted of a waiting list. We will perform bivariate and regression analysis. Ethics and dissemination: The study has been approved by the Ethic Committee of the University of Milano Bicocca (prot. 431/2019) and was registered at Clinical Trials.gov (NCT04242628). Written consent was obtained from all respondents. Results from the study will be discussed with the local community and stakeholders, presented in national and international conferences and published in leading peer-review journals. The consent forms, the anonymised dataset, and the relevant statistical codes will be deposited with the Italian Unidata archive, also in charge of releasing the data to the public, upon a short embargo period.
- Published
- 2020
3. Technology usage among elderly with self-reported hearing disability: Results from InveCe.Ab
- Author
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Colombo, M., primary, Vaccaro, R., additional, Abbondanza, S., additional, Rolandi, E., additional, Pettinato, L., additional, and Guaita, A., additional
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Self-expanding stents in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: experience with nitinol Strecker stents
- Author
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Rossi, P., Bezzi, M., Salvatori, F. M., Broglia, L., Maccioni, F., Pizzi, G., Abbondanza, S., and Bonomo, G.
- Published
- 1996
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Design of meo constellations for galileo: towards a “design to cost” approach
- Author
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Abbondanza, S. and Zwolska, F.
- Published
- 2001
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. The Prevalence of Mild Cognitive Impairment in Diverse Geographical and Ethnocultural Regions: The COSMIC Collaboration
- Author
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Sachdev, P.S., Lipnicki, D.M., Kochan, N.A., Crawford, J.D., Thalamuthu, A., Andrews, G., Brayne, C., Matthews, F.E., Stephan, B.C.M., Lipton, R.B., Katz, M.J., Ritchie, K., Carrière, I., Ancelin, M.L, Lam, L.C.W., Wong, C.H.Y., Fung, A.W.T., Guaita, A., Vaccaro, R., Davin, A., Ganguli, M., Dodge, H., Hughes, T., Anstey, K.J., Cherbuin, N., Butterworth, P., Ng, T.P., Gao, Q., Reppermund, S., Brodaty, H., Schupf, N., Manly, J., Stern, Y., Lobo, A., Lopez-Anton, R., Santabárbara, J., Zimmerman, M., Derby, C., Leung, G.T.Y., Chan, W.C., Polito, L., Abbondanza, S., Valle, E., Colombo, M., Vitali, S.F., Fossi, S., Zaccaria, D., Forloni, G., Villani, S., Christensen, H., MacKinnon, A., Easteal, S., Jacomb, T., Maxwell, K., Bowman, A., Burns, K., Broe, A., Dekker, J., Dooley, L., De Permentier, M., Fairjones, S., Fletcher, J., French, T., Foster, C., Nugent-Cleary-Fox, E., Gooi, C., Harvey, E., Helyer, R., Hsieh, S., Hughes, L., Jacek, S., Johnston, M., McCade, D., Meeth, S., Milne, E., Moir, A., O'Grady, R., Pfaeffli, K., Pose, C., Reuser, L., Rose, A., Schofield, P., Shahnawaz, Z., Sharpley, A., Thompson, C., Queisser, W., Wong, S., Mayeux, R., Brickman, A., Luchsinger, J., Sanchez, D., Tang, M.X., Andrews, H., Marcos, G., De-La-Cámara, C., Saz, P., Ventura, T., Quintanilla, M.A., Lobo, E., University of South Wales (USW), University of Cambridge [UK] (CAM), Newcastle University [Newcastle], Albert Einstein College of Medicine [New York], Neuropsychiatrie : recherche épidémiologique et clinique (PSNREC), Université Montpellier 1 (UM1)-Université de Montpellier (UM)-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire [Montpellier] (CHRU Montpellier), Imperial College London, The Chinese University of Hong Kong [Hong Kong], Tai Po Hospital, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania Commonwealth System of Higher Education (PCSHE), Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University [Portland] (OHSU), University of Michigan [Ann Arbor], University of Michigan System, Australian National University (ANU), National University of Singapore (NUS), University of New South Wales [Sydney] (UNSW), Columbia University [New York], Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Salud Mental [Madrid] (CIBER-SAM), University of Zaragoza - Universidad de Zaragoza [Zaragoza], and Université Montpellier 1 (UM1)-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Université de Montpellier (UM)
- Subjects
Gerontology ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Asia ,Epidemiology ,Cross-sectional study ,Clinical Dementia Rating ,lcsh:Medicine ,Neuropsychological Tests ,Prevalence ,Medicine ,Dementia ,Humans ,Cognitive Dysfunction ,Longitudinal Studies ,Cooperative Behavior ,lcsh:Science ,Cognitive impairment ,Aged ,Aged, 80 and over ,Multidisciplinary ,business.industry ,FOS: Clinical medicine ,lcsh:R ,Neurosciences ,Australia ,Mild cognitive impairment ,Cognition ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Europe ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Disease Progression ,lcsh:Q ,Mental health ,[SDV.SPEE]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Santé publique et épidémiologie ,Female ,Cooperative behavior ,Alzheimer's disease ,business ,Demography - Abstract
International audience; BACKGROUND : Changes in criteria and differences in populations studied and methodology have produced a wide range of prevalence estimates for mild cognitive impairment (MCI).METHODS : Uniform criteria were applied to harmonized data from 11 studies from USA, Europe, Asia and Australia, and MCI prevalence estimates determined using three separate definitions of cognitive impairment.RESULTS : The published range of MCI prevalence estimates was 5.0%-36.7%. This was reduced with all cognitive impairment definitions: performance in the bottom 6.681% (3.2%-10.8%); Clinical Dementia Rating of 0.5 (1.8%-14.9%); Mini-Mental State Examination score of 24-27 (2.1%-20.7%). Prevalences using the first definition were 5.9% overall, and increased with age (P < .001) but were unaffected by sex or the main races/ethnicities investigated (Whites and Chinese). Not completing high school increased the likelihood of MCI (P ≤ .01).CONCLUSION : Applying uniform criteria to harmonized data greatly reduced the variation in MCI prevalence internationally.
- Published
- 2015
7. The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment in diverse geographical and ethnocultural regions: The COSMIC Collaboration
- Author
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Sachdev, PS, Lipnicki, DM, Kochan, NA, Crawford, JD, Thalamuthu, A, Andrews, G, Brayne, C, Matthews, FE, Stephan, BCM, Lipton, RB, Katz, MJ, Ritchie, K, Carrière, I, Ancelin, ML, Lam, LCW, Wong, CHY, Fung, AWT, Guaita, A, Vaccaro, R, Davin, A, Ganguli, M, Dodge, H, Hughes, T, Anstey, KJ, Cherbuin, N, Butterworth, P, Ng, TP, Gao, Q, Reppermund, S, Brodaty, H, Schupf, N, Manly, J, Stern, Y, Lobo, A, Lopez-Anton, R, Santabárbara, J, Zimmerman, M, Derby, C, Leung, GTY, Chan, WC, Polito, L, Abbondanza, S, Valle, E, Colombo, M, Vitali, SF, Fossi, S, Zaccaria, D, Forloni, G, Villani, S, Christensen, H, MacKinnon, A, Easteal, S, Jacomb, T, Maxwell, K, Bowman, A, Burns, K, Broe, A, Dekker, J, Dooley, L, De Permentier, M, Fairjones, S, Fletcher, J, French, T, Foster, C, Nugent-Cleary-Fox, E, Gooi, C, Harvey, E, Helyer, R, Hsieh, S, Hughes, L, Jacek, S, Johnston, M, McCade, D, Meeth, S, Milne, E, Moir, A, O'Grady, R, Pfaeffli, K, Pose, C, Reuser, L, Rose, A, Schofield, P, Shahnawaz, Z, Sharpley, A, Thompson, C, Queisser, W, Wong, S, Mayeux, R, Brickman, A, Luchsinger, J, Sanchez, D, Tang, MX, Andrews, H, Marcos, G, De-La-Cámara, C, Saz, P, Ventura, T, Quintanilla, MA, Lobo, E, Sachdev, PS, Lipnicki, DM, Kochan, NA, Crawford, JD, Thalamuthu, A, Andrews, G, Brayne, C, Matthews, FE, Stephan, BCM, Lipton, RB, Katz, MJ, Ritchie, K, Carrière, I, Ancelin, ML, Lam, LCW, Wong, CHY, Fung, AWT, Guaita, A, Vaccaro, R, Davin, A, Ganguli, M, Dodge, H, Hughes, T, Anstey, KJ, Cherbuin, N, Butterworth, P, Ng, TP, Gao, Q, Reppermund, S, Brodaty, H, Schupf, N, Manly, J, Stern, Y, Lobo, A, Lopez-Anton, R, Santabárbara, J, Zimmerman, M, Derby, C, Leung, GTY, Chan, WC, Polito, L, Abbondanza, S, Valle, E, Colombo, M, Vitali, SF, Fossi, S, Zaccaria, D, Forloni, G, Villani, S, Christensen, H, MacKinnon, A, Easteal, S, Jacomb, T, Maxwell, K, Bowman, A, Burns, K, Broe, A, Dekker, J, Dooley, L, De Permentier, M, Fairjones, S, Fletcher, J, French, T, Foster, C, Nugent-Cleary-Fox, E, Gooi, C, Harvey, E, Helyer, R, Hsieh, S, Hughes, L, Jacek, S, Johnston, M, McCade, D, Meeth, S, Milne, E, Moir, A, O'Grady, R, Pfaeffli, K, Pose, C, Reuser, L, Rose, A, Schofield, P, Shahnawaz, Z, Sharpley, A, Thompson, C, Queisser, W, Wong, S, Mayeux, R, Brickman, A, Luchsinger, J, Sanchez, D, Tang, MX, Andrews, H, Marcos, G, De-La-Cámara, C, Saz, P, Ventura, T, Quintanilla, MA, and Lobo, E
- Abstract
Background Changes in criteria and differences in populations studied and methodology have produced a wide range of prevalence estimates for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods Uniform criteria were applied to harmonized data from 11 studies from USA, Europe, Asia and Australia, and MCI prevalence estimates determined using three separate definitions of cognitive impairment. Results The published range of MCI prevalence estimates was 5.0%-36.7%. This was reduced with all cognitive impairment definitions: performance in the bottom 6.681% (3.2%-10.8%); Clinical Dementia Rating of 0.5 (1.8%-14.9%); Mini-Mental State Examination score of 24-27 (2.1%-20.7%). Prevalences using the first definition were 5.9% overall, and increased with age (P < .001) but were unaffected by sex or the main races/ethnicities investigated (Whites and Chinese). Not completing high school increased the likelihood of MCI (P ≤ .01). Conclusion Applying uniform criteria to harmonized data greatly reduced the variation in MCI prevalence internationally.
- Published
- 2015
8. Current technology usage and neuropsychological functions in older persons attending a memory clinic
- Author
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Colombo, M., primary, Vitali, S.F., additional, Vaccaro, R., additional, Malnati, M., additional, Cutaia, C., additional, Abbondanza, S., additional, Valle, E., additional, Fossi, S., additional, and Guaita, A., additional
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. Assessing the impact of Social Networking Site use on older people's loneliness and social isolation. A randomized controlled trial: The Aging in a Networked Society-Social Experiment Study (ANS-SE)
- Author
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Elena Rolandi, Antonio Guaita, Laura Pettinato, Gabriele Cerati, Georgia Casanova, Daniele Zaccaria, Simona Abbondanza, Roberta Vaccaro, Emanuela Sala, Zaccaria, D, Guaita, A, Vaccaro, R, Casanova, G, Abbondanza, S, Pettinato, L, Cerati, G, Rolandi, E, and Sala, E
- Subjects
Gerontology ,Loneline ,Psychological intervention ,Social studies ,Article ,Treatment and control groups ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Social isolation ,Pharmacology ,lcsh:R5-920 ,Loneliness ,Attendance ,General Medicine ,Well-being ,Social Networking Sites use ,medicine.symptom ,Older people ,lcsh:Medicine (General) ,Psychology ,Social experiment ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
Introduction An ageing society poses unprecedented challenges to societies. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), including Social Networking Sites (SNSs), may contribute to contrast loneliness and social isolation in old age. Despite of the potentialities of SNSs, there is only a handful of studies assessing the causal relationship of SNS use and older people's well-being. This paper aims to provide further evidence on the design of randomised controlled trials exploring the causal impact of SNS use on loneliness and social isolation in old age. Methods and analysis The Aging in a Networked Society-Social Experiment Study (ANS-SE) is a randomised controlled trial conducted on people aged 75 and over residing in a town located in the Milan area (Italy) aiming to assess the impact of SNS use on loneliness and social isolation (i.e. the primary outcomes of this study). The study is constituted of two stages, i.e. the baseline and the follow up. The experiment is structured into one treatment group and two control groups; the interventions are the attendance to a course on SNS use (T1) and lifestyle education and brain functioning (C1). The inactive control group (C) is constituted of a waiting list. We will perform bivariate and regression analysis. Ethics and dissemination The study has been approved by the Ethic Committee of the University of Milano Bicocca (prot. 431/2019) and was registered at Clinical Trials.gov (NCT04242628). Written consent was obtained from all respondents. Results from the study will be discussed with the local community and stakeholders, presented in national and international conferences and published in leading peer-review journals. The consent forms, the anonymised dataset, and the relevant statistical codes will be deposited with the Italian Unidata archive, also in charge of releasing the data to the public, upon a short embargo period., Highlights • This study is amongst the few studies assessing causality between SNS use and loneliness and social isolation in old age. • It is the first randomised controlled trial carried out in Mediterranean Europe assessing the causal impact of SNS use on loneliness and social isolation. • It is the first study of this kind based on an ongoing longitudinal study, allowing to perform analysis using previously collected information.
- Published
- 2020
10. Effect of a Social Networking Site Training on Cognitive Performance in Healthy Older People and Role of Personality Traits. Results from the Randomized Controlled Trial Ageing in a Networked Society-Social Experiment (ANS-SE) Study.
- Author
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Vaccaro R, Abbondanza S, Rolandi E, Casanova G, Pettinato L, Colombo M, and Guaita A
- Subjects
- Aged, Cognition, Humans, Personality, Social Networking, Aging psychology, Health Status
- Abstract
Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the short-term efficacy of social network sites (SNSs) training on cognitive performance in cognitively healthy older individuals, and to explore the influence of personality traits on cognitive benefits of SNSs training., Methods: The Aging in a Networked Society-Social Experiment study was a randomized controlled trial with three arms: intervention group (course on SNSs use), active control group (lifestyle education) and waiting list. Among the 180 eligible participants, 144 participated, 115 completed the study. The assessment comprised: Stroop Color and Word Test, Wechsler tests (Digit span, Symbol search, Coding), and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire- Revised- Short Form., Results: There was no significant cognitive improvement for treatment group versus the control groups. Time interference significantly worsened in lifestyle education group compared to the waiting list, after controlling for baseline test scores and personality traits., Conclusion: The present study does not support the usefulness of SNSs training with healthy older adults. The educational content of lifestyle education is not an inert condition among individuals with high levels of neuroticism and socially desirable responding. There is a need to design experimental conditions in the control groups which do not influence participant's outcomes.
- Published
- 2022
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11. Loneliness and Social Engagement in Older Adults Based in Lombardy during the COVID-19 Lockdown: The Long-Term Effects of a Course on Social Networking Sites Use.
- Author
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Rolandi E, Vaccaro R, Abbondanza S, Casanova G, Pettinato L, Colombo M, and Guaita A
- Subjects
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Betacoronavirus, COVID-19, Coronavirus Infections epidemiology, Humans, Mental Health, Pandemics, Pneumonia, Viral epidemiology, Program Evaluation, SARS-CoV-2, Social Support, Surveys and Questionnaires, Aging psychology, Coronavirus Infections psychology, Loneliness psychology, Pneumonia, Viral psychology, Quality of Life, Social Networking, Social Participation psychology
- Abstract
Older adults are less familiar with communication technology, which became essential to maintain social contacts during the COVID-19 lockdown. The present study aimed at exploring how older adults, previously trained for Social Networking Sites (SNSs) use, experienced the lockdown period. In the first two weeks of May 2020, telephone surveys were conducted with individuals aged 81-85 years and resident in Abbiategrasso (Milan), who previously participated in a study aimed at evaluating the impact of SNSs use on loneliness in old age (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04242628). We collected information on SNSs use, self-perceived loneliness, and social engagement with family and friends. Interviewed participants were stratified as trained (N = 60) and untrained (N = 70) for SNSs use, based on their attendance to group courses held the previous year as part of the main experimental study. The groups were comparable for sociodemographics and clinical features. Participants trained for SNSs use reported significantly higher usage of SNSs and reduced feeling of being left out. Compared to pre-lockdown levels, individuals trained for SNSs use showed a lighter reduction in social contacts. These findings support the utility of training older adults for SNSs use in order to improve their social inclusion, even in extreme conditions of self-isolation and perceived vulnerability.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
12. Estimating the potential for dementia prevention through modifiable risk factors elimination in the real-world setting: a population-based study.
- Author
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Rolandi E, Zaccaria D, Vaccaro R, Abbondanza S, Pettinato L, Davin A, and Guaita A
- Subjects
- Humans, Italy epidemiology, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Dementia epidemiology, Dementia prevention & control, Diabetes Mellitus epidemiology
- Abstract
Background: Preventing dementia onset is one of the global public health priorities: around 35% of dementia cases could be attributable to modifiable risk factors. These estimates relied on secondary data and did not consider the concurrent effect of non-modifiable factors and death. Here, we aimed to estimate the potential reduction of dementia incidence due to modifiable risk factors elimination, controlling for non-modifiable risk factors and for the competing risk of death., Methods: Participants from the InveCe.Ab population-based prospective cohort (Abbiategrasso, Italy) without a baseline dementia diagnosis and attending at least one follow-up visit were included (N = 1100). Participants underwent multidimensional assessment at baseline and after 2, 4, and 8 years, from November 2009 to January 2019. Modifiable risk factors were low education, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, depression, smoking, physical inactivity, hearing loss, loneliness, heart disease, stroke, head injury, and delirium. Non-modifiable risk factors were age, sex, and APOE ε4 genotype. The primary endpoint was dementia diagnosis within the follow-up period (DSM-IV criteria). We performed competing risk regression models to obtain sub-hazard ratio (SHR) for each exposure, with death as competing risk. The exposures associated with dementia were included in a multivariable model to estimate their independent influence on dementia and the corresponding population attributable fraction (PAF)., Results: Within the study period (mean follow-up, 82.3 months), 111 participants developed dementia (10.1%). In the multivariable model, APOE ε4 (SHR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.22-2.92, p = 0.005), diabetes (SHR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.00-2.39, p = 0.043), heart disease (SHR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.03-2.36, p = 0.037), stroke (SHR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.35-3.95, p = 0.002), and delirium (SHR = 8.70, 95% CI 3.26-23.24, p < 0.001) were independently associated with increased dementia risk. In the present cohort, around 40% of dementia cases could be attributable to preventable comorbid diseases., Conclusions: APOE ε4, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and delirium independently increased the risk of late-life dementia, controlling for the competing risk of death. Preventive intervention addressed to these clinical populations could be an effective approach to reduce dementia incidence. Further studies on different population-based cohort are needed to obtain more generalizable findings of the potential of dementia prevention in the real-world setting., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01345110 .
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Assessing the impact of Social Networking Site use on older people's loneliness and social isolation. A randomized controlled trial: The Aging in a Networked Society-Social Experiment Study (ANS-SE).
- Author
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Zaccaria D, Guaita A, Vaccaro R, Casanova G, Abbondanza S, Pettinato L, Cerati G, Rolandi E, and Sala E
- Abstract
Introduction: An ageing society poses unprecedented challenges to societies. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), including Social Networking Sites (SNSs), may contribute to contrast loneliness and social isolation in old age. Despite of the potentialities of SNSs, there is only a handful of studies assessing the causal relationship of SNS use and older people's well-being. This paper aims to provide further evidence on the design of randomised controlled trials exploring the causal impact of SNS use on loneliness and social isolation in old age., Methods and Analysis: The Aging in a Networked Society-Social Experiment Study (ANS-SE) is a randomised controlled trial conducted on people aged 75 and over residing in a town located in the Milan area (Italy) aiming to assess the impact of SNS use on loneliness and social isolation (i.e. the primary outcomes of this study). The study is constituted of two stages, i.e. the baseline and the follow up. The experiment is structured into one treatment group and two control groups; the interventions are the attendance to a course on SNS use (T1) and lifestyle education and brain functioning (C1). The inactive control group (C) is constituted of a waiting list. We will perform bivariate and regression analysis., Ethics and Dissemination: The study has been approved by the Ethic Committee of the University of Milano Bicocca (prot. 431/2019) and was registered at Clinical Trials.gov (NCT04242628). Written consent was obtained from all respondents. Results from the study will be discussed with the local community and stakeholders, presented in national and international conferences and published in leading peer-review journals. The consent forms, the anonymised dataset, and the relevant statistical codes will be deposited with the Italian Unidata archive, also in charge of releasing the data to the public, upon a short embargo period., Competing Interests: None., (© 2020 Published by Elsevier Inc.)
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
14. Abbiategrasso Brain Bank Protocol for Collecting, Processing and Characterizing Aging Brains.
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Poloni TE, Medici V, Carlos AF, Davin A, Ceretti A, Mangieri M, Cassini P, Vaccaro R, Zaccaria D, Abbondanza S, Bordoni M, Fantini V, Fogato E, Cereda C, Ceroni M, and Guaita A
- Subjects
- Aged, Brain pathology, Humans, Neurodegenerative Diseases pathology, Aging pathology, Brain cytology, Specimen Handling methods, Tissue Banks
- Abstract
In a constantly aging population, the prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders is expected to rise. Understanding disease mechanisms is the key to find preventive and curative measures. The most effective way to achieve this is through direct examination of diseased and healthy brain tissue. The authors present a protocol to obtain, process, characterize and store good quality brain tissue donated by individuals registered in an antemortem brain donation program. The donation program includes a face-to-face empathic approach to people, a collection of complementary clinical, biological, social and lifestyle information and serial multi-dimensional assessments over time to track individual trajectories of normal aging and cognitive decline. Since many neurological diseases are asymmetrical, our brain bank offers a unique protocol for slicing fresh specimens. Brain sections of both hemispheres are alternately frozen (at -80 °C) or fixed in formalin; a fixed slice on one hemisphere corresponds to a frozen one on the other hemisphere. With this approach, a complete histological characterization of all frozen material can be obtained, and omics studies can be performed on histologically well-defined tissues from both hemispheres thus offering a more complete assessment of neurodegenerative disease mechanisms. Correct and definite diagnosis of these diseases can only be achieved by combining the clinical syndrome with the neuropathological evaluation, which often adds important etiological clues necessary to interpret the pathogenesis. This method can be time consuming, expensive and limited as it only covers a limited geographical area. Regardless of its limitations, the high degree of characterization it provides can be rewarding. Our ultimate goal is to establish the first Italian Brain Bank, all the while emphasizing the importance of neuropathologically verified epidemiological studies.
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- 2020
- Full Text
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15. Adverse effect of self-reported hearing disability in elderly Italians: Results from the InveCe.Ab study.
- Author
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Vaccaro R, Zaccaria D, Colombo M, Abbondanza S, and Guaita A
- Subjects
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Humans, Italy, Male, Cognition, Depression, Hearing Loss diagnosis, Hearing Loss psychology, Self Report
- Abstract
Objective: Hearing loss is a common chronic condition in elderly people. The prevalence of disabling hearing loss among the elderly worldwide is 33% and in Italy ranges from 0.6% (profound hearing loss) to 39% (mild hearing loss). We investigated the relationship between self-reported hearing disability and clinician-evaluated hearing status, and its longitudinal consequences in relation to cognitive impairment and functional decline. We hypothesised that subjects who report that they have a hearing disability have a worse functional and cognitive profile than people who do not report having a hearing disability., Methods: We analysed 1171 participants in the InveCe.Ab study, a longitudinal population-based study. We evaluated whether self-reported hearing disability was consistent with clinician-evaluated hearing status (using the Whispered Voice Test; WVT), categorizing this variable as: unaware of hearing loss (UHL), aware of hearing loss (AHL), only subjective hearing loss (OSHL), without hearing loss (noHL). We also examined its relationship with various population characteristics, and its long-term effects on functional and cognitive performance and depressive symptoms., Results: At baseline, hearing loss was found in 13.6% (95% CI: 11.7-15.7) of the participants [17.6% (95% CI: 12.0-24.4) AHL; 82.4% (95% CI: 75.6-88) UHL], while 2.3% (95% CI: 1.4-3.4) of the subjects with normal WVT hearing status had OSHL. Male gender, age, functional and cognitive performance, and depressive symptoms were associated with consistency between self-reported hearing disability and WVT hearing status. Longitudinal analysis revealed worsening functional performance and selective attention, global cognitive deterioration, and depressive symptoms in the AHL group., Conclusions: Our results showed that awareness of hearing disability in the elderly has adverse cognitive and functional consequences over time. When clinicians inform those who are unaware of their hearing problems, they should arrange for prompt referral not only for audiometric evaluation but also for counselling in order to prevent a negative impact of awareness of hearing loss., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2019
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16. Subthreshold Depression and Clinically Significant Depression in an Italian Population of 70-74-Year-Olds: Prevalence and Association with Perceptions of Self.
- Author
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Vaccaro R, Borrelli P, Abbondanza S, Davin A, Polito L, Colombo M, Francesca Vitali S, Villani S, and Guaita A
- Subjects
- Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Depressive Disorder psychology, Female, Humans, Italy, Male, Risk Factors, Self Concept, Sex Factors, Depressive Disorder epidemiology, Depressive Disorder physiopathology
- Abstract
Estimates of depressive disorders in the elderly vary depending on how cases are defined. We estimated the prevalence of subthreshold depression (SD) and clinically significant depression (D) in a population of 70-74-year-olds. We also looked for associations with sociodemographic factors and perceptions of self. Participants underwent a multidimensional assessment (social, medical, and neuropsychological). The estimated prevalence of SD was 15.71% (95% CI: 13.70-17.72), while that of D was 5.58% (95% CI: 4.31-6.85). Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender and dissatisfaction with family relationships were related to SD and D. A self-perception of physical age as older than actual age (but not comorbidity) and greater self-perceived stress caused by negative life events both increased the probability of SD. The likelihood of D was decreased in those who perceived their own health as good, whereas a self-perception of mental age as older than actual age and dissatisfaction with relationships with friends were both significantly associated with D. Both SD and D emerged as key problems in our population. Female gender and self-perceptions of various characteristics, which can be explored through simple questions, are associated with late-life depression in elderly people independently of their actual physical condition and other characteristics.
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- 2017
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17. High homocysteine and epistasis between MTHFR and APOE: association with cognitive performance in the elderly.
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Polito L, Poloni TE, Vaccaro R, Abbondanza S, Mangieri M, Davin A, Villani S, and Guaita A
- Subjects
- Age Factors, Aged, Aging blood, Aging psychology, Biomarkers blood, Cognition Disorders blood, Cognition Disorders diagnosis, Cognition Disorders psychology, Cross-Sectional Studies, Executive Function, Female, Gene Frequency, Genetic Association Studies, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Geriatric Assessment, Humans, Hyperhomocysteinemia blood, Hyperhomocysteinemia diagnosis, Hyperhomocysteinemia psychology, Male, Memory, Neuropsychological Tests, Phenotype, Principal Component Analysis, Risk Factors, Up-Regulation, Aging genetics, Apolipoproteins E genetics, Cognition, Cognition Disorders genetics, Epistasis, Genetic, Homocysteine blood, Hyperhomocysteinemia genetics, Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) genetics, Polymorphism, Genetic
- Abstract
High total homocysteine (tHcy) is associated with cognitive impairment in the elderly. The impact of high tHcy on different cognitive domains deserves further investigation, as does the role of the C677T polymorphism of the 5,10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. A cross-sectional analysis of 903 subjects from the population-based "InveCe.Ab" study was performed. The participants had no psychosis or active neurological disorders. They underwent a neuropsychological assessment. Principal component analysis allowed cognitive performance to be condensed into two components: executive functions and memory. Novel components were evaluated for association with tHcy, controlling for potential confounders. Regression models showed that high serum tHcy was associated with lower executive functions, but not with memory. MTHFR C677T TT was associated with higher tHcy but did not affect cognitive performance per se. However, when combined with the apolipoprotein E (APOE)-ε4 allele, it was a risk factor for lower executive performance, independently of tHcy levels. In summary, high tHcy per se, or MTHFR C677T TT in combination with the APOE-ε4 allele, might be associated primarily with executive dysfunctions rather than memory loss., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
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- 2016
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18. Correction: Influence of Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphisms and Adverse Life Events on Depressive Symptoms in the Elderly: A Population-Based Study.
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Davin A, Monti MC, Polito L, Vaccaro R, Abbondanza S, Gnesi M, Villani S, and Guaita A
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- 2016
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19. Influence of Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphisms and Adverse Life Events on Depressive Symptoms in the Elderly: A Population-Based Study.
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Davin A, Monti MC, Polito L, Vaccaro R, Abbondanza S, Gnesi M, Villani S, and Guaita A
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- Aged, Female, Humans, Male, Depression genetics, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Life Change Events, Polymorphism, Genetic, Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins genetics
- Abstract
Background: Depression is common in the elderly. The role of genetic and environmental factors in modulating depressive symptoms is not clear., Methods: We evaluated the influence of serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms and recent adverse life events on depressive symptoms in an elderly Italian population. We used data from "InveCe.Ab", a population-based study of 1321 subjects aged 70-74 years. We used the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to assess depressive symptoms-a GDS score ≥5 points (GDS≥5) indicated the presence of clinically relevant symptoms-and performed 5-HTTLPR and rs25531 genotyping to obtain the triallelic polymorphism of the serotonin transporter. We used the Geriatric Adverse Life Events Scale to measure adverse life events, and logistic regression models to evaluate the role of genotype and recent adverse life events in depressive symptoms, controlling for potential confounders and independent predictors., Results: Two hundred subjects (15.76%) had a GDS≥5. The 5-HTTLPR triallelic polymorphism was significantly associated with GDS≥5. Only S'S' carriers showed an increased risk of depressive symptoms (ORadj = 1.81, p = .022); one extra adverse life event increased this risk by 14% (p = .061) independently of genotype. Other factors significantly related to GDS≥5 were: female gender (ORadj = 2.49, p < .001), age (ORadj = 1.19, p = .007), a history of depression (ORadj = 4.73, p < .001), and comorbidity (ORadj = 1.23, p = .001). One extra adverse life event increased the risk of depressive symptoms by 57% (p = .005) only in the L'L' carriers, while antidepressant intake was directly related to GDS≥5 in the L'S' carriers (ORadj = 2.46, p = .036) and borderline significant in the S'S' carriers (ORadj = 2.41, p = .081)., Discussion: The S'S' genotype and recent exposure to adverse life events were independently associated with depressive symptoms. The S'S' genotype, compared with the environment, exerted a predominant effect on depressive symptoms, suggesting that it reduces the efficacy of antidepressant therapy. We conclude that genetics may be an important risk factor for depressive symptoms in late adulthood.
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- 2015
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20. Cognitive stimulation in cognitively impaired individuals and cognitively healthy individuals with a family history of dementia: short-term results from the "Allena-Mente" randomized controlled trial.
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Polito L, Abbondanza S, Vaccaro R, Valle E, Davin A, Degrate A, Villani S, and Guaita A
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- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Apolipoprotein E4 genetics, Cognition Disorders genetics, Cognition Disorders physiopathology, Dementia genetics, Female, Humans, Male, Memory physiology, Neuropsychological Tests, Cognition physiology, Cognition Disorders therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Abstract
Objective: We evaluated the short-term efficacy of a protocol of cognitive stimulation (CS), compared with a sham intervention, on cognitive performance in cognitively healthy individuals with a family history of dementia (NDFAM) and in non-demented individuals with cognitive impairment (CI)., Methods: We performed a randomized controlled trial of CS in NDFAM and CI. CS consisted in 10 twice weekly meetings of CS focused on a specific cognitive area. CS was compared with a sham intervention (CT) using Mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Corsi test. All study participants were typed for the presence of apolipoprotein E (APOE)-Ɛ4., Results: Cognitively healthy NDFAM showed a higher net cognitive gain after CS, as reflected in their MoCA score, and a borderline significant net increase in visuospatial memory (Corsi test) compared with those receiving the CT. APOE-Ɛ4 carriers showed a less significant improvement on the Corsi test with respect to APOE-Ɛ4 non-carriers. In the CI sample, the MoCA and Corsi test results did not differ between the cognitively stimulated subjects and the controls. No changes in MMSE scores were found in either sample of subjects., Conclusions: These findings suggest that CS as structured in this study is an effective treatment in cognitively healthy individuals, whereas it is less effective in individuals with CI. Moreover, evaluation of APOE-Ɛ4 status provided evidence of a substantial genetic contribution to the efficacy of CS on visuospatial memory as measured using the Corsi test., (Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)
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- 2015
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21. Serotonin transporter polymorphism modifies the association between depressive symptoms and sleep onset latency complaint in elderly people: results from the 'InveCe.Ab' study.
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Polito L, Davin A, Vaccaro R, Abbondanza S, Govoni S, Racchi M, and Guaita A
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- Aged, Alleles, Depression diagnosis, Female, Humans, Male, Promoter Regions, Genetic genetics, Risk Factors, Time Factors, Depression complications, Depression genetics, Polymorphism, Genetic genetics, Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins genetics, Sleep Wake Disorders genetics
- Abstract
Previous studies have documented the involvement of the central nervous system serotonin in promoting wakefulness. There are few and conflicting results over whether there is an actual association between bearing the short allele of serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and worse sleep quality. This study examined whether sleep onset latency complaint is associated with the 5-HTTLPR triallelic polymorphism in the SLC6A4 gene promoter and whether this polymorphism influences the relationship between sleep onset latency complaint and depressive symptoms in elderly people. A total of 1321 community-dwelling individuals aged 70-74 years were interviewed for sleep onset latency complaint and for sleep medication consumption. Participants' genomic DNA was typed for 5-HTTLPR and rs25531 polymorphisms. Depressive symptoms were evaluated with the Geriatric Depression Scale Short form and general medical comorbidity was assessed by the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale. The presence of a past history of depression was recorded. The S' allele of the 5-HTTLPR triallelic polymorphism was associated with sleep onset latency complaint. This association was maintained after adjusting for depressive symptoms, sex, age, history of depression and medical comorbidity. After stratification for 5-HTTLPR/rs25531, only in S'S' individuals high depressive symptoms were actually associated with sleep onset latency complaint. These data indicate that the low-expressing 5-HTTLPR triallelic polymorphism is an independent risk factor for sleep onset latency disturbance. Furthermore, the 5-HTTLPR genotype influences the association between depressive symptoms and sleep onset latency complaint., (© 2014 European Sleep Research Society.)
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- 2015
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22. Influence of socio-demographic features and apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 expression on the prevalence of dementia and cognitive impairment in a population of 70-74-year olds: the InveCe.Ab study.
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Guaita A, Vaccaro R, Davin A, Colombo M, Vitali SF, Polito L, Abbondanza S, Valle E, Forloni G, Ferretti VV, and Villani S
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- Age Factors, Aged, Educational Status, Female, Heterozygote, Humans, Italy epidemiology, Male, Marital Status, Prevalence, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Sex Factors, Apolipoprotein E4 genetics, Cognition Disorders epidemiology, Cognition Disorders genetics, Dementia epidemiology, Dementia genetics
- Abstract
The age-specific prevalence rates of dementia vary widely. Studies focusing on specific age groups are needed to provide reliable estimates for healthcare providers and policy makers. We estimated the prevalence of dementia, dementia subtypes and cognitive impairment in "InveCe.Ab" (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01345110), a single-step multidimensional population-based study of 70-74-year olds living in Abbiategrasso (Milan, Italy). We also looked for associations with socio-demographic factors and the presence of the apolipoprotein E-ɛ4 allele. The overall dementia prevalence was 3% (95%CI: 2.1-4.1%) [Alzheimer's disease (AD): 1.2% (95%CI 0.6-1.9%); vascular dementia (VD): 1.4% (95%CI: 0.8-2.2%)]. Being single was found to be a risk factor for vascular dementia; subjects born in southern Italy were shown to be at greater risk both of overall dementia and of vascular dementia. The prevalence of cognitive impairment, with or without subjective cognitive complaints (cognitive impairment, no dementia, CIND) was 7.8% (95%CI: 6.4-9.4%). As regards the CIND subgroups, the prevalence of subjects with subjective cognitive complaints (mild cognitive impairment, MCI) was 5.0% (95%CI 3.9-6.3%), while the prevalence of those without MCI (CIND-other) was 2.8% (95%CI: 1.9-3.8). The males had a higher risk of MCI and CIND-other; the older subjects were more likely to have MCI, and those born in north-eastern Italy to have CIND-other. The prevalence of AD was higher among the apolipoprotein E-ɛ4 carriers. Our data highlight the importance of dementia and cognitive impairment in the transitional period from adulthood to old age, and reveal the presence of different associations with socio-demographic and genetic factors., (Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2015
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