Supplemental Material for Longitudinal Associations Between Hearing Loss and General Cognitive Ability: The Lothian Birth Cohort 1936

Abstract Objectives Loneliness is associated with poorer cognitive function in old age; however, the direction of this association is unknown. We tested for reciprocal associations between loneliness and the cognitive ability domains of processing speed, visuospatial ability, verbal memory, and crystallized ability. Method We used three triennial waves of longitudinal data from the Lothian Birth Cohort Study 1936, and tested for cross-lagged associations between loneliness and cognitive abilities using cross-lagged panel models. Results Better processing speed, visuospatial ability, or crystallized ability at age 73, was associated with less positive changes in loneliness between ages 73 and 76; however, these associations were not replicated between ages 76 and 79. Loneliness at ages 73 and 76 did not predict subsequent changes in cognitive abilities. Discussion Our findings indicate an association between cognitive ability and loneliness, such that individuals with lower cognitive abilities at age 73 may be at a slightly higher risk of becoming lonely. However, we did not find support for the hypothesis that loneliness causes a decline in cognitive health.

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Physical frailty and decline in general and specific cognitive abilities: the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health ◽

10.1136/jech-2019-213280 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 74 (2) ◽

pp. 108-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Catharine Gale ◽

Stuart J Ritchie ◽

John M Starr ◽

Ian J Deary

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Ability ◽

Birth Cohort ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

General Cognitive Ability ◽

Visuospatial Ability ◽

Physical Frailty ◽

Cognitive Domains ◽

Memory Processing ◽

Lothian Birth Cohort

BackgroundPhysical frailty is associated with many adverse outcomes including disability, chronic disease, hospitalisation, institutionalisation and death. It is unclear what impact it might have on the rate of normal cognitive ageing. We investigated whether physical frailty was related to initial level of, and change in, cognitive abilities from age 70 to 79 years.MethodParticipants were 950 members of the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. Physical frailty was assessed at age 70 years using the Fried criteria. Cognitive function was assessed at ages 70, 73, 76 and 79 years. We used linear regression to examine cross-sectional and prospective associations between physical frailty status at age 70 years and factor score estimates for baseline level of and change in four cognitive domains (visuospatial ability, memory, processing speed and crystallised ability) and in general cognitive ability.ResultsPhysical frailty, but not prefrailty, was associated with lower baseline levels of visuospatial ability, memory, processing speed and general cognitive ability after control for age, sex, education, depressive symptoms, smoking and number of chronic illnesses. Physical frailty was associated with greater decline in each cognitive domain: age-adjusted and sex-adjusted standardised regression coefficients (95% CIs) were: −0.45 (−0.70 to –0.20) for visuospatial ability, −0.32 (−0.56 to –0.07) for memory, −0.47 (−0.72 to −0.22) for processing speed, −0.43 (−0.68 to –0.18) for crystallised ability and −0.45 (−0.70 to –0.21) for general cognitive ability. These associations were only slightly attenuated after additional control for other covariates.ConclusionPhysical frailty may be an important indicator of age-related decline across multiple cognitive domains.

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Cerebral small vessel disease burden and longitudinal cognitive decline from age 73 to 82: the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936

Translational Psychiatry ◽

10.1038/s41398-021-01495-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

O. K. L. Hamilton ◽

S. R. Cox ◽

J. A. Okely ◽

F. Conte ◽

L. Ballerini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Ability ◽

Birth Cohort ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Small Vessel Disease ◽

Cerebral Small Vessel Disease ◽

Small Vessel ◽

General Cognitive Ability ◽

Vessel Disease ◽

Lothian Birth Cohort

AbstractSlowed processing speed is considered a hallmark feature of cognitive decline in cerebral small vessel disease (SVD); however, it is unclear whether SVD’s association with slowed processing might be due to its association with overall declining general cognitive ability. We quantified the total MRI-visible SVD burden of 540 members of the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (age: 72.6 ± 0.7 years; 47% female). Using latent growth curve modelling, we tested associations between total SVD burden at mean age 73 and changes in general cognitive ability, processing speed, verbal memory and visuospatial ability, measured at age 73, 76, 79 and 82. Covariates included age, sex, vascular risk and childhood cognitive ability. In the fully adjusted models, greater SVD burden was associated with greater declines in general cognitive ability (standardised β: −0.201; 95% CI: [−0.36, −0.04]; pFDR = 0.022) and processing speed (−0.222; [−0.40, −0.04]; pFDR = 0.022). SVD burden accounted for between 4 and 5% of variance in declines of general cognitive ability and processing speed. After accounting for the covariance between tests of processing speed and general cognitive ability, only SVD’s association with greater decline in general cognitive ability remained significant, prior to FDR correction (−0.222; [−0.39, −0.06]; p = 0.008; pFDR = 0.085). Our findings do not support the notion that SVD has a specific association with declining processing speed, independent of decline in general cognitive ability (which captures the variance shared across domains of cognitive ability). The association between SVD burden and declining general cognitive ability supports the notion of SVD as a diffuse, whole-brain disease and suggests that trials monitoring SVD-related cognitive changes should consider domain-specific changes in the context of overall, general cognitive decline.

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Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on psychosocial factors, health, and lifestyle in Scottish octogenarians: The Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0253153 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. e0253153

Author(s):

Adele M. Taylor ◽

Danielle Page ◽

Judith A. Okely ◽

Janie Corley ◽

Miles Welstead ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Cognitive Ability ◽

Birth Cohort ◽

Psychosocial Factors ◽

Emotional Stability ◽

General Cognitive Ability ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Occupational Class ◽

Lothian Birth Cohort

Background Little is known about effects of COVID-19 lockdown on psychosocial factors, health and lifestyle in older adults, particularly those aged over 80 years, despite the risks posed by COVID-19 to this age group. Methods Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 members, residing mostly in Edinburgh and the surrounding Lothians regions in Scotland, mean age 84 years (SD = 0.3), responded to an online questionnaire in May 2020 (n = 190). We examined responses (experience and knowledge of COVID-19; adherence to guidance; impact on day-to-day living; social contact; self-reported physical and mental health; loneliness; and lifestyle) and relationships between previously-measured characteristics and questionnaire outcomes. Results Four respondents experienced COVID-19; most had good COVID-19 knowledge (94.7%) and found guidance easy to understand (86.3%). There were modest declines in self-reported physical and mental health, and 48.2% did less physical activity. In multivariable regression models, adherence to guidance by leaving the house less often associated with less professional occupational class (OR = 0.71, 95%CI 0.51–0.98) and poorer self-rated general health (OR = 0.62, 95%CI 0.42–0.92). Increased internet use associated with female sex (OR = 2.32, 95%CI 1.12–4.86) and higher general cognitive ability (OR = 1.53, 95%CI 1.03–2.33). Loneliness associated with living alone (OR = 0.15, 95%CI 0.07–0.31) and greater anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.76, 95%CI 0.45–1.24). COVID-19 related stress associated with lower emotional stability scores (OR = 0.40, 95%CI 0.24–0.62). Decreased physical activity associated with less professional occupational class (OR = 1.43, 95%CI 1.04–1.96), and lower general cognitive ability (OR = 0.679, 95%CI 0.491–0.931). Conclusions Characteristics including cognitive function, occupational class, self-rated health, anxiety, and emotional stability, may be related to risk of poorer lockdown-related psychosocial and physical outcomes.

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Physical frailty and decline in general and specific cognitive abilities: the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936

10.31234/osf.io/24whr ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Catharine R Gale ◽

Stuart James Ritchie ◽

Ian Deary

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Ability ◽

Birth Cohort ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

General Cognitive Ability ◽

Visuospatial Ability ◽

Physical Frailty ◽

Cognitive Domains ◽

Memory Processing ◽

Lothian Birth Cohort

Background: Physical frailty is associated with many adverse outcomes including disability, chronic disease, hospitalization, institutionalization and death. It is unclear what impact it might have on the rate of normal cognitive ageing. We investigated whether physical frailty was related to initial level of, and change in, cognitive abilities from age 70 to 79 years. Method: Participants were 950 members of the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. Physical frailty was assessed at age 70 using the Fried criteria. Cognitive function was assessed at ages 70, 73, 76 and 79. We used linear regression to examine the associations between physical frailty status at age 70 and factor score estimates for baseline level of and change in four cognitive domains (visuospatial ability, memory, processing speed, and crystallized ability) and in general cognitive ability.Results: Physical frailty, but not pre-frailty, was associated with lower baseline levels of visuospatial ability, memory, processing speed, and general cognitive ability after control for age, sex, education, depressive symptoms, smoking, and number of chronic illnesses. Physical frailty was associated with greater decline in each cognitive domain: age- and sex-adjusted standardized regression coefficients (95% confidence intervals) were: -0.45 (-0.70, -0.20) for visuospatial ability, -0.32 (-0.56, -0.07) for memory, -0.47 (-0.72, -0.22) for processing speed, -0.43 (-0.68, -0.18) for crystallized ability, and -0.45 (-0.70, -0.21) for general cognitive ability. Further adjustment for the other covariates had only modest attenuating effects on these associations and they remained significant.Conclusion: Physical frailty may be an important indicator of age-related decline across multiple cognitive domains.

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Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Burden and Longitudinal Cognitive Decline from age 73 to 82: the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936

10.1101/2021.03.28.21254499 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Olivia KL Hamilton ◽

Simon R Cox ◽

Judy A Okely ◽

Federica Conte ◽

Lucia Ballerini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Ability ◽

Birth Cohort ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Small Vessel Disease ◽

Cerebral Small Vessel Disease ◽

Small Vessel ◽

General Cognitive Ability ◽

Vessel Disease ◽

Lothian Birth Cohort

Slowed processing speed is considered a hallmark feature of cognitive decline in cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), however, it is unclear whether SVDs association with slowed processing might be due to its association with overall declining general cognitive ability. We quantified the total MRI-visible SVD burden of 540 members of the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (age:72.6±0.7 years; 47% female). Using latent growth curve modelling, we tested associations between total SVD burden at mean age 73 and changes in general cognitive ability, processing speed, verbal memory, and visuospatial ability, measured at age 73, 76, 79 and 82. Covariates included age, sex, vascular risk, and childhood cognitive ability. In the fully-adjusted models, greater SVD burden was associated with greater declines in general cognitive ability (standardised β: -0.201; 95%CI: [-0.36, -0.04]; pFDR=0.022) and processing speed (-0.222; [-0.40, -0.04]; pFDR=0.022). SVD burden accounted for between 4 and 5% of variance in declines of general cognitive ability and processing speed. After accounting for the covariance between tests of processing speed and general cognitive ability, only SVDs association with greater decline in general cognitive ability remained significant, prior to FDR correction (-0.222; [-0.39, -0.06]; p=0.008; pFDR=0.085). Our findings do not support the notion that SVD has a specific association with declining processing speed, independent of decline in general cognitive ability (which captures the variance shared across domains of cognitive ability). The association between SVD burden and declining general cognitive ability supports the notion of SVD as a diffuse, whole-brain disease and suggests that trials monitoring SVD-related cognitive changes should consider domain-specific changes in the context of overall, general cognitive decline.

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Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on psychosocial factors, health, and lifestyle in Scottish octogenarians: the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 Study

10.1101/2020.10.01.20203711 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Adele M. Taylor ◽

Danielle Page ◽

Judith A. Okely ◽

Janie Corley ◽

Miles Welstead ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Cognitive Ability ◽

Birth Cohort ◽

Psychosocial Factors ◽

Emotional Stability ◽

General Cognitive Ability ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Occupational Class ◽

Lothian Birth Cohort

ABSTRACTBackgroundLittle is known about effects of COVID-19 lockdown on psychosocial factors, health and lifestyle in older adults, particularly those aged over 80 years, despite the risks posed by COVID-19 to this age group.MethodsLothian Birth Cohort 1936 members, mean age 84 years (SD=0.3), responded to an online questionnaire in May 2020 (n=190). We examined responses (experience and knowledge of COVID-19; adherence to guidance; impact on day-to-day living; social contact; self-reported physical and mental health; loneliness; and lifestyle) and relationships between previously-measured characteristics and questionnaire outcomes.ResultsFour respondents experienced COVID-19; most had good COVID-19 knowledge (94.7%) and found guidance easy to understand (86.3%). There were modest declines in self-reported physical and mental health, and 48.2% did less physical activity. In multivariable regression models, adherence to guidance by leaving the house less often associated with less professional occupational class (OR=0.71, 95%CI 0.51– 0.98) and poorer self-rated general health (OR=0.62, 95%CI 0.42–0.92). Increased internet use associated with female sex (OR=2.32, 95%CI 1.12–4.86) and higher general cognitive ability (OR=1.53, 95%CI 1.03–2.33). Loneliness associated with living alone (OR=0.15, 95%CI 0.07–0.31) and greater anxiety symptoms (OR=1.76, 95%CI 0.45–1.24). COVID-19 related stress associated with lower emotional stability scores (OR=0.40, 95%CI 0.24–0.62). Decreased physical activity associated with less professional occupational class (OR=1.43, 95%CI 1.04–1.96), and lower general cognitive ability (OR=0.679, 95%CI 0.491–0.931).ConclusionsCharacteristics including cognitive function, occupational class, self-rated health, anxiety, and emotional stability, may be related to risk of poorer lockdown-related psychosocial and physical outcomes.

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