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Dehydration and Cognition in Geriatrics: A Hydromolecular Hypothesis
Adonis Sfera1, Michael Cummings2, Carolina Osorio3
1Department of Psychiatry, Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda, USA; Patton State HospitalPatton, USA.
Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences
|June 3, 2016
Summary
Dehydration in the elderly is linked to cognitive decline. This study explores if correcting dehydration and using exosomal miR-6842 can prevent cognitive issues in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Dehydration is a leading cause of hospitalization in the elderly, increasing mortality and healthcare costs.
- Older adults are susceptible to dehydration encephalopathy due to reduced total body water and impaired thirst sensation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microRNA-6842-3p in thirst blunting and dehydration encephalopathy in the elderly.
- To determine if preventing and correcting dehydration can mitigate age-related cognitive decline.
- To assess the potential of exosomal miR-6842 in peripheral blood as a biomarker for dehydration encephalopathy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the miRDB tool to search for predicted microRNA targets.
- Investigated the modulation of SLC6A1 and CHRNA7 genes by microRNA-6842-3p.
- Examined the link between microRNA-6842-3p, vesicular GABA transporters (VGAT), and alpha 7 nicotinic receptors in the subfornical organ (SFO).
Main Results:
- microRNA-6842-3p was found to modulate SLC6A1 and CHRNA7 genes, previously implicated in inhibiting thirst sensation.
- Hypothesized defective microRNA-6842-3p leads to increased VGAT and alpha 7 nicotinic receptor expression, causing thirst blunting.
- Dehydration may facilitate protein misfolding and aggregation, contributing to neurocognitive disorders.
Conclusions:
- Defective microRNA-6842-3p may underlie thirst blunting and dehydration encephalopathy in the elderly.
- Preventing and correcting dehydration could potentially reduce age-related cognitive deterioration.
- Exosomal miR-6842 may serve as a predictive biomarker for dehydration encephalopathy in older adults.
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