Peripheral Insulin Resistance Is Unrelated to Cognition in Highly Educated, Cognitively Normal Adults

Abstract Objectives Peripheral insulin resistance (IR) and impaired glucose metabolism increase the risk for cognitive decline. However, data looking at peripheral IR's relationship with cognition in cognitively normal adults is limited. This study aimed to assess the relationship between peripheral IR and tests of executive function, attention, and processing speed in cognitively normal older adults using a novel IR measure. Methods Baseline data from 81 cognitively normal older adults participating in a nutrition intervention study (Nutrition Interventions for Cognitive Enhancement study; NICE study) were analyzed. Fasting blood draws were attained, and peripheral IR was measured using Quest Diagnostics’ Cardio IQ Insulin Resistance Panel (Test Code: 36,509). The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery was conducted by a trained psychometrician. Executive function was measured by the Flanker Inhibitory Control and Dimensional Change Card Sort tests. The Flanker test also measures attention. Processing Speed was measured by the Pattern Comparison Processing Speed test. We constructed ordinary least squares regression models to assess IR's relationships with the individual cognitive tests, including age, education, and gender as covariates. Statistical analyses were performed using R (v. 3.6.2; R Foundation, Vienna, Austria). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results Participants were 83% female and had a mean age of 72 ± 4.9 years. The mean IR score was 29.9 ± 29.83. There was no statistically significant relationships with IR and any of the cognitive tests: Flanker Inhibitory Control (β = -0.03, P = 0.12), Dimensional Change Card Sort (β = -0.03, P = 0.16), Pattern Comparison Processing Speed (β = -0.10, P = 0.15). Conclusions There were no statistically significant relationships between IR scores and performance on the different cognitive tests. Although the tests were not significantly correlated with IR scores, directionality of the relationships indicated trend for higher IR being related to poorer scores. Consequently, maintaining insulin sensitivity with healthy lifestyle choices may be important for healthy brain aging. Future analyses with a larger sample size will be more informative for understanding the relationship between IR and various cognitive tests at baseline and over time. Funding Sources National Institutes on Aging.

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A-34 Sex and Sport Differences in Baseline Neurocognitive Performance in Division-I Collegiate Athletes using the NIH Toolbox® Cognition Battery

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acaa036.34 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (5) ◽

pp. 630-630

Author(s):

C Quintana ◽

M A Kelly ◽

N R Heebner ◽

D Y Han ◽

J P Abt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Processing Speed ◽

Collegiate Athletes ◽

Dimensional Change ◽

Division I ◽

Neurocognitive Performance ◽

Post Injury ◽

Card Sort ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Pattern Comparison ◽

Division I Athletes

Abstract Objective Understanding sex and sport-related differences in baseline neurocognitive scores may aid in interpreting post-injury performance. Sex and sport-related differences in neurocognitive performance for collegiate athletes have not been examined on the NIH Toolbox® Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB). Therefore, this study sought to determine if baseline scores on the NIHTB-CB differ between sex or sport in collegiate athletes. It was hypothesized that sex, but not sport-related differences would exist in CB baseline performance. Method 107 Division-I athletes (47 females, 60 males) that participated in soccer (n = 45), football (n = 30), or cheerleading (n = 32) volunteered to participate. Participants completed tablet-based NIHTB-CB assessments including the Flanker Inhibitory Control & Attention (FICA), Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS), Picture Sequence Memory (PSM), and Pattern Comparison Processing Speed (PCPS) tests. These assessments measured visual attention, cognitive flexibility, memory recall, and processing speed, respectively. Fully corrected t-scores were used for analyses. Parametric and non-parametric tests compared scores based on sex and sport. Results Females demonstrated greater performance on the PCPS (Females: 64.72 ± 9.84, Males: 61.08 ± 8.85; p = 0.006). Males exhibited better performance on the FICA (Females: 45.72 ± 10.12, Males: 51.03 ± 10.70; p = 0.009). After controlling for sex, a significant difference across sports was identified in the FICA (p = 0.007) with cheerleading (43.81 ± 9.28) exhibiting poorer performance than football (54.33 ± 10.44; p = 0.002) and soccer (48.42 ± 10.28; p = 0.047). No sex or sport differences were identified for the DCCS or PSM. Conclusions Baseline differences in neurocognitive performance exist on the NIHTB-CB based on sex and sport suggesting these variables be taken into consideration when interpreting post-concussion scores in collegiate athletes.

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Peripheral Insulin Resistance in Cognitively Normal Older Adults Relates to Poorer Performance on a Test for Speed of Processing

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa040_076 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 76-76

Author(s):

Aaron Smith ◽

Matthew Taylor ◽

Jim Backes ◽

Juleah Littrell ◽

Caitlin Boeckman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Older Adults ◽

Digit Symbol Substitution Test ◽

Digit Symbol ◽

Speed Of Processing ◽

Cognitively Normal ◽

Peripheral Insulin Resistance ◽

Digit Symbol Substitution ◽

Symbol Substitution ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Objectives Peripheral insulin resistance (IR) and impaired glucose metabolism increases the risk for cognitive decline. However, data looking at peripheral IR's relationship with cognition in cognitively normal adults is limited. This study aimed to assess the relationship between peripheral IR and tests of speed of processing (SOP) in cognitively normal older adults using a novel IR measure. Methods Baseline data from 56 cognitively normal older adults participating in a nutrition intervention study (Nutrition Interventions for Cognitive Enhancement study; NICE study) were analyzed. Fasting blood draws were attained, and peripheral IR was measured using Quest Diagnostics’ Cardio IQ Insulin Resistance Panel (Test Code: 36,509). A cognitive battery was conducted by a trained psychometrician. Z-Scores of the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, Stroop Color, Stroop Word, Stroop Interference, and Stroop Letter Number Sequencing and Crossing-Off tests were combined to give a global SOP score. We constructed ordinary least squares regression models to assess IR's relationships with individual SOP tests and global SOP, including age and education as covariates. Statistical analyses were performed using R (v. 3.6.2; R Foundation, Vienna, Austria). Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results Participants were 77% female and had a mean age of 72.1 ± 4.9 years. Higher IR scores were related to poorer performance on the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (β = −0.26, P = 0.04). IR scores were not related to other individual cognitive tests: Stroop Color (β = −0.17, P = 0.20), Stroop Word (β = −0.19, P = 0.11), Stroop Interference (β = −0.14, P = 0.28), Stroop Letter Number Sequencing (β = 0.03, P = 0.83), Crossing-Off (β = −0.18, P = 0.15), or Global SOP (β = −0.20, P = 0.11). Conclusions There was a relationship between higher IR scores and poorer performance on the Digit Symbol Substitution Test. Although other SOP tests were not significantly correlated with IR scores, directionality of the relationships indicated trend for higher IR being related to lower SOP. Consequently, maintaining insulin sensitivity with healthy lifestyle choices may be important for healthy aging. Future analyses with a larger sample size will be more informative for understanding the relationship between IR and SOP. Funding Sources National Institute on Aging.

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Not Quite as Grown-Up as We Like to Think

Psychological Science ◽

10.1111/j.0956-7976.2005.01530.x ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 291-297 ◽

Cited By ~ 113

Author(s):

Adele Diamond ◽

Natasha Kirkham

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Dimensional Change ◽

Dependent Measure ◽

The Other ◽

Card Sort ◽

Sensitive Measure ◽

Infancy And Early Childhood ◽

Dimensional Change Card Sort

Greater continuity in cognition between children and adults may exist than is usually appreciated. It was thought that after 3 to 4 years of age, the problem in switching on the dimensional-change card-sort task disappears. We show here, however, that if speed is used as the dependent measure, the effect of the first dimension is evident even in adults. Adults, like preschoolers, show difficulty in switching from a block of sorting by color or shape to a block of sorting by the other dimension. Notably, performance throughout the session was affected by the first dimension by which stimuli were sorted. We hypothesize that perhaps adults never fully outgrow any of the cognitive and perceptual biases of infancy and early childhood. Other examples of such biases that appear to still be present in adults are discussed. Conversely, the assumption that the optimal dependent measure for adults is the most sensitive measure for children is questioned.

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SUMMARY OF VERSIONS OF THE DIMENSIONAL CHANGE CARD SORT USED

Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development ◽

10.1111/j.1540-5834.2003.06803008.x ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 68 (3) ◽

pp. 120-123

Keyword(s):

Dimensional Change ◽

Card Sort ◽

Dimensional Change Card Sort

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Appendix: Summary of Versions of the Dimensional Change Card Sort Used

Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development ◽

10.1111/j.0037-976x.2003.00267.x ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 68 (3) ◽

pp. 120-123

Author(s):

Philip David Zelazo ◽

Ulrich Muller ◽

Douglas Frye ◽

Stuart Marcovitch

Keyword(s):

Dimensional Change ◽

Card Sort ◽

Dimensional Change Card Sort

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Emotion understanding in preschool children

International Journal of Behavioral Development ◽

10.1177/0165025414556096 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Eva Costa Martins ◽

Ana Osório ◽

Manuela Veríssimo ◽

Carla Martins

Keyword(s):

Inhibitory Control ◽

Dimensional Change ◽

Emotion Understanding ◽

Language Ability ◽

Future Research ◽

Set Shifting ◽

Peabody Picture Vocabulary ◽

Card Sort ◽

R Language ◽

Dimensional Change Card Sort

This investigation was aimed at studying the relations between executive functions (EFs) and categorical emotion understanding while controlling for preschoolers’ IQ, language ability and theory of mind (ToM). Specifically, we wanted to analyse the association between emotion understanding and set shifting, due to the lack of studies with this EF. Data of 75 children aged 4½ years (52% boys) was collected in two laboratory visits. Emotion understanding was assessed using the Emotion Recognition Questionnaire, inhibitory control using the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders task and set shifting using a version of the Dimensional Change Card Sort task. IQ was evaluated using the WPPSI-R, language using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test – Revised; and ToM using six standardized tasks. Set shifting, but not inhibitory control, predicted emotion understanding, over and above mothers’ age, and children’s IQ, language ability, and ToM. Mothers’ age and children’s language ability were also significant predictors in the final regression model. Results suggest that the capacity to shift mental sets is linked with inter-individual differences in children’s understanding of situational causes of emotion. Therefore studying EFs as correlates of emotion understanding is an important focus of future research.

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Tablet Use Affects Preschoolers’ Executive Function: fNIRS Evidence from the Dimensional Change Card Sort Task

10.20944/preprints202104.0188.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hui Li ◽

Dandan Wu ◽

Jinfeng Yang ◽

Jiutong Luo ◽

Sha Xie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Executive Function ◽

Infrared Spectroscopy ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Dimensional Change ◽

Heavy User ◽

Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽

Card Sort ◽

The Impact ◽

Dimensional Change Card Sort

This study aims to examine the impact of tablet use on preschoolers’ executive function during the Dimensional Change Card Sort Task (DCCS) task using the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Altogether 38 Chinese preschoolers (Mage = 5.0 years, SD = 0.69 years, 17 girls) completed the tasks before the COVID-19 lockdown. Eight children never used tablets, while 16 children were diagnosed as the ‘heavy-user'. The results indicated that: (1) the 'Non-user' outperformed the 'Heavy-user' with a significantly higher correct rate in the DCCS task; (2) the two groups differed significantly in the activation of the prefrontal cortex (BA 9): the 'Non-user' pattern is normal and healthy, whereas the 'Heavy-user' pattern is not normal and needs further exploration.

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