Normal Aging and Executive Functions in “Old-Old” Community Dwellers: Poor Performance Is Not an Inevitable Outcome

Background: Studies on normal aging and cognitive functioning commonly describe early and more pronounced age-related changes in executive functions (EFs) compared to other cognitive abilities. Two of the three most common neurodegenerative disorders associated with aging (vascular dementia [VaD] and extrapyramidal [EP]-related dementia) show executive dysfunctions in their clinical presentation; and these cognitive deficits are not uncommon in the third one: Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: Nine EF tests (yielding 12 measures) were administered to 123 randomly selected community dwellers, aged 81 years and over, with the view to determine the effect of age on performance. Markers of AD, VaD, and EP-related dementia, as well as sociodemographic and psychological variables, were selected and their contribution to EF performance was investigated. Results: Multiple linear regression analyses revealed the greatest contribution to EF scores from the markers of AD and estimated IQ but not from the markers of VaD and EP-related dementia or from age. Conclusions: These findings suggest that chronological age acts as a proxy variable mediating the impact of other factors such as subclinical signs of neurodegenerative disorders and that it has little independent contribution to make. They also indicate the importance of cognitive abilities supported by posterior cortical circuits in EF problem resolution. This study demonstrates that cognitive decline is not an ineluctable process that is associated with “normal” aging but rather represents, in many cases, a byproduct of neurodegenerative disorders, albeit themselves highly age-related.

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The Relevance of Cognitive Aging Research to Warning Label Design

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/1071181397041002143 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

pp. 1368-1368

Author(s):

Gabriel K. Rousseau ◽

Nina Lamson ◽

Wendy A. Rogers

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Color Discrimination ◽

Warning Label ◽

Aging Research ◽

Individual Difference Variables ◽

Age Related ◽

The Impact ◽

Age Related Changes

A variety of individual difference variables affect whether someone notices, encodes, comprehends, and complies with a product warning label. Failures at any of these stages reduce the effectiveness of warnings. Development of effective warnings must be based on understanding the characteristics of the product user. As the population grows older, consideration of age-related changes in perceptual and cognitive abilities becomes more relevant to the warning designer. Aging researchers have identified a variety of declines and changes in vision (e.g., acuity, contrast sensitivity, and color discrimination) and memory (e.g., working memory and prospective memory). By considering the abilities of the product user, the impact of age-related changes may be minimized. Based on cognitive aging research and theory, we will make recommendations about how designers can increase the effectiveness of warnings for older adults.

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Cytoplasmic mislocalization and mitochondrial colocalization of TDP-43 are common features between normal aged and young mice

Experimental Biology and Medicine ◽

10.1177/1535370220914253 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 245 (17) ◽

pp. 1584-1593 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pichet Termsarasab ◽

Thananan Thammongkolchai ◽

Ju Gao ◽

Luwen Wang ◽

Jingjing Liang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽

Neuronal Loss ◽

Critical Factor ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Normal Aging ◽

Age Related ◽

Wide Range ◽

Cytoplasmic Accumulation ◽

Young Mice

Transactive response DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) pathologies have been well recognized in various neurodegenerative disorders including frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, there have been limited studies on whether there are any TDP-43 alterations in normal aging. We investigated TDP-43 distribution in different brain regions in normal aged ( n = 3 for 26- or 36-month-old) compared to young ( n = 3 for 6- or 12-month-old) mice. In both normal aged and young mice, TDP-43 and phosphorylated TDP-43 (pTDP-43) demonstrated a unique pattern of distribution in neurons in some specific brain regions including the pontine nuclei, thalamus, CA3 region of the hippocampus, and orbital cortex. This pattern was demonstrated on higher magnification of high-resolution double fluorescence images and confocal microscopy as mislocalization of TDP-43 and pTDP-43, characterized by neuronal nuclear depletion and cytoplasmic accumulation in these brain regions, as well as colocalization between TDP-43 or pTDP-43 and mitochondria, similar to what has been described previously in neurodegenerative disorders. All these findings were identical in both normal aged and young mice. In summary, TDP-43 and pTDP-43 mislocalization from nucleus to cytoplasm and their colocalization with mitochondria in the specific brain regions are present not only in aging, but also in young healthy states. Our findings provide a new insight for the role of TDP-43 proteinopathy in health and diseases, and that aging may not be a critical factor for the development of TDP-43 proteinopathy in subpopulations of neurons. Impact statement Despite increasing evidence implicating the important role of TDP-43 in the pathogenesis of a wide range of age-related neurodegenerative diseases, there is limited study of TDP-43 proteinopathy and its association with mitochondria during normal aging. Our findings of cytoplasmic accumulation of TDP-43 that is highly colocalized with mitochondria in neurons in selective brain regions in young animals in the absence of neuronal loss provide a novel insight into the development of TDP-43 proteinopathy and its contribution to neuronal loss.

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The impact of brain size on pilot performance varies with aviation training and years of education

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617710000111 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 412-423 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

MAHEEN M. ADAMSON ◽

VIKTORIYA SAMARINA ◽

XU XIANGYAN ◽

VIRGINIA HUYNH ◽

QUINN KENNEDY ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brain Structure ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Brain Size ◽

Flight Simulator ◽

Specialized Training ◽

Or Education ◽

Cognitive Changes ◽

Age Related ◽

The Impact ◽

Age Related Changes

AbstractPrevious studies have consistently reported age-related changes in cognitive abilities and brain structure. Previous studies also suggest compensatory roles for specialized training, skill, and years of education in the age-related decline of cognitive function. The Stanford/VA Aviation Study examines the influence of specialized training and skill level (expertise) on age-related changes in cognition and brain structure. This preliminary report examines the effect of aviation expertise, years of education, age, and brain size on flight simulator performance in pilots aged 45–68 years. Fifty-one pilots were studied with structural magnetic resonance imaging, flight simulator, and processing speed tasks. There were significant main effects of age (p < .01) and expertise (p < .01), but not of whole brain size (p > .1) or education (p > .1), on flight simulator performance. However, even though age and brain size were correlated (r = −0.41), age differences in flight simulator performance were not explained by brain size. Both aviation expertise and education were involved in an interaction with brain size in predicting flight simulator performance (p < .05). These results point to the importance of examining measures of expertise and their interactions to assess age-related cognitive changes. (JINS, 2010, 16, 412–423.)

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The Effectiveness of Design Interventions in Improving the Ability of Older People to Perform Computer-Based Work

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193129804200201 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 148-151 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sara J. Czaja ◽

Joseph Sharit ◽

Sankaran Nair

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Interface Design ◽

Data Entry ◽

Complex Problem ◽

Age Related ◽

Computer Based ◽

Improved Performance ◽

The Impact

The objective of the current research was to evaluate the impact of age on the performance of computer-based work in order to develop design interventions that enhance the ability of older adults to perform these tasks. Specifically, two computer tasks, data entry, and a complex problem solving were investigated. Participants ranged in age from 20–75 years. Overall, the results indicted age differences in performance of both tasks. The younger participants had higher levels of performance Further, the results indicated that age-related differences in component cognitive abilities were related to performance. These data were used to develop design interventions such as modifying the layout of screen information. This paper presents data from the intervention studies. Overall the findings indicate that the interventions improved performance for all participants. For example, there were fewer keystroke errors for the data entry task and problem solving time was reduced for the problem solving task. These data are discussed in terms of understanding the extent to which fundamental interface design interventions can benefit older adults.

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The Neuromelanin Paradox and Its Dual Role in Oxidative Stress and Neurodegeneration

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10010124 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 124

Author(s):

Alexandra Moreno-García ◽

Alejandra Kun ◽

Miguel Calero ◽

Olga Calero

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Immune Response ◽

Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽

Normal Aging ◽

Saturation State ◽

Neurodegenerative Process ◽

Age Related ◽

Extracellular Release ◽

Cellular Components

Aging is associated with an increasing dysfunction of key brain homeostasis mechanisms and represents the main risk factor across most neurodegenerative disorders. However, the degree of dysregulation and the affectation of specific pathways set apart normal aging from neurodegenerative disorders. In particular, the neuronal metabolism of catecholaminergic neurotransmitters appears to be a specifically sensitive pathway that is affected in different neurodegenerations. In humans, catecholaminergic neurons are characterized by an age-related accumulation of neuromelanin (NM), rendering the soma of the neurons black. This intracellular NM appears to serve as a very efficient quencher for toxic molecules. However, when a neuron degenerates, NM is released together with its load (many undegraded cellular components, transition metals, lipids, xenobiotics) contributing to initiate and worsen an eventual immune response, exacerbating the oxidative stress, ultimately leading to the neurodegenerative process. This review focuses on the analysis of the role of NM in normal aging and neurodegeneration related to its capabilities as an antioxidant and scavenging of harmful molecules, versus its involvement in oxidative stress and aberrant immune response, depending on NM saturation state and its extracellular release.

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Executive function and high ambiguity perceptual discrimination contribute to individual differences in mnemonic discrimination in older adults

10.31234/osf.io/84vzc ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Helena Gellersen ◽

Alexandra N. Trelle ◽

Richard Henson ◽

Jon Simons

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Executive Function ◽

Individual Differences ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Standardized Tests ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Perceptual Discrimination ◽

Age Related ◽

Component Processes ◽

The Impact

Mnemonic discrimination deficits, or impaired ability to discriminate between similar events in memory, is a hallmark of cognitive ageing, characterised by a stark age-related increase in false recognition. While individual differences in mnemonic discrimination have gained attention due to potential relevance for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), our understanding of the component processes that contribute to variability in task performance across older adults remains limited. The present investigation explores the roles of representational quality, indexed by perceptual discrimination of objects and scenes with overlapping features, and strategic retrieval ability, indexed by standardized tests of executive function, to mnemonic discrimination in a large cohort of older adults (N=124). We took an individual differences approach and characterised the contributions of these factors to performance under Forced Choice (FC) and Yes/No (YN) recognition memory formats, which place different demands on strategic retrieval. Performance in both test formats declined with age. Accounting for age, individual differences in FC memory performance were best explained by perceptual discrimination score, whereas YN memory performance was best explained by executive functions. A dominance analysis confirmed the relatively greater importance of perceptual discrimination over executive functioning for FC performance, while the opposite was true for YN. These findings highlight parallels between perceptual and mnemonic discrimination in aging, the importance of considering demands on executive functions in the context of mnemonic discrimination, and the relevance of test format for modulating the impact of these factors on performance in older adults.

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Structural synaptic signatures of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies in the male brain

10.1101/2021.09.30.21264355 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Oleg O. Glebov ◽

David Williamson ◽

Dylan M Owen ◽

Tibor Hortobagyi ◽

Claire Troakes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽

Active Zone ◽

Dementia With Lewy Bodies ◽

Glutamate Transporter ◽

Lewy Bodies ◽

Age Related ◽

The Impact

The impact of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) on synaptic organisation remains poorly understood. Here, we found that in humans, DLB and AD were associated with increased synaptic levels of glutamate transporter vGlut1 and active zone protein Bassoon clustering respectively; these effects were only observed in male brain samples. These findings demonstrate disease- and sex-specific presynaptic structural remodelling in age-related neurodegenerative disorders.

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The Neuromelanin Paradox and its Dual Role in Oxidative Stress and Neurodegeneration

10.20944/preprints202012.0033.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Alexandra Moreno García ◽

Alejandra Kun ◽

Miguel Calero Lara ◽

Olga Calero

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Immune Response ◽

Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽

Normal Aging ◽

Saturation State ◽

Neurodegenerative Process ◽

Age Related ◽

Extracellular Release ◽

Cellular Components

Aging is associated with an increasing dysfunction of key brain homeostasis mechanisms and represents the main risk factor across most neurodegenerative disorders. However, the degree of dysregulation and the affectation of specific pathways set apart normal aging from neurodegenerative disorders. In particular, the neuronal metabolism of catecholaminergic neurotransmitters appears to be a specifically sensitive pathway that is affected in different neurodegenerations. In humans, catecholaminergic neurons are characterized by an age-related accumulation of neuromelanin (NM), rendering the soma of the neurons black. This intracellular NM appears to serve as a very efficient quencher for toxic molecules. However, when a neuron degenerates, NM is released together with its load (many undegraded cellular components, transition metals, lipids, antibiotics) contributing to initiate and worsen an eventual immune response, exacerbating the oxidative stress, ultimately leading to the neurodegenerative process. This review focuses on the analysis of the role of NM in normal aging and catecholaminergic metabolism due to its capability as a pro-oxidant and other harmful molecules, versus its involvement in oxidative stress and aberrant immune response, which it is highly dependent on NM saturation state and its extracellular release.

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Cognitive enhancement for the ageing world: opportunities and challenges

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x18000491 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (10) ◽

pp. 2308-2321 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Marcello Ienca ◽

David Martin Shaw ◽

Bernice Elger

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Moral Obligation ◽

Cognitive Enhancement ◽

Population Ageing ◽

Cognitive Disability ◽

Age Related ◽

Normative Issues ◽

The Impact ◽

Enhancement Technologies

AbstractPopulation ageing and the global burden of dementia pose a major challenge for human societies and a priority for public health. Cognitive enhancement,i.e.the targeted amplification of core cognitive abilities, is raising increasing attention among researchers as an effective strategy to complement traditional therapeutic and assistive approaches, and reduce the impact of age-related cognitive disability. In this paper, we discuss the possible applicability of cognitive enhancement for public health purposes to mitigate the burden of population ageing and dementia. After discussing the promises and challenges associated with enhancing ageing citizens and people with cognitive disabilities, we argue that global societies have a moral obligation to consider the careful use of cognitive enhancement technologies as a possible strategy to improve individual and public health. In addition, we address a few primary normative issues and possible objections that could arise from the implementation of public health-oriented cognitive enhancement technologies.

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Piano training enhances Stroop performance and musical self-efficacy in older adults with Parkinson’s disease

Psychology of Music ◽

10.1177/0305735619888571 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 030573561988857

Author(s):

Jennifer A Bugos ◽

Teresa Lesiuk ◽

Shafa Nathani

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Cognitive Control ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Training Program ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Control Group ◽

Group Piano ◽

The Impact

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is commonly associated with motor symptoms; however, many patients with PD exhibit decline in executive functions. Executive functions refer to a broad array of generalized cognitive abilities such as cognitive control and working memory. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact of a novel intense group piano training program on executive functions in patients with PD. Forty-five patients with PD were assigned to an intense group piano training program or a waitlist control group. Group intensive piano training consisted of basic piano technique, finger dexterity exercises, basic piano repertoire, and music theory, presented over a 10-day period (30 hrs of training). Participants completed a battery of standardized cognitive measures of processing speed, cognitive control, and verbal fluency, pre- and post-training. Results of an independent samples Mann–Whitney test on composite cognitive and psychosocial variables revealed significantly enhanced Stroop performance and musical self-efficacy. Intensive piano training may serve as an effective cognitive and psychosocial intervention for those with PD.

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