scholarly journals Pathway Analysis of Leisure Activity and Cognitive Function in the Long Life Family Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 501-501
Author(s):  
Nicole Roth ◽  
Paola Sebastiani ◽  
Stephanie Cosentino ◽  
Nicole Schupf ◽  
Thomas Perls ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Family Study ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Long Life ◽  
Age And Sex ◽  
Familial Longevity

Abstract Familial longevity and greater involvement in activities purported to build cognitive reserve (e.g. education, cognitively stimulating leisure activity) have both been associated with better cognitive function in later life, yet little is known about how these protective factors relate with one another. In this work, we modeled the associations among familial longevity, proxies of cognitive reserve, and cognitive function in the Long Life Family Study (LLFS). We assessed cognitive function using a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests (i.e. Digit-Spans, California Verbal Learning Test, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure, phonemic fluency, category fluency, Word Generation, DKEFS Sorting Test, and logical memory) in a subset of LLFS family members and a referent cohort (N=314, mean age 75.7±14.6 years). To model these associations, we used a series of Bayesian hierarchical regression pathways that incorporate a random effect for family relatedness, adjusted by age and sex. All continuous variables were rescaled and bounded to be approximately between (0,1) in order to standardize regression coefficients and to allow for an asymmetrical beta-distribution. Controlling for education level, age, and sex, referents had greater engagement in late-life cognitive activities compared to LLFS family members, β=0.38 (95% CI: 0.18 to 0.57). In turn, those with higher markers of cognitive reserve exhibited better neuropsychological performance. Despite LLFS family members having lower participation in cognitively stimulating leisure activities, there were no differences between LLFS family members and referents on cognitive test performance. These results suggest long-lived family members may have more unique pathways (i.e. genetic/environmental) that preserve cognition later in life.

scholarly journals Association Between APOE Alleles and Change of Neuropsychological Tests in the Long Life Family Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-125
Author(s):  
Mengtian Du ◽  
Stacy L. Andersen ◽  
Nicole Schupf ◽  
Mary F. Feitosa ◽  
Megan S. Barker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Family Study ◽  
Apoe Genotype ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Long Life ◽  
E4 Allele

Background: The Long Life Family Study (LLFS) is a family based, prospective study of healthy aging and familial longevity. The study includes two assessments of cognitive function that were administered approximately 8 years apart. Objective: To test whether APOE genotype is associated with change of cognitive function in older adults. Methods: We used Bayesian hierarchical models to test the association between APOE alleles and change of cognitive function. Six longitudinally collected neuropsychological test scores were modelled as a function of age at enrollment, follow-up time, gender, education, field center, birth cohort indicator (≤1935, or >1935), and the number of copies of ɛ2 or ɛ4 alleles. Results: Out of 4,587 eligible participants, 2,064 were male (45.0%), and age at enrollment ranged from 25 to 110 years, with mean of 70.85 years (SD: 15.75). We detected a significant cross-sectional effect of the APOE ɛ4 allele on Logical Memory. Participants carrying at least one copy of the ɛ4 allele had lower scores in both immediate (–0.31 points, 95% CI: –0.57, –0.05) and delayed (–0.37 points, 95% CI: –0.64, –0.10) recall comparing to non-ɛ4 allele carriers. We did not detect any significant longitudinal effect of the ɛ4 allele. There was no cross-sectional or longitudinal effect of the ɛ2 allele. Conclusion: The APOE ɛ4 allele was identified as a risk factor for poorer episodic memory in older adults, while the APOE ɛ2 allele was not significantly associated with any of the cognitive test scores.

scholarly journals Discovering Modality of Cognitive Function Using Clustering Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 583-583
Author(s):  
Stacy Anderson ◽  
Thomas Perls ◽  
Marianne Nygaard ◽  
Paola Sebastiani ◽  
Qingyan Xiang
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Clustering Analysis ◽  
Neuropsychological Tests ◽  
Family Study ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Blood Biomarkers ◽  
Medical Outcomes ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Long Life

Abstract In this study with Long Life Family Study (LLFS) participants, we aimed to identify patterns of performance on cognitive function assessments as specific cognitive signatures. We hypothesize that such signatures can be correlated with biomarkers and clinical outcomes. More than 4,700 LLFS participants were administered, at enrollment, a series of neuropsychological tests that measure various cognitive domains. We performed a cluster analysis to group LLFS subjects into clusters characterized by combinations of six neuropsychological test scores. The analysis resulted in 10 clusters of varying size with different cognitive signatures that (1) significantly correlated with physical and pulmonary function, and 31 blood biomarkers and (2) predicted mortality and incident medical events such as dementia, cardiovascular diseases, etc. We conclude that cluster analysis of multiple neuropsychological tests discovers cognitive signatures that are more specific than individual cognitive domains and that these can be correlated with blood biomarkers, incident medical outcomes and mortality.

scholarly journals 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy, cognitive function, and apolipoprotein E genotype in normal aging, mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease

2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 934-942 ◽  
Author(s):  
KEJAL KANTARCI ◽  
GLENN E. SMITH ◽  
ROBERT J. IVNIK ◽  
RONALD C. PETERSEN ◽  
BRADLEY F. BOEVE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Apolipoprotein E ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Apoe Genotype ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy

The aim of this study was to examine the associations of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype, metabolic changes in the posterior cingulate detected by 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and neuropsychologic measures of memory and cognition both in normally aging elderly, and in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. We studied 67 controls, 18 MCI and 33 AD patients. We used the Dementia Rating Scale total score (DRSTOT) as a measure of general cognitive function and the total learning from the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVTOT) as a measure of memory performance. No differences were noted on 1H-MRS metabolite ratios or cognitive measures across APOE genotype within control and patient groups. In controls, age was a significant predictor of both cognitive test scores, and NAA/Cr was a univariate associate of DRSTOT. All 3 1H-MRS metabolite ratios, N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr), myoinositol (MI)/Cr, and NAA/MI, were univariate associates of AVTOT and DRSTOT scores in the combined MCI and AD group. In stepwise regression analyses in the combined patient group only NAA/MI entered the models. These data suggest NAA/Cr could be a modest predictor of general cognitive function in both healthy elderly and impaired patients, while MI/Cr is a more specific marker for neuropsychologic dysfunction associated with neurodegenerative disease. Among 1H-MRS measurements, the NAA/MI ratio maybe the most efficient predictor of memory and cognitive function in patients with MCI and AD. (JINS, 2002, 8, 934–942.)

scholarly journals Greater Perceived Physical Fatigability Is Associated with Lower Cognition: The Long Life Family Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 782-783
Author(s):  
Theresa Gmelin ◽  
Andrea Rosso ◽  
Stacy Andersen ◽  
Stephanie Cosentino ◽  
Mary Wojczynski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Study ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Biological Aging ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution Test ◽  
Mini Mental Status Exam ◽  
Symbol Substitution ◽  
Long Life ◽  
Learning Test

Abstract Greater perceived physical fatigability is associated with physical functional decline, but few studies have examined its relation with cognition. Adults ≥60 (mean±SD age 73.7±10.5, 54.7% female, 99.6% white) from the Long Life Family Study (n=2355) completed the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale (PFS, 0-50, higher=greater fatigability) and a neurocognitive examination. Generalized estimating equations were used to account for family structure. Covariates included age, sex, field center, depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression), education, and self-reported health. Each 1-point greater PFS was associated with lower: (1) global cognition (Mini-Mental Status Exam; β=-0.36,p<.0001), (2) verbal fluency (phonemic: β=-0.09,p=.029 and semantic: β=-0.14,p<.0001), (3) memory (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised: β=-0.06,p=.037), and (4) psychomotor speed (Digit Symbol Substitution Test: β=-0.10,p<.0001), after covariate adjustment. Greater perceived physical fatigability was significantly associated with lower memory and cognitive function in older adults, and may represent a promising new biomarker of biological aging reflecting declining brain reserve, resilience, and neurodegeneration.

scholarly journals Age and Sex Distributions of Age-Related Biomarker Values in Healthy Older Adults from the Long Life Family Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (11) ◽  
pp. e189-e194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Sebastiani ◽  
Bharat Thyagarajan ◽  
Fangui Sun ◽  
Lawrence S. Honig ◽  
Nicole Schupf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Family Study ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Long Life ◽  
Age And Sex

scholarly journals Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Mortality in the Long Life Family Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 143-144
Author(s):  
Sithara Vivek ◽  
Bharat Thygarajan ◽  
Joanne M Murabito ◽  
Nicole Schupf ◽  
Joseph Zmuda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Study ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio ◽  
Lymphocyte Ratio ◽  
Exceptional Longevity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Long Life ◽  
Overall Mortality

Abstract Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) reflects the balance between the innate (neutrophils) and adaptive (lymphocytes) immunity. Though NLR is a strong predictor of mortality in the general population, the distribution of NLR and its association with mortality has not been evaluated in families with exceptional longevity. Hence, we evaluated this question in the Long Life Family Study, a family based study of exceptional longevity. We used data from offspring of long lived (n=2065) family members and spousal controls (n=673). We used multivariate linear regression models adjusted for age, family relatedness, sex, field center, BMI and comorbidities (diabetes, CVD, cancer) to evaluate differences in NLR between long lived family members and spousal controls. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the association between NLR and mortality. 157 (7.6%) offspring in long lived families and 68 (10.1%) spousal controls were deceased during 12 years of follow up. NLR was similar among offspring in long lived families and spousal controls (1.96±1.06 vs.1.98±1.28; p=0.64). There was a significant positive association between NLR and overall mortality [HR: 1.3, 95% CI (1.01, 1.67)), p:0.04]. There was no statistically significant difference in this association among offspring in long lived families and spousal controls (p for interaction =0.16). The association between NLR and overall mortality was no longer significant [HR: 1.24; p:0.36] after adjustment for IL-6 and hsCRP. These results suggest that NLR may be a predictor of mortality in families with exceptional longevity though this association may not be independent of other inflammatory biomarkers.

scholarly journals Phasic heart rate variability and the association with cognitive performance: A cross-sectional study in a healthy population setting

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0246968
Author(s):  
Kathrin Hilgarter ◽  
Karin Schmid-Zalaudek ◽  
Regina Csanády-Leitner ◽  
Manfred Mörtl ◽  
Andreas Rössler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age And Sex

Introduction Sympathovagal balance measured by heart rate variability is a core component of psychophysiological research. Through the close link of physiological and psychological aspects, often a reduced heart rate variability is associated with impaired cognitive function. A better understanding of the associations between cognitive and cardiovascular dysfunctions is necessary to prevent the manifestation of diseases. Therefore, this study investigated phasic heart rate variability using rest, anticipatory, stress, and recovery periods and the association with high and low cognitive performance in a generally healthy population setting. Methods 114 healthy individuals (40 males, 74 females) aged 20 to 70 participated in the cross-sectional study. The heart rate variability based on standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN), and the root means square of successive differences (RMSSD), low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and LF/HF ratio and its association with high and low cognitive performance measured by the California Verbal Learning Task II were examined. Results The results of this study indicate that the paradigm was successful in producing stress and showed a significant association between phasic heart rate variability (SDNN) and verbal episodic memory performance, irrespective of age and sex. Discussion The results of this study suggest that a reduced heart rate variability is associated with reduced cognitive function regardless of age and sex and seem to be an early indicator of sympathovagal disbalance. Conclusion This leads to the conclusion that differences between high and low cognitive performance might show differences in heart rate variability at an early stage, where no diseases are yet manifest.

scholarly journals The Long Life Family Study: Sequencing Exceptional Pedigrees for Rare Protective Variants

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 851-852
Author(s):  
Michael Province ◽  
Kaare Christensen ◽  
Stephanie Consentino ◽  
Joseph Lee ◽  
Anne Newman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gwas Snps ◽  
Rates Of Change ◽  
Familial Clustering ◽  
The Usa ◽  
New Biology ◽  
Long Life ◽  
Protective Variants ◽  
Familial Longevity

Abstract The Long Life Family Study (LLFS) has longitudinally measured key aging phenotypes on 4,953 participants (539 pedigrees) in the USA and Denmark selected for exceptional familial longevity. On average, both generations of the LLFS sample are healthier than average for their age/sex, for many phenotypes. However, the pedigrees are heterogeneous, with different families showing familial clustering of protection for different phenotypes. Linkage analyses identified extremely strong genetic linkage peaks for many cross-sectional as well as longitudinal trajectory rates of change phenotypes. These peaks are NOT explained by GWAS SNPs (either measured or imputed). Pedigree specific HLODs and preliminary deep sequencing suggests that these peaks are driven by rare, protective variants running in selected pedigrees. Whole Genome Sequencing, a third longitudinal visit, and extensive OMICs (transcriptomics, epigenomics, metabolomics and proteomics) will help us resolve the mechanisms behind these protective genetically linked variants, and could illuminate new biology and enable new therapeutics.

Abstract P421: Alternate Health Eating Index & Cognitive Function Among Middle-aged and Older Hispanics/ Latinos: The Hispanic Community Health Study/ Study of Latinos

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayra L Estrella ◽  
melissa lamar ◽  
Ramon A Durazo-Arvizu ◽  
Josiemer Mattei ◽  
Yasmin Mossavar-Rahmani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Global Cognition

Introduction: A healthy diet may promote healthy cognitive aging; however, little is known about associations between diet quality and cognition in Hispanics/Latinos. Hypothesis: Higher diet quality (2010 Alternative Healthy Eating Index; AHEI-2010) is associated with better global cognition and performance on specific cognitive tests (verbal learning, memory, verbal fluency, and processing speed) in Hispanics/Latinos. Methods: Data from HCHS/SOL Visit 1 (2008-2011; n=8461; ages 45-74 years) were analyzed. The global cognition score was computed as the sum of z-scores for the individual tests. Dietary intake was assessed via two 24-hour recalls. Total AHEI-2010 score was categorized into quintiles (Q); higher Q represents higher diet quality. Cross-sectional associations between AHEI-2010 and each cognitive test were examined using survey-weighted linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, and total daily energy intake (Model 1); and Model 1 plus Hispanic/Latino heritage, annual household income, language preference, type 2 diabetes, smoking, and depressive symptoms (Model 2). Results: In minimally-adjusted models (Table 1), global cognition, verbal learning, verbal memory, verbal fluency, and processing speed scores were significantly higher by 1.32, 2.38, 1.40, 2.33, and 1.34 units for Q5 (vs. Q1). In fully-adjusted models, global cognitive function scores were significantly higher by 0.28, 0.52, and 0.48 units for Q2 through Q4 (vs. Q1; p -trend= 0.042). Verbal learning scores were significantly higher by 0.60, 0.62, 0.92, and 0.88 units for Q2 through Q5 (vs. Q1; p -trend= 0.020). Verbal memory scores were significantly higher by 0.33, 0.40, 0.52, and 0.46 units for Q2 through Q5 (vs. Q1; p -trend= 0.007). AHEI-2010 was not associated with verbal fluency and processing speed in Model 2. Conclusions: Among middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos, higher diet quality was associated with better global cognition, verbal learning, and memory, but not with verbal fluency, or processing speed.

scholarly journals Cognitive Function in Adults with Enduring Anorexia Nervosa

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 859
Author(s):  
Maria Seidel ◽  
Helen Brooker ◽  
Kamilla Lauenborg ◽  
Keith Wesnes ◽  
Magnus Sjögren
Keyword(s):  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Attention Tasks ◽  
Inclusion Study ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a severe and often enduring disorder characterized by restriction of food intake, low body weight, fear of weight gain, and distorted body image. Investigations on cognition performance in AN patients have yielded conflicting results. Using an established and sensitive computerized cognitive test battery, we aimed to assess core aspects of cognitive function, including attention span, information processing, reasoning, working and episodic memory, in AN patients and controls. Patients were recruited from the Danish Prospective Longitudinal all-comer inclusion study in Eating Disorders (PROLED). Included were 26 individuals with AN and 36 healthy volunteers (HV). All were tested with CogTrack (an online cognitive assessment system) at baseline, and AN patients were tested again at a follow-up time point after weight increase (n = 13). At baseline, AN patients showed faster reaction times in the attention tasks, as well as increased accuracy in grammatical reasoning compared to HV. There were no differences in cognitive function between AN patients and HV in the other cognitive domains measured (sustained attention, working and episodic memory, speed of retrieval, and speed of grammatical reasoning). No differences were visible in the AN sample between baseline and follow-up. Performance did not correlate with any clinical variables in the AN sample. These findings supplement results from other studies suggesting increased concentration and reasoning accuracy in patients suffering from AN, who showed increased performance in cognitive tasks despite their illness.

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