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Para avaliar-se o efeito do estresse crônico moderado sobre o envelhecimento, foi desenvolvido um modelo experimental utilizando-se ratos jovens e senis. Os ratos, machos e fêmeas, num total de 80 animais, foram divididos em quatro tratamentos sendo controle (C), estresse (E), estresse associado a um desafio imunológico (E+D) e E+D com uso de hormônio do crescimento (E+D+GH). O experimento teve a duração de 28 dias, com aplicação de estressores variados em dias alternados. Ao final do 28. dia os animais foram sacrificados e foi coletado material para análises. O timo, analisado histológica e morfometricamente, apresentou alterações condizentes com o processo de envelhecimento, tendo uma ausência de delimitação das camadas cortical e medular, diminuição da percentagem da medular em relação à cortical, tanto nos animais senis quanto nos jovens submetidos aos protocolos de estresse. O uso do GH promoveu uma hipertrofia tímica nos senis. O sexo não influenciou as camadas tímicas (p >0,005). A testosterona não sofreu influência dos protocolos, mas foi significativamente alterada em função do sexo e da interação protocolo X sexo (p <0,005), ao contrário dos níveis de estrógeno que sofreram influência do sexo e protocolo (p <0,001), com aumento nos animais dos protocolos E+D e E+D+GH, podendo sugerir uma resposta imunológica ao estresse. O peso do encéfalo sofreu influência do sexo e protocolos, com nível de significância de 0,005. As células da camada granular do giro denteado (GD) e a região CA4 do hipocampo também foram analisadas para verificação de alterações histológicas e morfométricas. Histologicamente os senis do protocolo E+D+GH, de ambos os sexos, apresentaram menor dispersão da camada granular e diminuição do número de neurônios hipercorados, sugerindo um efeito neuroprotetor para o GH. A expressão imunohistoquímica dos imunoproteasomas LMP2, LMP7, PA28α e α7 foram avaliadas no hipocampo. PA28α e α7 apresentaram imunomarcação fortemente positiva em todos os animais. A expressão do anticorpo anti-LMP2 e anti-LMP7 foi verificada nos senis e nos jovens submetidos ao estresse, indicando que o estresse simula o processo de envelhecimento cerebral. O uso do GH diminuiu a expressão de LMP2 nos senis e tornou negativa a imunorreação para LMP7. Diante destes resultados, pode-se inferir que o estresse crônico promoveu alterações histomorfométricas condizentes com o envelhecimento do timo e do hipocampo de ratos jovens e alterou os níveis de esteróides sexuais nos ratos de ambos os sexos, jovens e senis. O GH modificou o timo dos indivíduos senis, deixando-os com aspecto de timo de animais jovens. O mesmo foi histologicamente observado no hipocampo de ratos senis.

To evaluate the effect of moderate chronic stress on aging, it had been developed an experimental model using young and old rats. The rats, males and females, in a total of 80 animals, were divided into four treatments being them control (C), stress (E), stress associated with an immune challenge (E+D) and E+D with use of growth hormone…

Advisors/Committee Members: Joaquín Hernán Patarroyo Salcedo, Marlene Isabel Vargas Viloria, Rodrigo Siqueira-Batista, Ita de Oliveira e Silva, Luiz Alberto Santana, Adelina Martha dos Reis.

▼ Aspects of cholinesterase distribution were studied in both the central nervous system (CNS) and blood in relation to the- central cholinergic deficit in senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT). In the MAT neocortex, the - greatest loss of cholinergic-related acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was from the upper cortical layers. previous reports indicate that the majority of neuropathological, neurochemical and morphological changes occur in the lower cortical layers, suggesting that the 'cýolinergic deficit in SDAT may not be directly associated with the primary disease processes of this disorder. Furthermore, the study of-AChE molecular forms revealed that in both MAT and demented-Parkinson's disease subjects, the loss of neocortical AChE activity'is due'to a selective loss of the G4 . form of the enzyme. Hence, th6 cortical cholinergic changes in MAT way not'be uniquely associated with Alzheimer-type neuropathological changes. A similar extensive loss of the G4 form of AChE occured in the cholinergically-denervated rat hippocan-pus, indicating that this form is probably associated with cholinergic axonal processes and suggests that these structures degenerate in demented Alzheimer-type an d Parkinsonian cases. In contrast to AChE, ' the., physiological function of butyry1cholinesterase (BChE) is unknown. However, the different intracortical and inter-regional distributions. of AChE and BChE in the CNS, along vith the observation that despite reduced levels of ch6linergic activity in SDAT, BChE was unaltered, all suggest that BChE is not intimately associated with central cholinergic neurotransmission. In the blood, measurement of cholinesterase activity in MAT revealed normal levels of erythrocyte AChE and plasm BChE and elevated plasma AChE activity. The increased plasm AChE activity may reflect increased leakage, through the blood-brain barrier -and/or increased release from degenerating'cholinergic structures. %bilst these results confirm the involvement of the central cholinergic system in SDAT, they also, however, suggest that these chang es may be secondary to more fundamental pathological processes.

▼ The non-alcoholic fat liver diseases (NAFLD) have been presented, recently, as a novel component of the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), representing the oxidative stress a critical role in their progression. In this context, the present study aimed to assess the morphofunctional hepatic alterations and the redox balance in a murine model for the MetS induced by a high calorie diet, after treatment with tempol and apocinina. C57Bl/6 male mice, young (6-8 weeks) and elderly (53-57 weeks), were divided in four groups: control group (CT; n young=8 and n elderly=5), fed with chow diet (14% calories from lipids); DHC group ( n young=9 and n elderly=5), receiving hypercaloric diet for 14 weeks (58,4% calories from lipids); DHC + Tempol group ( n young=4 and n elderly=9), which received hypercaloric diet and treatment with tempol (50mg/kg) in the water for drinking; DHC + Apocinin group ( n young=4 and n elderly=9), fed with a hypercaloric diet and under apocinin treatment (50mg/kg) in the water for drinking. Metabolic and the redox state assessment, as well as the histological analyses were performed. After the end of the experimental period, young DHC animals were not shown to present significant weight gain, being the latter observed in the elderly DHC animals, when compared to CT group. The treatment with tempol and apocinin was not effective in modifying this parameter in both groups. The DHC animals, both young and elderly, showed fasting hyperglicaemia, and the treatment with tempol and apocinin did not change this profile. A significant improvement in the glucose tolerance was observed in the young animals after the treatment with apocinin, but the treatment with tempol failed to show so. In the elderly animals, a significant improvement in the glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity was identified after the treatment with tempol and apocinin. An elevated accumulation of visceral fat was identified in the DHC animals (young and elderly), so that the treatment with tempol and apocinin did not alter this profile. An elevated serum concentration of total cholesterol was shown in the young and elderly DHC animals when compared to the CT group, the same not happening to triglycerides, VLDL and lipid peroxidation in both groups, young and elderly. The pharmacological treatment was not shown to be effective in altering these serum parameters. In the young DHC animals, it was not observed significant changes in the enzymatic activities of the AST and ALT, as well as AST/ALT ratio, ALP, γ-GT, LDH, albumin and total proteins, when compared to the CT group. However, in the DHC elderly animals, and increased AST activity and AST/ALT ratio were observed among these parameters of hepatic assessment. The DHC animals, young and elderly, presented elevated lipid peroxidation and fat liver accumulation, with numerous fat vacuoles at histology. The pharmacological treatment with tempol and apocinin ameliorated, in a qualitative manner, the fat accumulation in the liver, both in the young and elderly animals, without,… Advisors/Committee Members: Rabelo, Luiza Antas, CPF:89353870453, RABELO, L. A., Menezes, Maria Emília da Silva, CPF:89476123400, http://lattes.cnpq.br/6013954511475818, Gitaí, Daniel Leite Góes, CPF:00755523458, http://lattes.cnpq.br/6533097100060916, Barreto, Emiliano de Oliveira, CPF:04552293761, Barreto, E. O..

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A obesidade é considerada a afecção nutricional e metabólica mais comum nas sociedades desenvolvidas, sendo definida como um transtorno patológico caracterizado pelo acúmulo de gordura em níveis muito superiores ao necessário para o ótimo funcionamento orgânico. Influenciados por diversos fatores, a expectativa de vida dos cães têm aumentado, tornando esta população cada vez mais composta por indivíduos idosos. Com o avançar da idade ocorrem alterações fisiológicas irreversíveis resultando em disfunções orgânicas, sendo que vários sistemas são acometidos por estas mudanças. Portanto, o conhecimento das principais alterações hematológicas e bioquímicas séricas que os cães obesos sofrem à medida que envelhecem, é de grande auxilio ao clínico de pequenos aniamais, podendo permitir uma melhor abordagem deste paciente. Nesse contexto, objetivou-se avaliar o perfil hematológico e bioquímico de cães adultos e idosos que sofram de obesidade de causa natural. No capítulo 2 foram avaliados os hemogramas de 30 cães adultos e 29 idosos, observou-se que independente da faixa etária e sexo, os cães não apresentaram alterações significantes de eritrograma e plaquetograma, mostrando apenas no leucograma um discreto aumento de células jovens sem leucocitose. No capítulo 3 foi avaliado o perfil bioquímico sérico destes mesmos animais, sendo que, independente da faixa etária ou sexo, a obesidade e a senilidade não interferiram nos valores da fosfatase alcalina, alanino aminotransferase, proteína total, albumina, creatinina, glicose, colesterol total e triglicérides. As globulinas apresentaram um discreto aumento em ambos os grupos. Nas fêmeas idosas a concentração sérica de GGT foi muito superior aos valores de referência adotados. Observamos também que para as duas faixas etárias as LDL-C foram as lipoproteínas de maior concentração sérica, seguidas pelas HDL-C e VLDL-C.

Obesity is considered the most common nutritional disorder in developed societies, being defined as a pathological disorder characterized by accumulation of fat at levels higher than necessary for optimal organ function. Influenced by several factors, the life expectancy of dogs has increased, making this population increasingly composed of elderly individuals. With advancing age, irreversible physiological changes occur resulting in organ dysfunction, and many systems are affected by these changes. Therefore, knowledge of the main hematological and serum biochemistry that obese dogs suffer as they age, is of great help to the clinician of small animals, potentially enabling a better approach to this patient. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the hematological and biochemical profile of dogs, and elderly adults suffering from obesity by natural causes. In chapter 2 we evaluated the blood counts of 30 adult dogs and 29 elderly dogs, found regardless of age and sex, dogs showed no significant changes in platelet and red blood cell, showing only a slight increase in leukocyte counts of young cells without leukocytosis. In chapter 3, we avaluated the serum…

Advisors/Committee Members: Carlos Gomes Ferreira, Antônio Vicente Mundim, Joely Ferreira Figueiredo Bittar.

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O aumento da esperança média de vida nem sempre garante uma vida com qualidade: o envelhecimento populacional aumenta a prevalência de doenças crónicas, como a demência. Quando associadas a quadros demenciais, as alterações biopsicossociais típicas da senescência dão-se a um ritmo mais acelerado. A perda progressiva da consciência e do conhecimento do próprio corpo, em particular, pode originar inúmeras problemáticas a nível intra e interpessoal, pondo em risco a autonomia do geronte. Encarando o corpo como instrumento e o movimento como método, a intervenção psicomotora pode assumir um papel determinante como um dos eventuais apoios de âmbito preventivo ou reabilitativo. Torna-se relevante, por isso, o aprofundamento do saber acerca do envelhecimento psicomotor, para otimizar os planos de intervenção com esta população. Neste sentido, o presente artigo aborda a imagem ou noção corporal na população geronte com e sem demência, refletindo sobre a prática psicomotora neste domínio.

A noção corporal é um dos fatores psicomotores que mais sofre alterações ao longo do envelhecimento especialmente nos quadros demenciais, pelo que se verifica a necessidade de aprofundar o conhecimento sobre este tema, para um planeamento mais ajustado da Intervenção Psicomotora. O presente estudo visa a análise da noção corporal de gerontes com demência, determinando os principais fatores que a influenciam (e.g.: género, escolaridade, tipos de apoio prestados, o grupo etário, o diagnóstico demencial, a medicação, a atividade física, a intervenção terapêutica). Foi utilizada uma amostra de 118 gerontes entre os 61 e os 99 anos (80.71±7.27), 80 do género feminino e 38 do género masculino, com demência (doença de Alzheimer, demência vascular e não-especificada), avaliada pelo domínio do conhecimento das partes do corpo da versão portuguesa do Exame Geronto-Psicomotor (EGP). Os resultados demonstraram que independentemente do diagnóstico, os gerontes com demência parecem apresentar uma noção corporal satisfatória; as variáveis que apresentaram diferenças significativas nos itens em estudo foram a medicação, a atividade física e a intervenção terapêutica (p<.05). As conclusões e limitações do estudo são descritas no final, recomendando-se o aprofundamento na área, para intervenções mais adequadas e centradas na pessoa.

Increasing average life expectancy doesn’t always guarantee a life with quality: population aging increases the prevalence of chronic diseases, such as dementia. The typical biopsychosocial changes of senescence, when associated to dementia, occur at a faster rate; in particular, the progressive loss of consciousness and knowledge of one's own body can cause intra and interpersonal problems, putting at risk the autonomy of the elder. Facing the body as an instrument and movement as a method, psychomotor therapy can play a determining role as one of possible preventive or rehabilitative support. Therefore, it is relevant to deepen the knowledge about psychomotor aging, to optimize the intervention plans with this population.…

Advisors/Committee Members: Santos, Ana Sofia Pedrosa Gomes dos.

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74 p.

The Earth population is getting older. It´s need that the new generation learns how to live together with elderly, recognizing its importance in value transmission and culture enrichment. The present work attempts to delineate elderly outline, its way of life and being, taking into consideration different points of view in previous scientific works, in order to contribute with importance of elderly role in society and improve its relationship with the new generations, especially considering the experiences of older indigenous Pataxó. It approaches historical, psychological, physiological, socio-economic, cultural and legal aspects that address indigenous elderly life conditions in relation to public policies of support and protection to the Brazilian elderly. The text is based on specialized bibliography, as well as notes and comments observed when Coroa Vermelha indigenous reserve has being visited.

A população da Terra está envelhecendo. É preciso que as novas gerações aprendam a conviver com o idoso, reconhecendo a sua importância na transmissão de valores e enriquecimento cultural. Este trabalho é uma tentativa de traçar o perfil do idoso, sua forma de ser e estar, considerando vários pontos de vista já existentes na literatura, objetivando contribuir com a valorização do papel do idoso e melhorar o relacionamento deste com as gerações mais novas, especialmente, considerando a experiência dos idosos indígenas Pataxó. Foram destacados os enfoques históricos, psicológicos, fisiológicos, socioeconômicos, culturais e legais que abordam as condições de vida do idoso indígena, na relação com as políticas públicas de amparo e proteção ao idoso brasileiro. O texto tem por base a bibliografia especializada, bem como anotações e observações a partir de visitas à Reserva Indígena de Coroa Vermelha.

Advisors/Committee Members: Redin, Euclides, http://lattes.cnpq.br/7949812265735134, Bock, Carlos Gilberto, http://lattes.cnpq.br/7196128657461045, CPF:46460829004, CPF:08590770044.

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The assessment of cognitive change in Alzheimer disease (AD) has been focus of a great deal of research attention in recent years. Neuropsychological assessment, along with clinical examination, provides a reliable and valid evaluation of the degree of cognitive decline in dementia. Whereas a great deal is now known about the cognitive deficits and the evolution of the early AD, not much is known about patients with severe cognitive deterioration, in part because of the limited sensitivity of the available tests. Assessment of the later stages of cognitive impairment is veryimportant in geriatrics. The aim of this study was to assess patients with early, moderate and severe Alzheimer disease by means of the Severe Impairment Battery (SIB), and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Forty-two patients with early, moderate and severe AD and met the criteria of the DSM-IV for AD, were assessed with the SIB which was translated into Greek language and MMSE. Additionally 23 patients who has not AD were assessed with the same neuropsychological tests. All patients were assessed two times. The mean score on the SIB in AD patients was 129,9±1,9 and in patients with no dementia was 89,3±26,8 Subgroups of patients with the most severe degree of dementia (MMSE scores 11 - 0) showed significant differences in their scores on the SIB. All cognitive domains showed a significant deterioration across the three severity groups as determined by the MMSE scores. Our study indicates that SIB is useful for the neuropsychological evaluation of severely demented patients. It is also useful for detection of the remaining cognitive functions in severely stages of AD.

Η άνοια τύπου Alzheimer είναι το συχνότερο ανοϊκό σύνδρομο και χαρακτηρίζεται από σταδιακή έκπτωση των γνωστικών λειτουργιών, η εκτίμηση της σοβαρότητας της οποίας σχετίζεται με τις γνωστικές και νευροπαθολογικές εκδηλώσεις της, ενώ οι επιπρόσθετες διαταραχές συμπεριφοράς και τα νευρολογικά συμπτώματα που εμφανίζει, απαιτούν ολοκληρωμένη εκτίμηση και συνολική αντιμετώπιση. Μεγάλος αριθμός νευροψυχολογικών δοκιμασιών που διερευνούν τις ανώτερες ψυχικές λειτουργίες σε σχέση με τις εγκεφαλικές δομές, έδειξαν ότι οι ασθενείς με ΝΑπαρουσιάζουν διαταραχή σε μεγάλο εύρος των γνωστικών λειτουργιών τους ενώ έχουν τη δυνατότητα να διαχωρίζουν αποτελεσματικά τις γνωστικές μεταβολές που είναι συνέπειες της προχωρημένης ηλικίας, από αυτές που οφείλονται στη ΝΑ. Οι νευροψυχολογικές αυτές δοκιμασίες μπορούν να καθορίσουν τα γνωστικά ελλείμματα που συνοδεύουν τη ΝΑ και να επισημάνουν τις διαταραχές στις γνωστικές λειτουργίες καθώς και τα χαρακτηριστικά τους που παρατηρούνται στα πρώιμα στάδια της νόσου. Η Severe Impairment Battery (SIB) είναι από τις πρώτες δοκιμασίες που δημιουργήθηκε για την αξιολόγηση ασθενών με βαρεία άνοια, οι οποίοι δεν μπορούν να ολοκληρώσουν τις συμβατικές νευροψυχολογικές δοκιμασίες. Η παρούσα μελέτη είχε σκοπό τη διερεύνηση των βαρέως ανοϊκών ασθενών που εμφανίζουν πιθανή νόσο Alzheimer με τη Ελληνική προσαρμογή της νευροψυχολογικής δοκιμασίας Severe Impairment…

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Theoretical thesis.

Bibliography: pages 260-281.

Introduction. My mother's story, my story  – Chapter 1. Reality effects : mapping issues in reality theatre  – Chapter 2. Missing the bus to David Jones, Theatre Kantanka  – Chapter 3. Sundowner, KAGE  – Chapter 4. Charting applied performance in dementia cultures  – Chapter 5. Narrative spaces : re-storying older adults living with a diagnosis of dementia  – Chapter 6. "I don't want to disappear": dementia and public autobiographical performance  – Conclusion. Revisiting my mother's story, my story.

This thesis examines a select group of verbatim and autobiographical theatre productions and applied performance practices which use words and stories about, with and by people living with a dementia diagnosis (older adults in the main). It highlights the many ethical, political and aesthetic issues arising from the paradox of theatres that rely on narratives from 'real' people being coupled with people not generally deemed to be 'real' (or even 'people'). In so doing, this thesis makes a critical contribution to theatre and performance studies scholarship by uncovering the scarcely explored relationship between narrative and the construction of 'reality' as 'normalcy' that determines 'reality theatre' practise and scholarship. It also investigates and challenges the regnant function of the story itself in dementia cultures (with implications for applied theatre scholarship) as well as in 'reality theatre'.

In the progress of one of the diseases in the dementia group, memory, cognitive and linguistic capacities, and narrative fitness will be compromised, at some stages, quite severely. Almost from the moment of diagnosis, people become enmeshed in socio-cultural discourses casting them as 'strangers' or the 'living dead' and not as 'real people', often losing their claim to personhood as a consequence. Using a distinctive set of case studies from Australia and the United States of America, this thesis considers how people diagnosed with dementia are represented to publics, as well as the emergng ways in which people represent themselves, assessing to what extent the 'right kind' of dementia story, one of tragedy, loss of personhood and socio-economic crisis is told. This thesis further proposes that Richard Schechner's concept of 'performance consciousness' can re-cast people living with dementia in terms of possibility, not just in terms of tragedy and loss, reframing particular bahviours and actions as creative adaptations rather than just as deficit exemplars of insidious diseases.

1 online resource (xii, 281 pages) colour illustrations, colour portraits

Advisors/Committee Members: Macquarie University. Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies.