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The effects of physical activity on cognition in older adults have been extensively investigated in the last decade. Different interventions such as aerobic, strength, and gross motor training programs have resulted in improvements in cognitive functions. However, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between physical activity and cognition are still poorly understood. Recently, it was shown that acute bouts of exercise resulted in reduced executive control at higher relative exercise intensities. Considering that aging is characterized by a reduction in potential energy ( V · O 2 max − energy cost of walking), which leads to higher relative walking intensity for the same absolute speed, it could be argued that any intervention aimed at reducing the relative intensity of the locomotive task would improve executive control while walking. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of a short-term (8 weeks) high-intensity strength and aerobic training program on executive functions (single and dual task) in a cohort of healthy older adults. Fifty-one participants were included and 47 (age, 70.7 ± 5.6) completed the study which compared the effects of three interventions: lower body strength + aerobic training (LBS-A), upper body strength + aerobic training (UBS-A), and gross motor activities (GMA). Training sessions were held 3 times every week. Both physical fitness (aerobic, neuromuscular, and body composition) and cognitive functions (RNG) during a dual task were assessed before and after the intervention. Even though the LBS-A and UBS-A interventions increased potential energy to a higher level (Effect size: LBS-A—moderate, UBS-A—small, GMA—trivial), all groups showed equivalent improvement in cognitive function, with inhibition being more sensitive to the intervention. These findings suggest that different exercise programs targeting physical fitness and/or gross motor skills may lead to equivalent improvement in cognition in healthy older adults. Such results call for further investigation of the multiple physiological pathways by which physical exercise can impact cognition in older adults.

Chronic HIV infection is characterized by persistent inflammation despite antiretroviral therapy (ART). Cannabinoids may help reduce systemic inflammation in people with HIV (PWH). To assess the effects of oral cannabinoids during HIV, ten PWH on ART were randomized (n = 5/group) to increasing doses of oral Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): cannabidiol (CBD) combination (2.5:2.5–15:15 mg/day) capsules or CBD-only (200–800 mg/day) capsules for 12 weeks. Blood specimens were collected prospectively 7–21 days prior to treatment initiation and at weeks 0 to 14. Plasma cytokine levels were determined via Luminex and ELISA. Immune cell subsets were characterized by flow cytometry. HIV DNA/RNA were measured in circulating CD4 T-cells and sperm by ultra-sensitive qPCR. Results from both arms were combined for statistical analysis. Plasma levels of IFN-γ, IL-1β, sTNFRII, and REG-3α were significantly reduced at the end of treatment (p ˂ 0.05). A significant decrease in frequencies of PD1+ memory CD4 T-cells, CD73+ regulatory CD4 T-cells, and M-DC8+ intermediate monocytes was also observed (p ˂ 0.05), along with a transient decrease in CD28–CD57+ senescent CD4 and CD8 T-cells. Ki-67+ CD4 T-cells, CCR2+ non-classical monocytes, and myeloid dendritic cells increased over time (p ˂ 0.05). There were no significant changes in other inflammatory markers or HIV DNA/RNA levels. These findings can guide future large clinical trials investigating cannabinoid anti-inflammatory properties.

It has been proposed that physical exercise can help improve upper limb functions in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients; yet evidence for this hypothesis is limited. To assess the effects of aerobic exercise training (AET) on general upper limb functions in sedentary people with PD and healthy adults (HA). Two groups, 19 PD patients (Hoehn & Yahr ≤ 2) and 20 HA, matched on age and sedentary level, followed a 3-month stationary bicycle AET regimen. We used the kinematic theory framework to characterize and quantify the different motor control commands involved in performing simple upper-limb movements as drawing lines. Repeated measures ANCOVA models were used to assess the effect of AET in each group, as well as the difference between groups following the training regimen. At baseline, PD individuals had a larger antagonist response, a longer elapsed time between the visual stimulus and the end of the movement, and a longer time of displacement of the stylus than the HA. Following the 12-week AET, PD participants showed significant decreases of the agonist and antagonist commands, as well as the antagonist response spread. A significant group session interaction effect was observed for the agonist command and the response spread of the antagonist command, suggesting a significant change for these two parameters only in PD patients following the AET. Among the differences observed at baseline, only the difference for the time of movement remained after AET. A 3-month AET has a significant positive impact on the capacity to draw lines in a more efficiency way, in PD patients, indicating an improvement in the upper limb motor function.

Background: With anti-inflammatory properties, cannabinoids may be a potential strategy to reduce immune activation in people living with HIV (PLWH) but more information on their safety and tolerability is needed. Methods: We conducted an open-label interventional pilot study at the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, Canada. PLWH were randomized to oral Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): cannabidiol (CBD) combination (THC 2.5 mg/CBD 2.5 mg) or CBD-only capsules (CBD 200 mg). Individuals titrated doses as tolerated to a maximum daily dose THC 15 mg/CBD 15 mg or 800 mg CBD, respectively, for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the percentage of participants without any significant toxicity based on the WHO toxicity scale (Grades 0–2 scores). Results: Out of ten individuals, eight completed the study. Two from the CBD-only arm were withdrawn for safety concerns: phlebotomy aggravating pre-existing anemia and severe hepatitis on 800 mg CBD with newly discovered pancreatic adenocarcinoma, respectively. Seven did not have any significant toxicity. Cannabinoids did not alter hematology/biochemistry profiles. CD4 count, CD4/CD8 ratio, and HIV suppression remained stable. Most adverse effects were mild-moderate. Conclusions: In PLWH, cannabinoids seem generally safe and well-tolerated, though larger studies are needed. Screening for occult liver pathology should be performed and hepatic enzymes monitored, especially with high CBD doses.

There is increasing evidence that executive functions and attention are associated with gait and balance, and that this link is especially prominent in older individuals or those who are afflicted by neurodegenerative diseases that affect cognition and/or motor functions. People with Parkinson's disease (PD) often present gait disturbances, which can be reduced when PD patients engage in different types of physical exercise (PE), such as walking on a treadmill. Similarly, PE has also been found to improve executive functions in this population. Yet, no exercise intervention investigated simultaneously gait and non-motor symptoms (executive functions, motor learning) in PD patients. To assess the impact of aerobic exercise training (AET) using a stationary bicycle on a set of gait parameters (walking speed, cadence, step length, step width, single and double support time, as well as variability of step length, step width and double support time) and executive functions (cognitive inhibition and flexibility) in sedentary PD patients and healthy controls. Two groups, 19 PD patients (Hoehn and Yahr ≤2) and 20 healthy adults, matched on age and sedentary level, followed a 3-month stationary bicycle AET regimen. Aerobic capacity, as well as performance of motor learning and on cognitive inhibition, increased significantly in both groups after the training regimen, but only PD patients improved their walking speed and cadence (all < 0.05; with no change in the step length). Moreover, in PD patients, training-related improvements in aerobic capacity correlated positively with improvements in walking speed ( = 0.461, < 0.05). AET using stationary bicycle can independently improve gait and cognitive inhibition in sedentary PD patients. Given that increases in walking speed were obtained through increases in cadence, with no change in step length, our findings suggest that gait improvements are specific to the type of motor activity practiced during exercise (i.e., pedaling). In contrast, the improvements seen in cognitive inhibition were, most likely, not specific to the type of training and they could be due to indirect action mechanisms (i.e., improvement of cardiovascular capacity). These results are also relevant for the development of targeted AET interventions to improve functional autonomy in PD patients.

Cannabis-based medicines (CBMs) could help reduce systemic inflammation in people with HIV (PWH). In a prospective, randomized pilot study we enrolled participants from August 2021–April 2022 with HIV, aged ≥18 and on antiretroviral therapy and randomly assigned them to cannabidiol (CBD) ± Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) capsules for 12 weeks with the primary objective being to assess safety and tolerability. Here we report on timeliness to study initiation, enrolment, compliance and retention rates. The target sample size was not reached. Two hundred and five individuals were approached, and 10 consented and were randomized; the rest refused (reasons: cannabis-related stigma/discomfort; too many study visits/insufficient time; unwillingness to undergo a “washout period” for three weeks) or were not eligible. The age of those randomized was 58 years (IQR 55–62); 80% were male. Only three met all criteria (30% enrolment compliance); seven were enrolled with minor protocol deviations. Compliance was excellent (100%). Eight (80%) participants completed the study; two (20%) were withdrawn for safety reasons (transaminitis and aggravation of pre-existing anemia). Time to study initiation and recruitment were the most challenging aspects. Ongoing work is required to reduce stigma related to CBMs. Future studies should find a balance between the requirements for safety monitoring and frequency of study visits.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of resistance training on hematological blood markers in older individuals. Twenty-nine men and women participated to this study. Subjects were randomized in 2 groups: (1) control (n=13) and (2) resistance training (n=16). At baseline and after the intervention, subjects were submitted to a blood sample to determine their hematological profile (red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, red cell distribution width). At baseline, no difference was observed between groups. Moreover, we found no significant difference after the intervention on any of these markers. A 6-month resistance program in healthy older individuals seems to have no beneficial nor deleterious effects on hematological blood parameters. However, resistance training was well tolerated and should be recommended for other health purposes. Further studies are needed to confirm these results in a large population.

Purpose Gait speed is associated with survival in older adults and it was suggested that an elevated energy cost of walking (Cw) is an important determinant of gait speed reduction. Thus far, little is known about the factors that contribute to a lower Cw but it was shown that lower body strength training could reduce the Cw. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between lower body strength and the Cw in a cohort of healthy older adults. Methods A total of 48 participants were included in this study (70.7 ± 5.4 years). After a geriatric and a neuropsychological assessment, participants underwent a fitness testing protocol which included a maximal oxygen uptake test, assessment of the Cw at 4 km h −1 on a treadmill, an isokinetic maximal strength test for the ankle, knee and hip joints and a body composition assessment. Relationships between strength variables and the Cw were assessed with partial correlations and linear regression analyses. Results Hip extensors and hip flexors peak torque was significantly correlated with the Cw ( r  = −0.36 and −0.32, respectively; p  < 0.05). A tendency towards significance was identified for the ankle plantar flexors ( r  = −0.25, p  = 0.09). Hip extensors peak torque was the only significant neuromuscular parameter included in the linear regression analysis ( p  < 0.05). Conclusion These results show that hip extensors are an important muscle group with regards to the Cw measured on a treadmill in this cohort of healthy older adults.

Le vieillissement est associé à de nombreuses modifications de l'organisme, reliées à des altérations des facteurs de risque des maladies cardiovasculaires (MCV). Dans ce cadre, une masse maigre importante est considérée comme étant bénéfique pour la sensibilité à l'insuline. Ainsi, l'exercice contre résistance est jugé comme la stratégie la plus efficace pour permettre cette adaptation, surtout chez les adultes. Toutefois, chez les personnes âgées, les résultats ne sont pas toujours probants. Une raison sous-jacente empêchant l'adaptation optimale aux effets bénéfiques de ce type d'intervention serait l'augmentation des dommages oxydatifs avec le vieillissement. La supplémentation en antioxydants durant l'exercice contre résistance pourrait aider à l'obtention de meilleurs résultats. En effet, plusieurs études ont démontré qu'une supplémentation en antioxydants pouvait avoir des effets bénéfiques sur différents paramètres biochimiques et des dommages oxydatifs. Toutefois, l'effet des antioxydants en combinaison des exercices contre résistance sur l'ensemble de ces paramètres n'a toujours pas été vérifié chez les personnes âgées. Ainsi, la mise à disposition d'une nouvelle méthodologie pourrait s'avérer intéressante pour cette population. L'objet de cette thèse était de vérifier l'impact de ces interventions (supplémentation en antioxydants et exercices contre résistance) dans la prévention des facteurs de risque des MCV chez des personnes âgées. Les hypothèses avancées étaient que les personnes ayant participé à la combinaison des interventions (supplémentation en antioxydants et exercices musculaires) présentent une amélioration plus importante des paramètres biochimiques, de la composition corporelle et des facteurs de risque de MCV que les personnes ayant été soumises à l'une ou l'autre des interventions. Pour y répondre, 73 personnes âgées (59-73ans, IMC<30kg/m 2 , sans incapacité physique ou médication influençant le métabolisme, non fumeur, buveur modéré, poids stable, pas d'ingestion d'antioxydant depuis un mois, non impliqué dans un programme d'exercices vigoureux) ont été recrutées et réparties aléatoirement dans 4 groupes (1: témoin; 2: exercices contre résistance; 3: supplémentation en antioxydants; 4: exercices contre résistance + supplémentation en antioxydants). Différentes mesures ont été réalisées avant et après 6 mois d'intervention: composition corporelle, sensibilité à l'insuline, métabolisme de repos, apport alimentaire, profils biochimiques (lipidique et oxydatif) et profil hématologique. Nous avons tout d'abord constaté une amélioration des paramètres antioxydants sans diminution des facteurs prooxydants du stress oxydant dans le groupe d'interventions combinées. Toutefois, nous avons obtenu une augmentation significative de la masse maigre et une tendance à l'amélioration de la sensibilité à l'insuline dans le groupe d'interventions combinées, alors que les autres groupes sont demeurés inchangés. Cependant, il n'a pas été possible d'observer d'évolutions significatives des paramètres biochimiques ou hématologiques, si bien que les facteurs de risque de MCV ne se sont pas déteriorés dans cette population après 6 mois. L'ensemble de ces données permettent d'avancer que la supplémentation en antioxydants combinée aux exercices contre résistance chez des sujets âgés sains ont des effets bénéfiques et n'engendrent pas de détérioration de l'état de santé comparé aux sujets témoins: c'est un caractère non négligeable dans l'objectif du mieux vieillir. Dans ce cas, de nouvelles perspectives de recherche doivent être dégagées, telles que d'expérimenter ces interventions avec des populations plus à risques ou pathologiques afin de maximiser ces hypothèses et nos résultats. Mots clefs: exercices contre résistance, supplémentation, antioxydant, hématologie, biochimie, composition corporelle, maladies cardiovasculaires, stress oxydant.