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Dakanalis A, Psara E, Pavlidou E, Papadopoulou SK, Antasouras G, Voulgaridou G, Kosti RI, Vorvolakos T, Mentzelou M, Ntovoli A, Chrysafi M, Androutsos O, Jacovides C, Serdari A, Giaginis C. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Interrelationships Among Mental Health, Nutritional Status and Lifestyle Factors of Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Pre- and Post-Covid Periods. Nutrients 2025; 17:249. [PMID: 39861378 PMCID: PMC11767919 DOI: 10.3390/nu17020249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2024] [Revised: 01/03/2025] [Accepted: 01/08/2025] [Indexed: 01/27/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES The COVID-19 pandemic has led to detrimental effects on diverse aspects of the mental and physical health of the general population worldwide. The elderly are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection compared to younger age groups. In this aspect, the purpose of the current survey is to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the interrelationships among the sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, depressive behavior, quality of life, cognition status, physical activity and nutritional status of older adults. METHODS The present study constitutes a comparative, cross-sectional study of 4162 older adults (mean age ± standard deviation: 72.13 ± 8.1 years and 75.22 ± 8.2 years in the pre- and post-COVID-19 periods, respectively, and a male/female ratio of almost 1:1). We used validated questionnaires to assess depression, cognition function, quality of life, physical activity and nutritional status of the elderly in the pre-Covid and post-Covid periods. Relevant questionnaires were also used for collecting sociodemographic data, while anthropometric data were measured using standard protocols. RESULTS The present study finds that the COVID-19 pandemic influenced, in an independent manner, residence location, smoking status, overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity, depressive behavior, quality of life, cognition behavior, physical activity levels and nutritional status of the elderly. The COVID-19 pandemic was also related to employment and living status as well as family economic status. Nevertheless, the above three relationships were insignificant in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic exerted deleterious effects on several aspects of the mental and physical health of the elderly, which appeared to strongly persist in the post-Covid period. Future prospective population-based and well-organized surveys should be conducted to establish whether there is a causality long-term effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on diverse aspects of the mental and physical health of the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Dakanalis
- Department of Mental Health, Fondazione IRCSS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via G.B. Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, Italy;
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Via Cadore 38, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Evmorfia Psara
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Lemnos, Greece; (E.P.); (E.P.); (G.A.); (M.M.); (M.C.); (C.J.)
| | - Eleni Pavlidou
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Lemnos, Greece; (E.P.); (E.P.); (G.A.); (M.M.); (M.C.); (C.J.)
| | - Sousana K. Papadopoulou
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.K.P.); (G.V.)
| | - Georgios Antasouras
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Lemnos, Greece; (E.P.); (E.P.); (G.A.); (M.M.); (M.C.); (C.J.)
| | - Gavriela Voulgaridou
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.K.P.); (G.V.)
| | - Rena I. Kosti
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Physical Education Sport Sciences and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42132 Trikala, Greece; (R.I.K.); (O.A.)
| | - Theophanis Vorvolakos
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, 68100 Thrace, Greece; (T.V.); (A.S.)
| | - Maria Mentzelou
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Lemnos, Greece; (E.P.); (E.P.); (G.A.); (M.M.); (M.C.); (C.J.)
| | - Apostolia Ntovoli
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Frederick University, Limassol 3080, Cyprus;
| | - Maria Chrysafi
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Lemnos, Greece; (E.P.); (E.P.); (G.A.); (M.M.); (M.C.); (C.J.)
| | - Odysseas Androutsos
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Physical Education Sport Sciences and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42132 Trikala, Greece; (R.I.K.); (O.A.)
| | - Constantina Jacovides
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Lemnos, Greece; (E.P.); (E.P.); (G.A.); (M.M.); (M.C.); (C.J.)
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.K.P.); (G.V.)
| | - Aspasia Serdari
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, 68100 Thrace, Greece; (T.V.); (A.S.)
| | - Constantinos Giaginis
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Lemnos, Greece; (E.P.); (E.P.); (G.A.); (M.M.); (M.C.); (C.J.)
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Wu X, Wu Y, Tang F, Wang Y, Li C, Wu S, Wang G, Zhang J. Foxq1 activates CB2R with oleamide to alleviate POCD. Brain Pathol 2025; 35:e13289. [PMID: 39046224 PMCID: PMC11669408 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a major concern, particularly among older adults. This study used social isolation (ISO) and multiomics analyses in aged mice to investigate potential mechanisms underlying POCD development. Aged mice were divided into two groups: ISO and paired housing (PH). Oleamide and the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) antagonist AM630 were administered intraperitoneally, while Foxq1 adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector was injected directly into the hippocampus. Intramedullary tibial surgeries were subsequently performed to establish the POCD models. Behavioral tests comprising the Y-maze, open field test, and novel object recognition were conducted 2 days after surgery. Hippocampal and serum inflammatory cytokines were assessed. Following surgery, ISO mice demonstrated intensified cognitive impairments and escalated inflammatory markers. Integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis revealed elevated oleamide concentrations in the hippocampus and serum of PH mice, with associative investigations indicating a close relationship between the Foxq1 gene and oleamide levels. While oleamide administration and Foxq1 gene overexpression substantially ameliorated postoperative cognitive performance and systemic inflammation in mice, CB2R antagonist AM630 impeded these enhancements. The Foxq1 gene and oleamide may be crucial in alleviating POCD. While potentially acting through CB2R-mediated pathways, these factors may modulate neuroinflammation and attenuate proinflammatory cytokine levels within the hippocampus, substantially improving cognitive performance postsurgery. This study lays the groundwork for future research into therapeutic approaches targeting the Foxq1-oleamide-CB2R axis, with the ultimate goal of preventing or mitigating POCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative MedicinePeople's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's HospitalZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Yuming Wu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Fudong Tang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative MedicinePeople's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's HospitalZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Yangyang Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative MedicinePeople's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's HospitalZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Chenxi Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative MedicinePeople's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's HospitalZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Su Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative MedicinePeople's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's HospitalZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Guangzhi Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative MedicinePeople's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's HospitalZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Jiaqiang Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative MedicinePeople's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's HospitalZhengzhouHenanChina
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Kassam K, McMillan JM. The impact of loneliness and social isolation during COVID-19 on cognition in older adults: a scoping review. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1287391. [PMID: 38045621 PMCID: PMC10690360 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1287391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic required implementation of public health measures to reduce the spread of SARS CoV-2. This resulted in social isolation and loneliness for many older adults. Loneliness and social isolation are associated with cognitive decline, however, the impact of this during COVID-19 has not been fully characterized. Objective The aim of this scoping review was to explore the impact of social isolation and loneliness during COVID-19 on cognition in older adults. Eligibility criteria Eligible studies occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, enrolled older adults and reported longitudinal quantitative data on both loneliness (exposure) and cognition (outcome). Sources of evidence A comprehensive search was conducted in CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, and Psychinfo databases (updated October 10, 2023). Charting methods Studies were screened independently by two reviewers and study characteristics, including participant demographics, loneliness and cognition measurement tools, study objectives, methods and results were extracted. Results The search yielded 415 results, and seven were included in the final data synthesis. All studies were conducted between 2019 and 2023. Six studies enrolled community-dwelling individuals while the remaining study was conducted in long-term care. In 6 studies, loneliness and/or social isolation was correlated with poorer cognitive function. In the seventh study, subjective memory worsened, while objective cognitive testing did not. Conclusion Loneliness and social isolation during COVID-19 were correlated with cognitive decline in older adults. The long-term effect of these impacts remains to be shown. Future studies may focus on interventions to mitigate the effects of loneliness and social isolation during future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jacqueline M. McMillan
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- O’Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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