The ability to modulate peripersonal and extrapersonal reach space via tool use among the elderly

2013 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Caçola ◽  
Amanda Martinez ◽  
Christopher Ray
Keyword(s):  
Tool Use ◽  
1970 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Gabbard ◽  
Priscila Caçola

Abstract: This study examined the age-related ability to mentally represent action in the context of reach estimation via use of motor imagery in children, young adults, and a group of older adults. Participants were instructed to estimate whether randomly presented targets in peripersonal (within actual reach) and extrapersonal (beyond reach) space were within or out of reach of their dominant limb while seated. In regard to total accuracy, results indicated that children and older adults were similar, but scores were significantly lower than those of young adults. Whereas all groups displayed greater error in extrapersonal space, once again children and older adults were similar, but significantly different than young adults. That is, children and older adults displayed greater overestimation responses. Although other factors are discussed, the literature provides a hint that differences are due in part to distinctions in brain structure and functioning. Key Words: Mental representation, motor imagery, action processing. 


2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 7-13
Author(s):  
Carl Gabbard ◽  
Priscila Caçola

This study examined the age-related ability to mentally represent action in the context of reach estimation via use of motor imagery in children, young adults, and a group of older adults. Participants were instructed to estimate whether randomly presented targets in peripersonal (within actual reach) and extrapersonal (beyond reach) space were within or out of reach of their dominant limb while seated. In regard to total accuracy, results indicated that children and older adults were similar, but scores were significantly lower than those of young adults. Whereas all groups displayed greater error in extrapersonal space, once again children and older adults were similar, but significantly different than young adults. That is, children and older adults displayed greater overestimation responses. Although other factors are discussed, the literature provides a hint that differences are due in part to distinctions in brain structure and functioning.


2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Caçola

This study examined lifespan characteristics associated with tool use in the modulation of peripersonal and extrapersonal space. Three age groups: Children (7-12 years), Young Adults (19-23 years), and Older Adults (65-92 years) were presented with two experiments using an estimation of reach paradigm involving arm and tool conditions and a switch-block of the opposite condition. Experiment 1 tested Arm and Tool (20 cm length) estimation and switch-block conditions (from Arm to Tool and Tool to Arm) and found a significant effect for Age and Condition (ps <.05). Post-hoc analysis for Age indicated that children were significantly less accurate than young and older adults. Analysis for condition revealed significant differences for the Arm Switch-Block condition (Retraction) when compared to Tool and Arm estimations. Experiment 2 was similar to Experiment 1 with the exception of using a 40 cm length tool. Results were analogous to those found in Experiment 1. Considered together, these results hint that: (1) the ability to be as accurate when estimating reach with a tool and arm is present across the lifespan, (2) development and decline of action representation follow distinct paths, and (3) retraction of space seems to be more difficult than extension.


Author(s):  
J. Jacob ◽  
M.F.M. Ismail

Ultrastructural changes have been shown to occur in the urinary bladder epithelium (urothelium) during the life span of humans. With increasing age, the luminal surface becomes more flexible and develops simple microvilli-like processes. Furthermore, the specialised asymmetric structure of the luminal plasma membrane is relatively more prominent in the young than in the elderly. The nature of the changes at the luminal surface is now explored by lectin-mediated adsorption visualised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Samples of young adult (21-31 y old) and elderly (58-82 y old) urothelia were fixed in buffered 2% glutaraldehyde for 10 m and washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing Ca++ and Mg++ at room temperature. They were incubated overnight at 4°C in 0.1 M ammonium chloride in PBS to block any remaining aldehyde groups. The samples were then allowed to stand in PBS at 37°C for 2 h before incubation at 37°C for 30 m with lectins. The lectins used were concanavalin A (Con A), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) at a concentration of 500 mg/ml in PBS at pH 7.A.


1988 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 516-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Mann ◽  
TJ Bomberg ◽  
JM Holtzman ◽  
DB Berkey
Keyword(s):  

Author(s):  
Angel L. Ball ◽  
Adina S. Gray

Pharmacological intervention for depressive symptoms in institutionalized elderly is higher than the population average. Among the patients on such medications are those with a puzzling mix of symptoms, diagnosed as “dementia syndrome of depression,” formerly termed “pseudodementia”. Cognitive-communicative changes, potentially due to medications, complicate the diagnosis even further. This discussion paper reviews the history of the terminology of “pseudodementia,” and examines the pharmacology given as treatment for depressive symptoms in the elderly population that can affect cognition and communication. Clinicians can reduce the risk of misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment by having an awareness of potential side effects, including decreased attention, memory, and reasoning capacities, particularly due to some anticholinergic medications. A team approach to care should include a cohesive effort directed at caution against over-medication, informed management of polypharmacology, enhancement of environmental/communication supports and quality of life, and recognizing the typical nature of some depressive signs in elderly institutionalized individuals.


Haemophilia ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 428-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Godreuil ◽  
R. Navarro ◽  
P. Quittet ◽  
L. Landreau ◽  
J-F. Schved ◽  
...  

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