Associations between cognitively stimulating leisure activities, cognitive function and age-related cognitive decline

Cognitive decline with age is a harmful process that can reduce quality of life. Multiple factors have been established to contribute to cognitive decline, but the overall etiology remains unknown. Here, we hypothesized that cognitive dysfunction is mediated, in part, by increased levels of inflammatory cytokines that alter allopregnanolone (AlloP) levels, an important neurosteroid in the brain. We assessed the levels and regulation of AlloP and the effects of AlloP supplementation on cognitive function in 4-month-old and 24-month-old male C57BL/6 mice. With age, the expression of enzymes involved in the AlloP synthetic pathway was decreased and corticosterone (CORT) synthesis increased. Supplementation of AlloP improved cognitive function. Interestingly, interleukin 6 (IL-6) infusion in young animals significantly reduced the production of AlloP compared with controls. It is notable that inhibition of IL-6 with its natural inhibitor, soluble membrane glycoprotein 130, significantly improved spatial memory in aged mice. These findings were supported by in vitro experiments in primary murine astrocyte cultures, indicating that IL-6 decreases production of AlloP and increases CORT levels. Our results indicate that age-related increases in IL-6 levels reduce progesterone substrate availability, resulting in a decline in AlloP levels and an increase in CORT. Furthermore, our results indicate that AlloP is a critical link between inflammatory cytokines and the age-related decline in cognitive function.

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CogEvo, a cognitive function balancer, is a sensitive and easy psychiatric test battery for age‐related cognitive decline

Geriatrics and Gerontology International ◽

10.1111/ggi.13847 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 248-255 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sadanobu Ichii ◽

Takumi Nakamura ◽

Takeshi Kawarabayashi ◽

Masamitsu Takatama ◽

Tetsuya Ohgami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Test Battery ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Cognitive Decline

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Effects of Dietary Food Components on Cognitive Functions in Older Adults

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13082804 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 2804

Author(s):

Hitoshi Ozawa ◽

Taiki Miyazawa ◽

Teruo Miyazawa

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Elderly People ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Bioactive Substances ◽

Food Components ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Cognitive Decline ◽

The Relationship

Population aging has recently been an important issue as the number of elderly people is growing worldwide every year, and the extension of social security costs is financially costly. The increase in the number of elderly people with cognitive decline is a serious problem related to the aging of populations. Therefore, it is necessary to consider not only physical care but also cognitive patterns in the future care of older adults. Since food contains a variety of bioactive substances, dietary patterns may help improve age-related cognitive decline. However, the relationship between cognitive function and individual food components remains ambiguous as no clear efficacy or mechanism has been confirmed. Against this background, this review summarizes previous reports on the biological process of cognitive decline in the elderly and the relationship between individual compounds in foods and cognitive function, as well as the role of individual components of food in cognitive function, in the following order: lipids, carotenoids, vitamins, phenolic compounds, amino acids, peptides, and proteins. Based on the research presented in this review, a proper diet that preserves cognitive function has the potential to improve age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Hopefully, this review will help to trigger the development of new foods and technologies that improve aging and cognitive functions and extend the healthy life span.

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Trajectories of Age-Related Cognitive Decline and Potential Associated Factors of Cognitive Function in Senior Citizens of Beijing

Current Alzheimer Research ◽

10.2174/156720501108140910123112 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 806-816 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

He Li ◽

Chenlong Lv ◽

Ting Zhang ◽

Kewei Chen ◽

Chuansheng Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Senior Citizens ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Cognitive Decline

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The Association Between High-Molecular-Weight Adiponectin, Ghrelin and Leptin and Age-Related Cognitive Decline: Results From Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/glaa126 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 76 (1) ◽

pp. 131-140

Author(s):

Merel van Andel ◽

Natasja M van Schoor ◽

Nicole C Korten ◽

Hannie C Comijs ◽

Annemieke C Heijboer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Weight ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Z Score ◽

Model Composite ◽

Hmw Adiponectin ◽

Age Related ◽

Adjusted Model ◽

Age Related Cognitive Decline

Abstract Background Age-related cognitive decline has large-scale functional and economic consequences and understanding its’ pathophysiological mechanisms is therefore essential. Previous research has suggested associations between hormones adiponectin, ghrelin and leptin and neurodegenerative disease. However, their association with age-related cognitive decline has not been fully described. We examine the association between serum high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin, ghrelin and leptin and age-related cognitive decline in older adults. Methods The associations between HMW adiponectin, ghrelin and leptin and the Mini-Mental-State-Examination, Coding task (Coding), 15 Words Test (15WT) and composite Z-score (general cognitive function) were analyzed by means of a sex-stratified multivariable linear regression analysis in a population-based cohort of 898 older adults at baseline and after 3 years of follow-up. Results In women, we found a positive association between HMW adiponectin and general cognitive function at baseline (fully adjusted model composite Z-score standardized regression co-efficient beta [β] = .089, p = .025). After 3 years of follow-up, HMW adiponectin was associated with more decline in general cognitive function and information processing speed (fully adjusted model composite Z-score β = −.123, p = .018; Coding β = −.116, p = .027). Ghrelin and leptin were significantly associated with memory in a baseline subgroup analysis of older women. For men, we found no significant associations at baseline or follow-up. Conclusion Our results show variable associations between hormones HMW adiponectin, ghrelin and leptin and age-related cognitive decline in women but not in men. As there was no clear trend, all our results should be interpreted with caution.

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Preservation of Cognitive Function byLepidium meyenii(Maca) Is Associated with Improvement of Mitochondrial Activity and Upregulation of Autophagy-Related Proteins in Middle-Aged Mouse Cortex

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2016/4394261 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Shan-Shan Guo ◽

Xiao-Fang Gao ◽

Yan-Rong Gu ◽

Zhong-Xiao Wan ◽

A-Ming Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Mitochondrial Function ◽

Mitochondrial Activity ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Aged Mice ◽

Age Related ◽

Mouse Cortex ◽

Related Proteins ◽

Age Related Cognitive Decline

Maca has been used as a foodstuff and a traditional medicine in the Andean region for over 2,000 years. Recently the neuroprotective effects of maca also arouse interest of researchers. Decrease in mitochondrial function and decline in autophagy signaling may participate in the process of age-related cognitive decline. This study aimed to investigate if maca could improve cognitive function of middle-aged mice and if this effect was associated with improvement of mitochondrial activity and modulation of autophagy signaling in mouse cortex. Fourteen-month-old male ICR mice received maca powder administered by gavage for five weeks. Maca improved cognitive function, motor coordination, and endurance capacity in middle-aged mice, accompanied by increased mitochondrial respiratory function and upregulation of autophagy-related proteins in cortex. Our findings suggest that maca is a newly defined nutritional plant which can improve mitochondrial function and upregulate autophagy-related proteins and may be an effective functional food for slowing down age-related cognitive decline.

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Activity Engagement in Cognitive Aging: A Review of the Evidence

Perspectives on Neurophysiology and Neurogenic Speech and Language Disorders ◽

10.1044/nnsld23.1.35 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yvonne Rogalski ◽

Muriel Quintana

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Social Activity ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

Activity Engagement ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Cognitive Decline

The population of older adults is rapidly increasing, as is the number and type of products and interventions proposed to prevent or reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline. Advocacy and prevention are part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA’s) scope of practice documents, and speech-language pathologists must have basic awareness of the evidence contributing to healthy cognitive aging. In this article, we provide a brief overview outlining the evidence on activity engagement and its effects on cognition in older adults. We explore the current evidence around the activities of eating and drinking with a discussion on the potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, alcohol, and coffee. We investigate the evidence on the hypothesized neuroprotective effects of social activity, the evidence on computerized cognitive training, and the emerging behavioral and neuroimaging evidence on physical activity. We conclude that actively aging using a combination of several strategies may be our best line of defense against cognitive decline.

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