The Effects of an 8-Week Hatha Yoga Intervention on Executive Function in Older Adults

Abstract The simultaneous performance of a secondary task while walking (i.e., dual tasking) increases motor-cognitive interference and fall risk in older adults. Combining transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with the concurrent performance of a task that putatively involves the same brain networks targeted by the tDCS may reduce the negative impact of dual-tasking on walking. We examined whether tDCS applied while walking reduces the dual-task costs to gait and whether this combination is better than tDCS alone or walking alone (with sham stimulation). In 25 healthy older adults (aged 75.7±10.5yrs), a double-blind, within-subject, cross-over pilot study evaluated the acute after-effects of 20 minutes of tDCS targeting the primary motor cortex and the dorsal lateral pre frontal cortex during three separate sessions:1) tDCS while walking on a treadmill in a virtual-reality environment (tDCS+walking), 2) tDCS while seated (tDCS+seated), and 3) walking in the virtual-reality environment with sham tDCS (sham+walking). The complex walking condition taxed motor and cognitive abilities. During each session, single- and dual-task walking and cognitive function were assessed before and immediately after stimulation. Compared to pre-tDCS performance, tDCS+walking reduced the dual-task cost to gait speed (p=0.004) and other gait features (e.g., variability p=0.02), and improved (p<0.001) executive function (Stroop interference score). tDCS+seated and sham+walking did not affect the dual-task cost to gait speed (p>0.17). These initial findings demonstrate that tDCS delivered during challenging walking ameliorates dual-task gait and executive function in older adults, suggesting that the concurrent performance of related tasks enhances the efficacy of the neural stimulation and mobility.

Download Full-text

The effects of combined cognitive training on prospective memory in older adults with mild cognitive impairment

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-95126-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yifan Chen ◽

Wei Zhou ◽

Zijing Hong ◽

Rongrong Hu ◽

Zhibin Guo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Executive Function ◽

Cognitive Training ◽

Prospective Memory ◽

Training Group ◽

Strategy Training ◽

Control Group ◽

Executive Function Training ◽

Encoding Strategy

AbstractThis study aimed to assess the effects of combined cognitive training on prospective memory ability of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A total of 113 participants were divided into a control group and three intervention groups. Over three months, the control group received only community education without any training, whereas for the first six weeks, an executive function training group received executive function training, a memory strategy training group received semantic encoding strategy training, and the combined cognitive training group received executive function training twice a week for the first six weeks, and semantic encoding strategy training twice a week for the next six weeks. The combined cognitive training group showed improvement on the objective neuropsychological testing (Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale). The memory strategy training group showed improvement on the self-evaluation scales (PRMQ-PM). Combined cognitive training improved the prospective memory and cognitive function of older adults with MCI.

Download Full-text

Weight Status Influences Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Executive Function Among Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1183 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 367-368

Author(s):

Desiree Bygrave ◽

Regina Wright

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Executive Function ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Verbal Fluency ◽

Weight Status ◽

Carotid Atherosclerosis ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Media Thickness

Abstract Carotid atherosclerosis has emerged as an early predictor of reduced cognitive function. Underlying this association are risk factors, such as overweight and obesity, that promote carotid atherosclerosis and poor cognitive outcomes. Given the prevalence of overweight and obesity among older adults, there is a critical need to better understand how atherosclerosis influences cognitive function in the context of elevated weight. To address this gap, the current study examined relations between carotid atherosclerosis (carotid intima-media thickness [IMT]), and attention (Trailmaking Test) and executive function (Verbal Fluency Test) performance, and whether they varied as a function of weight status (body mass index [BMI] classification). Data were analyzed from 162 older adults (mean age = 68.43y, 34% male, 41% African American), free of major disease. Mutliple regression and analysis of variance analyses, adjusted for age, sex, education and mean arterial pressure, showed a statistically significant IMT x BMI interaction for Verbal Fluency performance (p=.04) and a trending IMT x BMI interaction for Trailmaking A performance (p=.05). Simple effects analysis of IMT and Verbal Fluency performance showed that this association was most pronounced among those who are obese. Findings suggest atherosclerosis may influence executive function in the context of obesity among older adults. As the development of carotid atherosclerosis is strongly related to aging, our findings suggest that maintaining a healthy weight may reduce its impact on executive function in older adulthood.

Download Full-text

Gray Matter Volume Covariance Networks, Social Support, and Cognition in Older Adults

The Journals of Gerontology Series B ◽

10.1093/geronb/gbz023 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 75 (6) ◽

pp. 1219-1229 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kelly Cotton ◽

Joe Verghese ◽

Helena M Blumen

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Executive Function ◽

Gray Matter ◽

Gray Matter Volume ◽

Neural Substrates ◽

Functional Health ◽

Matter Volume ◽

With Memory ◽

Gray Matter Network

Abstract Objective We examined the neural substrates of social support in older adults. Social support is associated with better outcomes in many facets of aging—including cognitive and functional health—but the underlying neural substrates remain largely unexplored. Methods Voxel-based morphometry and multivariate statistics were used to identify gray matter volume covariance networks associated with social support in 112 older adults without dementia (M age = 74.6 years, 50% female), using the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. Results A gray matter network associated with overall social support was identified and included prefrontal, hippocampal, amygdala, cingulate, and thalamic regions. A gray matter network specifically associated with tangible social support (e.g., someone to help you if you were confined to bed) was also identified, included prefrontal, hippocampal, cingulate, insular, and thalamic regions, and correlated with memory and executive function. Discussion Gray matter networks associated with overall and tangible social support in this study were composed of regions previously associated with memory, executive function, aging, and dementia. Longitudinal research of the interrelationships between social support, brain structure, and cognition is needed, but strengthening social support may represent a new path toward improving cognition in aging that should be explored.

Download Full-text

The relationship between executive function and fine motor control in young and older adults

Human Movement Science ◽

10.1016/j.humov.2016.11.001 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 51 ◽

pp. 41-50 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Emily J. Corti ◽

Andrew R. Johnson ◽

Hayley Riddle ◽

Natalie Gasson ◽

Robert Kane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Motor Control ◽

Executive Function ◽

Fine Motor ◽

Fine Motor Control ◽

The Relationship

Download Full-text

Alexithymia and Executive Function in Younger and Older Adults

The Clinical Neuropsychologist ◽

10.1080/13854046.2015.1123296 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 29 (7) ◽

pp. 938-955 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Gennarina D. Santorelli ◽

Rebecca E. Ready

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Executive Function

Download Full-text

Hearing Rehabilitative Treatment for Older Adults with Comorbid Hearing Loss and Depression: Effects on Depressive Symptoms and Executive Function

American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.jagp.2021.08.006 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Katharine Brewster ◽

C. Jean Choi ◽

Xiaofu He ◽

Ana H. Kim ◽

Justin S. Golub ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Executive Function ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Rehabilitative Treatment

Download Full-text

fNIRS Outcomes for a Pilot Clinical Trial Combining Frontal tDCS With Walking Rehabilitation in Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2872 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 792-793

Author(s):

David Clark ◽

Sudeshna Chatterjee ◽

Jared Skinner ◽

Paige Lysne ◽

Samuel Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Executive Function ◽

Outcome Measures ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Neural Circuits ◽

Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽

Active Complex ◽

Multiple Tests ◽

Walking Rehabilitation ◽

Primary Hypothesis

Abstract This pilot study assessed a novel intervention to enhance both walking and executive function in older adults. The primary hypothesis was that eighteen sessions of frontal lobe tDCS combined with walking rehabilitation would be feasible, safe, and show preliminary efficacy. Eighteen participants were randomized to one of three intervention groups: active tDCS and rehabilitation with complex walking tasks (Active/Complex); sham tDCS and rehabilitation with complex walking tasks (Sham/Complex); or sham tDCS and rehabilitation with typical walking (Sham/Typical). Outcome measures included multiple tests of walking function, executive function, and prefrontal activity during walking as measured by functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Of the three groups, the Active/Complex group demonstrated the broadest improvements across outcome measures including for prefrontal activity. The functional range of prefrontal activity in this group was increased considerably, as conceptualized by the Compensation Related Utilization of Neural Circuits Hypothesis. Frontal tDCS is a promising adjuvant to walking rehabilitation.

Download Full-text