In addition to hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle plays a pivotal role in cerebro- and cardiovascular disease and progressive cognitive decline, including vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The present study investigated whether controlling the key risks and participating in physical activity have a beneficial impact on these disorders. Elderly volunteers were enrolled in a 3-month program that consisted of structured exercise three times per week. The daily routine, medical treatment, and vital parameters were evaluated and correlated with the subjects' neuropsychiatric status. High blood pressure was found in 40% of the participants, with no significant differences between the sexes. A higher proportion of females (55%) than males (18%) forgot to take their medication during the observation period. Significant negative correlations were found between Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and age, lack of a caregiver, and increased pulse rate before or after exercise. These results suggest that the presence of home assistance and subsequent improvement in medication compliance, vital parameter optimization, and regular physical activity may yield better MMSE results and a lower risk for cerebro- and cardiovascular disease. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel

The objective of this study was to compare waveforms obtained with a new device for the non-invasive monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) in dogs with and without neurological disease. Materials and MethOds:This prospective study was conducted on both neurologically normal dogs and dogs with neurological diseases. First, non-invasive ICP waveforms were recorded in normal dogs using the Braincare® BcMM 2000 monitor while the dogs were under general anaesthesia induced for procedures unrelated to this study. The dogs were positioned in lateral recumbency, and the sensor was placed over the skin of the parietal region. Secondly, non-invasive ICP waveforms were monitored in dogs with brain and spinal disease until waveforms with characteristic peaks were acquired. All the recorded signals were amplified, filtered and digitalized, by the device, and then transferred to a computer for analysis.results: Normal pulse waveforms indicating normal brain complacency were observed in eight neurologically normal dogs. In six dogs with brain disease, abnormal pulse waveforms were observed suggesting increased ICP and decreased brain complacency. Four dogs with spinal disease undergoing myelography, had normal waveforms before contrast medium injection and abnormal pulse waveforms during contrast medium injection, indicating a potential increase in ICP. clinical significance: Based on these preliminary observations, this method was capable of detecting abnormal pulse waveforms that suggested increased ICP.

Diversos estudos demonstram que a atividade física reduz a pressão arterial, porém no que diz respeito aos exercícios resistidos, seus o efeito sobre a pressão arterial (PA) são controversos. O presente estudo centrou-se em avaliar e comparar o efeito hipotensor através da monitorização residencial da pressão arterial (MRPA), depois de uma sessão de exercício resistido realizada por idosos hipertensos em dois horários distintos do dia. Participaram do estudo 6 mulheres (66,6%) e 3 homens (33,3%), com média de idade de 70 ± 5,22 anos e diagnóstico prévio de hipertensão arterial sistêmica grau 1. Os indivíduos participaram de duas sessões de treinamentos com as mesmas características, sendo uma às 8 horas da manhã de uma segunda-feira e outra às 16 horas da tarde de quarta-feira da mesma semana, compostas por exercícios resistidos, com duração média de 60 minutos, combinado por 10 minutos de aquecimento específico. A pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD) foi obtida por equipamento oscilométrico oito vezes ao dia. As médias obtidas nas 48 horas de MRPA para a PAS e PAD não apresentaram diferenças significativas quando foi comparado o exercício às 8:00 horas com o realizado às 16:00 horas. No entanto, foi observada uma redução significativa da PAS pelo menos em um dos momentos estudados (11:00 horas) quando a sessão de exercício foi realizada pela manhã. Este fato não ocorreu quando a sessão de exercício foi realizada à tarde. Conclui-se que independentemente do período de realização dos exercícios resistidos em idosos hipertensos e destreinados, a PAS apresentou diferença quando comparada ao dia sem exercício. Além disso, no que diz respeito ao controle da PA, maiores benefícios foram encontrados quando o exercício foi praticado no período da manhã.