Daniela Cecilia Thumala | Universidad de Chile (original) (raw)
Papers by Daniela Cecilia Thumala
Alzheimer's & Dementia
BackgroundDementia is one of the mean causes of disability in elderly. Peripheral inflammatory bi... more BackgroundDementia is one of the mean causes of disability in elderly. Peripheral inflammatory biomarkers and ApoE‐ε4 allele have been described as important biological risk factors of dementia in Caucasian population. Currently, there is scarce information about the specific age‐related and predisposition factors to develop dementia in Latino populations. The aim of this study is to investigate these biological risks factors in Chilean elderly with healthy and pathological brain ageing.MethodWe evaluated and quantified plasma samples obtained from the GERO cohort (114 elderly subjects, >70 years, classified in 51 subjects with subjective cognitive complaint (SCC) and 63 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)), in addition to 36 healthy brain controls (HBC) and 31 subjects with Alzheimer’s disease dementia (ADD). Genotyping of ApoE gene was analyzed by qPCR. We analyzed inflammatory biomarkers using Luminex technique including IL‐2, IL‐6, IL‐10, TNF‐α, CRP and SAP proteins. All sub...
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
Alzheimers & Dementia, Dec 1, 2022
BackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic has impacted the wellbeing of older adults. Pandemic‐related stre... more BackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic has impacted the wellbeing of older adults. Pandemic‐related stress has implications on cognitive status, including decline due to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Yet, evidence suggests that COVID‐19 has impacted culturally and linguistically diverse communities differently. We sought to examine the role of COVID‐19 on coping and wellbeing in an international, multi‐ethnic sample of older adults.MethodData from 955 older adults (age = 66.7±7.9 years; education = 15.2±5.9 years; 71% female; 41% Hispanic/Latino) were pulled from a larger, international sample examining the response of older adults to COVID‐19. All participants completed demographic questionnaires, measures of psychological distress, the Brief‐COPE – a 28‐item self‐report questionnaire used to measure respondent’s efforts to minimize distress from a stressful life event – and the Epidemic‐Pandemic Impacts Inventory (EPII) – a 92‐item inventory of pandemic related experiences across several life domains. Using linear regression, we examined relationships between Brief‐COPE scores, ethnicity, and select EPII items controlling for several covariates (age, sex, education, marital status, number of children, employment status, household income, and history of COVID‐19 symptoms) in all analyses.ResultHispanic/Latino (H/L) ethnicity was associated with slightly higher scores on the approach‐focused coping subscale compared to the non‐Hispanic White (NHW) group (Approach: 27.3±6.6 vs 26.1±6.1; B = 1.205, p = 0.015, CI: 0.238, 2.172). There was no effect of ethnicity on Brief‐COPE Total or Avoidance subscale scores (both ps>0.050). Notably, review of covariates suggested increased age was associated with lower scores on Approach (B = ‐0.065, p = 0.041, CI: ‐0.128, ‐0.003), Avoidance (B = ‐0.054, p = 0.034, CI: ‐0.104, ‐0.004), and Total scores (B = ‐0.136, p = 0.028, CI: ‐0.257, ‐0.015). Higher Approach scores were associated with greater endorsement of Positive Life Changes in both ethnic groups (NHW: partial r = 0.298, p<0.001; H/L: partial r = 0.249, p<0.036), but with endorsement of Mental Health Problems in NHWs only (NHW: partial r = 0.144; p = 0.001; H/L: partial r = ‐0.019, p>0.050).ConclusionFindings suggest cross‐cultural differences in the stress coping response of older adults during the pandemic, even after controlling for symptomatic history and other relevant covariates. Moreover, coping may be differentially related to positive and negative outcomes across cultural groups. These results support the need to consider cultural background when considering coping and wellbeing in older adults.
Alzheimer's & Dementia
BackgroundDementia worldwide is one of the most important causes of disability in the elderly and... more BackgroundDementia worldwide is one of the most important causes of disability in the elderly and the most rapidly growing cause of death in the last 20 years in Chile. Cognitive complaint is considered a predictor for cognitive and functional decline (FD), incident mild cognitive impairment, and incident dementia. The GERO cohort aims to determine multidimensional risks factors associated with the prognosis of elderly with cognitive complaint on DF.MethodThe GERO cohort is a prospective cohort study of community‐dwelling elderly with cognitive complaint, without dementia, aged 70 or older living in 4 municipalities in Santiago, Chile. Participants were identified by a household census and information on demographics, biomedical, psychosocial, neuropsychological, neuropsychiatric, and motor function were collected by means of questionnaires and evaluations. Neuroimaging, blood, and stool samples were also obtained. FD was measured by the Pfeffer (score range 0‐33), Technology Activi...
Argos, 2010
The increasing elderly population in our country generates a series of questions regarding the me... more The increasing elderly population in our country generates a series of questions regarding the mechanisms that help or hinder their social integration. Our research aimed to reveal, through the implementation of a national survey, opinions, expectations and evaluations of different forms of social inclusion and exclusion of adults. The result of the study revealed the lack of preparation, both personal and as a country, to address the Population aging, along with a demand for collective solutions, mainly of a political-state character to face the challenges that accompany this demographic shift
Chile. Universidad Mayor, Jan 21, 2021
Repositorio de datos de investigación de la Universidad de Chile, Nov 24, 2021
The table contains the data from the pilot application of the Old Age Loss Scale (SLO)
Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2021
Memory markers can help trace the Alzheimer's disease continuum: Evidence from the GERO Cohort Ba... more Memory markers can help trace the Alzheimer's disease continuum: Evidence from the GERO Cohort Background: Cognitive assessments able to detect impairments as early as neuropathological changes that occur in neurodegenerative diseases initiate are urgently needed. The Visual Short-Term Memory Binding Test (VSTMBT) and the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCRST) have been recently recommended by the Neurodegenerative Diseases Working Group (Costa et al., 2017) as promising preclinical markers of AD. They have never been used before to assess members of the. This is the aim of this study.
De Familias y Terapias, 2016
El COVID-19 ha producido una intensa comunicacion publica a nivel global. Las ciencias sociales h... more El COVID-19 ha producido una intensa comunicacion publica a nivel global. Las ciencias sociales han reaccionado produciendo informacion sobre sus impactos en las distintas esferas de la vida social particularmente en lo que concierne a la economia, la politica y la ciencia. Sin embargo, los estudios acerca de la manera en que la estructura funcionalmente diferenciada de la sociedad favorece o restringe los intentos colaborativos para enfrentar la pandemia han sido escasos. En esa ultima direccion se aplicara la teoria de sistemas sociales para identificar mecanismos sistemicos como la reflexion y la racionalidad que pudiesen estimular el trabajo colaborativo para enfrentar la pandemia, para luego proponer modos organizacionales que la impulsen.
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 2021
Background: People with dementia and their family caregivers may face a great burden through soci... more Background: People with dementia and their family caregivers may face a great burden through social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be manifested as various behavioral and clinical symptoms. Objective: To investigate the impacts of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with dementia and their family caregivers. Methods: Two semi-structured questionnaires were applied via telephone to family caregivers of people diagnosed with dementia in three cities in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, in order to assess clinical and behavioral changes in people with dementia and in their caregivers. Results: In general, 321 interviews were conducted. A significant decline in memory function has been reported among 53.0%of people with dementia. In addition, 31.2%of individuals with dementia felt sadder and 37.4%had increased anxiety symptoms. These symptoms of anxiety were greater in individuals with mild to moderate dementia, while symptoms of agitation were gr...
BMC Geriatrics, 2020
BackgroundWith the global population aging and life expectancy increasing, dementia has turned a ... more BackgroundWith the global population aging and life expectancy increasing, dementia has turned a priority in the health care system. In Chile, dementia is one of the most important causes of disability in the elderly and the most rapidly growing cause of death in the last 20 years. Cognitive complaint is considered a predictor for cognitive and functional decline, incident mild cognitive impairment, and incident dementia. The GERO cohort is the Chilean core clinical project of the Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO). The objective of the GERO cohort is to analyze the rate of functional decline and progression to clinical dementia and their associated risk factors in a community-dwelling elderly with subjective cognitive complaint, through a population-based study. We also aim to undertake clinical research on brain ageing and dementia disorders, to create data and biobanks with the appropriate infrastructure to conduct other studies and facilitate to the nation...
Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2018
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Univer... more University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. Contact e-mail: alexchan850@gmail.com BNA (Immediate Recall) .5926 6 .1580 .5113 6 .1858** .5457 6 .1783
Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2017
Revista Perspectivas: Notas sobre intervención y acción social, 2018
La psicoterapia, a pesar de la gran difusión que ha tenido en los últimos años en nuestro país y ... more La psicoterapia, a pesar de la gran difusión que ha tenido en los últimos años en nuestro país y en el mundo en general, sigue siendo un campo difícil de delimitar, y para la mayoría de la gente, desconocido. Probablemente, esto tiene que ver con la existencia de distintas escuelas y orientaciones psicoterapéuticas, pero también, con la complejidad que encierra dicha práctica. En el presente artículo se propone una breve reflexión sobre la psicoterapia y su relación con otras formas de ayuda psicoafectiva, en particular con la orientación, enfatizando sus respectivas diferencias y especificidades.
Health Systems & Reform, 2017
Population aging is among the most important global transformations. Compared to European and Nor... more Population aging is among the most important global transformations. Compared to European and North American countries, Chile is among the countries with the fastest growth of life expectancy at birth during recent decades. The aging of Chile's population is related to the improvement of living conditions, but also entails risks that tend to be associated with a rapid economic growth accompanied by large income inequalities and a chronic deficit of basic social benefits. The rapid demographic transition towards an aged population has unfolded in a context of poor
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2017
Population aging is among the most important global transformations. Today, 12% of the world popu... more Population aging is among the most important global transformations. Today, 12% of the world population is of age 60 and over and by the middle of this century this segment will represent 21.5%. The increase in population of those aged 80 and over, also referred to as the "oldest old" or the "very elderly", will be even more pronounced, going from 1.7% of the population to 4.5% within the same period. Compared to European and North American countries, Latin America (LA) is experiencing this unprecedented demographic change at a significantly faster rate. Due to demographic and health transitions, the number of people with dementia will rise from 7.8 million in 2013 to over 27 million by 2050. Nowadays, the global prevalence of dementia in LA has reached 7.1%, with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) being the most frequent type. This level is similar to those found in developed countries; however, the dementia rate is twice as high as that of the 65-69 years age group in developed countries. In addition, the prevalence and incidence of dementia is higher among illiterate people. Mortality rates due to dementia have risen considerably. The burden and costs of the disease are high and must be covered by patients' families. The prevention of dementia and the development of longterm care policies and plans for people with dementia in LA, which take into account regional differences and similarities, should be urgent priorities.
resultados apontam para uma generalizada imagem negativa que se projeta, especialmente, sobre a s... more resultados apontam para uma generalizada imagem negativa que se projeta, especialmente, sobre a sexualidade na velhice. Finalmente, a pesquisa propõe uma reflexão sobre a força e o peso destes estereótipos e o quanto eles podem estar afetando as expectativas de bem-estar dos atuais e futuros adultos maiores.
Alzheimer's & Dementia
BackgroundDementia is one of the mean causes of disability in elderly. Peripheral inflammatory bi... more BackgroundDementia is one of the mean causes of disability in elderly. Peripheral inflammatory biomarkers and ApoE‐ε4 allele have been described as important biological risk factors of dementia in Caucasian population. Currently, there is scarce information about the specific age‐related and predisposition factors to develop dementia in Latino populations. The aim of this study is to investigate these biological risks factors in Chilean elderly with healthy and pathological brain ageing.MethodWe evaluated and quantified plasma samples obtained from the GERO cohort (114 elderly subjects, >70 years, classified in 51 subjects with subjective cognitive complaint (SCC) and 63 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)), in addition to 36 healthy brain controls (HBC) and 31 subjects with Alzheimer’s disease dementia (ADD). Genotyping of ApoE gene was analyzed by qPCR. We analyzed inflammatory biomarkers using Luminex technique including IL‐2, IL‐6, IL‐10, TNF‐α, CRP and SAP proteins. All sub...
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
Alzheimers & Dementia, Dec 1, 2022
BackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic has impacted the wellbeing of older adults. Pandemic‐related stre... more BackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic has impacted the wellbeing of older adults. Pandemic‐related stress has implications on cognitive status, including decline due to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Yet, evidence suggests that COVID‐19 has impacted culturally and linguistically diverse communities differently. We sought to examine the role of COVID‐19 on coping and wellbeing in an international, multi‐ethnic sample of older adults.MethodData from 955 older adults (age = 66.7±7.9 years; education = 15.2±5.9 years; 71% female; 41% Hispanic/Latino) were pulled from a larger, international sample examining the response of older adults to COVID‐19. All participants completed demographic questionnaires, measures of psychological distress, the Brief‐COPE – a 28‐item self‐report questionnaire used to measure respondent’s efforts to minimize distress from a stressful life event – and the Epidemic‐Pandemic Impacts Inventory (EPII) – a 92‐item inventory of pandemic related experiences across several life domains. Using linear regression, we examined relationships between Brief‐COPE scores, ethnicity, and select EPII items controlling for several covariates (age, sex, education, marital status, number of children, employment status, household income, and history of COVID‐19 symptoms) in all analyses.ResultHispanic/Latino (H/L) ethnicity was associated with slightly higher scores on the approach‐focused coping subscale compared to the non‐Hispanic White (NHW) group (Approach: 27.3±6.6 vs 26.1±6.1; B = 1.205, p = 0.015, CI: 0.238, 2.172). There was no effect of ethnicity on Brief‐COPE Total or Avoidance subscale scores (both ps>0.050). Notably, review of covariates suggested increased age was associated with lower scores on Approach (B = ‐0.065, p = 0.041, CI: ‐0.128, ‐0.003), Avoidance (B = ‐0.054, p = 0.034, CI: ‐0.104, ‐0.004), and Total scores (B = ‐0.136, p = 0.028, CI: ‐0.257, ‐0.015). Higher Approach scores were associated with greater endorsement of Positive Life Changes in both ethnic groups (NHW: partial r = 0.298, p<0.001; H/L: partial r = 0.249, p<0.036), but with endorsement of Mental Health Problems in NHWs only (NHW: partial r = 0.144; p = 0.001; H/L: partial r = ‐0.019, p>0.050).ConclusionFindings suggest cross‐cultural differences in the stress coping response of older adults during the pandemic, even after controlling for symptomatic history and other relevant covariates. Moreover, coping may be differentially related to positive and negative outcomes across cultural groups. These results support the need to consider cultural background when considering coping and wellbeing in older adults.
Alzheimer's & Dementia
BackgroundDementia worldwide is one of the most important causes of disability in the elderly and... more BackgroundDementia worldwide is one of the most important causes of disability in the elderly and the most rapidly growing cause of death in the last 20 years in Chile. Cognitive complaint is considered a predictor for cognitive and functional decline (FD), incident mild cognitive impairment, and incident dementia. The GERO cohort aims to determine multidimensional risks factors associated with the prognosis of elderly with cognitive complaint on DF.MethodThe GERO cohort is a prospective cohort study of community‐dwelling elderly with cognitive complaint, without dementia, aged 70 or older living in 4 municipalities in Santiago, Chile. Participants were identified by a household census and information on demographics, biomedical, psychosocial, neuropsychological, neuropsychiatric, and motor function were collected by means of questionnaires and evaluations. Neuroimaging, blood, and stool samples were also obtained. FD was measured by the Pfeffer (score range 0‐33), Technology Activi...
Argos, 2010
The increasing elderly population in our country generates a series of questions regarding the me... more The increasing elderly population in our country generates a series of questions regarding the mechanisms that help or hinder their social integration. Our research aimed to reveal, through the implementation of a national survey, opinions, expectations and evaluations of different forms of social inclusion and exclusion of adults. The result of the study revealed the lack of preparation, both personal and as a country, to address the Population aging, along with a demand for collective solutions, mainly of a political-state character to face the challenges that accompany this demographic shift
Chile. Universidad Mayor, Jan 21, 2021
Repositorio de datos de investigación de la Universidad de Chile, Nov 24, 2021
The table contains the data from the pilot application of the Old Age Loss Scale (SLO)
Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2021
Memory markers can help trace the Alzheimer's disease continuum: Evidence from the GERO Cohort Ba... more Memory markers can help trace the Alzheimer's disease continuum: Evidence from the GERO Cohort Background: Cognitive assessments able to detect impairments as early as neuropathological changes that occur in neurodegenerative diseases initiate are urgently needed. The Visual Short-Term Memory Binding Test (VSTMBT) and the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCRST) have been recently recommended by the Neurodegenerative Diseases Working Group (Costa et al., 2017) as promising preclinical markers of AD. They have never been used before to assess members of the. This is the aim of this study.
De Familias y Terapias, 2016
El COVID-19 ha producido una intensa comunicacion publica a nivel global. Las ciencias sociales h... more El COVID-19 ha producido una intensa comunicacion publica a nivel global. Las ciencias sociales han reaccionado produciendo informacion sobre sus impactos en las distintas esferas de la vida social particularmente en lo que concierne a la economia, la politica y la ciencia. Sin embargo, los estudios acerca de la manera en que la estructura funcionalmente diferenciada de la sociedad favorece o restringe los intentos colaborativos para enfrentar la pandemia han sido escasos. En esa ultima direccion se aplicara la teoria de sistemas sociales para identificar mecanismos sistemicos como la reflexion y la racionalidad que pudiesen estimular el trabajo colaborativo para enfrentar la pandemia, para luego proponer modos organizacionales que la impulsen.
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 2021
Background: People with dementia and their family caregivers may face a great burden through soci... more Background: People with dementia and their family caregivers may face a great burden through social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be manifested as various behavioral and clinical symptoms. Objective: To investigate the impacts of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with dementia and their family caregivers. Methods: Two semi-structured questionnaires were applied via telephone to family caregivers of people diagnosed with dementia in three cities in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, in order to assess clinical and behavioral changes in people with dementia and in their caregivers. Results: In general, 321 interviews were conducted. A significant decline in memory function has been reported among 53.0%of people with dementia. In addition, 31.2%of individuals with dementia felt sadder and 37.4%had increased anxiety symptoms. These symptoms of anxiety were greater in individuals with mild to moderate dementia, while symptoms of agitation were gr...
BMC Geriatrics, 2020
BackgroundWith the global population aging and life expectancy increasing, dementia has turned a ... more BackgroundWith the global population aging and life expectancy increasing, dementia has turned a priority in the health care system. In Chile, dementia is one of the most important causes of disability in the elderly and the most rapidly growing cause of death in the last 20 years. Cognitive complaint is considered a predictor for cognitive and functional decline, incident mild cognitive impairment, and incident dementia. The GERO cohort is the Chilean core clinical project of the Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO). The objective of the GERO cohort is to analyze the rate of functional decline and progression to clinical dementia and their associated risk factors in a community-dwelling elderly with subjective cognitive complaint, through a population-based study. We also aim to undertake clinical research on brain ageing and dementia disorders, to create data and biobanks with the appropriate infrastructure to conduct other studies and facilitate to the nation...
Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2018
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Univer... more University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. Contact e-mail: alexchan850@gmail.com BNA (Immediate Recall) .5926 6 .1580 .5113 6 .1858** .5457 6 .1783
Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2017
Revista Perspectivas: Notas sobre intervención y acción social, 2018
La psicoterapia, a pesar de la gran difusión que ha tenido en los últimos años en nuestro país y ... more La psicoterapia, a pesar de la gran difusión que ha tenido en los últimos años en nuestro país y en el mundo en general, sigue siendo un campo difícil de delimitar, y para la mayoría de la gente, desconocido. Probablemente, esto tiene que ver con la existencia de distintas escuelas y orientaciones psicoterapéuticas, pero también, con la complejidad que encierra dicha práctica. En el presente artículo se propone una breve reflexión sobre la psicoterapia y su relación con otras formas de ayuda psicoafectiva, en particular con la orientación, enfatizando sus respectivas diferencias y especificidades.
Health Systems & Reform, 2017
Population aging is among the most important global transformations. Compared to European and Nor... more Population aging is among the most important global transformations. Compared to European and North American countries, Chile is among the countries with the fastest growth of life expectancy at birth during recent decades. The aging of Chile's population is related to the improvement of living conditions, but also entails risks that tend to be associated with a rapid economic growth accompanied by large income inequalities and a chronic deficit of basic social benefits. The rapid demographic transition towards an aged population has unfolded in a context of poor
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2017
Population aging is among the most important global transformations. Today, 12% of the world popu... more Population aging is among the most important global transformations. Today, 12% of the world population is of age 60 and over and by the middle of this century this segment will represent 21.5%. The increase in population of those aged 80 and over, also referred to as the "oldest old" or the "very elderly", will be even more pronounced, going from 1.7% of the population to 4.5% within the same period. Compared to European and North American countries, Latin America (LA) is experiencing this unprecedented demographic change at a significantly faster rate. Due to demographic and health transitions, the number of people with dementia will rise from 7.8 million in 2013 to over 27 million by 2050. Nowadays, the global prevalence of dementia in LA has reached 7.1%, with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) being the most frequent type. This level is similar to those found in developed countries; however, the dementia rate is twice as high as that of the 65-69 years age group in developed countries. In addition, the prevalence and incidence of dementia is higher among illiterate people. Mortality rates due to dementia have risen considerably. The burden and costs of the disease are high and must be covered by patients' families. The prevention of dementia and the development of longterm care policies and plans for people with dementia in LA, which take into account regional differences and similarities, should be urgent priorities.
resultados apontam para uma generalizada imagem negativa que se projeta, especialmente, sobre a s... more resultados apontam para uma generalizada imagem negativa que se projeta, especialmente, sobre a sexualidade na velhice. Finalmente, a pesquisa propõe uma reflexão sobre a força e o peso destes estereótipos e o quanto eles podem estar afetando as expectativas de bem-estar dos atuais e futuros adultos maiores.