scholarly journals Temporal Sequence of Hearing Impairment and Cognition in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 574-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole M Armstrong ◽  
Yang An ◽  
Luigi Ferrucci ◽  
Jennifer A Deal ◽  
Frank R Lin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hearing impairment (HI) could be a risk factor for cognitive decline, but cognition could plausibly also affect psychoacoustic assessment of hearing with audiometry. We examined the temporal sequence of hearing and cognitive function among nondemented, community-dwelling older adults. Methods Hearing and cognition were assessed between 2012 and 2015 and 2 years thereafter in 313 nondemented participants aged ≥60 years in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Poorer hearing was defined by pure-tone average of 0.5–4 kHz tones in the better-hearing ear. Cognitive measures with either visual or auditory inputs were Trail-making Test Part B; Digit Symbol Substitution Test; California Verbal Learning Test immediate recall, short delay, and long delay; Digit Span Forward/Backward; Benton Visual Retention Test; and Mini-Mental State Examination. We used linear regression models for cross-sectional associations at each timepoint and autoregressive, cross-lagged models to evaluate whether baseline hearing impairment (Time 1) predicted cognitive performance 2 years after baseline (Time 2) and vice versa. Results Cross-sectionally, there were no associations between poorer hearing and cognitive performance. Longitudinally, poorer hearing was associated with declines in California Verbal Learning Test immediate (β = −0.073, SE = 0.032, p = .024), short-delayed (β = −0.134, SE = 0.043, p = .002), long-delayed (β = −0.080, SE = 0.032, p = .012) recall, and Digit Span Forward (β = −0.074, SE = 0.029, p = .011).) from Time 1 to Time 2. Cognitive performance at Time 1 did not predict change in hearing status at Time 2. Conclusions Audiometric hearing impairment predicted short-term cognitive declines in both California Verbal Learning Test and auditory stimuli for attention.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthoula C Tsolaki ◽  
Magda Tsolaki ◽  
Niki Pandria ◽  
Eftychia Lazarou ◽  
Olymbia Gkatzima ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele is a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Computer-based training programs can improve cognitive performance in elderly populations. However, the effects of computer-based interventions on MCI APOE ε4 carriers have never been studied before. OBJECTIVE The effects of different web-based interventions and the APOE isoform-specific differences in training outcomes are investigated. METHODS Using a quasi-experimental study design, 202 participants with MCI aged 60 years and older took part in three different intervention programs (physical and cognitive [Long-Lasting Memories, or LLM], cognitive [Active Control, or AC], or physical intervention [Physical Training Control, or PTC]) via an innovative information and communication technologies exergaming platform. Participants in each interventional group were subdivided into APOE ε4 carriers and non–APOE ε4 carriers. All participants underwent an extensive neuropsychological evaluation before and after the training, blood tests, and brain imaging. RESULTS All interventions resulted in multiple statistically significant cognitive benefits after the intervention. Verbal learning (California Verbal Learning Test: immediate recall test score—LLM: <i>P</i>=.04; AC: <i>P</i>&lt;.001), working memory (digit span forward and backward test scores—AC: <i>P</i>=.03; PTC: <i>P</i>=.02 and <i>P</i>=.006, respectively), and long-term memory (California Verbal Learning Test: delayed recall test score—LLM: <i>P</i>=.02; AC: <i>P</i>=.002; and PTC: <i>P</i>=.02) were improved. There was no statistically significant difference among the intervention effects. APOE ε4 presence moderates intervention effects as the LLM intervention improved only their task-switching processing speed (Trail Making Test, Part B: <i>P</i>=.03) and the PTC intervention improved only the working memory (digit span backward: <i>P</i>=.03). No significant performance alteration was noted for the APOE ε4+ cognitive AC training group. CONCLUSIONS None of the applied interventions could be identified as the optimal one; it is suggested, however, that combined cognitive and physical training and physical training via exergaming may be more effective for the high-risk MCI ΑPOE ε4+ subgroup.


10.2196/14617 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. e14617
Author(s):  
Anthoula C Tsolaki ◽  
Magda Tsolaki ◽  
Niki Pandria ◽  
Eftychia Lazarou ◽  
Olymbia Gkatzima ◽  
...  

Background Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele is a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Computer-based training programs can improve cognitive performance in elderly populations. However, the effects of computer-based interventions on MCI APOE ε4 carriers have never been studied before. Objective The effects of different web-based interventions and the APOE isoform-specific differences in training outcomes are investigated. Methods Using a quasi-experimental study design, 202 participants with MCI aged 60 years and older took part in three different intervention programs (physical and cognitive [Long-Lasting Memories, or LLM], cognitive [Active Control, or AC], or physical intervention [Physical Training Control, or PTC]) via an innovative information and communication technologies exergaming platform. Participants in each interventional group were subdivided into APOE ε4 carriers and non–APOE ε4 carriers. All participants underwent an extensive neuropsychological evaluation before and after the training, blood tests, and brain imaging. Results All interventions resulted in multiple statistically significant cognitive benefits after the intervention. Verbal learning (California Verbal Learning Test: immediate recall test score—LLM: P=.04; AC: P<.001), working memory (digit span forward and backward test scores—AC: P=.03; PTC: P=.02 and P=.006, respectively), and long-term memory (California Verbal Learning Test: delayed recall test score—LLM: P=.02; AC: P=.002; and PTC: P=.02) were improved. There was no statistically significant difference among the intervention effects. APOE ε4 presence moderates intervention effects as the LLM intervention improved only their task-switching processing speed (Trail Making Test, Part B: P=.03) and the PTC intervention improved only the working memory (digit span backward: P=.03). No significant performance alteration was noted for the APOE ε4+ cognitive AC training group. Conclusions None of the applied interventions could be identified as the optimal one; it is suggested, however, that combined cognitive and physical training and physical training via exergaming may be more effective for the high-risk MCI ΑPOE ε4+ subgroup.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 570-580
Author(s):  
Ashley M. Schnakenberg Martin ◽  
Deepak Cyril D’Souza ◽  
Sharlene D. Newman ◽  
William P. Hetrick ◽  
Brian F. O’Donnell

AbstractObjectives:Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that males and females may be differentially affected by cannabis use. This study evaluated the interaction of cannabis use and biological sex on cognition, and the association between observed cognitive deficits and features of cannabis use.Methods:Cognitive measures were assessed in those with regular, ongoing, cannabis use (N = 40; 22 female) and non-using peers (N = 40; 23 female). Intelligence, psychomotor speed, and verbal working memory were measured with the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Digit Symbol Test, and Digit Span and Hopkins Verbal Learning Test, respectively. Associations between cognitive measures and cannabis use features (e.g., lifetime cannabis use, age of initiation, time since last use of cannabis, recent high-concentration tetrahydrocannabinoid exposure) were also evaluated.Results:No main effects of group were observed across measures. Significant interactions between group and biological sex were observed on measures of intelligence, psychomotor speed, and verbal learning, with greatest group differences observed between males with and without regular cannabis use. Psychomotor performance was negatively correlated with lifetime cannabis exposure. Female and male cannabis use groups did not differ in features of cannabis use.Conclusions:Findings suggest that biological sex influences the relationship between cannabis and cognition, with males potentially being more vulnerable to the neurocognitive deficits related to cannabis use.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 354-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa F Barcellos ◽  
Kalliope H Bellesis ◽  
Ling Shen ◽  
Xiaorong Shao ◽  
Terrence Chinn ◽  
...  

We used the California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition (CVLT-II), one component of the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS), to determine feasibility of a remote assessment protocol. We compared telephone-administered CVLT-II data from MS patients to data acquired in person from an independent sample of patients and healthy controls. Mixed factor analyses of variance (ANOVAs) showed no significant differences between patient groups, but between-group effects comparing patients and healthy controls were significant. In this study, CVLT-II assessment by conventional in-person and remote telephone assessment yielded indistinguishable results. The findings indicate that telephone-administered CVLT-II is feasible. Further validation studies are underway.


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