scholarly journals Race-Discordant School Attendance and Cognitive Function in Later Life

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 707-708
Author(s):  
Dawn Carr ◽  
John Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
School Attendance ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Predominantly White Schools ◽  
White Schools ◽  
Early Schooling ◽  
Cognitive Benefits ◽  
The Life Course

Abstract Early schooling plays an important role in shaping cognitive development, both due to the level of academic rigor and the social environment of primary and secondary schools. This is reflected in current racial disparities in cognitive function in later life. Older minorities who attended predominantly White schools with more resources experienced significant cognitive benefits. This study explores whether there are benefits to cognitive functioning in later life from having attended socially diverse schools in early life. We examine the effects of having attended schools composed primarily of different race peers—race discordant schools (RDS)—among Black, Hispanic, and White older adults. Using retrospective and prospective data from the Health and Retirement Study, we examine the association between RDS exposure and four measures of cognitive function (working memory, episodic memory, mental status, overall cognitive function). We assess function at age 55 and 70, and examine change in functioning between age 55 and 70. We find that RDS exposed Blacks and Hispanics experience significant benefits in cognitive function at age 55, but only Blacks experience benefits at age 70. RDS exposed Whites reported higher overall working memory at age 70 relative to Whites in non-RDS schools, suggesting a cognitive benefit from diversity. Results suggest that exposure to more racially diverse school environments have potentially beneficial effects on cognitive function over the life course. Our findings suggest that the cultivation of diversity in schools could be an important long-term public health investment.

The Importance of School Attendance: Findings From the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development on the Life-Course Effects of Truancy

2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 592-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Rocque ◽  
Wesley G. Jennings ◽  
Alex R. Piquero ◽  
Turgut Ozkan ◽  
David P. Farrington
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Problem Drinking ◽  
School Attendance ◽  
Later Life ◽  
School Dropout ◽  
Life Outcomes ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Childhood Risk Factors ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
The Relationship

School dropout has been extensively studied in the literature as a correlate of negative life outcomes. A precursor to school dropout is truancy, the unexcused or illegitimate student absence from school. Few studies have examined the relationship between truancy and involvement in crime and adjustment more generally over the life-course. This study extends previous work by exploring whether truancy at age 12 to 14 is related to later life outcomes such as crime, aggression, and adjustment using data from the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development. Results indicate that truancy has long-lasting associations with negative life outcomes, especially for non-violent crime and problem drinking. Importantly, these findings hold for certain outcomes controlling for a comprehensive host of environmental and individual childhood risk factors.

scholarly journals Effects of Daily Almond Consumption for Six Months on Cognitive Measures in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized Control Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1213-1213
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Johnson ◽  
Jelena Mustra Rakic ◽  
Jirayu Tanprasertsuk ◽  
Tammy M Scott ◽  
Helen Rasmussen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Serum Markers ◽  
Alpha Tocopherol ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Cognitive impairment is a major risk factor for the development of dementia. Almonds are rich in nutrients recognized to have beneficial effects on cognitive function. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of almond consumption on cognition in elderly adults. Methods In a 6-mo single-blinded randomized controlled trial the effects of an almond intervention on cognition in healthy middle-aged to older adults were tested. Subjects were assigned to one of three groups: 1.5 oz/d almond (n = 19), 3 oz/d almond (n = 24) or 1.5 oz/d snack mix (matched for macronutrients in 3.0 oz almonds; n = 17). Dietary interviews, serum analyses for tocopherols, magnesium, oxidative status and inflammation biomarkers and cognitive function were assessed at baseline (M0), three (M3) and six (M6) months. Results At M6 serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations were increased by 8% from M0 in the 3 oz almond group (P < 0.05) and no increases were observed in the other groups. Serum markers of oxidative stress and inflammation were not significantly different at M0, M3 and M6 among the three groups. At M6 there were significant improvements in visuospatial working memory, visual memory and learning and spatial planning and working memory in subjects consuming 3 oz/d almonds. The snack mix and 1.5 oz/d almond groups showed no significant changes in these measures. Conclusions The study findings suggest that a long-term intervention with almonds may be an effective dietary strategy for preventing cognitive decline in an older population Funding Sources Almond Board of California, USDA CRIS #8050–51,000-095–02S.

scholarly journals Traumatic Events and Cognitive Function: Does Time When Traumatic Events Happen Matter?

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 428-428
Author(s):  
Gabriella Dong
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Memory Processing ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract People at different life stage may respond differently to traumatic events and result in different cognitive health. This study aims to examine the relationship between life stage at which one experiences traumatic events and cognitive function. The data were drawn from the 2017-2019 PINE study (N = 3,125). The time of life events happened was evaluated by childhood (<20), adulthood (20-59), and old age (60 and above). Cognition was measured through global cognition, episodic memory, working memory, processing speed, and MMSE. Linear regression was used. Individuals with the latest exposure to traumatic events at adulthood or old age have higher cognitive function than those without traumatic events over the life course. Exposure to traumatic events in middle or later life stimulates cognition, while trauma exposure in earlier life stage does not. Future research to understand the impact of traumatic events on health could consider the time when traumatic events happen

scholarly journals A systematic review of the effect of breakfast on the cognitive performance of children and adolescents

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 220-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexa Hoyland ◽  
Louise Dye ◽  
Clare L. Lawton
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
School Attendance ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Systematic Review Methodology ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Cognitive Benefits

Breakfast is recommended as part of a healthy diet because it is associated with healthier macro- and micronutrient intakes, BMI and lifestyle. Breakfast is also widely promoted to improve cognitive function and academic performance, leading to the provision of breakfast initiatives by public health bodies. Despite this positive and intuitive perception of cognitive benefits, there has been no systematic review of the evidence. Systematic review methodology was employed to evaluate the effects of breakfast on cognitive performance in well-nourished children and nutritionally at-risk or stunted children. Acute experimental studies, school feeding programmes and studies of habitual breakfast intake are reviewed. Comparisons of breakfast v. no breakfast and breakfasts differing in energy and macronutrient composition are discussed. Included are forty-five studies described in forty-one papers published between 1950 and 2008. The evidence indicates that breakfast consumption is more beneficial than skipping breakfast, but this effect is more apparent in children whose nutritional status is compromised. There is a lack of research comparing breakfast type, precluding recommendations for the size and composition of an optimal breakfast for children's cognitive function. Few studies examined adolescents. Studies of school breakfast programmes suggest that such interventions can have positive effects on academic performance, but this may be in part explained by the increased school attendance that programmes encourage. The present systematic review considers methodological issues in this field and makes recommendations for future research design and policy priorities.

scholarly journals Effects of Caffeine and Acute Aerobic Exercise on Working Memory and Caffeine Withdrawal

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anisa Morava ◽  
Matthew James Fagan ◽  
Harry Prapavessis
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Phase I ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Acute Exercise ◽  
Withdrawal Symptoms ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Caffeine Withdrawal ◽  
Single Bout ◽  
Cognitive Benefits

AbstractStudies show that a single bout of exercise confers cognitive benefits. However, many individuals use psychoactive substances such as caffeine to enhance cognitive performance. The effects of acute exercise in comparison to caffeine on cognition remain unknown. Furthermore, caffeine use is associated with withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. Whether acute exercise can reduce withdrawal symptoms also remains unknown. The objectives of this study were to compare the effects of acute moderate intensity aerobic exercise to caffeine on working memory (WM) and caffeine withdrawal symptoms (CWS). In Phase I, non-caffeine (n = 29) and caffeine consumers (n = 30) completed a WM assessment, followed by acute exercise and caffeine. In Phase II, caffeine consumers (n = 25) from Phase I underwent the WM assessment and reported CWS following a 12-hour deprivation period. Acute moderate intensity aerobic exercise and caffeine (1.2 mg/kg) significantly improved WM accuracy and reduced CWS comparably. WM performance was not reduced following caffeine deprivation.

scholarly journals Racial Disparities in Cognitive Function: The Roles of Cumulative Stress Exposures Across the Life Course

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 504-504
Author(s):  
Ruijia Chen ◽  
Jennifer Weuve ◽  
Laura Kubzansky ◽  
David Williams
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Racial Disparities ◽  
The United States ◽  
Coping Resources ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Cumulative Stress ◽  
The Life Course

Abstract Introduction: Racial disparities in cognitive function have been well-documented in the literature, but factors driving the disparities remain under explored. This study aims to quantify the extent to which cumulative stress exposures across the life course explain Black–White disparities in executive function and episodic memory. Method: Data were drawn from the 2004–2006 wave of the Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) and the MIDUS refresher study (N=5,967, 5,277 White, 690 Black). Cumulative stress exposures were assessed by using 10 domains of stressors (e.g., financial stress, childhood adversity). Cognitive function was assessed using the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone. Marginal structural models were conducted to quantify the proportion of the effect of race/ethnicity status on cognitive function that can be explained by cumulative stress exposures. Result: Blacks reported higher levels of cumulative stress exposures and lower average levels of executive function and episodic memory than Whites. Cumulative stress exposures explained 8.43% of the disparities in executive function and 13.21 % of the disparities in episodic memory. Cumulative stress exposures had stronger effects on racial disparities in cognitive function in the older age group (age≥ 55 years old) than in the younger age group (age < 55 years old). Conclusion: Cumulative stress exposures explain modest proportions of racial disparities in levels of cognitive function. Interventions that focus on reducing stress exposures or improving coping resources among Blacks may help lessen racial disparities in cognitive function at the population level.

Associations between life-course frailty and later-life heart size and function in the 1946 NSHD British birth cohort-an epidemiological study

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C.C Topriceanu ◽  
J.C Moon ◽  
R Hardy ◽  
A.D Hughes ◽  
N Chaturvedi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Frailty Index ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Step Change ◽  
Deficit Accumulation ◽  
Heart Size ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Life Course

Abstract Background Cardiovascular diseases are an important component of the multi-morbidity syndrome which is associated with negative health outcomes resulting in a major societal economic burden. An objective way to assess multi-morbidity is to calculate a frailty index based on medical deficit accumulation. Late-life frailty has been validated to predict mortality, but little is known about the association between life-course frailty and cardiovascular health in later-life. Purpose To study the association between life-course frailty and later-life heart size and function using data from the world's longest running birth cohort with continuous follow-up. Methods A 45-deficit frailty index (FI) was calculated at 4 age-intervals across the life-course (0 to 16 years old, 19 to 44 years old, 45 to 54 years old and 60 to 64 years old) in participants from the UK 1946 Medical Research Council (MRC) National Survey of Heath and Development (NSHD) birth cohort. The life-course frailty indices (FI0_16, FI19_44, FI45_54 and FI60_64) reflect the cumulative medical deficits at the corresponding age-intervals. They were used to derive FImean and FIsum reflecting overall-life frailty. The step change in deficit accumulation between age-intervals was also calculated (FI2-1, FI3-1, FI4-1, FI3-2, FI4-2, FI4-3). Echocardiographic data at 60–64 years provided: E/e' ratio, ejection fraction (EF), myocardial contraction fraction index (MCFi) and left ventricular mass index (LVmassi). Generalized linear mixed models with gamma distribution and log link assessed the association between FIs and echo parameters after adjustment for sex, socio-economic position and body mass index. Results 1.805 NSHD participants were included (834 male). Accumulation of a single deficit had a significant impact (p<0.0001 to p<0.049) on LVmassi and MCFi in all the life-course FIs and overall FIs. LVmassi increased by 0.89% to 1.42% for the life-course FIs and by 0.36%/1.82% for FIsum and FImean respectively. MCFi decreased by 0.62% to 1.02% for the life-course FIs and by 0.33%/ 1.04%. for FIsum and FImean respectively. One accumulated deficit translated into higher multiplicative odds (13.2 for FI60-64, 2.1 for FI4-1, 75.4 for FI4-2 and 78.5 for FI4-3) of elevated filling pressure (defined as E/e' ratio >13, p<0.0.005 to p<0.02).A unit increase in frailty decreased LV EF (%) by 11%/12% for FI45-54 and FI60-64 respectively, by 10% to 12% for FI2-1, FI3-1, FI4-1 and FI4-2, and 4%/15% for FIsum and FImean respectively (p<0.0014 to p<0.044). Conclusion Frailty during the life-course, overall life-frailty and the step change in deficit accumulation is associated with later-life cardiac dysfunction. Frailty strain appears to have its greatest impact on pathological myocardial hypertrophy (high LVmassi and low MCFi) potentially paving the way to later-life systolic or diastolic dysfunction in susceptible individuals. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

scholarly journals The beneficial effects of physical preoperative and postoperative training for the cognitive function in cardiosurgical patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
O Trubnikova ◽  
I Tarasova ◽  
E Moskin ◽  
Y Argunova ◽  
D Kupriyanova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Surgery ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Physical Training ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Aerobic Exercise Training ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Preoperative Training ◽  
Cabg Patients ◽  
Cycling Training

Abstract Background and aim The cardiac surgery patients have an increased risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). The positive healing effects of physical exercise was demonstrated early in patients with cognitive impairment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of physical preoperative and postoperative training for the cognitive function in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods We analyzed the neurophysiological data from 125 male coronary artery disease (CAD) patients who participated in two sub-studies: the patients with a short preoperative course of treadmill training (n=33) and with postoperative aerobic exercise training (n=92). The study of preoperative physical training included CABG-candidates, which were divided into 2 groups: with (n=17) and without training (n=16). The preoperative physical training consisted of a 5–7 day course of intensive training on a treadmill. The study with postoperative aerobic exercise training enrolled CAD patients, undergoing on-pump CABG, which were divided into 2 groups: with supervised cycling training (n=39) and without training (n=53). Three-week trainings course began on the 14-th day after CABG. The patients with and without preoperative and postoperative physical training were comparable in terms of preoperative characteristics and intraoperative parameters. The patients were underwent the neuropsychological and EEG examination to assess postoperative changes in neurophysiological performance. Results The patients with preoperative treadmill training had the POCD incidence at 7–10 days after GABG in 44% cases vs. 74% - in the group without training. The relative risk of POCD developing in the patients with preoperative training was: OR=0.24, 95% CI: 0.07–0.81, Z=2.297, p=0.02. Additionally, the patients with preoperative training demonstrated a lower power in the theta (4–6 Hz) and beta1 (13–20 Hz) frequency ranges 7–10 days after CABG. The patients with postoperative cycling training also demonstrated better cognitive function at 1 month after CABG compared to the patients without training. The incidence of POCD was 21% in the cycling training group vs. 44% – in the group without training. The relative risk of POCD developing was: OR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.09–0.60, Z=3.041, p=0.0024. Also, it was found that the postoperative cycling training group showed a lower percentage theta power increase at 1 month after CABG. Conclusion Both the short preoperative and three-week postoperative physical training course can produce beneficial effects on the postoperative neurophysiological status in CABG patients. The engagement of physical training in the rehabilitation program of CABG patients can improve cognitive functioning after cardiac surgery. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): RFBR and Kemerovskaya region

scholarly journals Body size throughout the life-course and incident benign prostatic hyperplasia-related outcomes and nocturia

BMC Urology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saira Khan ◽  
K. Y. Wolin ◽  
R. Pakpahan ◽  
R. L. Grubb ◽  
G. A. Colditz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Prostate Volume ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Prostatic Hyperplasia ◽  
The Life Course

Abstract Background Existing evidence suggests that there is an association between body size and prevalent Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)-related outcomes and nocturia. However, there is limited evidence on the association between body size throughout the life-course and incident BPH-related outcomes. Methods Our study population consisted of men without histories of prostate cancer, BPH-related outcomes, or nocturia in the intervention arm of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (PLCO) (n = 4710). Associations for body size in early- (age 20), mid- (age 50) and late-life (age ≥ 55, mean age 60.7 years) and weight change with incident BPH-related outcomes (including self-reported nocturia and physician diagnosis of BPH, digital rectal examination-estimated prostate volume ≥ 30 cc, and prostate-specific antigen [PSA] concentration > 1.4 ng/mL) were examined using Poisson regression with robust variance estimation. Results Men who were obese in late-life were 25% more likely to report nocturia (Relative Risk (RR): 1.25, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.11–1.40; p-trendfor continuous BMI < 0.0001) and men who were either overweight or obese in late-life were more likely to report a prostate volume ≥ 30 cc (RRoverweight: 1.13, 95% CI 1.07–1.21; RRobese: 1.10, 95% CI 1.02–1.19; p-trendfor continuous BMI = 0.017) as compared to normal weight men. Obesity at ages 20 and 50 was similarly associated with both nocturia and prostate volume ≥ 30 cc. Considering trajectories of body size, men who were normal weight at age 20 and became overweight or obese by later-life had increased risks of nocturia (RRnormal to overweight: 1.09, 95% CI 0.98–1.22; RRnormal to obese: 1.28, 95% CI 1.10–1.47) and a prostate volume ≥ 30 cc (RRnormal to overweight: 1.12, 95% CI 1.05–1.20). Too few men were obese early in life to examine the independent effect of early-life body size. Later-life body size modified the association between physical activity and nocturia. Conclusions We found that later-life body size, independent of early-life body size, was associated with adverse BPH outcomes, suggesting that interventions to reduce body size even late in life can potentially reduce the burden of BPH-related outcomes and nocturia.

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