Age-Related Changes in the Neurologic Examination of Healthy Sexagenarians, Octogenarians, and Centenarians

1994 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.E. Nichols ◽  
K.J. Meador ◽  
D.W. Loring ◽  
L.W. Poon ◽  
G.M. Clayton ◽  
...  

Although numerous studies have focused on age-related changes in the nervous system, few have systematically assessed global neurologic examination changes, and even fewer have included the most elderly population, ie, the centenarians. To perform such a study, we developed a quantitative assessment that includes the major components of a standard bedside neurologic evaluation, with special emphasis on cognitive function. First, we demonstrated that the quantitated examination could correctly classify healthy controls and patients with stroke or dementia based on discriminant analysis. This examination was then applied to healthy community-dwelling elderly ranging from 60 to 108 years of age. Significant age-related neurobehavioral changes were apparent across even these most “successfully” aged groups. Analysis of the full pattern of cognitive and neurologic findings provided the most accurate assessment. Pathologic reflexes, reportedly associated with normal aging, occurred infrequently in this healthy geriatric population, suggesting that age-related changes in the neurologic examination may be more accurately interpreted when assessed in conjunction with cognitive status. This quantitative examination may be useful in future population-based studies of neurologic function in the aged.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 783-783
Author(s):  
Jennifer Schrack ◽  
Fangyu Liu ◽  
Amal Wanigatunga ◽  
Yang An ◽  
Christos Davatzikos ◽  
...  

Abstract Walking efficiency (WE) predicts mobility decline and is linked with higher fatigability. Fatigability is associated with cognitive decline and reduced brain volumes (BV), but the link between WE and BV is undefined. We examined associations between WE and BV in 860 participants of the BLSA (mean age 66.4(14.4) years, 54.5% women). WE was assessed during 2.5-minutes of usual-paced walking using indirect calorimetry and standardized per meter (ml/kg/m). BV measures were derived using MRI scans and an automated multi-atlas region-of-interest approach. In linear mixed models adjusted for demographics, education, BMI, intracranial volume, and cognitive status, lower baseline WE was associated with lower total, white, and gray matter, primarily in the frontal and temporal lobes (all p<0.05). Longitudinally, declining WE was associated with increasing ventricular and decreasing hippocampal volumes over follow-up (all p<0.01). Findings suggest rising age-related inefficiencies may reflect underlying brain atrophy and serve as a novel indicator for future interventions.


2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 312-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana A. Glei ◽  
Noreen Goldman ◽  
Yu-Hsuan Lin ◽  
Maxine Weinstein

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsuhiro Tsubaki ◽  
Masayoshi Kubo ◽  
Ryosaku Kobayashi ◽  
Hirofumi Jigami ◽  
Hideaki E. Takahashi

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii17-iii65
Author(s):  
Maureen Mickus ◽  
Craig Carpenter ◽  
Scott Loveridge

Abstract Background Remaining in the workforce in later life may be based on financial need, role fulfillment or opportunities for social participation. Employment can also provide intellectual stimulation, including the use of everyday math skills. Normal age-related decline in numeracy performance has been documented, but the role of retirement in the capacity to perform these functions is less understood. This research uses population-based telephone surveys to analyze whether the interaction of age and retirement influences the ability of community-dwelling adults to calculate simple math problems. Methods Data was drawn from three independently sampled surveys in 2006 (n=991), 2010 (n=1,023) and 2014 (n=997). In addition to standard demographic questions, the survey measured individuals’ ability to perform basic computations. Three questions were asked regarding temporal (now or 5 years later) preferences about jobs, a community bond, and an inheritance payout. Respondents were then asked to calculate the amount needed to select the other option instead. Deficient numeracy performance was defined as either no response or an irrational choice (e.g. a lesser amount of inheritance with the alternative choice.) Results Approximately 30% of persons age 65+ chose not to perform the follow-up calculations for these questions. Moreover, a 1% increase in age decreased the likelihood of rationally calculating the discount rate by between 0.15 and 0.25 percentage points, depending on the scenario. A sharp decline in numeracy was observed starting at age 66 with the addition of an age x retirement interaction, even when controlling for key variables such as education and income. Conclusion Retirement may reduce the opportunity for intellectual challenges afforded in the workplace and consequently, the ability to perform math calculations may decline. Alternatively, decisions to retire may be due to declining health, including cognitive impairments. The timing of retirement has major implications for public policy. Future research more deeply exploring the causal influence of retirement on health and well-being is warranted.


Author(s):  
Kendiss Olafson ◽  
Clare D. Ramsey ◽  
Marina Yogendran ◽  
Jason Waechter ◽  
Randy Fransoo ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 125 (5) ◽  
pp. 1468-1474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshihiro Fukumoto ◽  
Yosuke Yamada ◽  
Tome Ikezoe ◽  
Yuya Watanabe ◽  
Masashi Taniguchi ◽  
...  

Ultrasonic echo intensity (EI), an easy-to-use measure of intramuscular fat and fibrous tissues, is known to increase with aging. However, age-related changes in EI have not been examined in a longitudinal design. The objective of this study was to investigate 4-yr longitudinal changes in the EI of the quadriceps femoris in older adults, based on difference in physical activity (PA). This study included 131 community-dwelling older adults with a mean age of 72.9 ± 5.2 yr. Subcutaneous fat thickness (FT), muscle thickness (MT), and EI of the quadriceps femoris were measured by ultrasound. Isometric knee extensor strength was also measured. PA was assessed using a questionnaire at baseline, and participants were classified into the high or low PA groups. In 4 yr, a significant decrease in FT, MT, and strength was observed in both groups ( P < 0.05), whereas a significant decrease in EI was observed only in the high PA group ( P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that the difference in PA was a significant predictor of 4-yr changes in MT (β = 0.189, P = 0.031) and EI (β = −3.145, P = 0.045) but not in the body mass index, FT, or strength adjusted for potential confounders. The present findings suggest that greater PA has a positive effect on longitudinal changes in the MT and EI of the quadriceps femoris in older adults. In addition, greater PA may contribute to a future decrease in EI, and an increase in EI may not occur in 4 yr, even in older adults with lesser PA. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our results suggest that greater physical activity (PA) may mitigate future changes in muscle thickness and echo intensity (EI). A decrease in EI over 4 yr was observed in older adults with greater PA, and an increase in EI was not observed, even in older adults with smaller PA. Several cross-sectional studies demonstrated an increase in EI with aging. Additionally, the results of our longitudinal study suggest that an age-related increase in EI may be moderated after the old-age period.


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 367-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Scuteri ◽  
Luigi Palmieri ◽  
Cinzia Lo Noce ◽  
Simona Giampaoli

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hari Venkatesh Pai ◽  
Martin C Gulliford

Background and objective: Both low and high body mass index (BMI) have been associated with greater mortality in older adults. This study evaluated the trajectory of BMI in the final years of life. Design: Population-based cohort study. Setting: Community-dwelling adults in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing between 1998 and 2012. Measurements: Body mass index, years before death and all-cause mortality. Analyses were adjusted for age, gender, educational level, housing tenure and social class. Results: Data were analysed for 16,924 participants with 31,857 BMI records; mean age at study start, 61.6 (SD 10.9) years; mean BMI, 27.5 (4.7) Kg/m2. There were 3,686 participants (4,794 BMI records) who died and 13,238 participants (27,063 BMI records) who were alive at last follow-up. Mean BMI increased with age to 60-69 years but then declined, but the age-related decline was more rapid in decedents. At ages 80-89 years, mean BMI in decedents was 26.1 (4.7) compared with 27.1 (4.4) Kg/m2 in survivors. After adjusting for age and covariates, mean BMI declined in the five years before death. From 9 to 5 years before death or end of study, adjusted mean BMI was 0.51 (95% confidence interval 0.24 to 0.78) Kg/m2 lower for decedents than survivors; and from four to zero years before death, 1.55 (1.26 to 1.84) Kg/m2 lower in decedents. Conclusions: In community-dwelling older adults, mean body mass index enters an accelerating decline during five years before death. Reverse causation may account for the association of lower BMI with mortality.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 216-217
Author(s):  
Erika Friedmann ◽  
Nancy Gee ◽  
Eleanor Simonsick ◽  
Erik Barr ◽  
Barbara Resnick ◽  
...  

Abstract Successful aging depends on avoiding disease and disability, maintaining high physical and cognitive function, and psychological adaptation. Research examining the relationship of pet ownership (PO) or human-animal interaction (HAI) to human health supports contributions to these successful ag-ing-related outcomes at some point in the life-cycle, mostly in populations with diseases or disabili-ties. We examine the contributions of PO to maintaining physical capacity among generally healthy community-dwelling older participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). Partici-pants’ [N=637, mean age=68.3 years (SD=9.6), pet owners N=149] completed a standardized physi-cal function test battery (among other measures) every 1-4 years and a ten-year PO history. Linear mixed, or generalized linear mixed, models with time varying PO were used to examine change in successful aging-related outcomes over up to 13 years [mean=7.5, (SD=3.6)] according to PO. Physi-cal function declined across all domains examined, but was observed to be less severe with PO in overall physical performance (p&lt;0.001), rapid gait speed (p=0.041), 400-meter walk time (p&lt;0.001), and reported physical wellbeing (p=0.032). No differences were observed for grip strength (p=0.56), usual gait speed (p=0.07), and leisure time physical activity (p=0.26) after con-trolling for age. This study provides the first longitudinal evidence that PO may promote successful aging among community-dwelling healthy older adults by moderating age-related declines in physical functional status in late-life.


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