Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026
14:04
Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotion Regulation
Published on: August 26, 2011
Pain and the aging brain: beyond association toward action
Kianoush Saberi1, Nikki Ghadiminia2, Roya Yadkar3
1Department of Anesthesiology, Medical Faculty, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research
|June 29, 2026
Summary
Chronic pain in older adults is linked to cognitive decline. This study in Iran highlights potential issues with how pain and cognition were measured, suggesting future research needs more detailed assessments.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Chronic pain is prevalent in over 50% of older adults.
- A growing body of evidence suggests a link between chronic pain and cognitive decline.
- This relationship has significant implications for healthy aging and quality of life in the elderly population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between chronic pain and cognitive decline in older adults.
- To investigate this relationship within a specific understudied population in Iran.
- To identify potential methodological considerations for future research in this area.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 1,343 older adults participating in the Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study.
- Utilized a large, population-based cohort with DAG-guided covariate selection.
- Assessed chronic pain via a single measurement and cognitive function using a composite definition.
Main Results:
- The study identified a potential association between chronic pain and cognitive decline in the studied cohort.
- A high prevalence of cognitive decline (59.6%) was reported based on a composite definition.
- Methodological limitations regarding pain assessment, covariate adjustment, and cognitive definition were noted.
Conclusions:
- While the study explored a critical relationship, methodological limitations necessitate cautious interpretation of findings.
- Future research should employ longitudinal pain assessments and validated cognitive measures.
- Distinguishing between single-site and multisite pain and employing robust causal modeling are recommended for clearer insights.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Aging
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
01:23Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
01:29Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
01:14Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the cerebellum's...