scholarly journals Sex-dependent effect of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on executive functioning and processing speed in older adults: evidence from the health ABC study

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 ◽  
pp. 161-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy K. Barha ◽  
Teresa Liu-Ambrose ◽  
John R. Best ◽  
Kristine Yaffe ◽  
Caterina Rosano
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Dependent Effect ◽  
Val66met Polymorphism ◽  
Bdnf Val66met Polymorphism

O4-06-04: THE BDNF VAL66MET POLYMORPHISM INFLUENCES THE COGNITIVE BENEFITS OF AN EDUCATION INTERVENTION IN OLDER ADULTS

2006 ◽  
Vol 14 (7S_Part_27) ◽  
pp. P1414-P1415
Author(s):  
James C. Vickers ◽  
David D. Ward ◽  
Andrew Robinson ◽  
Mathew J. Summers ◽  
Jeffery J. Summers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Education Intervention ◽  
Val66met Polymorphism ◽  
Cognitive Benefits ◽  
Bdnf Val66met Polymorphism

ASSOCIATIONS OF LATER-LIFE EDUCATION, THE BDNF VAL66MET POLYMORPHISM AND COGNITIVE CHANGE IN OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
D.D. Ward ◽  
M.J. Summers ◽  
M.J. Valenzuela ◽  
V.K. Srikanth ◽  
J.J. Summers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Val66met Polymorphism ◽  
Bdnf Val66met Polymorphism ◽  
University Level ◽  
Life Education

In 358 participants of the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project, we quantified the cognitive consequences of engaging in varying loads of university-level education in later life, and investigated whether or not BDNF Val66Met affected outcomes. Assessment of neuropsychological, health, and psychosocial function was undertaken at baseline, 12-month, and 24-month follow-up. Education load was positively associated with change in language processing performance, but this effect did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.064). The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism significantly moderated the extent to which education load was associated with improved language processing (P = 0.026), with education load having a significant positive relationship with cognitive change in BDNF Met carriers but not in BDNF Val homozygotes. In older adults who carry BDNF Met, engaging in university-level education improves language processing performance in a load-dependent manner.

The Survey for Memory, Attention, and Reaction Time (SMART): Development and Validation of a Brief Web-Based Measure of Cognition for Older Adults

Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Katherine E. Dorociak ◽  
Nora Mattek ◽  
Jonathan Lee ◽  
Mira I Leese ◽  
Nicole Bouranis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Reaction Time ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Cognitively Intact

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Brief, Web-based, and self-administered cognitive assessments hold promise for early detection of cognitive decline in individuals at risk for dementia. The current study describes the design, implementation, and convergent validity of a fWeb-based cognitive assessment tool, the Survey for Memory, Attention, and Reaction Time (SMART), for older adults. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A community-dwelling sample of older adults (<i>n</i> = 69) was included, classified as cognitively intact (<i>n</i> = 44) or diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI, <i>n</i> = 25). Participants completed the SMART at home using their computer, tablet, or other Internet-connected device. The SMART consists of 4 face-valid cognitive tasks available in the public domain assessing visual memory, attention/processing speed, and executive functioning. Participants also completed a battery of standardized neuropsychological tests, a cognitive screener, and a daily function questionnaire. Primary SMART outcome measures consisted of subtest completion time (CT); secondary meta-metrics included outcomes indirectly assessed or calculated within the SMART (e.g., click count, total CT, time to complete practice items, and time of day the test was completed). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Regarding validity, total SMART CT, which includes time to complete test items, practice items, and directions, had the strongest relationship with global cognition (β = −0.47, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.01). Test item CT was significantly greater for the MCI group (<i>F =</i> 5.20, <i>p</i> = 0.026). Of the SMART tasks, the executive functioning subtests had the strongest relationship with cognitive status as compared to the attention/processing speed and visual memory subtests. The primary outcome measures demonstrated fair to excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.50–0.76). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> This study provides preliminary evidence for the use of the SMART protocol as a feasible, reliable, and valid assessment method to monitor cognitive performance in cognitively intact and MCI older adults.

scholarly journals Mild Motor Signs Matter in Typical Brain Aging: The Value of the UPDRS Score Within a Functionally Intact Cohort of Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Zitser ◽  
Kaitlin B. Casaletto ◽  
Adam M. Staffaroni ◽  
Claire Sexton ◽  
Sophia Weiner-Light ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Brain Aging ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Over Time

Objectives: To characterize the clinical correlates of subclinical Parkinsonian signs, including longitudinal cognitive and neural (via functional connectivity) outcomes, among functionally normal older adults.Methods: Participants included 737 functionally intact community-dwelling older adults who performed prospective comprehensive evaluations at ~15-months intervals for an average of 4.8 years (standard deviation 3.2 years). As part of these evaluations, participants completed the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) longitudinally and measures of processing speed, executive functioning and verbal episodic memory. T1-weighted structural scans and task-free functional MRI scans were acquired on 330 participants. We conducted linear mixed-effects models to determine the relationship between changes in UPDRS with cognitive and neural changes, using age, sex, and education as covariates.Results: Cognitive outcomes were processing speed, executive functioning, and episodic memory. Greater within-person increases in UPDRS were associated with more cognitive slowing over time. Although higher average UPDRS scores were significantly associated with overall poorer executive functions, there was no association between UPDRS and executive functioning longitudinally. UPDRS scores did not significantly relate to longitudinal memory performances. Regarding neural correlates, greater increases in UPDRS scores were associated with reduced intra-subcortical network connectivity over time. There were no relationships with intra-frontoparietal or inter-subcortical-frontoparietal connectivity.Conclusions: Our findings add to the aging literature by indicating that mild motor changes are negatively associated with cognition and network connectivity in functionally intact adults.

No association between the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and mood status in a non-clinical community sample of 7389 older adults

2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 404-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul G. Surtees ◽  
Nicholas W.J. Wainwright ◽  
Saffron A.G. Willis-Owen ◽  
Manjinder S. Sandhu ◽  
Robert Luben ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Val66met Polymorphism ◽  
Clinical Community ◽  
Bdnf Val66met Polymorphism

scholarly journals CHA2DS2-VASc Stroke Risk Index and Executive Functioning in Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-164
Author(s):  
Bryant M Duda ◽  
Cierra M Keith ◽  
Lawrence H Sweet
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Stroke Risk ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
Risk Classification ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Healthy Older Adults

Abstract Objective CHA2DS2-VASc is a stroke risk classification system developed to improve the precision of stroke risk classification. The current study examined the validity of CHA2DS2-VASc in a sample of healthy older adults using executive function measures of processing speed, working memory, and cognitive flexibility that are sensitive to cerebrovascular risk factors. Methods Participants included 51 community-dwelling, healthy older adults (ages 53–86) recruited from both the community and cardiology clinics. CHA2DS2-VASc was utilized as a measure of stroke risk. Measures of executive functioning and processing speed included the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS) Number–Letter Switching, and Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) Coding. Results CHA2DS2-VASc scores significantly predicted scores on the PASAT, DKEFS Number-Letter Switching, and RBANS Coding, such that greater stroke risk was associated with poorer performances on tests of executive functioning and processing speed. These relationships were observed over and above the potential influence of educational attainment and symptoms of depression. Conclusion Significant relations between stroke risk classification and performance on several measures of executive functioning provide support for a wider and more generalized use of CHA2DS2-VASc with healthy older adults. These findings further highlight the importance of early identification and treatment of stroke risk factors associated with cognitive decline. Findings suggest that CHA2DS2-VASc is a practical and useful tool for patients and their providers in the early detection of stroke risk and development of individualized treatment plans.

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