While neuronal loss has long been considered as the main contributor to age-related cognitive decline, these alterations are currently attributed to gradual synaptic dysfunction driven by calcium dyshomeostasis and alterations in ionotropic/metabotropic receptors. Given the key role of the hippocampus in encoding, storage, and retrieval of memory, the morpho- and electrophysiological alterations that occur in the major synapse of this network-the glutamatergic-deserve special attention. We guide you through the hippocampal anatomy, circuitry, and function in physiological context and focus on alterations in neuronal morphology, calcium dynamics, and plasticity induced by aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). We provide state-of-the art knowledge on glutamatergic transmission and discuss implications of these novel players for intervention. A link between regular consumption of caffeine-an adenosine receptor blocker-to decreased risk of AD in humans is well established, while the mechanisms responsible have only now been uncovered. We review compelling evidence from humans and animal models that implicate adenosine A2A receptors (A2AR) upsurge as a crucial mediator of age-related synaptic dysfunction. The relevance of this mechanism in patients was very recently demonstrated in the form of a significant association of the A2AR-encoding gene with hippocampal volume (synaptic loss) in mild cognitive impairment and AD. Novel pathways implicate A2AR in the control of mGluR5-dependent NMDAR activation and subsequent Ca2+ dysfunction upon aging. The nature of this receptor makes it particularly suited for long-term therapies, as an alternative for regulating aberrant mGluR5/NMDAR signaling in aging and disease, without disrupting their crucial constitutive activity.
Background: Caffeinated alcoholic beverage (CAB) use is associated with general victimization beyond the use of alcohol alone. Materials and Methods: No prior research has evaluated the association between CAB use and intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization. This study evaluated the CAB-IPV victimization relationship using the responses of 100 (40 female) respondents to an online survey. Results: Results of logistic regression analyses indicated that CAB use was associated with IPV physical and sexual victimization after adjusting for demographics and heavy alcohol use. Exploratory analyses detected little evidence of sex differences in the strength of the relationship between CAB use and IPV victimization. Conclusions: The current results provide initial evidence that CAB use may place males and females at greater risk of IPV victimization.