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3. Reduced ccl11/eotaxin mediates the beneficial effects of environmental stimulation on the aged hippocampus

Author

Scabia, G, Testa, G, Scali, M, Del Turco, S, Desiato, G, Berardi, N, Sale, A, Matteoli, M, Maffei, L, Maffei, M, Mainardi, M, Scabia G., Testa G., Scali M., Del Turco S., Desiato G., Berardi N., Sale A., Matteoli M., Maffei L., Maffei M., Mainardi M., Scabia, G, Testa, G, Scali, M, Del Turco, S, Desiato, G, Berardi, N, Sale, A, Matteoli, M, Maffei, L, Maffei, M, Mainardi, M, Scabia G., Testa G., Scali M., Del Turco S., Desiato G., Berardi N., Sale A., Matteoli M., Maffei L., Maffei M., and Mainardi M.

Abstract

A deterioration in cognitive performance accompanies brain aging, even in the absence of neurodegenerative pathologies. However, the rate of cognitive decline can be slowed down by enhanced cognitive and sensorimotor stimulation protocols, such as environmental enrichment (EE). Understanding how EE exerts its beneficial effects on the aged brain pathophysiology can help in identifying new therapeutic targets. In this regard, the inflammatory chemokine ccl11/eotaxin-1 is a marker of aging with a strong relevance for neurodegenerative processes. Here, we demonstrate that EE in both elderly humans and aged mice decreases circulating levels of ccl11. Interfering, in mice, with the ccl11 decrease induced by EE ablated the beneficial effects on long-term memory retention, hippocampal neurogenesis, activation of local microglia and of ribosomal protein S6. On the other hand, treatment of standard-reared aged mice with an anti-ccl11 antibody resulted in EE-like improvements in spatial memory, hippocampal neurogenesis, and microglial activation. Taken together, our findings point to a decrease in circulating ccl11 concentration as a key mediator of the enhanced hippocampal function resulting from exposure to EE.

Published
2021

6. Reduced ccl11/eotaxin mediates the beneficial effects of environmental stimulation on the aged hippocampus

Author

Scabia, G., Testa, G., Scali, M., Del Turco, S., Desiato, G., Berardi, N., Sale, A., Matteoli, M., Maffei, L., Maffei, M., Mainardi, M., Palumbo, Sara, Scabia, G., Testa, G., Scali, M., Del Turco, S., Desiato, G., Berardi, N., Sale, A., Matteoli, M., Maffei, L., Maffei, M., and Mainardi, M.

Subjects
Chemokine CCL11, Aging, Neurogenesis, Immunology, Eotaxin, Hippocampus, Stimulation, Hippocampal formation, Environment, Settore BIO/09 - Fisiologia, Learning and memory, Inflammation, Neural plasticity, Animals, Mice, Spatial Memory, Behavioral Neuroscience, Neuroplasticity, Medicine, Cognitive decline, CCL11, Environmental enrichment, Endocrine and Autonomic Systems, business.industry, Animal, respiratory system, Neurogenesi, business, Neuroscience
Abstract

A deterioration in cognitive performance accompanies brain aging, even in the absence of neurodegenerative pathologies. However, the rate of cognitive decline can be slowed down by enhanced cognitive and sensorimotor stimulation protocols, such as environmental enrichment (EE). Understanding how EE exerts its beneficial effects on the aged brain pathophysiology can help in identifying new therapeutic targets. In this regard, the inflammatory chemokine ccl11/eotaxin-1 is a marker of aging with a strong relevance for neurodegenerative processes. Here, we demonstrate that EE in both elderly humans and aged mice decreases circulating levels of ccl11. Interfering, in mice, with the ccl11 decrease induced by EE ablated the beneficial effects on long-term memory retention, hippocampal neurogenesis, activation of local microglia and of ribosomal protein S6. On the other hand, treatment of standard-reared aged mice with an anti-ccl11 antibody resulted in EE-like improvements in spatial memory, hippocampal neurogenesis, and microglial activation. Taken together, our findings point to a decrease in circulating ccl11 concentration as a key mediator of the enhanced hippocampal function resulting from exposure to EE. A deterioration in cognitive performance accompanies brain aging, even in the absence of neurodegenerative pathologies. However, the rate of cognitive decline can be slowed down by enhanced cognitive and sensorimotor stimulation protocols, such as environmental enrichment (EE). Understanding how EE exerts its beneficial effects on the aged brain pathophysiology can help in identifying new therapeutic targets. In this regard, the inflammatory chemokine ccl11/eotaxin-1 is a marker of aging with a strong relevance for neurodegenerative processes. Here, we demonstrate that EE in both elderly humans and aged mice decreases circulating levels of ccl11. Interfering, in mice, with the ccl11 decrease induced by EE ablated the beneficial effects on long-term memory retention, hippocampal neurogenesis, activation of local microglia and of ribosomal protein S6. On the other hand, treatment of standard-reared aged mice with an anti-ccl11 antibody resulted in EE-like improvements in spatial memory, hippocampal neurogenesis, and microglial activation. Taken together, our findings point to a decrease in circulating ccl11 concentration as a key mediator of the enhanced hippocampal function resulting from exposure to EE.

Published
2021

7. Vascular Function Is Improved After an Environmental Enrichment Program

Author

Bruno, Rosa Maria, Stea, Francesco, Sicari, Rosa, Ghiadoni, Lorenzo, Taddei, Stefano, Ungar, Andrea, Bonuccelli, Ubaldo, Tognoni, Gloria, Cintoli, Simona, Del Turco, Serena, Sbrana, Silverio, Gargani, Luna, D'Angelo, Gennaro, Pratali, Lorenza, Berardi, Nicoletta, Maffei, Lamberto, Picano Eugenio, on behalf of Train the Brain Consortium. Full list of consortium members: Maffei L, Picano E, Andreassi MG, Angelucci A, Baldacci F, Baroncelli L, Begenisic T, Bellinvia PF, Berardi N, Biagi L, Bonaccorsi J, Bonanni E, Bonuccelli U, Borghini A, Braschi C, Broccardi M, Bruno RM, Caleo M, Carlesi C, Carnicelli L, Cartoni G, Cecchetti L, Cenni MC, Ceravolo R, Chico L, Cintoli S, Cioni G, Costa M, D’Angelo G, D’Ascanio P, De Nes M, Del Turco S, Di Coscio E, Di Galante M, di Lascio N, Faita F, Falorni I, Faraguna U, Fenu A, Fortunato L, Franco R, Gargani L, Gargiulo R, Ghiadoni L, Giorgi FS, Iannarella R, Iofrida C, Kusmic C, Limongi F, Maestri M, Maffei M, Maggi S, Mainardi M, Mammana L, Marabotti A, Mariotti V, Melissari E, Mercuri A, Molinaro S, Narducci R, Navarra T, Noale M, Pagni C, Palumbo S, Pasquariello R, Pellegrini S, Pietrini P, Pizzorusso T, Poli A, Pratali L, Retico A, Ricciardi E, Rota G, Sale A, Sbrana S, Scabia G, Scali M, Scelfo D, Sicari R, Siciliano G, Stea F, Taddei S, Tognoni G, Tonacci A, Tosetti M, Turchi S, Volpi L, Bruno, Rosa Maria, Stea, Francesco, Sicari, Rosa, Ghiadoni, Lorenzo, Taddei, Stefano, Ungar, Andrea, Bonuccelli, Ubaldo, Tognoni, Gloria, Cintoli, Simona, Del Turco, Serena, Sbrana, Silverio, Gargani, Luna, D'Angelo, Gennaro, Pratali, Lorenza, Berardi, Nicoletta, Maffei, Lamberto, Picano, Eugenio, on behalf of Train the Brain Consortium., Full list of consortium members: Maffei L, Picano, E, Andreassi, Mg, Angelucci, A, Baldacci, F, Baroncelli, L, Begenisic, T, Bellinvia, Pf, Berardi, N, Biagi, L, Bonaccorsi, J, Bonanni, E, Bonuccelli, U, Borghini, A, Braschi, C, Broccardi, M, Bruno, Rm, Caleo, M, Carlesi, C, Carnicelli, L, Cartoni, G, Cecchetti, L, Cenni, Mc, Ceravolo, R, Chico, L, Cintoli, S, Cioni, G, Costa, M, D’Angelo, G, D’Ascanio, P, De Nes, M, Del Turco, S, Di Coscio, E, Di Galante, M, di Lascio, N, Faita, F, Falorni, I, Faraguna, U, Fenu, A, Fortunato, L, Franco, R, Gargani, L, Gargiulo, R, Ghiadoni, L, Giorgi, F, Iannarella, R, Iofrida, C, Kusmic, C, Limongi, F, Maestri, M, Maffei, M, Maggi, S, Mainardi, M, Mammana, L, Marabotti, A, Mariotti, V, Melissari, E, Mercuri, A, Molinaro, S, Narducci, R, Navarra, T, Noale, M, Pagni, C, Palumbo, S, Pasquariello, R, Pellegrini, S, Pietrini, P, Pizzorusso, T, Poli, A, Pratali, L, Retico, A, Ricciardi, E, Rota, G, Sale, A, Sbrana, S, Scabia, G, Scali, M, Scelfo, D, Sicari, R, Siciliano, G, Stea, F, Taddei, S, Tognoni, G, Tonacci, A, Tosetti, M, Turchi, S, and Volpi, L

Subjects
Male, control groups, medicine.medical_specialty, Brachial Artery, Pulse Wave Analysis, 030204 cardiovascular system & hematology, 03 medical and health sciences, endothelial progenitor cell, 0302 clinical medicine, cognitive dysfunction, Internal medicine, medicine.artery, Internal Medicine, medicine, human, Brachial artery, Cognitive decline, humans, Pulse wave velocity, Aged, endothelial progenitor cells, Aged, 80 and over, Environmental enrichment, business.industry, control group, Area under the curve, Neuropsychology, Brain, vascular stiffness, Cognition, Middle Aged, medicine.disease, Exercise Therapy, Vasodilation, Cross-Sectional Studies, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cardiology, Female, Endothelium, Vascular, Alzheimer's disease, business, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Abstract

Environmental enrichment may slow cognitive decay possibly acting through an improvement in vascular function. Aim of the study was to assess the effects of a 7-month cognitive, social, and physical training program on cognitive and vascular function in patients with mild cognitive impairment. In a single-center, randomized, parallel-group study, 113 patients (age, 65–89 years) were randomized to multidomain training (n=55) or usual care (n=58). All participants underwent neuropsychological tests and vascular evaluation, including brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity, carotid distensibility, and assessment of circulating hematopoietic CD34+ and endothelial progenitor cells. At study entry, an age-matched control group (n=45) was also studied. Compared with controls, patients had at study entry a reduced flow-mediated dilation (2.97±2.14% versus 3.73±2.06%; P =0.03) and hyperemic stimulus (shear rate area under the curve, 19.1±15.7 versus 25.7±15.1×10 −3 ; P =0.009); only the latter remained significant after adjustment for confounders ( P =0.03). Training improved Alzheimer disease assessment scale cognitive (training, 14.0±4.8 to 13.1±5.5; nontraining, 12.1±3.9 to 13.2±4.8; P for interaction visit×training=0.02), flow-mediated dilation (2.82±2.19% to 3.40±1.81%, 3.05±2.08% to 2.24±1.59%; P =0.006; P =0.023 after adjustment for diameter and shear rate area under the curve), and circulating hematopoietic CD34 + cells and prevented the decline in carotid distensibility (18.4±5.3 to 20.0±6.6, 23.9±11.0 to 19.5±7.1 Pa −1 ; P =0.005). The only clinical predictor of improvement of cognitive function after training was established hypertension. There was no correlation between changes in measures of cognitive and vascular function. In conclusion, a multidomain training program slows cognitive decline, especially in hypertensive individuals. This effect is accompanied by improved systemic endothelial function, mobilization of progenitor CD34 + cells, and preserved carotid distensibility. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01725178.

Published
2018
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10. Effects of combined training on neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in patients with cognitive decline

Author

Cintoli, S., Radicchi, C., Noale, M., Maggi, S., Meucci, G., Tognoni, G., Bonuccelli, U., Sale, A., Berardi, N., Maffei, L., Picano, E., Andreassi, M. G., Angelucci, A., Baldacci, F., Baroncelli, L., Begenisic, T., Bellinvia, P. F., Biagi, L., Bonaccorsi, J., Bonanni, E., Borghini, A., Braschi, C., Broccardi, M., Bruno, R. M., Caleo, M., Carlesi, C., Carnicelli, L., Cartoni, G., Cecchetti, L., Cenni, M. C., Ceravolo, R., Chico, L., Cioni, G., Coscia, M., Costa, M., D'Angelo, G., D'Ascanio, P., Denes, M., Delturco, S., Dicoscio, E., Digalante, M., Dilascio, N., Faita, F., Falorni, I., Faraguna, U., Fenu, A., Fortunato, L., Franco, R., Gargani, L., Gargiulo, R., Ghiadoni, L., Giorgi, F. S., Iannarella, R., Iofrida, C., Kusmic, C., Limongi, F., Maestri, M., Maffei, M., Mainardi, M., Mammana, L., Marabotti, A., Mariotti, V., Melissari, E., Mercuri, A., Micera, S., Molinaro, S., Narducci, R., Navarra, T., Pagni, C., Palumbo, S., Pasquariello, R., Pellegrini, S., Pietrini, P., Pizzorusso, T., Poli, A., Pratali, L., Retico, A., Ricciardi, E., Rota, G., Sbrana, S., Scabia, G., Scali, M., Scelfo, D., Sicari, R., Siciliano, G., Stea, F., Taddei, S., Tonacci, A., Tosetti, M., Turchi, S., Volpi, L., Cintoli, S., Radicchi, C., Noale, M., Maggi, S., Meucci, G., Tognoni, G., Bonuccelli, U., Sale, A., Berardi, N., Maffei, L., Picano, E., Andreassi, M. G., Angelucci, A., Baldacci, F., Baroncelli, L., Begenisic, T., Bellinvia, P. F., Biagi, L., Bonaccorsi, J., Bonanni, E., Borghini, A., Braschi, C., Broccardi, M., Bruno, R. M., Caleo, M., Carlesi, C., Carnicelli, L., Cartoni, G., Cecchetti, L., Cenni, M. C., Ceravolo, R., Chico, L., Cioni, G., Coscia, M., Costa, M., D'Angelo, G., D'Ascanio, P., Denes, M., Delturco, S., Dicoscio, E., Digalante, M., Dilascio, N., Faita, F., Falorni, I., Faraguna, U., Fenu, A., Fortunato, L., Franco, R., Gargani, L., Gargiulo, R., Ghiadoni, L., Giorgi, F. S., Iannarella, R., Iofrida, C., Kusmic, C., Limongi, F., Maestri, M., Maffei, M., Mainardi, M., Mammana, L., Marabotti, A., Mariotti, V., Melissari, E., Mercuri, A., Micera, S., Molinaro, S., Narducci, R., Navarra, T., Pagni, C., Palumbo, S., Pasquariello, R., Pellegrini, S., Pietrini, P., Pizzorusso, T., Poli, A., Pratali, L., Retico, A., Ricciardi, E., Rota, G., Sbrana, S., Scabia, G., Scali, M., Scelfo, D., Sicari, R., Siciliano, G., Stea, F., Taddei, S., Tonacci, A., Tosetti, M., Turchi, S., and Volpi, L.

Subjects
Quality of life, medicine.medical_specialty, Aging, education, Psychological intervention, Neuropsychiatric symptom, Disease, Neuropsychological Tests, Settore BIO/09 - Fisiologia, 03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, Alzheimer Disease, mental disorders, Medicine, Dementia, Humans, Mild cognitive impairment, Neuropsychiatric symptoms, Non-pharmacological interventions, Physical and cognitive training, In patient, Cognitive Dysfunction, 030212 general & internal medicine, Cognitive decline, Aged, business.industry, Non-pharmacological intervention, Cognition, medicine.disease, Cognitive training, humanities, Physical therapy, Neuropsychological Test, Geriatrics and Gerontology, business, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery, Human
Abstract

Background and aims: Cognitive impairments associated with aging and dementia are major sources of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPs) and deterioration in quality of life (QoL). Preventive measures to both reduce disease and improve QoL in those affected are increasingly targeting individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at early disease stage. However, NPs and QoL outcomes are too commonly overlooked in intervention trials. The purpose of this study was to test the effects of physical and cognitive training on NPs and QoL in MCI. Methods: Baseline data from an MCI court (N = 93, mean age 74.9 ± 4.7) enrolled in the Train the Brain (TtB) study were collected. Subjects were randomized in two groups: a group participated to a cognitive and physical training program, while the other sticked to usual standard care. Both groups underwent a follow-up re-evaluation after 7months from baseline. NPs were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and QoL was assessed using Quality of Life-Alzheimer’s Disease (QOL-AD) scale. Results: After 7months of training, training group exhibited a significant reduction of NPs and a significant increase in QOL-AD with respect to no-training group (p = 0.0155, p = 0.0013, respectively). Our preliminary results suggest that a combined training can reduce NPs and improve QoL. Conclusions: Measuring QoL outcomes is a potentially important factor in ensuring that a person with cognitive deficits can ‘live well’ with pathology. Future data from non-pharmacological interventions, with a larger sample and a longer follow-up period, could confirm the results and the possible implications for such prevention strategies for early cognitive decline. Background and aims: Cognitive impairments associated with aging and dementia are major sources of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPs) and deterioration in quality of life (QoL). Preventive measures to both reduce disease and improve QoL in those affected are increasingly targeting individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at early disease stage. However, NPs and QoL outcomes are too commonly overlooked in intervention trials. The purpose of this study was to test the effects of physical and cognitive training on NPs and QoL in MCI. Methods: Baseline data from an MCI court (N = 93, mean age 74.9 ± 4.7) enrolled in the Train the Brain (TtB) study were collected. Subjects were randomized in two groups: a group participated to a cognitive and physical training program, while the other sticked to usual standard care. Both groups underwent a follow-up re-evaluation after 7 months from baseline. NPs were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and QoL was assessed using Quality of Life-Alzheimer’s Disease (QOL-AD) scale. Results: After 7 months of training, training group exhibited a significant reduction of NPs and a significant increase in QOL-AD with respect to no-training group (p = 0.0155, p = 0.0013, respectively). Our preliminary results suggest that a combined training can reduce NPs and improve QoL. Conclusions: Measuring QoL outcomes is a potentially important factor in ensuring that a person with cognitive deficits can ‘live well’ with pathology. Future data from non-pharmacological interventions, with a larger sample and a longer follow-up period, could confirm the results and the possible implications for such prevention strategies for early cognitive decline.

Published
2019

16. Effects of combined training on neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in patients with cognitive decline.

Author

Cintoli, Simona, Radicchi, Claudia, Noale, Marianna, Maggi, Stefania, Meucci, Giuseppe, Tognoni, Gloria, Bonuccelli, Ubaldo, Sale, Alessandro, Berardi, Nicoletta, Maffei, Lamberto, Train the Brain Consortium, Maffei, L., Picano, E., Andreassi, M. G., Angelucci, A., Baldacci, F., Baroncelli, L., Begenisic, T., Bellinvia, P. F., and Berardi, N.

Abstract

Background and aims: Cognitive impairments associated with aging and dementia are major sources of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPs) and deterioration in quality of life (QoL). Preventive measures to both reduce disease and improve QoL in those affected are increasingly targeting individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at early disease stage. However, NPs and QoL outcomes are too commonly overlooked in intervention trials. The purpose of this study was to test the effects of physical and cognitive training on NPs and QoL in MCI. Methods: Baseline data from an MCI court (N = 93, mean age 74.9 ± 4.7) enrolled in the Train the Brain (TtB) study were collected. Subjects were randomized in two groups: a group participated to a cognitive and physical training program, while the other sticked to usual standard care. Both groups underwent a follow-up re-evaluation after 7 months from baseline. NPs were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and QoL was assessed using Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease (QOL-AD) scale. Results: After 7 months of training, training group exhibited a significant reduction of NPs and a significant increase in QOL-AD with respect to no-training group (p = 0.0155, p = 0.0013, respectively). Our preliminary results suggest that a combined training can reduce NPs and improve QoL. Conclusions: Measuring QoL outcomes is a potentially important factor in ensuring that a person with cognitive deficits can 'live well' with pathology. Future data from non-pharmacological interventions, with a larger sample and a longer follow-up period, could confirm the results and the possible implications for such prevention strategies for early cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2021
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19. Randomized trial on the effects of a combined physical/cognitive training in aged MCI subjects: the Train the Brain study

Author

Maffei, L., Picano, E., Andreassi, M. G., Angelucci, A., Baldacci, F., Baroncelli, L., Begenisic, T., Bellinvia, P. F., Berardi, N., Biagi, L., Bonaccorsi, J., Bonanni, E., Bonuccelli, U., Borghini, A., Braschi, C., Broccardi, M., Bruno, R. M., Caleo, M., Carlesi, C., Carnicelli, L., Cartoni, G., Cecchetti, L., Cenni, M. C., Ceravolo, R., Chico, L., Cintoli, S., Cioni, G., Coscia, M., Costa, M., D’Angelo, G., D’Ascanio, P., Nes, M. De, Turco, S. Del, Coscio, E. Di, Galante, M. Di, Lascio, N. di, Faita, F., Falorni, I., Faraguna, U., Fenu, A., Fortunato, L., Franco, R., Gargani, L., Gargiulo, R., Ghiadoni, L., Giorgi, F. S., Iannarella, R., Iofrida, C., Kusmic, C., Limongi, F., Maestri, M., Maffei, M., Maggi, S., Mainardi, Marco, Mammana, L., Marabotti, A., Mariotti, V., Melissari, E., Mercuri, A., Micera, S., Molinaro, S., Narducci, R., Navarra, T., Noale, M., Pagni, C., Palumbo, S., Pasquariello, R., Pellegrini, S., Pietrini, P., Pizzorusso, T., Poli, A., Pratali, L., Retico, A., Ricciardi, E., Rota, G., Sale, A., Sbrana, S., Scabia, G., Scali, M., Scelfo, D., Sicari, R., Siciliano, G., Stea, F., Taddei, S., Tognoni, G., Tonacci, A., Tosetti, M., Turchi, S., Volpi, L., Mainardi, Marco (ORCID:0000-0003-2001-1287), Maffei, L., Picano, E., Andreassi, M. G., Angelucci, A., Baldacci, F., Baroncelli, L., Begenisic, T., Bellinvia, P. F., Berardi, N., Biagi, L., Bonaccorsi, J., Bonanni, E., Bonuccelli, U., Borghini, A., Braschi, C., Broccardi, M., Bruno, R. M., Caleo, M., Carlesi, C., Carnicelli, L., Cartoni, G., Cecchetti, L., Cenni, M. C., Ceravolo, R., Chico, L., Cintoli, S., Cioni, G., Coscia, M., Costa, M., D’Angelo, G., D’Ascanio, P., Nes, M. De, Turco, S. Del, Coscio, E. Di, Galante, M. Di, Lascio, N. di, Faita, F., Falorni, I., Faraguna, U., Fenu, A., Fortunato, L., Franco, R., Gargani, L., Gargiulo, R., Ghiadoni, L., Giorgi, F. S., Iannarella, R., Iofrida, C., Kusmic, C., Limongi, F., Maestri, M., Maffei, M., Maggi, S., Mainardi, Marco, Mammana, L., Marabotti, A., Mariotti, V., Melissari, E., Mercuri, A., Micera, S., Molinaro, S., Narducci, R., Navarra, T., Noale, M., Pagni, C., Palumbo, S., Pasquariello, R., Pellegrini, S., Pietrini, P., Pizzorusso, T., Poli, A., Pratali, L., Retico, A., Ricciardi, E., Rota, G., Sale, A., Sbrana, S., Scabia, G., Scali, M., Scelfo, D., Sicari, R., Siciliano, G., Stea, F., Taddei, S., Tognoni, G., Tonacci, A., Tosetti, M., Turchi, S., Volpi, L., and Mainardi, Marco (ORCID:0000-0003-2001-1287)

Abstract

Age-related cognitive impairment and dementia are an increasing societal burden. Epidemiological studies indicate that lifestyle factors, e.g. physical, cognitive and social activities, correlate with reduced dementia risk; moreover, positive effects on cognition of physical/cognitive training have been found in cognitively unimpaired elders. Less is known about effectiveness and action mechanisms of physical/cognitive training in elders already suffering from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a population at high risk for dementia. We assessed in 113 MCI subjects aged 65-89 years, the efficacy of combined physical-cognitive training on cognitive decline, Gray Matter (GM) volume loss and Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF) in hippocampus and parahippocampal areas, and on brain-blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) activity elicited by a cognitive task, measured by ADAS-Cog scale, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) and fMRI, respectively, before and after 7 months of training vs. usual life. Cognitive status significantly decreased in MCI-no training and significantly increased in MCI-training subjects; training increased parahippocampal CBF, but no effect on GM volume loss was evident; BOLD activity increase, indicative of neural efficiency decline, was found only in MCI-no training subjects. These results show that a non pharmacological, multicomponent intervention improves cognitive status and indicators of brain health in MCI subjects.

Published
2017

26. Social networks and wages in Senegal’s formal sector

Author

Berardi, N.

Subjects
ComputingMilieux_THECOMPUTINGPROFESSION, jel:O12, Social networks, Hiring channel, Wage differential, jel:J31
Abstract

We develop a theoretical framework that considers the role played by moral hazard and the diversity of networks and cultures in the choice of hiring channel. In favoritism contexts social networks, and particularly strong ties, are adopted as hiring channels for unskilled jobs and result in wage penalties, while otherwise the opposite happens. We estimate an endogenous switching model for the case of Senegal's manufacturing formal sector and find, consistently with our theoretical predictions in case of favoritism, that informal hiring channels are preferred to fill unskilled vacancies and are associated with a wage penalty, especially when ties are stronger.

Published
2013

31. Effects of neurotrophins on synaptic protein expression in the visual cortex of dark reared rats

Author

Cotrufo, Tiziana, Viegi, A., Mascia, L., Berardi, N., Maffei, L., and Universitat de Barcelona

Subjects
nervous system, Neurobiology, Sinapsi, Rates, Synapses, Còrtex visual, Visual cortex, Neurobiologia, Rats
Abstract

Total lack of visual experience [dark rearing (DR)] is known to prolong the critical period and delay development of sensory functions in mammalian visual cortex. Recent results show that neurotrophins (NTs) counteract the effects of DR on functional properties of visual cortical cells and exert a strong control on critical period duration. NTs are known to modulate the development and synaptic efficacy of neurotransmitter systems that are affected by DR. However, it is still unknown whether the actions of NTs in dark-reared animals involve interaction with neurotransmitter systems. We have studied the effects of DR on the expression of key molecules in the glutamatergic and GABAergic systems in control and NT-treated animals. We have found that DR reduced the expression of the NMDA receptor 2A subunit and its associated protein PSD-95 (postsynaptic density-95), of GRIP (AMPA glutamate receptor interacting protein), and of the biosynthetic enzyme GAD (glutamic acid decarboxylase). Returning dark-reared animals to light for 2 hr restored normal expression of the above-mentioned proteins almost completely. NT treatment specifically counteracts DR effects; NGF acts primarily on the NMDA system, whereas BDNF acts primarily on the GABAergic system. Finally, the action of NT4 seems to involve both excitatory and inhibitory systems. These data demonstrate that different NTs counteract DR effects by modulating the expression of key molecules of the excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter systems

Published
2003

34. Relationships and economic transactions

Author

PAGANI, LAURA, Berardi, N, GILLI, MARIO ROBERTO, BERARDI, NICOLETTA, PAGANI, LAURA, Berardi, N, GILLI, MARIO ROBERTO, and BERARDI, NICOLETTA

Abstract

The Leitmotive of my dissertation is the role that the networks of relations existing among economic agents play in their behavior and, thus, in economic outcomes. While networks play a crucial role on many dimensions, one of the most prominent and investigated features is that they are privileged channels of information diffusion. The first and second chapter of this thesis explore instances where social networks are information channels. They both belong to the stream of network literature focusing on links at the individual level and their relevance with respect to labor outcomes. The first chapter focuses on the hiring stage and the potential wage differential imputable to being hired through social networks. The chapter develops a theoretical framework that takes into account the effects of moral hazard concerns and the diversity of networks and cultures on the choice of hiring channels. This model rationalizes the emergence of either informal or formal hiring channels and of either positive or negative wage differentials for workers hired through informal channels, depending on circumstances. In particular, the prevalent way of perceiving the use of networks as hiring channel is determinant. Indeed, a worker hired through a personal contact may either feel indebted and grateful or, on the contrary, she may think that she is somehow favored and does not really need to exert as much effort as the other workers. Conditional on being employed, in contexts where favoritism is prevalent, social networks are likely to be adopted as hiring channels for unskilled jobs and to result in wage penalties and even more, the stronger the ties. In contexts where gratitude predominates, however, the opposite happens. The empirical analysis is based on firm and individual matched data from the 2003 Investment Climate Assessment survey of the World Bank on Senegal's manufacturing formal sector. It estimates an endogenous switching model, allowing for both endogenous selection and

Published
2011

35. Environmental enrichment potentiates thalamocortical transmission and plasticity in the adult rat visual cortex

Author

Mainardi, Marco, Landi, S, Gianfranceschi, L, Baldini, S, De Pasquale, R, Berardi, N, Maffei, L, Caleo, M., Mainardi, Marco (ORCID:0000-0003-2001-1287), Mainardi, Marco, Landi, S, Gianfranceschi, L, Baldini, S, De Pasquale, R, Berardi, N, Maffei, L, Caleo, M., and Mainardi, Marco (ORCID:0000-0003-2001-1287)

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that the complex sensorimotor and social stimulation achieved by rearing animals in an enriched environment (EE) can reinstate juvenile-like plasticity in the adult cortex. However, it is not known whether EE can affect thalamocortical transmission. Here, we recorded in vivo field potentials from the visual cortex evoked by electrical stimulation of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) in anesthetized rats. We found that a period of EE during adulthood shifted the input-output curves and increased paired-pulse depression, suggesting an enhanced synaptic strength at thalamocortical terminals. Accordingly, EE animals showed an increased expression of the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (vGluT-2) in geniculocortical afferents to layer IV. Rats reared in EE also showed an enhancement of thalamocortical long-term potentiation (LTP) triggered by theta-burst stimulation (TBS) of the dLGN. To monitor the functional consequences of increased LTP in EE rats, we recorded visual evoked potentials (VEPs) before and after application of TBS to the geniculocortical pathway. We found that responses to visual stimulation were enhanced across a range of contrasts in EE animals. This was accompanied by an up-regulation of the intracortical excitatory synaptic marker vGluT-1 and a decrease in the expression of the vesicular GABA transporter (vGAT), indicating a shift in the excitation/inhibition ratio. Thus, in the adult rat, EE enhances synaptic strength and plasticity of the thalamocortical pathway associated with specific changes in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission. These data provide novel insights into the mechanisms by which EE shapes the adult brain.

Published
2010

36. Reduced responsiveness to long-term monocular deprivation of parvalbumin neurons assessed by c-Fos staining in rat visual cortex

Author

Mainardi, Marco, Landi, S, Berardi, N, Maffei, L, Pizzorusso, T., Mainardi, Marco (ORCID:0000-0003-2001-1287), Mainardi, Marco, Landi, S, Berardi, N, Maffei, L, Pizzorusso, T., and Mainardi, Marco (ORCID:0000-0003-2001-1287)

Abstract

It is generally assumed that visual cortical cells homogeneously shift their ocular dominance (OD) in response to monocular deprivation (MD), however little experimental evidence directly supports this notion. By using immunohistochemistry for the activity-dependent markers c-Fos and Arc, coupled with staining for markers of inhibitory cortical sub-populations, we studied whether long-term MD initiated at P21 differentially affects visual response of inhibitory neurons in rat binocular primary visual cortex.

Published
2009

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