Association of cardiometabolic health factors with age-related executive function and episodic memory

Abstract In older adults, it is important to maintain awareness of memory as well as memory performance. However, it is not clear whether the awareness of episodic and lexical memory changes with age and is related to self-evaluation of memory and executive function. Here age-related changes and the relationship between metamemory, executive function, and metamemory scale were investigated. Healthy old (n=40) and young (n=34) groups participated in this study. In the episodic memory task, participants were asked to memorize ten Kanji words and to estimate the number of words they could recall after ten minutes. In the lexical memory task, they rated the likelihood that they could write a target Kanji word written in hiragana and then wrote them down. They were also asked to complete the metamemory in adulthood(MIA) and the position stroop task. In the episodic and lexical memory and the position stroop task and MIA subscales, the performances of the younger group were significantly better than those of the older group. In the episodic memory task, there were correlations between the metamemory and MIA subscales in both groups, but in the lexical memory task, only in the old group. No correlation was found between the results of both memory tasks and the stroop test. These results suggest that older people overestimate memory performances in the episodic and lexical memory tasks and metamemory performances may be associated with self-evaluation of memory. In addition, metamemory might not be related to frontal lobe function as shown in executive function tasks.

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Simple and Complex Rule Induction Performance in Young and Older Adults: Contribution of Episodic Memory and Working Memory

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617713001446 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 333-341 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Joukje M. Oosterman ◽

Merle S. Boeschoten ◽

Paul A.T. Eling ◽

Roy P.C. Kessels ◽

Joseph H.R. Maes

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Executive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Executive Control ◽

Rule Induction ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Memory Switching ◽

Age Related ◽

Neuropsychological Predictors

AbstractThis study tested the hypothesis that part of the age-related decline in performance on executive function tasks is due to a decline in episodic memory. For this, we developed a rule induction task in which we manipulated the involvement of episodic memory and executive control processes; age effects and neuropsychological predictors of task performance were investigated. Twenty-six younger (mean age, 24.0; range, 19–35 years) and 27 community-dwelling older adults (mean age, 67.5; range, 50–91 years) participated. The neuropsychological predictors consisted of the performance on tests of episodic memory, working memory, switching, inhibition and flexibility. Performance of the older adults was worse for the learning and memorization of simple rules, as well as for the more demanding executive control condition requiring the manipulation of informational content. Episodic memory was the only predictor of performance on the simple learning and memorization task condition whereas an increase in rule induction complexity additionally engaged working memory processes. Together, these findings indicate that part of the age-related decline on rule induction tests may be the result of a decline in episodic memory. Further studies are needed that examine the role of episodic memory in other executive function tasks in aging. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–9)

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Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is Associated With Cognitive Performance in Older But Not Younger Adults

The Journals of Gerontology Series B ◽

10.1093/geronb/gbu167 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 71 (3) ◽

pp. 474-482 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Scott M. Hayes ◽

Daniel E. Forman ◽

Mieke Verfaellie

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Neuropsychological Testing ◽

Memory Task ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Cognitive Decline ◽

The Relationship ◽

Better Than

Abstract Objectives: Aging is associated with declines in executive function and episodic memory. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has been associated with enhanced executive function in older adults (OA), but the relationship with episodic memory remains unclear. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between CRF and cognition in young and OA and whether CRF mitigates age-related cognitive decline. Methods: Participants completed exercise testing to evaluate CRF (peak VO 2 ) and neuropsychological testing to assess cognition. Results: In OA, peak VO 2 was positively related to executive function, as well as to accuracy on an experimental face–name memory task and visual episodic memory. In young adults (YA), a relationship between peak VO 2 and cognition was not evident. High-fit OA performed as well as YA on executive function measures. On episodic memory measures, YA performed better than high-fit OA, who in turn performed better than low-fit OA. Conclusions: CRF is positively associated with executive function and episodic memory in OA and attenuates age-related cognitive decline. We provide preliminary support for the age-dependence hypothesis, which posits that cognition and CRF relationships may be most readily observed during lifetime periods of significant neurocognitive development.

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Ecologically relevant episodic memory assessment indicates an attenuated age-related memory loss – A virtual reality study.

Neuropsychology ◽

10.1037/neu0000454 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (6) ◽

pp. 680-689 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Marlon O. Pflueger ◽

Rolf-Dieter Stieglitz ◽

Patrick Lemoine ◽

Thomas Leyhe

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Memory Loss ◽

Memory Assessment ◽

Age Related

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Effects of physical activity on cognitive function among patients with diabetes in China: a nationally longitudinal study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10537-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Anying Bai ◽

Liyuan Tao ◽

Jia Huang ◽

Jing Tao ◽

Jue Liu

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Executive Function ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Age Groups ◽

Screening Tools ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Patients With Diabetes ◽

Lagged Dependent Variable

Abstract Background We aimed to examine the effect of physical activity on different cognitive domains among patients with diabetes. Methods We used two waves of data from the Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2013–2015), a nationally representative dataset of Chinese population aged over 45. Total physical activity scores were calculated based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Executive function and episodic memory were used as measures of cognitive function. We conducted lagged dependent variable models to explore the association between physical activity and cognitive function in full sample as well as two different age groups (45–65, ≥65). Results: 862 diabetic patients were included. We found that diabetic participants who had greater level of physical activity at baseline were associated with better episodic memory function in 2 years (p < 0.05). Moreover, physical activity was significantly associated with less decline in episodic memory in fully adjusted models, and the associations were stronger among patients aged 45–65 years (p < 0.05). No statistically significant association was found between physical activity and executive function in all age groups. Conclusions Physical activity may prevent some of the potential decline in episodic memory in diabetic patients. Clinicians and public health departments should strengthen the promotion of physical activity and develop early screening tools among diabetic participants to prevent the progression of cognitive impairment.

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Racial Disparities in Cognitive Function: The Roles of Cumulative Stress Exposures Across the Life Course

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1627 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 504-504

Author(s):

Ruijia Chen ◽

Jennifer Weuve ◽

Laura Kubzansky ◽

David Williams

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Life Course ◽

Racial Disparities ◽

The United States ◽

Coping Resources ◽

Age Group ◽

Cumulative Stress ◽

The Life Course

Abstract Introduction: Racial disparities in cognitive function have been well-documented in the literature, but factors driving the disparities remain under explored. This study aims to quantify the extent to which cumulative stress exposures across the life course explain Black–White disparities in executive function and episodic memory. Method: Data were drawn from the 2004–2006 wave of the Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) and the MIDUS refresher study (N=5,967, 5,277 White, 690 Black). Cumulative stress exposures were assessed by using 10 domains of stressors (e.g., financial stress, childhood adversity). Cognitive function was assessed using the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone. Marginal structural models were conducted to quantify the proportion of the effect of race/ethnicity status on cognitive function that can be explained by cumulative stress exposures. Result: Blacks reported higher levels of cumulative stress exposures and lower average levels of executive function and episodic memory than Whites. Cumulative stress exposures explained 8.43% of the disparities in executive function and 13.21 % of the disparities in episodic memory. Cumulative stress exposures had stronger effects on racial disparities in cognitive function in the older age group (age≥ 55 years old) than in the younger age group (age < 55 years old). Conclusion: Cumulative stress exposures explain modest proportions of racial disparities in levels of cognitive function. Interventions that focus on reducing stress exposures or improving coping resources among Blacks may help lessen racial disparities in cognitive function at the population level.

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Semantic knowledge attenuates age-related differences in event segmentation and episodic memory

Memory & Cognition ◽

10.3758/s13421-021-01220-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Barbara L. Pitts ◽

Maverick E. Smith ◽

Kimberly M. Newberry ◽

Heather R. Bailey

Keyword(s):

Episodic Memory ◽

Semantic Knowledge ◽

Event Segmentation ◽

Age Related

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The Relations Between Physical Activity Level, Executive Function, and White Matter Microstructure in Older Adults

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2021-0012 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Marissa A. Gogniat ◽

Catherine M. Mewborn ◽

Talia L. Robinson ◽

Kharine R. Jean ◽

L. Stephen Miller

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Executive Function ◽

White Matter ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Neuropsychological Testing ◽

Activity Level ◽

Average Intensity ◽

Age Related

The population of older adults is increasing, indicating a need to examine factors that may prevent or mitigate age-related cognitive decline. The current study examined whether microstructural white matter characteristics mediated the relation between physical activity and executive function in older adults without any self-reported psychiatric and neurological disorders or cognitive impairment (N = 43, mean age = 73 y). Physical activity was measured by average intensity and number of steps via accelerometry. Diffusion tensor imaging was used to examine microstructural white matter characteristics, and neuropsychological testing was used to examine executive functioning. Parallel mediation models were analyzed using microstructural white matter regions of interest as mediators of the association between physical activity and executive function. Results indicated that average steps was significantly related to executive function (β = 0.0003, t = 2.829, P = .007), while moderate to vigorous physical activity was not (β = 0.0007, t = 1.772, P = .08). White matter metrics did not mediate any associations. This suggests that microstructural white matter characteristics alone may not be the mechanism by which physical activity impacts executive function in aging.

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