Article 4: Strategies for Successful Aging: A Research Update (Harmell, Jeste, Depp) Flashcards
1
Q
Introduction
A
- psychiatric disorders= accelerated ageing
* no consensus on definition of successful ageing
2
Q
Relevance to Psychiatry
A
- between 1 and 2 decades lost bc of mental illness
* biomarkers (telomeres)
3
Q
Physical Activity
A
• physical activity prevents illness, cognitive decline, helps with mental illness
4
Q
Cognitive Stimulation/Remediation
A
- neuroplasticity preserved into later life
- reading/puzzle etc, cognitively stimulating activities reduce risk of dementia, cognitive decline in ppl with dementia, improves memory performance, executive functioning, processing speed, attention, fluid intelligence, and subjective cognitive performance
- in patients with schizophrenia, tablets and computerized cognitive training programs have shown some success in improving neuropsychological functioning
- helps with mental illnesses
5
Q
Diet/Nutrition
A
- caloric restriction longevity in rodents, humans to some extent
- obesity risk of dementia, cognitive impairment in schizo and bipo
- isolated supplements (e.g. Vitamin D): no effect
- dietary patterns, in particular the Mediterranean diet, have shown associations with reduced rates of depression [31] and lower risk for cognitive decline
6
Q
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
A
• yoga and meditation improved sleep, well being, mental illness meditation: reduction of age-related cognitive decline
7
Q
Social Engagement
A
- strong protective factor for health
- reduction in network complexity = reduction of cognitive functioning
- better mental health
8
Q
Positive Psychological Traits
A
• resilience, adaptability and optimism genetics, environment
9
Q
Conclusions
A
• attaining precision around the type, frequency, and dose of ageing strategies is highly challenging and perhaps impossible to estimate
