scholarly journals Effects of Stress Exposure Versus Appraisal on Episodic Memory Trajectories: Evidence for Risk and Resilience among Black Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily P Morris ◽  
Lauren L Brown ◽  
Afsara B Zaheed ◽  
Jordan D Palms ◽  
Ketlyne Sol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Racial Disparities ◽  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Stress Exposure ◽  
Stress Appraisal ◽  
Latent Growth Curves

Abstract Objectives Chronic stressors, experienced disproportionately by Black older adults, are a risk factor for memory impairment. Racially patterned stress exposure may contribute to higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) among Black older adults compared with Whites, but less is known about the role of stress appraisal. This study examined whether chronic stress exposure mediates racial disparities in memory and whether stress appraisal moderates these associations. Methods Participants included 16,924 older adults (Mage= 67.39, 21% Black) from the 2010 and 2012 waves of the Health and Retirement Study who completed measures of chronic stress exposure (health, financial, housing, relationships, and caregiving) and appraisal. Latent growth curves modeled longitudinal performance on a word list memory task over six years. Results Black older adults reported greater stress exposure than Whites, and greater stress exposure partially mediated Black-White disparities in initial memory (standardized indirect effect=–.002, p=.009). However, Black older adults appraised stressors as less upsetting than Whites. While stress appraisal did not moderate links between stress exposure and memory, appraising stressors as less upsetting was independently associated with better initial memory. Thus, Black-White disparities in initial memory was partially offset by Blacks participants' appraisal of stressors as less upsetting (standardized indirect effect=.002, p=.016). Discussion Reducing chronic stress exposure may reduce racial disparities in ADRD risk. The counteractive effect of stress appraisal on Black-White disparities in episodic memory highlights resilience factors among Black older adults that should be characterized in future research to move beyond deficit models of ADRD inequality.

scholarly journals Social Engagement and Episodic Memory in Non-Hispanic Black and White Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 343-343
Author(s):  
Abbey Hamlin ◽  
A Zarina Kraal ◽  
Laura Zahodne
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Social engagement may confer cognitive benefits in older adulthood, but studies have typically been restricted to largely non-Hispanic White (NHW) samples. Levels of social engagement vary across race such that NHW report larger social networks, more frequent participation in social activities, and greater social support than non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB). Associations between social engagement and cognition may also vary by race, but research is sparse. The current cross-sectional study examined associations between different aspects of social engagement and episodic memory performance, as well as interactions between social engagement and race among NHB and NHW participants in the Michigan Cognitive Aging Project (N = 247; 48.4% NHB; age = 64.19 ± 2.92). Social engagement (network size, activities, support) was self-reported. Episodic memory was a z-score composite of immediate, delayed, and recognition trials of a list-learning task. Separate hierarchical linear regression models quantified interactions between race and each of the three social engagement variables on episodic memory, controlling for sociodemographics, depressive symptoms, and health conditions. Results showed a main effect of more frequent social activity on better episodic memory, as well as an interaction between race and social support indicating a significant positive association in NHB but not NHW. These preliminary findings suggest that participating in social activities may be equally beneficial for episodic memory across NHB and NHW older adults and that social support may be particularly beneficial for NHB. Future research is needed to determine the potential applications of these results in reducing cognitive inequalities through the development of culturally-relevant interventions.

scholarly journals Cumulative Inequality at the End of Life?: Racial Disparities in Impairment in the Time Before Death

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 1292-1301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miles G Taylor ◽  
Stella N Min ◽  
Keshia M Reid
Keyword(s):  
Racial Disparities ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Racial Inequalities ◽  
Latent Growth Curves ◽  
The North ◽  
Cumulative Inequality

Abstract Objectives Drawing from cumulative inequality (CI) theory, the current study examined racial disparities in impairment as individuals approached death to determine whether proposed mechanisms hypothesized to fuel or diminish racial disparities at late ages were at work at the end of individualized life spans. Method Black–white disparities were analyzed among decedents using latent growth curves based on the data from the North Carolina Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) (N = 1,926). Results Consistent with previous literature, racial inequalities in functional disparities diminish at late ages. However, significant black–white disparities emerge as older adults approach death, exponentially increasing within the 2 years immediately preceding death. Further, these disparities are not fully mediated by socioeconomic status. Discussion The results confirm that CI in health outcomes is observable in late life among individual life spans, suggesting the years surrounding death may be a particularly vulnerable period for health inequality. Future research should examine how advantaged statuses translate to increased access to health-related resources that aid in maintaining greater functional independence until the last stage of life.

scholarly journals Reducing Isolation and Loneliness Through Membership in a Fitness Program for Older Adults: Implications for Health

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Brady ◽  
Lisa A. D’Ambrosio ◽  
Adam Felts ◽  
Elizabeth Y. Rula ◽  
Kenneth P. Kell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Fitness Program ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Independent Effects ◽  
Survey Responses

Objectives: To explore the effects of membership in a fitness program for older adults on social isolation, loneliness, and health. Method: Using survey responses from SilverSneakers members and matched nonmembers, regression path analysis was used to examine the influence of SilverSneakers membership on physical activity, social isolation, loneliness, and health, and the interrelationships among these concepts. Results: SilverSneakers membership directly increased physical activity and self-rated health, directly decreased social isolation, and indirectly decreased loneliness. Decreased social isolation and loneliness were associated with better self-rated health: social isolation and loneliness had independent direct effects on health, while social isolation also had an indirect effect on health mediated through loneliness. Discussion: Members of SilverSneakers experienced better health through increased physical activity, reduced social isolation, and reduced loneliness. Future research should explore independent effects of social isolation and loneliness on health and the mechanisms by which membership reduces social isolation and loneliness.

scholarly journals Egocentric Navigation Abilities Predict Episodic Memory Performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgia Committeri ◽  
Agustina Fragueiro ◽  
Maria Maddalena Campanile ◽  
Marco Lagatta ◽  
Ford Burles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Path Integration ◽  
Medial Temporal Lobe ◽  
Declarative Memory ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Recognition Task ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Egocentric Navigation

The medial temporal lobe supports both navigation and declarative memory. On this basis, a theory of phylogenetic continuity has been proposed according to which episodic and semantic memories have evolved from egocentric (e.g., path integration) and allocentric (e.g., map-based) navigation in the physical world, respectively. Here, we explored the behavioral significance of this neurophysiological model by investigating the relationship between the performance of healthy individuals on a path integration and an episodic memory task. We investigated the path integration performance through a proprioceptive Triangle Completion Task and assessed episodic memory through a picture recognition task. We evaluated the specificity of the association between performance in these two tasks by including in the study design a verbal semantic memory task. We also controlled for the effect of attention and working memory and tested the robustness of the results by including alternative versions of the path integration and semantic memory tasks. We found a significant positive correlation between the performance on the path integration the episodic, but not semantic, memory tasks. This pattern of correlation was not explained by general cognitive abilities and persisted also when considering a visual path integration task and a non-verbal semantic memory task. Importantly, a cross-validation analysis showed that participants' egocentric navigation abilities reliably predicted episodic memory performance. Altogether, our findings support the hypothesis of a phylogenetic continuity between egocentric navigation and episodic memory and pave the way for future research on the potential causal role of egocentric navigation on multiple forms of episodic memory.

scholarly journals Music Engagement and Episodic Memory among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A National Longitudinal Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 707-707
Author(s):  
Hillary Rouse ◽  
Gizem Hueluer ◽  
Mia Torres ◽  
Yan Du ◽  
Kyaien Conner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Independent Effect ◽  
Pharmacological Intervention ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Age Related

Abstract Recent research suggests that engagement with particular activities, such as music, can influence age-related changes in episodic memory. However, it is unclear whether, and to what, extent music engagement is associated with the trajectory of episodic memory. The objective of this study is to examine how passive (i.e., listening to music) and/or active (i.e., singing or playing an instrument) music engagement influences episodic memory over a period of 12 years. Secondary data analysis of a sample (N=5095) of cognitively healthy adults from the Health and Retirement Study were used for this study. Linear mixed effects models were used to examine the independent effect of different levels of music engagement (i.e., low, medium, and high) on changes in performance on episodic memory tasks, while controlling for confounding factors. Compared to those with low engagement (i.e., neither listening nor singing/ playing an instrument), respondents who reported being engaged at the medium (i.e., either listening or singing/ playing an instrument) or high (i.e., both listening and singing/ playing an instrument) level performed 0.24 (p=0.003) and 0.52 (p<0.001) points better, respectively. We found evidence that music engagement attenuated the decline in episodic memory. The findings suggest that music engagement may be a protective factor against aged-related decline in episodic memory. Therefore, music engagement may offer a promising non-pharmacological intervention for dementia risk mitigation among community-living middle-aged and older adults. Future research should examine whether interventions to increase music engagement can affect the trajectories of aged-related decline in cognition in this large and growing population.

scholarly journals Physical Activity Is Positively Associated with Episodic Memory in Aging

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 780-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott M. Hayes ◽  
Michael L. Alosco ◽  
Jasmeet P. Hayes ◽  
Margaret Cadden ◽  
Kristina M. Peterson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Neuropsychological Testing ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Relational Memory ◽  
Younger Adults

AbstractAging is associated with performance reductions in executive function and episodic memory, although there is substantial individual variability in cognition among older adults. One factor that may be positively associated with cognition in aging is physical activity. To date, few studies have objectively assessed physical activity in young and older adults, and examined whether physical activity is differentially associated with cognition in aging. Young (n=29, age 18–31 years) and older adults (n=31, ages 55–82 years) completed standardized neuropsychological testing to assess executive function and episodic memory capacities. An experimental face-name relational memory task was administered to augment assessment of episodic memory. Physical activity (total step count and step rate) was objectively assessed using an accelerometer, and hierarchical regressions were used to evaluate relationships between cognition and physical activity. Older adults performed more poorly on tasks of executive function and episodic memory. Physical activity was positively associated with a composite measure of visual episodic memory and face-name memory accuracy in older adults. Physical activity associations with cognition were independent of sedentary behavior, which was negatively correlated with memory performance. Physical activity was not associated with cognitive performance in younger adults. Physical activity is positively associated with episodic memory performance in aging. The relationship appears to be strongest for face-name relational memory and visual episodic memory, likely attributable to the fact that these tasks make strong demands on the hippocampus. The results suggest that physical activity relates to cognition in older, but not younger adults. (JINS, 2015, 21, 780–790)

Dopamine Receptor Genes Modulate Associative Memory in Old Age

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Goran Papenberg ◽  
Nina Becker ◽  
Beata Ferencz ◽  
Moshe Naveh-Benjamin ◽  
Erika J. Laukka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Associative Memory ◽  
Genetic Risk ◽  
Genetic Risk Score ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Item Memory ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Genetic Score

Previous research shows that associative memory declines more than item memory in aging. Although the underlying mechanisms of this selective impairment remain poorly understood, animal and human data suggest that dopaminergic modulation may be particularly relevant for associative binding. We investigated the influence of dopamine (DA) receptor genes on item and associative memory in a population-based sample of older adults (n = 525, aged 60 years), assessed with a face–scene item associative memory task. The effects of single-nucleotide polymorphisms of DA D1 (DRD1; rs4532), D2 (DRD2/ANKK1/Taq1A; rs1800497), and D3 (DRD3/Ser9Gly; rs6280) receptor genes were examined and combined into a single genetic score. Individuals carrying more beneficial alleles, presumably associated with higher DA receptor efficacy (DRD1 C allele; DRD2 A2 allele; DRD3 T allele), performed better on associative memory than persons with less beneficial genotypes. There were no effects of these genes on item memory or other cognitive measures, such as working memory, executive functioning, fluency, and perceptual speed, indicating a selective association between DA genes and associative memory. By contrast, genetic risk for Alzheimer disease (AD) was associated with worse item and associative memory, indicating adverse effects of APOE ε4 and a genetic risk score for AD (PICALM, BIN1, CLU) on episodic memory in general. Taken together, our results suggest that DA may be particularly important for associative memory, whereas AD-related genetic variations may influence overall episodic memory in older adults without dementia.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Episodic and Lexical Metamemory and Executive Function in Healthy Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 704-705
Author(s):  
Atsuko Hayashi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Stroop Task ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Lexical Memory ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Age Related

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.

scholarly journals Stress Is a Latent Construct: Exploring the Differential Experience of Stress Among Black Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 190-190
Author(s):  
Catherine Garcia ◽  
Alexis Reeves ◽  
John Pamplin ◽  
Uchechi Mitchell ◽  
Lauren Brown
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Stress Exposure ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Stress Burden ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The Impact

Abstract While evidence highlights the detrimental health consequences of stress exposure for Black Americans, the impact of stress exposure on health varies by the stressor, individual appraisal and coping mechanisms examined. In this study, we aim to explore the differential effects of chronic stress exposure by means of latent class analysis on mental and physical health. Data come from 800 Black older adults ages 52+ from the 2006 Health and Retirement Study. A set of items that include stress exposure, appraisal and coping were used to assess chronic stress burden on anxiety, depressive symptoms and chronic conditions to identify stress and health clusters. Analysis revealed four subgroups, each demonstrated a typological response pattern with the most pronounced health consequences for high stress exposure, appraisal and few or no coping mechanisms. Results show an alternative approach to examining the stress-health link by using a combined person- and variable-centered approach.

Memory Self-Efficacy and Memory Performance in Older Adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marine Beaudoin ◽  
Olivier Desrichard
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Memory Span ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Study Time ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Medium Size

Abstract. The present research examined the role persistence plays in mediating the positive impact of memory self-efficacy (MSE, i.e., one’s confidence in one’s own memory abilities) on older adults’ memory performance. In three studies, 81 to 264 older adults completed an MSE scale and carried out an explicit episodic memory task, during which we recorded their study time as an indicator of task persistence. We found that higher MSE was indirectly related to better memory performance through greater persistence during encoding, as measured by longer study time. Indirect effects were of medium size, with point estimates ranging from 0.64 to 0.85. This mediation effect was independent of factors that could be confounded with study time: chronological age, memory span, prior level of memory performance, episodic memory ability, and use of learning strategies (encoding strategies and self-testing). When confronted with difficult memory tasks, older adults who lack confidence in their memory abilities cease their efforts prematurely, which contributes to a decrease in their performance. Encouraging older adults to persist in the face of difficulties during encoding and retrieval may help alleviate the negative impact of low MSE on memory performance and allow researchers and clinicians to more accurately estimate older adults’ true memory abilities.

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