Present data demonstrate that the increase in LVM prevalent in human essential hypertension is directly associated with serum GH levels and inversely related to circulating IGF-1.

Background Dementia represents a key health issue for older adults, with negative consequences on psycho-social and functional status. Treatments that counteract cognitive deficits in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are needed to prevent or delay it. Aim To describe the experimental protocol of the STRENGTH Project. This study investigates a multimodal intervention in older adults with MCI to improve cognitive, functional, biochemical and psycho-social aspects. Methods The prospective randomised controlled trial will enrol 300 subjects with MCI (age ≥ 60 years). Participants will be randomly assigned to: (a) the experimental group, which will undergo sessions of adapted tango, music therapy, engagement in social activities, cognitive intervention and psycho-education for 6 months or (b) the control group, which will receive psycho-education and advice on healthy lifestyle for 6 months. All outcomes will be analysed before intervention (baseline), immediately after termination (follow-up 1), after 6 months (follow-up 2) and after 2 years (follow-up 3). Discussion We expect that the findings of this multidisciplinary study will be useful to optimize clinical and psycho-social interventions for improving cognitive and functional status of subjects with MCI. Conclusions This project could have a meaningful impact on National Health Systems by providing clues on multidisciplinary management of older adults affected by cognitive decline to prevent dementia.

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Based on most recent randomized controlled trials, levosimendan, although effective for the treatment of acute heart failure, can't be recommended as standard therapy for the management of heart surgery patients. Further studies are needed to clarify whether selected subgroups of heart surgery patients may benefit from perioperative levosimendan infusion.