scholarly journals Fear of Falling and Cognitive Decline in Healthy Aging Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 265-265
Author(s):  
Rebecca Kraut ◽  
Roee Holtzer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Composite Score ◽  
Cognitive Measures ◽  
Delayed Recall ◽  
Memory And Attention ◽  
Aging Adults

Abstract Fear of Falling (FOF) is common and associated with poor mobility in aging but whether persistence of FOF endorsement influences cognitive decline has not been reported. Here we determined the effect of FOF, measured dichotomously and after accounting for persistence, on decline in global cognitive function (GCF), memory, and attention/executive functions. Older adults with persistent FOF (n=81; mean age=77.63±6.67 yrs; %female=74.1), transient FOF (n=60; mean age=76.93±6.01 yrs; %female=61.7), and no FOF (n=286; mean age=75.77±6.42 yrs; %female=49.3) were included. FOF was assessed through yes/no responses to “do you have a fear of falling?” at baseline. GCF was assessed using RBANS; memory was assessed using a composite score comprising the immediate and delayed recall index scores from RBANS; attention/executive functions were assessed via a composite score comprising TMT A & B, letter and category fluency tasks, and digit symbol modalities. Cognitive measures were administered annually for up to six years. Linear mixed effects models revealed that persistent FOF was associated with a worse decline in GCF compared to both transient FOF (estimate=0.78, p=.022) and no FOF (estimate=0.75, p=.004). Persistent FOF was also associated with a worse decline in memory compared to those with transient FOF (estimate=0.08, p=.004) and those with no FOF (estimate=0.06, p=.006). Associations between FOF status and decline in attention/executive functions were not significant. These findings demonstrate that persistent FOF is a risk factor for cognitive decline in community-residing older adults.

scholarly journals Functional dedifferentiation of the brain during healthy aging

2020 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 1279-1282
Author(s):  
Divyangana Rakesh ◽  
Kavisha B. Fernando ◽  
Sina Mansour L.
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Theoretical Approach ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Functional Specialization ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Graph Theoretical Approach ◽  
Future Work ◽  
The Brain

Nonpathological aging is associated with significant cognitive deficits. Thus, the underlying neurobiology of aging-associated cognitive decline warrants investigation. In a recent study, Chong et al. (Chong JSX, Ng KK, Tandi J, Wang C, Poh J-H, Lo JC, Chee MWL, Zhou JH. J Neurosci 39: 5534–5550, 2019) provided insights into the association between cognitive decline and the loss of functional specialization in the brains of older adults. Here, we introduce the novel graph theoretical approach utilized and discuss the significance of their findings and broader implications on aging. We also provide alternate perspectives of their findings and suggest directions for future work.

Sleep quality mediates the relationship between frailty and cognitive dysfunction in non-demented middle aged to older adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (06) ◽  
pp. 779-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonya Kaur ◽  
Nikhil Banerjee ◽  
Michelle Miranda ◽  
Mitchell Slugh ◽  
Ni Sun-Suslow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Poor Sleep Quality ◽  
Subjective Sleep Quality ◽  
Delayed Recall ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACTObjectives:Frailty is associated with cognitive decline in older adults. However, the mechanisms explaining this relationship are poorly understood. We hypothesized that sleep quality may mediate the relationship between frailty and cognition.Participants:154 participants aged between 50-90 years (mean = 69.1 years, SD = 9.2 years) from the McKnight Brain Registry were included.Measurements:Participants underwent a full neuropsychological evaluation, frailty and subjective sleep quality assessments. Direct relationships between frailty and cognitive function were assessed using linear regression models. Statistical mediation of these relationships by sleep quality was assessed using nonparametric bootstrapping procedures.Results:Frailty severity predicted weaker executive function (B = −2.77, β = −0.30, 95% CI = −4.05 – −1.29) and processing speed (B = −1.57, β = −0.17, 95% CI = −3.10 – −0.16). Poor sleep quality predicted poorer executive function (B = −0.47, β = −0.21, 95% CI = −0.79 – −0.08), processing speed (B = −0.64, β = −0.28, 95% CI = −0.98 – −0.31), learning (B = −0.42, β = −0.19, 95% CI = −0.76 – −0.05) and delayed recall (B = −0.41, β = −0.16, 95% CI = −0.80 – −0.31). Poor sleep quality mediated the relationships between frailty severity and executive function (B = −0.66, β = −0.07, 95% CI = −1.48 – −0.39), learning (B = −0.85, β = −0.07, 95% CI = −1.85 – −0.12), delayed recall (B = −0.47, β = −0.08, 95% CI = −2.12 – −0.39) and processing speed (B = −0.90, β = −0.09, 95% CI = −1.85 – −0.20).Conclusions:Relationships between frailty severity and several cognitive outcomes were significantly mediated by poor sleep quality. Interventions to improve sleep quality may be promising avenues to prevent cognitive decline in frail older adults.

scholarly journals Association Between Urate-Lowering Therapies and Cognitive Decline in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Post-Hoc Analysis of the MAPT Study.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luc MOLET-BENHAMOU ◽  
Kelly VIRECOULON GIUDICI ◽  
Philipe BARRETO ◽  
Yves ROLLAND
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Composite Score ◽  
Cognitive Score ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Introduction Long-term use of urate-lowering therapies (ULT) may reduce inflammaging and thus prevent cognitive decline during aging. This article examined the association between long-term use of ULT and cognitive decline among community-dwelling older adults with spontaneous memory complaints. Material and methods We performed a secondary observational analysis using data of 1,673 participants ≥ 70 years old from the Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial (MAPT Study), a randomized controlled trial assessing the effect of a multidomain intervention, the administration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), both, or placebo on cognitive decline. We compared cognitive decline during the 5-year follow-up between three groups according to ULT use: participants treated with ULT during at least 75% of the study period (PT ≥ 75; n = 51), less than 75% (PT < 75; n = 31), and non-treated participants (PNT; n = 1,591). Cognitive function (measured by a composite score) was assessed at baseline, 6 months and every year for 5 years. Linear mixed models were performed and adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), diagnosis of arterial hypertension or diabetes, baseline composite cognitive score, and MAPT intervention groups. Results After the 5-year follow-up, only non-treated participants presented a significant decline in the cognitive composite score (mean change − 0.173, 95%CI -0.212 to -0.135; p < 0.0001). However, there were no differences in change of the composite cognitive score between groups (adjusted between-group difference for PNT vs. PT < 75: 0.089, 95%CI -0.160 to 0.338, p = 0.484; PNT vs. PT ≥ 75: 0.174, 95%CI -0.042 to 0.391, p = 0.115). Conclusion Use of ULT was not associated with reduced cognitive decline over a 5-year follow-up among community-dwelling older adults at risk of dementia.

scholarly journals Specific Dimensions of Depression Have Different Associations With Cognitive Decline in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laili Soleimani ◽  
Ramit Ravona-Springer ◽  
Hung-Mo Lin ◽  
Xiaoyu Liu ◽  
Mary Sano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Geriatric Depression Scale ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Random Coefficients ◽  
Neuropsychological Battery ◽  
Five Dimensions

Objective: Depression is highly frequent in older adults with Type 2 Diabetes and is associated with cognitive impairment. Yet, little is known about how various depression dimensions differentially affect cognition. We investigated longitudinal associations of specific depression dimensions with cognitive decline. <p> </p> <p>Research Design and Methods: Participants (N=1002) were from the Israel Diabetes and Cognitive Decline study, 65+ years of age with Type 2 Diabetes, not demented at baseline. Participants underwent comprehensive neuropsychological battery at baseline and every 18 months thereafter including domains of Episodic Memory, Attention/Working Memory, Semantic Categorization/Language, Executive Function and Z scores of each domain were averaged and further normalized to calculate Global Cognition. Depression items from Geriatric Depression Scale- 15 items (GDS-15) was measured at each visit and subcategorized to five dimensions: Dysphoric Mood, Withdrawal Apathy-Vigor (entitled apathy), Anxiety, Hopelessness and Memory complaint. Random coefficients models examined association of depression dimensions with baseline and longitudinal cognitive functioning adjusting for socio-demographics and baseline characteristics, including cardiovascular risk factors, physical activity and use of diabetic medications. </p> <p> </p> <p>Result: In the fully adjusted model, at baseline, all dimensions of depression, except for anxiety, were associated with some aspects of cognition (p-values from .01 to <.001). Longitudinally, greater apathy scores were associated with faster decline in executive functions (p=.004), a results that withstood adjustment for multiple comparisons. Associations of other depression dimensions with cognitive decline were not significant (p>0.01).</p> <p> </p> <p>Conclusion: Apathy was associated with a faster cognitive decline in executive functions. These findings highlight the heterogeneity of depression as a clinical construct rather than a single entity and point to apathy as a specific risk factor for cognitive decline among older adults with Type 2 Diabetes. </p>

scholarly journals Plasma MCP-1 and changes on cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults

2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Luis Sanchez-Sanchez ◽  
Kelly V. Giudici ◽  
Sophie Guyonnet ◽  
Julien Delrieu ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Continuous Variable ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Clinical Dementia Rating ◽  
Delayed Recall ◽  
Domain Specific

Abstract Background Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), a glial-derived chemokine, mediates neuroinflammation and may regulate memory outcomes among older adults. We aimed to explore the associations of plasma MCP-1 levels (alone and in combination with β-amyloid deposition—Aβ42/40) with overall and domain-specific cognitive evolution among older adults. Methods Secondary analyses including 1097 subjects (mean age = 75.3 years ± 4.4; 63.8% women) from the Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial (MAPT). MCP-1 (higher is worse) and Aβ42/40 (lower is worse) were measured in plasma collected at year 1. MCP-1 in continuous and as a dichotomy (values in the highest quartile (MCP-1+)) were used, as well as a dichotomy of Aβ42/40. Outcomes were measured annually over 4 years and included the following: cognitive composite z-score (CCS), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) sum of boxes (overall cognitive function); composite executive function z-score, composite attention z-score, Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT - memory). Results Plasma MCP-1 as a continuous variable was associated with the worsening of episodic memory over 4 years of follow-up, specifically in measures of free and cued delayed recall. MCP-1+ was associated with worse evolution in the CCS (4-year between-group difference: β = −0.14, 95%CI = −0.26, −0.02) and the CDR sum of boxes (2-year: β = 0.19, 95%CI = 0.06, 0.32). In domain-specific analyses, MCP-1+ was associated with declines in the FCSRT delayed recall sub-domains. In the presence of low Aβ42/40, MCP-1+ was not associated with greater declines in cognitive functions. The interaction with continuous biomarker values Aβ42/40× MCP-1 × time was significant in models with CDR sum of boxes and FCSRT DTR as dependent variables. Conclusions Baseline plasma MCP-1 levels were associated with longitudinal declines in overall cognitive and episodic memory performance in older adults over a 4-year follow-up. How plasma MCP-1 interacts with Aβ42/40 to determine cognitive decline at different stages of cognitive decline/dementia should be clarified by further research. The MCP-1 association on cognitive decline was strongest in those with amyloid plaques, as measured by blood plasma Aβ42/40.

scholarly journals Engagement in social activities and progression from mild to severe cognitive impairment: the MYHAT study

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 587-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany F. Hughes ◽  
Jason D. Flatt ◽  
Bo Fu ◽  
Chung-Chou H. Chang ◽  
Mary Ganguli
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Severe Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive States ◽  
Risk Of Progression ◽  
Rate Of Decline

ABSTRACTBackground: It is of considerable public health importance to prevent or delay the progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to more severely impaired cognitive states. This study examines the risk of progression from mild to severe cognitive impairment in relation to engagement in social activities while mildly impaired and the concurrence of subsequent change in engagement with MCI progression.Methods: Participants were 816 older adults with cognitively defined MCI (mean age 78.0 (standard deviation or SD = 7.4) years) from the Monongahela–Youghiogheny Healthy Aging Team (MYHAT) Study – a prospective cohort study of MCI in the community. Over three years of follow-up, 78 individuals progressed from MCI to severe cognitive impairment, while 738 did not progress. Risk of progression was estimated using discrete time survival analyses. The main predictors were standardized composite measures of the variety and frequency of engagement in social activities.Results: Lower risk of progression from mild to severe cognitive impairment was associated with both a greater level of frequency of engagement in social activities while mildly impaired (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.55–0.93, p = 0.01) and also with a slower rate of decline in the variety of activities over time (OR = 0.01, 95% CI: <0.001–0.38, p = 0.02).Conclusions: Greater engagement in social activities may potentially be beneficial for preventing or delaying further cognitive decline among older adults with MCI. Alternatively, lesser engagement in social activities may be a marker of impending cognitive decline in MCI.

Characteristics of Healthy Older Adults that Influence Self-rated Cognitive Function

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryce P. Mulligan ◽  
Colette M. Smart ◽  
Sidney J. Segalowitz ◽  
Stuart W.S. MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Function

AbstractObjectives: We sought to clarify the nature of self-reported cognitive function among healthy older adults by considering the short-term, within-person association (coupling) of subjective cognitive function with objective cognitive performance. We expected this within-person coupling to differ between persons as a function of self-perceived global cognitive decline and depression, anxiety, or neuroticism. Methods: This was an intensive measurement (short-term longitudinal) study of 29 older adult volunteers between the ages of 65 and 80 years without an existing diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment. Baseline assessment included neuropsychological testing and self-reported depression, anxiety, and neuroticism, as well as self- and informant-reported cognitive decline (relative to 10 years previously). Intensive within-person measurement occasions included subjective ratings of cognitive function paired with performance on a computerized working memory (n-back) task; each participant attended four or five assessments separated by intervals of at least one day. Statistical analysis was comprised of multilevel linear regression. Results: Comparison of models suggested that both neuroticism and self-rated cognitive decline explained unique variance in the within-person, across-occasion coupling of subjective cognitive function with objective working memory performance. Conclusions: Self-ratings of cognition may accurately reflect day-to-day variations in objective cognitive performance among older adults, especially for individuals lower in neuroticism and higher in self-reported cognitive decline. Clinicians should consider these individual differences when determining the validity of complaints about perceived cognitive declines in the context of otherwise healthy aging. (JINS, 2018, 24, 57–66)

scholarly journals Get Moving! Your Brain Will Thank You

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 786-786
Author(s):  
Christina Nunez ◽  
Alexandria Nuccio ◽  
Charles Golden
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Word List ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cardiovascular Fitness ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Delayed Recall ◽  
Clock Drawing ◽  
Fear And Anxiety ◽  
Multiple Domains

Abstract Exercise and cardiovascular fitness are important for physical health and well-being. Recent studies show that exercise is associated with cognitive performance across multiple domains including memory, a common complaint for older adults. Data included a ten-word list of delayed recall, a clock drawing activity, and a three-meter walking course derived from the National Health & Aging Trends Study Database (NHATS Round 9). A total of 4977 participants were included in the analysis which was predominantly white (69.7%), non-Hispanic (94.5%), female (59.2%), and between the ages of 70-84 (62.7%). A hierarchical linear regression revealed that performance on the three-meter walking course positively predicted performance on delayed recall, F(4,3999)=300.257, p&lt;.001, and on the clock drawing activity, which is a common screening task for cognitive decline, F(4,3978)=156.433, p&lt;.001; accounting for 23.1% and 13.6% of the variability, respectively, over and above known demographic variables. Findings suggest that fitness may be one of many factors that is associated with memory and overall cognitive decline. These findings are timely as many individuals slowed down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in decreases in exercise and physical activity. Not being physically active or exercising may be related to poorer physical and cognitive health, with specific concerns regarding memory. Taking into consideration the fear and anxiety associated with declining memory in late life, it is crucial to explore this area further along with other factors that may contribute to the association and develop new ways for older adults to exercise safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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