Analysis of bone mineral density in older people of the community with Alzheimer's Disease and cognitively preserved

• Grant number: 20/02441-8
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): January 01, 2021
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal researcher: Stela Márcia Mattiello
• Grantee: Stéfany Gomes da Silva
• Home Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The demographic and epidemiological transition culminated in a mostly elderly population and, consequently, in high rates of non-transmissible chronic diseases, such as osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is a link between lower rates of bone mineral density (BMD) and the development of AD, besides, this neurodegenerative disorder is a risk factor to the development of osteoporosis and the other way around. Although it is described in the literature that both diseases can be correlated, little is known about the mechanisms that determine this relationship. Objective: This study aims to compare the total bone mineral composition of the body, of the lumbar region and the left femur among older people with preserved cognition (PC) and with AD, besides analyzing if there is a correlation between these two diseases influenced by BMD. Methodology: This is a transversal study which will be recruited 64 older people with PC and 64 participants with AD, in mild and moderate stages, totaling 128 participants of both sexes and aged 65 or over. The participants will have their bone mineral composition analyzed using the Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) device. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clinical Assessment of Dementia (CDR), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Pfeffer Scale will also be applied. Data analysis will be performed using SPSS 2.2 Software. To evaluate the normality and homogeneity of variances will be used the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Levene tests, respectively. The independent t-test will evaluate the comparison between groups for dependent variables, while the Chi-Square test of association will evaluate the comparison for categorical variables. The correlation between BMD and AD will be analyzed using Pearson's correlation test. A level of significance of 5% will be adopted for all analyzes. Expected results: Believed that older people with AD will have reduced BMD when compared to PC, as well as that there is a correlation between low BMD and AD, with greater intensity the greater the severity of the staging of AD.