scholarly journals Immune Response to Cytomegalovirus and Cognition in the Health and Retirement Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca C Stebbins ◽  
Grace A Noppert ◽  
Yang Claire Yang ◽  
Jennifer B Dowd ◽  
Amanda Simanek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Chronic infections and the subsequent immune response have recently been shown to be risk factors for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s Disease and related disorders (ADRD). While some studies have shown an association between cytomegalovirus (CMV), a chronic and highly prevalent infection, and cognition and/or ADRD, these are limited by non-representative and small samples. Using data from 5,617 adults aged 65 years and older from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study, we investigated the cross-sectional association between both CMV serostatus and IgG antibody response and cognitive function using linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and educational attainment. We further investigated potential effect measure modification by educational attainment. Overall, both CMV seropositivity and higher IgG were associated with lower cognitive function, though the relationship was not statistically significant in adjusted models. Among those with less than a high school diploma, CMV seropositivity and being in the first tertile of IgG response relative to seronegatives were associated with lower TICS score (-0.56 (95%CI: -1.63, 0.52) and -0.89 (95%CI: -2.07, 0.29), respectively), and the relationship was attenuated among those with higher education. Our results suggest that CMV may be a risk factor for cognitive impairment, particularly among those with low educational resources.

Research on Family Relationship and Cognitive Function among Older Hispanic Americans: Empirical Evidence from the Health and Retirement Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 073998632110254
Author(s):  
Chuihui Xiao ◽  
Shan Mao ◽  
Siming Jia ◽  
Nan Lu
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Hispanic Americans ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Family Relationship ◽  
The United States ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Older Population ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Retirement Study

The current study aimed to investigate the associations between family relationship and cognitive function among Hispanic older population. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with a sample size of 1,580 individuals from the Health and Retirement Study in the United States (mean age = 65.65 ( SD = 9.33)). Family relationship was measured in three dimensions: structural, functional, and appraisal support. The results of linear regression analysis indicated that diverse composition of family network (β = .070, p = .009) and receiving financial support from family members (β = .060, p = .018) were associated with better cognitive function. Moderation analyses demonstrated that these associations were greater for Hispanic women than men. Current findings highlight the importance of family relationship on cognitive function among Hispanic older population and suggest that researchers and policymakers should put emphasis on the structural and functional aspects of family relationship to improve their cognitive health.

scholarly journals Associations of Cytomegalovirus and Muscle Weakness in Older Adults: Results from the Health and Retirement Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 653-653
Author(s):  
Kate Duchowny ◽  
Grace Noppert
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Muscle Weakness ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
Antibody Levels ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Muscle weakness, measured by grip strength, is associated with disability, physical functioning and mortality; however, the sociobiologic underpinnings of muscle weakness are poorly understood. Immune response to cytomegalovirus (CMV), as measured by immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels, is often used as a marker of immunosenescence with higher antibody levels suggesting accelerated immunosenescence. Previous research has shown immune response to CMV across the life course is socially patterned with disadvantaged groups having higher antibody levels across the life course. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to examine associations between CMV IgG antibodies and grip strength in a nationally representative cohort of older adults, and the role of social factors in these associations. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (N= 4,251; Mean Age= 67.4 years), we employed gender-stratified weighted linear regression models to estimate the mean difference in grip strength associated with tertiles of CMV IgG response controlling for age, race/ethnicity (White, Black and Hispanic) and educational attainment. For men, higher IgG antibody levels were associated with decreased mean grip strength. For example, men in the highest level of IgG antibody had a grip strength of 37.67 kg (95% CI: 36.30, 39.05) compared to men seronegative to CMV with a grip strength of 38.96 kg (95% CI: 38.18, 39.74). For women, there was little difference in grip strength by CMV IgG response. Our findings suggest accelerated immunosenescence may be an important predictor of reduced grip strength in older adults, and critical to understanding social disparities in grip strength.

scholarly journals The influence of demographic factors on subjective cognitive concerns and beta-amyloid

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 645-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Aghjayan ◽  
Rachel F. Buckley ◽  
Patrizia Vannini ◽  
Dorene M. Rentz ◽  
Jonathan D. Jackson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positron Emission Tomography Imaging ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Aging Brain ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Clinically Normal ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACTBackground:Converging evidence suggests that subjective cognitive concerns (SCC) are associated with biomarker evidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) prior to objective clinical impairment. However, the sensitivity of SCC reports in early AD may be biased by demographic factors. Here, we sought to investigate whether age, education, and sex influence the relationship between SCC and amyloid (Aβ) burden.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, we examined 252 clinically normal (CN) individuals (57.7% females) enrolled in the Harvard Aging Brain Study, ages 63–90 years (mean 73.7±6) with 6–20 years of education (mean 15.8±3). SCC was assessed as a composite score comprising three questionnaires. Cortical Aβ burden was assessed with Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography imaging. A series of linear regression models assessed the potential modifying role of demographic variables with respect to Aβ burden and SCC. A post-hoc mediation model was implemented to further understand the relationship between Aβ burden and SCC via their relationship with education.Results:Age (β = −0.84, p = 0.36) and sex (β = −0.55, p = 0.22) did not modify the relationship between SCC and Aβ burden. Fewer years of education was correlated with greater SCC (r = −0.12, p = 0.05), but the relationship between Aβ burden and SCC was stronger in those with more education (β = 1.16, p < 0.05). A partial mediation effect was found of Aβ burden on SCC via education (b = −0.12, 95% CI [−0.31, −0.02]).Conclusions:These findings suggest that the association between SCC and Aβ burden becomes stronger with greater educational attainment. Thus, SCC may be of particular importance in highly educated CN individuals harboring amyloid pathology.

scholarly journals Parkinson Disease: The Relationship Between Non-motor Symptoms and Motor Phenotype

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Ba ◽  
Mona Obaid ◽  
Marguerite Wieler ◽  
Richard Camicioli ◽  
W.R. Wayne Martin
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson Disease ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Advanced Disease ◽  
Axial Component ◽  
Motor Symptoms ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Non Motor Symptoms ◽  
Motor Phenotype

AbstractBackground: Parkinson disease (PD) presents with motor and non-motor symptoms (NMS). The NMS often precede the onset of motor symptoms, but may progress throughout the disease course. Tremor dominant, postural instability gait difficulty (PIGD), and indeterminate phenotypes can be distinguished using Unified PD Rating scales (UPDRS-III). We hypothesized that the PIGD phenotype would be more likely to develop NMS, and that the non-dopamine–responsive axial signs would correlate with NMS severity. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional chart review to assess the relationship between NMS and PD motor phenotypes. PD patients were administered the NMS Questionnaire, the UPDRS-III, and the Mini-Mental State Examination score. The relationship between NMS burden and PD subtypes was examined using linear regression models. The prevalence of each NMS among difference PD motor subtypes was analyzed using chi-square test. Results: PD patients with more advanced disease based on their UPDRS-III had higher NMS Questionnaire scores. The axial component of UPDRS-III correlated with higher NMS. There was no correlation between NMS and tremor scores. There was a significant correlation between PIGD score and higher NMS burden. PIGD group had higher prevalence in most NMS domains when compared with tremor dominant and indeterminate groups independent of disease duration and severity. Conclusions: NMS profile and severity vary according to motor phenotype. We conclude that in the PD population, patients with a PIGD phenotype who have more axial involvement, associated with advanced disease and poor motor response, have a higher risk for a higher NMS burden.

Expanding the Happiness Paradox: Ethnoracial Disparities in Life Satisfaction Among Older Immigrants in the United States

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-255
Author(s):  
Rocío Calvo ◽  
Dawn C. Carr ◽  
Christina Matz-Costa
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
The United States ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Older Immigrants ◽  
Happiness Paradox ◽  
Retirement Study ◽  
Lower Life Satisfaction

Objective: This study investigated nativity disparities in life satisfaction among ethnoracial groups of older adults in the United States and the factors associated with such disparities. Method: Cross-sectional data from 7,348 respondents aged 60 and older from the 2012/2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used to estimate linear regression models. Results: Older immigrants experienced higher levels of life satisfaction than comparable native-born individuals. This “happiness advantage” was particularly salient for Hispanic immigrants, who reported the highest levels of life satisfaction of all groups included in the study. With increasing education, life satisfaction increased for White and “Other Race” groups, regardless of nativity. However, for both Black groups and native-born Hispanics, higher levels of education were associated with lower life satisfaction. Discussion: Findings suggest that the “happiness paradox” may not only be a matter of Hispanic ethnicity, but that it may also extend to immigrants from other ethnoracial backgrounds.

Major Discrimination Experiences, Education, and Genes

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 753-763
Author(s):  
Aniruddha Das
Keyword(s):  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Mediation Analysis ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Polygenic Scores ◽  
Retirement Study

Objectives: Rather than acting as a buffer, educational attainment has a known positive linkage with major experiences of lifetime discrimination. Recently established genetic roots of education, then, may also influence such reports. The current study examined these patterns. Methods: Data were from the 2010 wave of the Health and Retirement Study. Polygenic scores indexed one’s genetic propensity for more education. Mediation analysis was through counterfactual methods. Results: Among Whites as well as Blacks, genetic antecedents of education also elevated discrimination reports. Part of this influence was channeled through education. At least among Whites, direct effects were also found. Discussion: Major discrimination experiences seem partly rooted in genes. Mechanisms are tentatively suggested. Direct genetic influences, in particular, indicate potential confounding of previously estimated linkages between discrimination and health or life course factors. Given the range of these prior results, and their implications for healthy aging, investigation of these possibilities is needed.

scholarly journals Lagged Associations of Metropolitan Statistical Area- and State-Level Income Inequality with Cognitive Function: The Health and Retirement Study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e0157327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Kim ◽  
Beth Ann Griffin ◽  
Mohammed Kabeto ◽  
José Escarce ◽  
Kenneth M. Langa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Income Inequality ◽  
State Level ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Metropolitan Statistical Area ◽  
Retirement Study ◽  
Statistical Area
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