scholarly journals Effects of long sleep time and irregular sleep–wake rhythm on cognitive function in older people

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masato Okuda ◽  
Akiko Noda ◽  
Kunihiro Iwamoto ◽  
Honoka Nakashima ◽  
Kozue Takeda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Older People ◽  
Sleep Onset ◽  
Sleep Time ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Sleep Timing ◽  
Long Sleep ◽  
Back Task

AbstractSleep disturbances and cognitive decline are common in older adults. We aimed to investigate the effects of the total sleep time (TST) and sleep–wake rhythm on executive function and working memory in older adults. In 63 older participants, we measured the TST, wake after sleep onset (WASO), and sleep timing (midpoint between bedtime and wake-up time) using actigraphy. Executive function was evaluated with the trail making test B (TMT-B) and Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST). The number of back task (N-back task) was used to measure working memory. Participants with a TST ≥ 8 h had a significantly lower percentage of correct answers (% correct) on the 1-back task than those with a TST < 8 h. The % correct on the 1-back task was significantly correlated with the TST, WASO, and sleep timing. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the TST and sleep timing were significant factors of the % correct on the 1-back task. The TMT-B score was significantly correlated with the sleep timing. Category achievement on the WCST was significantly correlated with the standard deviation of the sleep timing. Therefore, a long sleep time and an irregular sleep–wake rhythm could have adverse effects on executive function and working memory in older people.

scholarly journals Behavioural and ERP Effects of Cognitive and Combined Cognitive and Physical Training on Working Memory and Executive Function in Healthy Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-69
Author(s):  
Hanna Chainay ◽  
Clémence Joubert ◽  
Stéphanie Massol
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Physical Training ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Event Related Potentials ◽  
Complex Span ◽  
Combined Training ◽  
Related Potentials ◽  
Back Task

Cognitive and physical training have been shown to be effective in improving older adults’ cognition. However, it is not yet clear whether combined cognitive and physical training offers an advantage compared to cognitive training alone. Twenty-two older adults performed cognitive or combined cognitive and physical training in order to compare their effects on working memory event-related potentials (ERPs) and on working memory and executive function performance. Before and after eight weeks of training, performance in Plus Minus, Flanker, Updated Span, and Complex Span tasks was measured, and ERPs were registered during performance of an n-back task (0-back, 2-back, and 3-back). Post-training behavioural improvement was observed in Updated Span, Complex Span, and n-back tasks. During the n-back task, the N2/P3 complex was modulated by training, with a decrease in N2 amplitude and an increase in P3 amplitude in the post-training session compared to the pretraining session. These changes in ERP components suggest that both types of training potentially reduce the need for attentional control to perform the tasks correctly and increase working memory capacity. Thus, based on our data, no conclusion can be reached on the direct advantage of combined training, either at behavioural or at neural level. However, the present study might suggest an indirect advantage of such a combined training, because the cognitive benefit was found to be highly similar in both types of training. Using combined cognitive and physical training may produce a potential improvement in general fitness and an increased appeal of training.

49 Longitudinal Change of Sleep in the Elderly and Its Associations with Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i12-i42
Author(s):  
A Didikoglu ◽  
A Maharani ◽  
A Payton ◽  
M M Canal ◽  
N Pendleton
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Sleep Time ◽  
Sleep Efficiency ◽  
Longitudinal Change ◽  
Sleep Timing ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Health And Mortality ◽  
Evening Class

Abstract Introduction In elderly populations, sleep quality deteriorates and sleep time shifts towards earlier times. These sleep characteristics have been associated with cardiovascular, metabolic and psychiatric disorders, cognitive decline and mortality. Our aims are to examine longitudinal changes of sleep in older adults and to investigate the relationship between sleep variations, general health and mortality. Methods The University of Manchester Longitudinal Study of Cognition in Normal Healthy Old Age cohort (6,375 participants, recruited in the North of England, between 1983 and 1993) was used. Mixed models were used to investigate individual sleep trajectories (5 waves in 30-year period). Sleep timing and efficiency trajectories were clustered using latent class analysis and analysed against daily habits, health and mortality. Results Older adults have decreased sleep efficiency (~20%) and early sleep time (~30 min) between 40 and 100 years of age. Those in the high sleep efficiency latent class had minimal decrease in their sleep efficiency as they aged. Belonging to the high sleep efficiency latent class was associated with having lower prevalence of hypertension, circulatory problems, arthritis, breathing problems and recurrent depression compared to the low efficiency latent class. Results showed a higher risk of hypertension and metabolic syndrome in the evening-type latent class compared to morning-type individuals. Evening class was associated with traits related to lower health such as reduced sport participation, increased risk of depression and psychoticism personality, late eating, increased smoking and alcohol usage. Survival analysis revealed that individuals in the evening class had 1.15-fold increased risk of all-cause mortality compared to those with morning preferences. Conclusion Ageing is associated with decreased sleep efficiency and early sleep timing. However, there are detectable subgroups of sleep traits that are related to prevalence of different diseases and longevity. Understating these subgroups may pave the way for new treatments for healthy sleeping habits in older population.

Distinct effects of acute exercise and breaks in sitting on working memory and executive function in older adults: a three-arm, randomised cross-over trial to evaluate the effects of exercise with and without breaks in sitting on cognition

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (13) ◽  
pp. 776-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J Wheeler ◽  
Daniel J Green ◽  
Kathryn A Ellis ◽  
Ester Cerin ◽  
Ilkka Heinonen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Light Intensity ◽  
Visual Learning ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Moderate Intensity Exercise ◽  
Intermittent Light ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Serum Bdnf

BackgroundSedentary behaviour is associated with impaired cognition, whereas exercise can acutely improve cognition.ObjectiveWe compared the effects of a morning bout of moderate-intensity exercise, with and without subsequent light-intensity walking breaks from sitting, on cognition in older adults.MethodsSedentary overweight/obese older adults with normal cognitive function (n=67, 67±7 years, 31.2±4.1 kg/m2) completed three conditions (6-day washout): SIT (sitting): uninterrupted sitting (8 hours, control); EX+SIT (exercise + sitting): sitting (1 hour), moderate-intensity walking (30 min), uninterrupted sitting (6.5 hours); and EX+BR (exercise + breaks): sitting (1 hour), moderate-intensity walking (30 min), sitting interrupted every 30 min with 3 min of light-intensity walking (6.5 hours). Cognitive testing (Cogstate) was completed at four time points assessing psychomotor function, attention, executive function, visual learning and working memory. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic growth factor (BDNF) was assessed at six time points. The 8-hour net area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for each outcome.ResultsWorking memory net AUC z-score·hour (95% CI) was improved in EX+BR with a z-score of +28 (−26 to +81), relative to SIT, −25 (−79 to +29, p=0.04 vs EX+BR). Executive function net AUC was improved in EX+SIT, −8 (− 71 to +55), relative to SIT, −80 (−142 to −17, p=0.03 vs EX+SIT). Serum BDNF net AUC ng/mL·hour (95% CI) was increased in both EX+SIT, +171 (−449 to +791, p=0.03 vs SIT), and EX+BR, +139 (−481 to +759, p=0.045 vs SIT), relative to SIT, −227 (−851 to +396).ConclusionA morning bout of moderate-intensity exercise improves serum BDNF and working memory or executive function in older adults, depending on whether or not subsequent sitting is also interrupted with intermittent light-intensity walking.Trial registration numberACTRN12614000737639.

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.

scholarly journals Examining cognitive training and executive function in older adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meggan Porteous ◽  
Sheida Rabipour ◽  
Patrick Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Flanker Task ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Hit Rates ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline ◽  
Back Task

Studies have shown that cognitive functions decline with increasing age. As the population of older adults (OA) has grown, interest in cognitive training programs (CTP) has steadily expanded. The present study investigated whether CTP can lead to improvements in the performance of OA on cognitive tasks. Thirty-five adults (OA; 60-87 years) were recruited to complete 25 sessions of a CTP over five weeks, with assessments completed before and after the program. Thirty-two young adults (YA; 17-27 years) were also recruited to complete one assessment for baseline comparison with OA. During assessments, participants were evaluated using tasks of executive function, including the N-back task of working memory and Flanker task of inhibition. The response time (RT) and hit rates of YA and OA on these tasks were examined at baseline, as well as changes in OA pre- and post-training. Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated a reduction of pre- and post-training RT for the Flanker task. There was no post-training change in RT on the N-back task. While OA hit rates did not change significantly pre- and post-assessment on the Flanker task, they showed increased hit rates post-training in the N-back task. In both tasks, OA and YA hit rates and RT were significantly different, with YA demonstrating lower RT and hit rate compared to OA. Follow-up studies will determine whether other factors can also lead to improvement. Determining whether CTP can improve cognitive performance in OA can help determine the potential of such approaches to prevent or rehabilitate age-related cognitive decline.

scholarly journals Foundational Basis for the Development of MEDSReM

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 230-230
Author(s):  
Gilles Einstein ◽  
Daniel Morrow ◽  
Jeannie Lee ◽  
Wendy Rogers ◽  
Tracy Mitzner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Prospective Memory ◽  
Behavioral Intervention ◽  
Interdisciplinary Team ◽  
Attention Control ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Adherence Monitoring

Abstract Discovering a composite of measures of executive function/working memory predicted everyday medication adherence among older adults, led to the development of a behavioral intervention, the Multifaceted Prospective Memory Intervention (MPMI) to improve hypertension medication adherence. The intervention resulted in a 35% improvement in adherence compared to an active education and attention control condition. However, adherence slowly declined over an additional five months of adherence monitoring without the presence of interventionists in the home. We proposed that the use of technology might help individuals maintain the prospective memory strategies, resulting in sustained adherence. An interdisciplinary team was formed to translate the behavioral intervention to technology, resulting in the first version of the MEDSReM system. In this presentation we describe the evolution of the project, from the components of the successful MPMI to the design and initial testing of MEDSReM. These efforts provide general insights about translating interventions into technology tools.

scholarly journals Speech Perception in Noise Is Associated With Different Cognitive Abilities in Chinese-Speaking Older Adults With and Without Hearing Aids

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Chen ◽  
Lena L. N. Wong ◽  
Shaina Shing Chan ◽  
Joannie Yu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Chinese Adults ◽  
Speech Perception In Noise ◽  
Older Chinese ◽  
Older Chinese Adults

Chinese-speaking older adults usually do not perceive a hearing problem until audiometric thresholds exceed 45 dB HL, and the audiometric thresholds of the average hearing-aid (HA) user often exceed 60 dB HL. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between cognitive and hearing functions (measured as audiometric or speech reception thresholds) in older Chinese adults with HAs and with untreated hearing loss (HL). Participants were 49 Chinese older adults who used HAs and had moderate to severe HL (HA group), and 46 older Chinese who had mild to moderately severe HL but did not use HAs (untreated; or UT group). Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to evaluate how well age, education level, audiometric thresholds, and speech perception in noise were related to performance on general cognitive function, working memory, executive function, attention, and verbal learning tests. Results showed that speech perception in noise alone accounted for 13–25% of the variance in general cognitive function, working memory, and executive function in the UT group, and 9–21% of the variance in general cognitive function and verbal learning in the HA group (i.e., medium effect sizes). Audiometric thresholds did not explain any proportion of the variance in cognitive functioning in the HA or UT group. Thus, speech perception in noise accounts for more variance in cognitive performance than audiometric thresholds, and is significantly associated with different cognitive functions in older Chinese adults with HAs and with untreated HL.

scholarly journals Associations of Actigraphic Sleep Parameters With Fatigability in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. e95-e102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfonso J Alfini ◽  
Jennifer A Schrack ◽  
Jacek K Urbanek ◽  
Amal A Wanigatunga ◽  
Sarah K Wanigatunga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Sleep Onset ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Sleep Time ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Wrist Actigraphy ◽  
Sleep Parameters

Abstract Background Poor sleep may increase the likelihood of fatigue, and both are common in later life. However, prior studies of the sleep–fatigue relationship used subjective measures or were conducted in clinical populations; thus, the nature of this association in healthier community-dwelling older adults remains unclear. We studied the association of actigraphic sleep parameters with perceived fatigability—fatigue in response to a standardized task—and with conventional fatigue symptoms of low energy or tiredness. Methods We studied 382 cognitively normal participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (aged 73.1 ± 10.3 years, 53.1% women) who completed 6.7 ± 0.9 days of wrist actigraphy and a perceived fatigability assessment, including rating of perceived exertion (RPE) after a 5-minute treadmill walk or the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale (PFS). Participants also reported non-standardized symptoms of fatigue. Results After adjustment for age, sex, race, height, weight, comorbidity index, and depressive symptoms, shorter total sleep time (TST; &lt;6.3 hours vs intermediate TST ≥6.3 to 7.2 hours) was associated with high RPE fatigability (odds ratio [OR] = 2.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.29, 5.06, p = .007), high PFS physical (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.04, 3.38, p = .035), and high mental fatigability (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.02, 4.50, p = .044), whereas longer TST was also associated with high mental fatigability (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.02, 4.71, p = .043). Additionally, longer wake bout length was associated with high RPE fatigability (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.14, 2.07, p = .005), and greater wake after sleep onset was associated with high mental fatigability (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.28, p = .036). Conclusion Among well-functioning older adults, abnormal sleep duration and sleep fragmentation are associated with greater perceived fatigability.

Long-Term Recreational Cannabis Use Is Associated With Lower Executive Function and Processing Speed in a Pilot Sample of Older Adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 089198872110491
Author(s):  
Katie Stypulkowski ◽  
Rachel E. Thayer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Bimodal Distribution ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Small Pilot Study

More older adults are using cannabis for recreational and/or medical purposes, but most studies examining cognitive function and cannabis use do not include older adults. The current small pilot study sought to compare cognitive function and emotional functioning among adults age 60 and older who were regular, primarily recreational cannabis users ( n = 28) and nonusers ( n = 10). A bimodal distribution was observed among cannabis users such that they had either initiated regular use more recently (“short-term” users; ≤7 years, n = 13) or earlier in life (“long-term” users; ≥19 years, n = 15). Nonusers, short-term, and long-term users were not different in depression, anxiety, or emotion regulation, or alcohol use. Nonusers scored significantly higher than long-term users in executive function. Short-term users scored significantly higher than long-term users in executive function, processing speed, and general cognition. Additionally, greater recent cannabis use frequency was negatively associated with working memory. The current findings suggest that short-term recreational cannabis use does not result in differences in cognitive performance compared to nonusers, which may indicate that short-term use is relatively benign in older adults. However, longer duration of use is associated with poorer processing speed and executive functioning, and more recent cannabis use is associated with poorer working memory, which may impact older adults’ overall cognitive functioning.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document