Brain Disorders (Sep 2023)
VRADA training system as a non-pharmacological dual intervention to alleviate symptoms of the pathophysiology of Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Eleni E. Tzekaki,
- Georgios Katsipis,
- Eleni G. Andreadou,
- Christos Mouzakidis,
- Eleni N. Baldimtsi,
- Eleni M. Karathanasi,
- Mary Hassandra,
- Evangelos Galanis,
- Antonis Hatzigeorgiadis,
- Marios Goudas,
- Paul Zikas,
- Giannis Evangelou,
- George Papagiannakis,
- George Bellis,
- Christos Kokkotis,
- Themistoklis Tsatalas,
- Giannis Giakas,
- Yannis Theodorakis,
- Magda Tsolaki,
- Anastasia A. Pantazaki
Affiliations
- Eleni E. Tzekaki
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases (LND), 57001, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Georgios Katsipis
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases (LND), 57001, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Eleni G. Andreadou
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases (LND), 57001, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Christos Mouzakidis
- Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (GAADRD), 54643, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Eleni N. Baldimtsi
- Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (GAADRD), 54643, Thessaloniki, Greece; 1st Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
- Eleni M. Karathanasi
- Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (GAADRD), 54643, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Mary Hassandra
- School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
- Evangelos Galanis
- School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
- Antonis Hatzigeorgiadis
- School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
- Marios Goudas
- School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
- Paul Zikas
- ORamaVR SA, Science and Technology Park of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Giannis Evangelou
- ORamaVR SA, Science and Technology Park of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- George Papagiannakis
- ORamaVR SA, Science and Technology Park of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece; Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- George Bellis
- Biomechanical Solutions Engineering (BME), Karditsa, Greece
- Christos Kokkotis
- School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece; Biomechanical Solutions Engineering (BME), Karditsa, Greece
- Themistoklis Tsatalas
- School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
- Giannis Giakas
- School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
- Yannis Theodorakis
- School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
- Magda Tsolaki
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases (LND), 57001, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece; Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (GAADRD), 54643, Thessaloniki, Greece; 1st Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
- Anastasia A. Pantazaki
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases (LND), 57001, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece; Corresponding author.
- Journal volume & issue
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Vol. 11
p. 100090
Abstract
In this study, a VR system called VRADA (VR Exercise App for Dementia and Alzheimer's Patients) was designed for physical and cognitive training forindividuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The inflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α, Alzheimer's disease (AD) hallmarks total tau, p181-tau, Αβ42 and Aβ40, the ratio of Aβ42/40 and p181-tau/Aβ42 were assessed on the blood serum of patients diagnosed with MCI to determine the effect of VRADA training. No significant differences were verified in the levels of inflammatory markers after the end of the study, however IL-1β levels of the VRADA group were significantly lower than those of the control group, at the follow-up of the study. Also, patients following VRADA intervention presented significantly higher Αβ42/Αβ40 ratio, and lower levels of Αβ42, of total tau, p-tau181, and of the crucial ratio p-tau181/Αβ42, in comparison with patients of the Control group. These results are promising for the further employment of the VRADA training during early dementia, and hopefully for halting the progression to AD.
