SVIBOR - Project code: 3-01-185

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Strossmayerov trg 4, HR - 10000 ZAGREB
tel.: +385 1 459 44 44, fax: +385 1 459 44 69
E-mail: ured@znanost.hr

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Project code: 3-01-185


Chronobiology of senile dementia


Main researcher: HODOBA, DANILO (2421)



Assistants
Type of research: applied
Duration from: 04/30/91. to 12/15/95.

Papers on project (total): 13
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 3
Institution name: Bolnica Vrapče, Zagreb (123)
Department/Institute: Department of Psychiatric Research, Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče
Address: 10090 Zagreb, Bolnička 32
City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 01 15 62 11
Fax: 385 01 15 41 37

Summary: Polysomnographic comparison of day-night vigilance in 8 elderly persons with vascular dementia (VD, mean age 75.3) and 14 elderly persons with senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT, mean age 76). Activity of cholinesterase and paraoxonase in serum of these persons was compared, as well as the activity of acetilcholinesterase and paraoxonase in the group of 75 demented old persons (VD N=14, SDAT N=47, mixed type N=11) was compared with the group of 45 healthy old persons. Polysomnographic analysis showed very disturbed cyclic organization of night sleep in all subjects, with fragmented sleep, suppression of restitutive sleep (deep sleep - phases III and IV). Data about REM sleep were inconsistent. Marked daily sleepiness was present in all subjects (sleepiness index - daily sleep/daily recording = 0.5). There was no statistically significant difference in the parameters of night sleep and daily alertness between the two groups of demented patients (VD, SDAT). Activity of cholinesterase and paraoxonase in serums of all the subjects, including the polysomnographically examined group, was lower than in the control group.

Keywords: senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT), vascular dementia (VD), polysomnography, sleep, alertness, vigilance, slow-wave sleep, REM sleep, cholinesterase, paraoxonase

Research goals: Comparison of the structure of sleep and daily alertness in elderly demented (SDAT, VD), elderly depressive patients and control group of old persons. Comparison of polysomnographic parameters regarding night vigilance (change of sleep phases) and parameters of daily alertness i.e. the quality of wakefulness, with the clinical picture, primarily the level of mental dissolution. Evaluation of the influence of non-pharmacological methods in treating old persons as to the increase of the level of daily alertness like for instance by means of conventional sensory stimulation (music, TV, intensive occupational therapy etc. Exploration of possible connection between the activity of enzymes regulating the level of acetil cholin (cholinesterase, paraoxonase) in serum of the patients with dementia, first of all SDAT. Evaluation of the influence of the activity of these enzymes on day-night vigilance - correlation of the activity of cholinesterase and paraoxonase in serum with certain phases of night sleep or the level of daily wakefulness and/or sleepiness. Results obtained: low level of daily alertness in SDAT and VD, fragmented night sleep with suppression of restitutive phases of sleep; there are no differences in parameters of daily wakefulness and night sleep between SDAT and VD; low level of activity of cholinesterase and paraoxonase in serum of demented patients in relation to the control group, regardless of the type of dementia. To be done: extension of polysomnographic recording of VD and SDAT groups for 10 more patients; polysomnographic recording of 10 old persons with serious depression (depression maior - DSM-III-R) and 10 persons of the control group; correlation of the activity of certain parameters of sleep and wakefulness with the activity of cholinesterase and paraoxonase in serums of all subjects. Expected results: 1. low level of daily alertness in demented persons in comparison with depressive persons and control group; 2. negative correlation of activity of cholinesterase and paraoxonase with the level of daily alertness and quality of night sleep.


COOPERATION - PROJECTS


  1. Name of project: 3-01-132 Pesticidi: Mehanizam djelovanja i distribucije u biosferi
    Name of institution: Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada
    City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia


COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS


  1. Name of institution: National Institute of Mental Health, Mental Disorders of Aging Research Branch
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Occasional exchange of information
    City: Bethesda, USA

  2. Name of institution: International Psychogeriatric Association
    Type of institution: State administration
    Type of cooperation: Systematic exchange of information
    City: Amsterdam, Nizozemska

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Last update: 10/10/95
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