Introduction: Although several studies have examined the individual relationships among digital literacy, cognitive function, and depressive symptoms, few have integrated all three factors into a single model. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating the mediating effect of depressive symptoms on the relationship between digital literacy and cognition. In doing so, we hoped to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay among these variables and their implications for mental health and well-being.Methods: Participants were 7,988 older adults (65 years or older) who participated in the Living Profiles of Older People Survey 2020. The main type of exposure was digital literacy (communication, information, media, and online transaction literacy). The main outcomes were depressive symptoms measured using the Short Geriatric Depression Scale of Korean version and cognitive function measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination score. Multiple linear regression and mediation analyses were also performed.Results: After adjusting for covariates, our analysis found a significant association between digital literacy and both depressive symptoms and cognitive function (β of four types of digital literacy and depressive symptoms = −0.123, −0.172, −0.702, and − 0.639, respectively; β of four types of digital literacy and cognitive function = 2.102, 2.217, 1.711, and 1.436, respectively). Moreover, our study showed that depressive symptoms play a mediating role in the relationship between media and online transaction literacy and cognitive function (95% CI of indirect effects = 0.0647–0.1212 and 0.0639–0.1277, respectively), implying an indirect pathway (digital literacy, depressive symptoms, and cognitive function).Discussion: This study sheds light on the relationship between digital literacy, depressive symptoms, and cognitive function in older adults. We found that depressive symptoms mediated the association between specific aspects of digital literacy (online transaction and media literacy) and cognitive function. Our results indicate that community-based digital literacy programs could be effective in reducing depression and preserving or improving cognitive function in older adults.

Background: Adolescents are at a critical developmental stage marked by rapid cognitive, emotional, and social changes, making them highly susceptible to mental health issues. Recently, digital health interventions (DHIs) have emerged as innovative and scalable tools for promoting mental well-being in this population. Methods: This integrative review was conducted based on comprehensive literature searches of major academic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. Studies published between January 2010 and December 2024 were identified using keywords such as “adolescent mental health,” “digital health intervention,” “behavior change model,” “e-health,” “mobile mental health,” and “digital therapeutics.” The inclusion criteria comprised peer-reviewed studies on digital mental health interventions for adolescents that applied, fully or partially, a behavior change approach. Studies targeting adults, interventions without digital technology, the gray literature, and duplicate publications were excluded. Results: We examined intervention strategies based on developmental stage prevention, early intervention, and recovery and highlighted key digital components such as accessibility, anonymity, personalization, and continuous monitoring. Furthermore, we analyzed case studies from various countries, including Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan, to identify best practices and contextual challenges. Conclusions: DHIs rooted in sound psychological theory and ethical design can complement school- and community-based interventions by offering effective personalized support. The practical implications and future directions are discussed.

Background/Objectives: Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota composition is influenced by both age and sex and may contribute to dementia-related brain pathologies. However, comprehensive microbiome-based biomarker discovery stratified by these factors remains limited. Methods: We performed a metagenomic analysis of the gut microbiota of participants stratified by sex (female vs. male) and age (<75 vs. ≥75 years). Alpha diversity (observed operational taxonomic unit, Chao1, Shannon, and Simpson) and linear discriminant analysis effect size analyses were conducted to identify dominant taxa associated with Alzheimer’s pathology, vascular pathology, and dementia-related structural brain changes. Results: Females and non-elderly participants (aged < 75 years) exhibited higher gut microbial diversity, characterized by an increased abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. and Blautia spp., whereas males and elderly participants (aged ≥ 75 years) exhibited increased levels of Bacteroides spp. and Bacteroidia, which have been associated with inflammation and dysbiosis. Several taxa, including Bifidobacterium spp. were consistently identified as potential protective biomarkers, while Bacteroides spp. was linked to a higher risk of dementia-related brain pathologies. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate distinct age- and sex-specific differences in gut microbiota composition that may be closely associated with the pathophysiology of dementia-related brain pathologies. These results demonstrate that gut microbiota may serve as potential biomarkers for monitoring cerebrovascular conditions, potentially contributing to the development of personalized therapeutic strategies.

The field of neuroarchitecture explores how various architectural elements impact human physical and mental health, based on neuroscience principles. With the development of functional neuroimaging and electroencephalogram studies, researchers can now visualize and quantify how different architectural factors affect brain activity, emotions, and cognition. Mobile Brain/Body Imaging is a new research methodology that records a moving person’s brain activity and bodily sensations in real time, promising to be a useful tool for space and urban design. In this article, we discuss neuroarchitecture from the perspective of circadian rhythm, physical health, and mental health. Studies have shown that artificial light at night disrupts the circadian rhythm, leading to acute and chronic negative health effects. Conversely, creating a personcentered light environment or incorporating nature-like elements can have a positive impact on health. Research has also shown that exposure to nature reduces self-rumination and contributes to psychological well-being. Neuroarchitecture studies on other factors, such as ceiling height, wall colors, and the movement of people in the building, should be expanded to gain greater insights and practical applications. The convergence of neuroscience and architecture has the potential to identify architectural elements that benefit human physical and mental health.

Objective Numerous studies have identified various risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the experimental limitations of disease modeling make it challenging to directly interpret their effects. These limitations include constraints of postmortem samples, animal experiments, and challenges associated with brain tissue studies. Ex vivo experiments effectively address these issues by enabling patient-specific identification and highlighting potential biomarkers. This study aimed to characterize the transcriptional profile of fibroblasts derived from patients with AD in response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and propose potential biomarkers.Methods We utilized an ex vivo platform to identify genes differentially responsive to ER stress. The transcriptional feature of fibroblasts in both healthy controls (n=22) and patients with AD (n=20) was analyzed using bulk RNA sequencing. The cytotoxicity of the selected target gene was evaluated through knockdown experiments.Results A total of 468 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis revealed that 210 DEGs, which were less responsive in AD, are involved in lipid-related terms and pathways. By narrowing down AD-related genes, we identified 49 highly reliable AD-associated genes. The most significant gene, DCTN2, exhibited a fold change that positively correlated with cognitive function and negatively correlated with blood-based biomarkers (pTau217, amyloid beta 42/40 ratio), aligning with the amyloid/Tau/neurodegeneration research criteria for AD. Additionally, the knockdown of DCTN2 in glial cell lines resulted in increased cell toxicity and apoptosis.Conclusion Identifying differentially responsive genes in ex vivo experiments not only provides insights into the pathology of AD but also offers potential biomarkers for disease diagnosis.

Objective The impact of the government-initiated senior employment program (GSEP) on geriatric depressive symptoms is underexplored. Unearthing this connection could facilitate the planning of future senior employment programs and geriatric depression interventions. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the possible association between geriatric depressive symptoms and GSEP in older adults.Methods This study employed data from 9,287 participants aged 65 or older, obtained from the 2020 Living Profiles of Older People Survey. We measured depressive symptoms using the Korean version of the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. The principal exposure of interest was employment status and GSEP involvement. Data analysis involved multiple linear regression.Results Employment, independent of income level, showed association with decreased depressive symptoms compared to unemployment (p<0.001). After adjustments for confounding variables, participation in GSEP jobs showed more significant reduction in depressive symptoms than non-GSEP jobs (β=-0.968, 95% confidence interval [CI]=-1.197 to -0.739, p<0.001 for GSEP jobs, β=-0.541, 95% CI=-0.681 to -0.401, p<0.001 for non-GSEP jobs). Notably, the lower income tertile in GSEP jobs showed a substantial reduction in depressive symptoms compared to all income tertiles in non-GSEP jobs.Conclusion The lower-income GSEP group experienced lower depressive symptoms and life dissatisfaction compared to non-GSEP groups regardless of income. These findings may provide essential insights for the implementation of government policies and community-based interventions.