scholarly journals Neuropsychological Test Performance and Cognitive Reserve in Healthy Aging and the Alzheimer's Disease Spectrum: A Theoretically Driven Factor Analysis

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 1071-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan B. Mitchell ◽  
Lynn W. Shaughnessy ◽  
Steven D. Shirk ◽  
Frances M. Yang ◽  
Alireza Atri
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Control Group

AbstractAccurate measurement of cognitive function is critical for understanding the disease course of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Detecting cognitive change over time can be confounded by level of premorbid intellectual function or cognitive reserve and lead to under- or over-diagnosis of cognitive impairment and AD. Statistical models of cognitive performance that include cognitive reserve can improve sensitivity to change and clinical efficacy. We used confirmatory factor analysis to test a four-factor model composed of memory/language, processing speed/executive function, attention, and cognitive reserve factors in a group of cognitively healthy older adults and a group of participants along the spectrum of amnestic mild cognitive impairment to AD (aMCI-AD). The model showed excellent fit for the control group (χ2 = 100; df = 78; CFI = .962; RMSEA = .049) and adequate fit for the aMCI-AD group (χ2 = 1750; df = 78; CFI = .932; RMSEA = .085). Although strict invariance criteria were not met, invariance testing to determine if factor structures are similar across groups yielded acceptable absolute model fits and provide evidence in support of configural, metric, and scalar invariance. These results provide further support for the construct validity of cognitive reserve in healthy and memory impaired older adults. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1–10)

The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery App in healthy aging and cognitive decline due to Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Marques-Costa ◽  
M S Pinho ◽  
M R Simões ◽  
G Prieto
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Average Life Expectancy

Abstract Introduction There has been a significant increase in average life expectancy. This increase brought more focus on aging with more health, autonomy and independence. Among current public health concerns, the detection of cognitive decline in older individuals stands out, namely in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Accurate, brief, practical and automated measures are needed to assess cognitive function throughout the life-span. Since 2015, there is the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) app that meets these requirements and assesses the neurocognitive subdomains of attention, episodic memory, executive function, language, processing speed, and working memory. The European Portuguese app, developed by our team, will be validated for the Portuguese older adults. Objectives The aim is presenting a literature review of the use of NIHTB-CB in healthy aging and cognitive decline in MCI and AD. Methodology Advanced search in the databases of Web of Science and Google Scholar for studies published between 2016-2019, including articles and meeting abstracts with the words: NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery, AD, MCI, Elder or Senior or Older. Results According to the studies reviewed, NIHTB-CB may be useful in memory clinics (e.g.Hackett et al, 2018; Mayeda et al. 2018); clinical trials (e.g.Buckley et al., 2017; Parsey, Bagger & Hanson, 2019); and healthy aging (e.g.Scott, Sorell, & Benitez, 2019). Preliminary results of the ARMADA study (Weintraub et al, 2019) with people with more than 85 years old became available showing that generally, NIHTB-CB is well accepted, also in MCI patients. No difficulties were found in the use of the iPad with older adults. Conclusion NIHTB-CB measures provide a valid assessment of neurocognitive domains that are important in healthy aging, MCI and AD. As the studies are still scarce, more research is needed.

scholarly journals 402 - Cognitive reserve and linguistic skills in Spanish older adults with Alzheimer’s disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 118-118
Author(s):  
Cristina G. Dumitrache ◽  
Laura Rubio ◽  
Nuria Calet ◽  
José Andrés González ◽  
Ian C. Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Semantic Fluency ◽  
Global Deterioration Scale ◽  
Age Related

Background:Cognitive reserve, or the extent to which brain can cope with damage, is associated with extended healthy aging and with slow age-related cognitive decline, as well as a lower number of dementia-associated clinical cognitive signs. Thus, understanding how cognitive reserve might affect different cognitive abilities is important. This study aims at investigating the associations between cognitive reserve and linguistic abilities in a group of Spanish older adults with Alzheimer’s disease.Method:The sample comprised 25 older adults with a clinical diagnostic of AD with mild to moderate dementia, and 25 controls who were residing in care homes from the province of Granada and with ages between 52 and 92 years old (M= 83.40, SD= 7.18). The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Global Deterioration Scale, the Cognitive Reserve Questionnaire, and the Short Form of the Boston Naming Test for Individuals with Aphasia were used to collect data. Correlations and regression analysis were performed.Results:Results showed that cognitive reserve positively and significantly correlated with naming and with phonological fluency but not with semantic fluency word or sentence repetitions or with the global cognitive functioning and the severity of cognitive impairment. The regression analysis showed that cognitive reserve explained 24.7% of the variance in spontaneous naming (F=3.764, p=.039). On the contrary cognitive reserve did not predict verbal fluency.Conclusions:People with higher cognitive reserve score obtained higher scores in phonological fluency and in spontaneous naming and in naming after a semantic clue. Thus, cognitive reserve is linked with better linguistic abilities in AD patients and therefore it should be considered when designing speech therapy interventions for these patients.

Visual Event-Related Potentials in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Literature Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra Morrison ◽  
Sheida Rabipour ◽  
Vanessa Taler ◽  
Christine Sheppard ◽  
Frank Knoefel
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Clinical Judgment ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Event Related Potentials ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Related Potentials

Background: Cognitive deficits are correlated with increasing age and become more pronounced for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Conventional methods to diagnose cognitive decline (i.e., neuropsychological testing and clinical judgment) can lead to false positives. Tools such as electroencephalography (EEG) offer more refined, objective measures that index electrophysiological changes associated with healthy aging, MCI, and AD. Objective: We sought to review the EEG literature to determine whether visual event-related potentials (ERPs) can distinguish between healthy aging, MCI, and AD. Method: We searched Medline and PyscInfo for articles published between January 2005 and April 2018. Articles were considered for review if they included participants aged 60+ who were healthy older adults or people with MCI and AD, and examined at least one visually elicited ERP component. Results: Our search revealed 880 records, of which 34 satisfied the inclusion criteria. All studies compared cognitive function between at least two of the three groups (healthy older adults, MCI, and AD). The most consistent findings related to the P100 and the P3b; while the P100 showed no differences between groups, the P3b showed declines in amplitude in MCI and AD. Conclusion: Visually elicited ERPs can offer insight into the cognitive processes that decline in MCI and AD. The P3b may be useful in identifying older adults who may develop MCI and AD, and more research should examine the sensitivity and specificity of this component when diagnosing MCI and AD.

scholarly journals A Longitudinal Study of Episodic and Semantic Autobiographical Memory in aMCI and Alzheimer’s Disease Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6849
Author(s):  
Juan C. Meléndez ◽  
Alfonso Pitarque ◽  
Iraida Delhom ◽  
Elena Real ◽  
Mireia Abella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Healthy Control

Background: The main objective of this study was to analyze the evolution of autobiographical memory (both episodic and semantic) in patients with mild cognitive impairment, patients with Alzheimer’s disease, and a healthy control group. We compared these groups at two time points: first, at baseline, and in a follow-up after 18 months. Method: Twenty-six healthy older adults, 17 patients with mild amnestic cognitive impairment, and 16 patients with Alzheimer’s disease, matched on age and educational level, were evaluated at both time points with the Autobiographical Memory Interview. Results: The results showed significant longitudinal deterioration in episodic and semantic autobiographical memory in patients with mild cognitive impairment and in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, but not in healthy older adults. Conclusions: The deterioration of episodic and semantic autobiographical memory in AD is confirmed; however, although the episodic was impaired in aMCI, a pattern that evolved toward deterioration over a period of eighteen months was observed for the semantic autobiographical memory.

Alzheimer’s Disease: Erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate Content and Circulating Erythropoietin

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 834-835
Author(s):  
Petter Järemo ◽  
Alenka Jejcic ◽  
Vesna Jelic ◽  
Tasmin Shahnaz ◽  
Homira Behbahani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cell Damage ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Red Cell ◽  
Oxygen Release ◽  
Regulatory Pathways ◽  
Β Amyloid ◽  
2,3 Dpg

Background: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) features the accumulation of β-amyloid in erythrocytes. The subsequent red cell damage may well affect their oxygen-carrying capabilities. 2,3- diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) binds to the hemoglobin thereby promoting oxygen release. It is theorized that 2,3-DPG is reduced in AD and that the resulting hypoxia triggers erythropoietin (EPO) release. Methods & Objective: To explore this theory, we analyzed red cell 2,3-DPG content and EPO in AD, mild cognitive impairment, and the control group, subjective cognitive impairment. Results: We studied (i) 2,3-DPG in red cells, and (ii) circulating EPO in AD, and both markers were unaffected by dementia. Disturbances of these oxygen-regulatory pathways do not appear to participate in brain hypoxia in AD.

scholarly journals Financial Capacity and Regional Cerebral Tau in Cognitively Normal Older Adults, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Christopher Gonzalez ◽  
Nicole S. Tommasi ◽  
Danielle Briggs ◽  
Michael J. Properzi ◽  
Rebecca E. Amariglio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Cognitively Normal ◽  
Financial Capacity ◽  
Posterior Cingulate ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal

Background: Financial capacity is often one of the first instrumental activities of daily living to be affected in cognitively normal (CN) older adults who later progress to amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between financial capacity and regional cerebral tau. Methods: Cross-sectional financial capacity was assessed using the Financial Capacity Instrument –Short Form (FCI-SF) in 410 CN, 199 MCI, and 61 AD dementia participants who underwent flortaucipir tau positron emission tomography from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Linear regression models with backward elimination were used with FCI-SF total score as the dependent variable and regional tau and tau-amyloid interaction as predictors of interest in separate analyses. Education, age sex, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test Total Learning, and Trail Making Test B were used as covariates. Results: Significant associations were found between FCI-SF and tau regions (entorhinal: p <  0.001; inferior temporal: p <  0.001; dorsolateral prefrontal: p = 0.01; posterior cingulate: p = 0.03; precuneus: p <  0.001; and supramarginal gyrus: p = 0.005) across all participants. For the tau-amyloid interaction, significant associations were found in four regions (amyloid and dorsolateral prefrontal tau interaction: p = 0.005; amyloid and posterior cingulate tau interaction: p = 0.005; amyloid and precuneus tau interaction: p <  0.001; and amyloid and supramarginal tau interaction: p = 0.002). Conclusion: Greater regional tau burden was modestly associated with financial capacity impairment in early-stage AD. Extending this work with longitudinal analyses will further illustrate the utility of such assessments in detecting clinically meaningful decline, which may aid clinical trials of early-stage AD.

Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease Benefit From Audiovisual Speech Cues and Supportive Sentence Context

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Alexandre Chauvin ◽  
Shari Baum ◽  
Natalie A. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Speech Perception ◽  
Sentence Context ◽  
Speech Perception In Noise ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Speech Cues

Purpose Speech perception in noise becomes difficult with age but can be facilitated by audiovisual (AV) speech cues and sentence context in healthy older adults. However, individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) may present with deficits in AV integration, potentially limiting the extent to which they can benefit from AV cues. This study investigated the benefit of these cues in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), individuals with AD, and healthy older adult controls. Method This study compared auditory-only and AV speech perception of sentences presented in noise. These sentences had one of two levels of context: high (e.g., “Stir your coffee with a spoon”) and low (e.g., “Bob didn't think about the spoon”). Fourteen older controls ( M age = 72.71 years, SD = 9.39), 13 individuals with MCI ( M age = 79.92 years, SD = 5.52), and nine individuals with probable Alzheimer's-type dementia ( M age = 79.38 years, SD = 3.40) completed the speech perception task and were asked to repeat the terminal word of each sentence. Results All three groups benefited (i.e., identified more terminal words) from AV and sentence context. Individuals with MCI showed a smaller AV benefit compared to controls in low-context conditions, suggesting difficulties with AV integration. Individuals with AD showed a smaller benefit in high-context conditions compared to controls, indicating difficulties with AV integration and context use in AD. Conclusions Individuals with MCI and individuals with AD do benefit from AV speech and semantic context during speech perception in noise (albeit to a lower extent than healthy older adults). This suggests that engaging in face-to-face communication and providing ample context will likely foster more effective communication between patients and caregivers, professionals, and loved ones.

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