2005

Eur J Endocrinol. 2005 Apr;152(4):605-10.
Mini-Mental State Examination is superior to plasma glucose concentrations in monitoring patients with suspected hypoglycaemic disorders during the 72-hour fast.
Wiesli P, Schwegler B, Schmid B, Spinas GA, Schmid C.
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether systematic evaluation of cognitive function by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) allows the objective detection and documentation of cognitive deterioration in patients referred for evaluation of suspected hypoglycaemic disorders by the 72-h fast. DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: In 50 patients referred for evaluation of suspected hypoglycaemic disorders, the MMSE score (maximum 30 points) was assessed at the start and at the end of the fast. RESULTS: The fast was terminated before 72 h in 14 patients because they developed neuroglycopenic symptoms due to hypoglycaemic disorders. Their MMSE score fell from a median of 29 points (range 20-30) at the beginning to 17 points (range 0-24) at the termination of the fast. The score dropped by > or =6 points in all patients with hypoglycaemic disorders. Median (range) plasma glucose concentration at the end of the fast was 2.1 (1.1-2.5) mmol/l. Thirty-six individuals developed no neuroglycopenic symptoms throughout the 72-h fast, their MMSE score remained between 27 and 30 throughout the fast and their median plasma glucose concentration dropped to 2.9 (2-3.6) mmol/l. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic evaluation of cognitive function by the MMSE at the beginning and at the termination of the fast allows objective determination and documentation of the deterioration of the cognitive state in patients with hypoglycaemic disorders. A decline in the cognitive performance by > or =6 points in the MMSE score rather than a distinct plasma glucose concentration should be used as the criterion to terminate the prolonged fast before 72 h.

2000

J Nutr Health Aging 2000;4(3):182-186
Effects of Age and Dietary Restriction on Lifespan and Oxidative Stress of SAMP8 Mice with Learning and Memory impairments.
Choi J, Kim D.
Faculty of Food Science and Biotechnology, Pukyong National University; 599-1 Daeyeon-Dong, Nam-Gu, Pusan 608-737, Korea.

This study was to evaluate the effect of dietary restriction (DR) on lifespan and oxidative stress of dementia mouse model SAMP8 with impaired learning and memory. SAMP8 female mice were fed either ad libitum (AL) or fed 60% of food intake of AL. Results showed that basal metabolic rates (BMR) were significantly lower (15 to 22%) in DR with increased median and maximum lifespans, suggesting feed and gross efficiencies were significantly lower in DR than in AL. Grading score of senescence resulted in a marked improvement about 2-fold by DR compared with AL. The amounts of lipofuscin at 12 months were significantly lowered 16% in DR than that of AL. Median and maximal lifespans significantly increased (28.5% and 16.4%, respectively) by DR, and also lowered superoxide radical about 15~45% in DR compared with AL at 4, 8 and 12 months of age. On the other hand, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were higher (about 15~30%) in DR than those in AL group of SAMP8 except for 4 months of age. Our results suggest that 40% calorie restricted SAMP8 can effectively suppress dementia-related abnormalities during aging.

1991

Zh Nevropatol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 1991;91(4):101-4
Fasting-diet therapy of elderly patients with borderline mental disorders.
Polishchuk IuI

ABSTRACT: During the fasting dietetic therapy (FDT), 89 patients aged 46 to 75 years with mental disorders of nonpsychotic character (neurosis-like, neurotic and affective) were examined. The time-course of changes in the clinical status of patients with cerebral atherosclerosis, essential hypertension, slow-progredient schizophrenia, cyclothymia and manic-depressive psychosis, neuroses and lingering neurotic reactions during the FDT is described. The beneficial results in the form of considerable improvement and improvement of the mental status were attained in 83.2% of the patients. The elderly patients were found to tolerate FDT well. Side effects and somatic complications were recorded in 6 patients and were not serious. Based on the data obtained the FDT can be recommended for use on a wider basis in the management of elderly patients with borderline mental disorders.