scholarly journals Association of adherence to the Australian Dietary Guidelines with cognitive performance and cognitive decline in the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study: a longitudinal analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi Chen ◽  
Zhixin Liu ◽  
Perminder S. Sachdev ◽  
Nicole A. Kochan ◽  
Henry Brodaty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Longitudinal Analysis ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Dairy Consumption ◽  
Global Cognition

Abstract This study investigated associations of adherence to the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG) with cognitive performance and cognitive decline over 6 years. We used longitudinal data from the Sydney Memory and Aging Study comprising 1037 community-dwelling non-demented participants aged 70–90 years. Dietary intake was assessed at baseline using the Dietary Questionnaire for Epidemiological Studies Version 2. Adherence to the ADG was scored using the Dietary Guideline Index 2013 (DGI-2013). Cognition was assessed using neuropsychological tests in six cognitive domains and global cognition at baseline and 2, 4 and 6 years later. Linear mixed models analysed the association between adherence to the ADG and cognitive function and cognitive decline over 6 years. Results indicated that overall adherence to the ADG was suboptimal (DGI-2013 mean score 43⋅8 with a standard deviation of 10⋅1; median score 44, range 12–73 with an interquartile range of 7). The percent of participants attaining recommended serves for the five food groups were 30⋅2 % for fruits, 11⋅2 % for vegetables, 54⋅6 % for cereals, 28⋅9 % for meat and alternatives and 2⋅1 % for dairy consumption. Adherence to the ADG was not associated with overall global cognition over 6 years (β = 0⋅000; 95 % CI: −0⋅007, 0⋅007; P = 0⋅95). Neither were DGI-2013 scores associated with change in global cognitive performance over 6 years (β = 0⋅002; 95 % CI: −0⋅002, 0⋅005; P = 0⋅41) nor in any individual cognitive domains. In conclusion, adherence to the ADG was not associated with cognitive health over time in this longitudinal analysis of older Australians. Future research is needed to provide evidence to support specific dietary guidelines for neurocognitive health among Australian older adults.

scholarly journals Individual variation in brain microstructural-cognition relationships in aging

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raihaan Patel ◽  
Clare E. Mackay ◽  
Michelle G. Jansen ◽  
Gabriel A. Devenyi ◽  
M. Clare O’Donoghue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Semantic Fluency ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Brain Microstructure ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

AbstractWhile all individuals are susceptible to age-related cognitive decline, significant inter- and intra-individual variability exists. However, the sources of this variation remain poorly understood. Here, we examined the association between 30-year trajectories of cognitive decline and multimodal indices of brain microstructure and morphology in older age. We used the Whitehall II Study, an extensively characterised cohort using 3T brain magnetic resonance images acquired at older age (mean age = 69.52 ± 4.9) and 5 repeated cognitive performance assessments between mid-life (mean age = 53.2 ± 4.9 years) and late-life (mean age = 67.7 ± 4.9). Using non-negative matrix factorization, we identified 10 brain microstructural components that integrate measures of cortical thickness, surface area, fractional anisotropy, and mean and radial diffusivities. We observed two modes of variance that describe the association between cognition and brain microstructure. The first describes variations in 5 microstructural components associated with low mid-life performance across multiple cognitive domains, decline in reasoning abilities, but a relative maintenance of lexical and semantic fluency from mid-to-late life. The second describes variations in 5 microstructural components that are associated with low mid-life performance in lexical fluency, semantic fluency and short-term memory performance, but a retention of abilities in multiple domains from mid-to-late life. The extent to which a subject loads onto a latent variables predicts their future cognitive performance 3.2 years later (mean age = 70.87 ± 4.9). This data-driven approach highlights a complex pattern of brain-behavior relationships, wherein the same individuals express both decline and maintenance in function across cognitive domains and in brain structural features.Significance StatementAlthough declines in cognitive performance are an established aspect of aging, inter- and intra-individual variation exists. Nevertheless, the sources of this variation remain unclear. We analyse a unique sample to examine associations between 30-year trajectories of cognitive decline and multimodal indices of brain anatomy in older age. Using data-driven techniques, we find that age-related cognitive decline is not uniform. Instead, each individual expresses a mixture of maintenance and decline across cognitive domains, that are associated with a mixture of preservation and degeneration of brain structure. Further, we find the primary determinants of late-life cognitive performance are mid-life performance and higher brain surface area. These results suggest that early and mid-life preventative measures may be needed to reduce age-related cognitive decline.

scholarly journals SAT-LB115 Metformin-Use Is Associated With Slowed Cognitive Decline and Reduced Incident Dementia in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Sydney Memory and Ageing Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Samaras ◽  
Steve Makkar ◽  
John D Crawford ◽  
Nicole A Kochan ◽  
Wei Wen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Older People ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Incident Dementia ◽  
Ageing Study ◽  
Global Cognition ◽  
Rate Of Decline

Abstract Background Metformin use in diabetes has been associated with both increased and decreased dementia rates in observational studies of people with diabetes. Objective: To examine changes in global cognition and specific cognitive domains over 6 years in older adults with diabetes treated with metformin, compared to other glucose lowering medications, and to people without diabetes. Methods Data were examined from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study, a prospective observational study of 6 years duration of 1037 non-demented community-dwelling elderly aged 70-90 at baseline, derived from a compulsory electoral roll. Neuropsychological testing was performed every 2 years with domain measures of memory, executive function, language, visuospatial function, attention and processing speed and a composite of global cognition. Data were analysed by linear mixed modelling, including age, sex, education, body mass index, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, smoking and apolipoprotein E ε4 carriage as covariates. Results: At baseline, 123 participants had diabetes (DM) with 67 receiving metformin (DM+MF) who were similar in demographics to those not receiving metformin (DM-noMF) and those without diabetes (no-DM). Participants with diabetes had higher BMI, lower HDL- and LDL-cholesterol and more prevalent heart disease, hypertension and smoking, compared to no-DM. Over 6-years, DM+MF participants had significantly slower rates of decline in global cognition and executive function, compared to DM-noMF, adjusted for covariates. The rate of decline for each cognitive domain was similar between DM+MF and controls. No impact was found in analyses examining interactions with sex, ApoEε4 carriage or hyperlipidemia. No difference was found in the rate of decline in brain volumes between the groups over 2 years. Incident dementia was significantly higher in DM-noMF, compared to DM+MF (adjusted OR 5.29 [95% CI 1.17-23.88], p,0.05), whereas risk of incident dementia was similar between DM+MF and participants without diabetes. Conclusions: In older people with diabetes receiving metformin, rates of cognitive decline and dementia were similar to that found in people without diabetes and significantly less than that found in people with diabetes not receiving metformin. Large randomized studies in people with and without diabetes are required to determine whether these associations can be attributed to metformin alone or if other factors explain these observations. Future studies will clarify if this cheap and safe medication can be repurposed for prevention of cognitive decline in older people.

Trajectories of cognitive decline in different types of dementia

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 1051-1059 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. L. Smits ◽  
A. C. van Harten ◽  
Y. A. L. Pijnenburg ◽  
E. L. G. E. Koedam ◽  
F. H. Bouwman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Frontotemporal Dementia ◽  
Lewy Bodies ◽  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Neuropsychological Measures ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Global Cognition

Background.To investigate trajectories of cognitive decline in patients with different types of dementia compared to controls in a longitudinal study.Method.In 199 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), 10 with vascular dementia (VaD), 26 with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), 20 with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), 15 with language variant frontotemporal dementia (lvFTD) and 112 controls we assessed five cognitive domains: memory, language, attention, executive and visuospatial functioning, and global cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE). All subjects had at least two neuropsychological assessments (median 2, range 2–7). Neuropsychological data were standardized into z scores using baseline performance of controls as reference. Linear mixed models (LMMs) were used to estimate baseline cognitive functioning and cognitive decline over time for each group, adjusted for age, gender and education.Results.At baseline, patients with dementia performed worse than controls in all cognitive domains (p < 0.05) except visuospatial functioning, which was only impaired in patients with AD and DLB (p < 0.001). During follow-up, patients with AD declined in all cognitive domains (p < 0.001). DLB showed decline in every cognitive domain except language and global cognition. bvFTD showed rapid decline in memory, language, attention and executive functioning (all p < 0.01) whereas visuospatial functioning remained fairly stable. lvFTD declined mostly in attention and executive functioning (p < 0.01). VaD showed decline in attention and executive functioning.Conclusions.We show cognitive trajectories of different types of dementia. These estimations of natural disease course have important value for the design of clinical trials as neuropsychological measures are increasingly being used as outcome measures.

scholarly journals Memory Decline in Peri- and Post-menopausal Women: The Potential of Mind–Body Medicine to Improve Cognitive Performance

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. IMI.S15682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim R. Sliwinski ◽  
Aimee K. Johnson ◽  
Gary R. Elkins
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Hot Flashes ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Memory Decline ◽  
Estrogen Production ◽  
Menopausal Women ◽  
Mind Body Medicine ◽  
Post Menopausal

Cognitive decline is a frequent complaint during the menopause transition and among post-menopausal women. Changes in memory correspond with diminished estrogen production. Further, many peri- and post-menopausal women report sleep concerns, depression, and hot flashes, and these factors may contribute to cognitive decline. Hormone therapy can increase estrogen but is contraindicated for many women. Mind–body medicine has been shown to have beneficial effects on sleep, mood, and hot flashes, among post-menopausal women. Further, mind–body medicine holds potential in addressing symptoms of cognitive decline post-menopause. This study proposes an initial framework for how mind–body interventions may improve cognitive performance and inform future research seeking to identify the common and specific factors associated with mind–body medicine for addressing memory decline in peri- and post-menopausal women. It is our hope that this article will eventually lead to a more holistic and integrative approach to the treatment of cognitive deficits in peri- and post-menopausal women.

scholarly journals TDP-43 pathology and memory impairment in elders without pathologic diagnoses of AD or FTLD

Neurology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 88 (7) ◽  
pp. 653-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sukriti Nag ◽  
Lei Yu ◽  
Robert S. Wilson ◽  
Er-Yun Chen ◽  
David A. Bennett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Hippocampal Sclerosis ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Lower Function ◽  
Diagnosis Of Dementia ◽  
Global Cognition ◽  
Stage 1

Objective:To investigate the association of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) pathology with memory, other cognitive domains, and dementia in community-dwelling elders without pathologic diagnoses of Alzheimer disease (AD) or frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD).Methods:Of 1,058 autopsied participants, 343 (32.4%) did not have pathologic diagnoses of AD or FTLD. Diagnosis of dementia was based on clinical evaluation and cognitive performance tests, which were used to create summary measures of global cognition and of 5 cognitive domains. TDP-43 pathology evaluated in 6 brain regions by immunohistochemistry was converted into a summary measure of TDP-43 severity.Results:Of 343 participants, 135 (39.4%) had TDP-43 pathology with a mean TDP-43 severity score of 0.394 (SD 0.490). TDP-43 inclusions were confined to the amygdala (stage 1) in 43.7% of participants, 40% showed additional involvement of the hippocampus or entorhinal cortex (stages 2), while fewer (16.3%) showed additional TDP-43 pathology in the temporal and frontal cortices (stage 3). Severity of TDP-43 pathology was independently related to lower function in global cognition and episodic and semantic memory while increased odds of dementia was only a trend. When participants with hippocampal sclerosis (HS) were excluded from the models, TDP-43 pathology remained associated with lower episodic memory but relationships with global cognition, semantic memory, and dementia were attenuated.Conclusions:TDP-43 pathology in elders, without pathologic diagnoses of AD or FTLD, is common and independently associated with lower function in episodic memory, while its associations with global cognitive impairment and dementia are difficult to separate from HS.

Cognitive Domain Associations with Balance Performance in Community-Dwelling Older People with Cognitive Impairment

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Morag E. Taylor ◽  
Annika Toots ◽  
Stephen R. Lord ◽  
Narelle Payne ◽  
Jacqueline C.T. Close
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Older People ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Visuospatial Ability ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Community Dwelling Older People ◽  
Global Cognition

Background: In older people with cognitive impairment (CI), executive function (EF) has been associated with motor performance including balance and gait. The literature examining and supporting a relationship between balance performance and other cognitive domains is limited. Objective: To investigate the relationship between global cognition and cognitive domain function and balance performance in older people with CI. Methods: The iFOCIS randomized controlled trial recruited 309 community-dwelling older people with CI. Baseline assessments completed before randomization were used for analyses including the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III; global cognition) and its individual cognitive domains (attention; memory; verbal fluency; language; visuospatial ability) and the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), a measure of EF. A composite balance score was derived from postural sway and leaning balance tests. Results: In linear regression analyses adjusted for covariates, global cognition and each cognitive domain were significantly associated with balance performance. EF (verbal fluency; β= –0.254, p <  0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.387) and visuospatial ability (β= –0.258, p <  0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.391) had the strongest associations with balance performance. In a comprehensively adjusted multivariable model including all of the ACE-III cognitive domains, visuospatial ability and EF (verbal fluency) were independently and significantly associated with balance performance. Conclusion: Poorer global cognition and cognitive domain function were associated with poorer balance performance in this sample of people with CI. Visuospatial ability and EF were independently associated with balance, highlighting potential shared neural networks and the role higher-level cognitive processes and spatial perception/processing play in postural control.

scholarly journals The association of Lewy bodies with limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy neuropathologic changes and their role in cognition and Alzheimer’s dementia in older persons

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonal Agrawal ◽  
Lei Yu ◽  
Sukriti Nag ◽  
Konstantinos Arfanakis ◽  
Lisa L. Barnes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Lewy Bodies ◽  
Alzheimer’S Dementia ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Alzheimer's Dementia ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Global Cognition

AbstractLewy bodies (LBs) and limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy neuropathologic change (LATE-NC) are common in older persons and associated with cognitive impairment. However, little is known about the relationship between LBs and LATE-NC and their combined roles in cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s dementia in community-dwelling participants. The study included 1670 community-based participants (mean age-at-death, 89.5 years (SD = 6.65); 69% females) who underwent annual assessments of cognition to create summary measures of global cognition and cognitive domains and evaluation for Alzheimer’s dementia. Systematic neuropathologic evaluations were performed to assess LBs, LATE-NC, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. We excluded cases with pathologically confirmed frontotemporal lobar degeneration in this study. Logistic and linear regression analyses were used, adjusted for demographics and AD pathology. LBs were present in 428 (25.6%) decedents (29 nigra-predominant, 165 limbic-type, and 234 neocortical-type) while 865 (51.7%) decedents exhibited LATE-NC (307 stage 1, 167 stage 2, and 391 stage 3). LBs combined with LATE-NC were common (15% of all participants) and in those with Alzheimer’s dementia (25%). Neocortical-type, but not nigral-predominant or limbic-type LBs increased the odds of stage 2/3 LATE-NC (odds ratio = 1.70; 95% confidence interval = 1.26–2.30). The association between neocortical-type LBs and stage 2/3 LATE-NC was stronger in those under 90 years of age and in women. In analyses of cognition and Alzheimer’s dementia, LATE-NC and neocortical-type LBs, separately, were related to lower global cognition, five specific cognitive domains, and an increased odds of Alzheimer’s dementia, above and beyond the AD pathology. Limbic-type LBs were related to lower global cognition, and the domains of episodic, working, and semantic memory, and increased odds of Alzheimer’s dementia. Furthermore, there was no interaction between limbic/neocortical-type LBs and LATE-NC on cognitive function, cognitive domains, or Alzheimer’s dementia. These findings suggest that neocortical-type LBs are associated with LATE-NC, specifically in the younger old and in women. Limbic/neocortical-type LBs and LATE-NC have separate and additive effects on cognitive function and odds of Alzheimer’s dementia.

scholarly journals White matter hyperintensities associated with small vessel disease impair social cognition beside attention and memory

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 996-1009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Kynast ◽  
Leonie Lampe ◽  
Tobias Luck ◽  
Stefan Frisch ◽  
Katrin Arelin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
White Matter Hyperintensities ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Attention And Memory ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Impact

Age-related white matter hyperintensities (WMH) are a manifestation of white matter damage seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They are related to vascular risk factors and cognitive impairment. This study investigated the cognitive profile at different stages of WMH in a large community-dwelling sample; 849 subjects aged 21 to 79 years were classified on the 4-stage Fazekas scale according to hyperintense lesions seen on individual T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI scans. The evaluation of cognitive functioning included seven domains of cognitive performance and five domains of subjective impairment, as proposed by the DSM-5. For the first time, the impact of age-related WMH on Theory of Mind was investigated. Differences between Fazekas groups were analyzed non-parametrically and effect sizes were computed. Effect sizes revealed a slight overall cognitive decline in Fazekas groups 1 and 2 relative to healthy subjects. Fazekas group 3 presented substantial decline in social cognition, attention and memory, although characterized by a high inter-individual variability. WMH groups reported subjective cognitive decline. We demonstrate that extensive WMH are associated with specific impairment in attention, memory, social cognition, and subjective cognitive performance. The detailed neuropsychological characterization of WMH offers new therapeutic possibilities for those affected by vascular cognitive decline.

scholarly journals Associations between the Intake of Different Types of Dairy and Cognitive Performance in Dutch Older Adults: The B-PROOF Study

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 468
Author(s):  
Liesbeth C. de Goeij ◽  
Ondine van de Rest ◽  
Edith J. M. Feskens ◽  
Lisette C. P. G. M. de Groot ◽  
Elske M. Brouwer-Brolsma
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Multiple Testing ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dairy Consumption

Various dairy nutrients have been associated with cognitive performance. Several observational studies have explored associations between the intake of total dairy or some dairy subgroups and cognitive performance. However, studies on the potential impact of a broad variety of dairy subclasses are scarce. We examined cross-sectional associations between a wide assortment of dairy products and cognitive performance. A total of 619 Dutch community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years completed a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. Cognitive performance was assessed with an extensive neuropsychological test battery; the tests were clustered into cognitive domains using z-scores. Linear and logistic regression analyses, adjusted for age, sex, BMI, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, habitual physical activity, total energy intake, and dietary factors, were performed to quantify the associations. The Benjamini–Hochberg method was used to correct for multiple testing. After full adjustment, higher skimmed dairy (β ± SD: 0.05 ± 0.02, p = 0.06), fermented dairy (0.04 ± 0.02, p = 0.09), and buttermilk (0.08 ± 0.03, p = 0.19) consumption were associated with better executive functioning. Logistic regression analyses indicated that a 30 g increase in Dutch cheese intake was associated with a 33% lower probability of poor information processing speed (PR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.47–0.97). No associations were observed between dairy consumption and attention and working memory or episodic memory.

scholarly journals Cognitive performance and engagement in physical, social and intellectual activities in older adults: The FIBRA study

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 270-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovana Sposito ◽  
Anita Liberalesso Neri ◽  
Mônica Sanches Yassuda
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Intellectual Activities

Cognitive decline in aging can negatively impact quality of life in the elderly. However, studies have shown that elderly engaged in advanced activities of daily living (AADLs) can maintain or enhance global cognitive function or specific domains. Objective: To investigate the relationship between engagement in AADLs and domains of cognition in elderly from seven different locations in Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 2,549 elderly without cognitive deficits suggestive of dementia was conducted. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, health status, the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) by subdomain (orientation, memory, attention/calculus, language and constructional praxis), and engagement in AADL grouped under physical, social and intellectual activities. Results: Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed an association, albeit modest, between intellectual AADLs and the domains orientation, attention/calculus, language and constructional praxis (R2=0.005, 0.008, 0.021, and 0.021 respectively). Social AADLs were correlated with memory (R2=0.002) and language (R2=0.004) domains. No association was found between physical AADLs and MMSE domains. Schooling and family income were the sociodemographic variables exhibiting the strongest relationship with cognitive domains. Conclusion: The study found associations between intellectual and social AADLs with higher cognitive performance, suggesting that active aging can provide opportunities to attenuate cognitive decline in aging.

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