ADULT-LIFE OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES: ENRICHED ENVIRONMENT OR A STRESSOR FOR THE AGING BRAIN?

Abstract The positive association between midlife occupational complexity and cognitive functioning in older age is well documented. Much less is known about the underlying neural mechanisms and whether occupational stress may accelerate neurocognitive aging. According to the BOSS model (Brain aging: Occupational Stimulation and Stress), occupational exposures may serve as long-term protective and risk factors that influence the rate and extent of neurocognitive decline in aging (Burzynska, Jiao & Ganster 2018). We present findings from three independent samples linking different occupational exposures (e.g. work physical demands, innovation, autonomy, employer control) with brain volume in cognitively healthy older adults. We discuss the findings in the context of cognitive reserve and brain maintenance. Our findings suggest that occupational activities need to be acknowledged as an important factor in lifespan cognitive and brain development and warrant further research, with a possible outcome of workplace interventions aimed at optimizing neurocognitive aging.

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Bridging Patterns of Neurocognitive Aging Across the Older Adult Lifespan

10.31234/osf.io/me2fc ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jenna Merenstein ◽

Ilana J. Bennett

Keyword(s):

Older Adult ◽

Regional Variation ◽

Brain Aging ◽

Oldest Old ◽

Old Adults ◽

Adult Lifespan ◽

Aging Theories ◽

Mri Studies ◽

Neurocognitive Aging ◽

Brain Maintenance

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of brain and neurocognitive aging rarely include oldest-old adults (ages 85+). But predictions of neurocognitive aging theories derived from MRI findings in younger-old adults (ages 65-85) may not generalize into advanced age, particularly given the increased prevalence of cognitive impairment/dementia in the oldest-old. Here, we reviewed the MRI literature in oldest-old adults and interpreted findings within the context of regional variation, compensation, brain maintenance, and reserve theories. Structural MRI studies revealed regional variation in brain aging as larger age effects on medial temporal and posterior regions for oldest-old than younger-old adults. They also revealed that brain maintenance explained preserved cognitive functioning into the tenth decade of life. Very few functional MRI studies support compensatory activity in oldest-old adults who perform as well as younger groups, although there was evidence that higher brain reserve in oldest-old adults may mediate effects of brain aging on cognition. Despite some continuity, different cognitive and neural profiles across the older adult lifespan should be addressed in modern neurocognitive aging theories.

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Normal Cognitive and Brain Aging

The Oxford Handbook of Adult Cognitive Disorders ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190664121.013.2 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 4-24

Author(s):

Stephanie L. Leal ◽

Michael A. Yassa

Keyword(s):

Individual Differences ◽

Brain Aging ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Aging Brain ◽

Aging Research ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Biological Phenomena ◽

Neurocognitive Aging ◽

Process Factors ◽

The Individual

Normal cognitive and brain aging are a set of interconnected and complex biological phenomena that can be understood from a multidisciplinary and integrative approach combining studies in animals and humans. This chapter summarizes some of the key facets involved in these phenomena from an individual differences approach and highlights episodic memory as a key area of rich investigation. Cognitive and biological changes with age are discussed with specific emphasis on the factors associated with selective vulnerabilities and resiliencies to the aging process. Factors associated with modifiable risk are discussed alongside strategies to reduce such risk and maintain intact cognitive function in older adulthood. The power of the individual differences approach as well as caveats and methodological limitations to neurocognitive aging research are discussed with the goal of delineating key gaps in understanding the aging brain and paving the path for future investigations.

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Adult-Life Occupational Exposures: Enriched Environment or a Stressor for the Aging Brain?

Work Aging and Retirement ◽

10.1093/workar/way007 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 3-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Agnieszka Z Burzynska ◽

Yuqin Jiao ◽

Daniel C Ganster

Keyword(s):

Adult Life ◽

Occupational Exposures ◽

Enriched Environment ◽

Aging Brain

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Innovative Experiences at Work Support Hippocampal Maintenance in Late Life

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1307 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 406-406

Author(s):

Kaleena Odd ◽

Julie Blaskewicz Boron ◽

Aga Burzynska ◽

Jonathan Santo ◽

Paul Robinson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Work Environment ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Brain Aging ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Hippocampal Atrophy ◽

Occupational Complexity ◽

Brain Maintenance ◽

Neural Underpinnings ◽

Long Term Impact ◽

The Brain

Abstract Prior research has demonstrated the positive impact of occupational complexity on cognitive aging, however, neural underpinnings remain unclear. There is emerging evidence linking midlife managerial experience to slower hippocampal atrophy (Suo et al., 2012, 2017), supporting the brain maintenance model (i.e. preservation of young-like brain structure). However, occupational complexity, along with education, is known to be a proxy of cognitive reserve (i.e. mind’s resistance to brain aging). The current study examined the influence of midlife work environment factors (i.e., autonomy, control, and innovation; Work Environment Scale, Moos, 1981) on change in hippocampal thickness, while controlling for education and age. We studied 150 participants (60-78 years, M = 66.27, SD = 5.20, 61% female) from the Seattle Longitudinal Study who had at least one MRI scan and remained cognitively normal between 2006 and 2014. Hypotheses were tested using multilevel modeling in Mplus; gender differences were examined. There was no substantial drop in model fit as a result of adding any of the significant effects. Innovation at work slowed the decrease in hippocampal thickness over time demonstrating the protective effect of more novelty, variety and change in work activities. There was a significant age by gender interaction, such that the decrease in hippocampal thickness was stronger for older women. Together, findings suggest that long-term impact of work environment on the hippocampus extends beyond the effects of education, particularly in men, supporting the brain maintenance hypothesis. Innovation at work should be considered in understanding protective/risk factors in hippocampal atrophy in older age.

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Chromosome Instability, Aging and Brain Diseases

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells10051256 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 1256

Author(s):

Ivan Y. Iourov ◽

Yuri B. Yurov ◽

Svetlana G. Vorsanova ◽

Sergei I. Kutsev

Keyword(s):

Brain Aging ◽

Chromosome Instability ◽

Neuronal Cell Death ◽

Neuronal Cell ◽

Accelerated Aging ◽

Brain Diseases ◽

Aging Brain ◽

Ontogenetic Changes ◽

Health And Disease

Chromosome instability (CIN) has been repeatedly associated with aging and progeroid phenotypes. Moreover, brain-specific CIN seems to be an important element of pathogenic cascades leading to neurodegeneration in late adulthood. Alternatively, CIN and aneuploidy (chromosomal loss/gain) syndromes exhibit accelerated aging phenotypes. Molecularly, cellular senescence, which seems to be mediated by CIN and aneuploidy, is likely to contribute to brain aging in health and disease. However, there is no consensus about the occurrence of CIN in the aging brain. As a result, the role of CIN/somatic aneuploidy in normal and pathological brain aging is a matter of debate. Still, taking into account the effects of CIN on cellular homeostasis, the possibility of involvement in brain aging is highly likely. More importantly, the CIN contribution to neuronal cell death may be responsible for neurodegeneration and the aging-related deterioration of the brain. The loss of CIN-affected neurons probably underlies the contradiction between reports addressing ontogenetic changes of karyotypes within the aged brain. In future studies, the combination of single-cell visualization and whole-genome techniques with systems biology methods would certainly define the intrinsic role of CIN in the aging of the normal and diseased brain.

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Five-Year Change in Body Mass Index Predicts Conversion to Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia Only in APOE ɛ4 Allele Carriers

Journal of Alzheimer s Disease ◽

10.3233/jad-201360 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Kylie R. Kadey ◽

John L. Woodard ◽

Allison C. Moll ◽

Kristy A. Nielson ◽

J. Carson Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Body Mass ◽

Carrier Status ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

E4 Allele ◽

Lifestyle Risk

Background: Body mass index (BMI) has been identified as an important modifiable lifestyle risk factor for dementia, but less is known about how BMI might interact with Apolipoprotein E ɛ4 (APOE ɛ4) carrier status to predict conversion to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between APOE ɛ4 status and baseline (bBMI) and five-year BMI change (ΔBMI) on conversion to MCI or dementia in initially cognitively healthy older adults. Methods: The associations between bBMI, ΔBMI, APOE ɛ4 status, and conversion to MCI or dementia were investigated among 1,289 cognitively healthy elders from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) database. Results: After five years, significantly more carriers (30.6%) converted to MCI or dementia than noncarriers (17.6%), p < 0.001, OR = 2.06. Neither bBMI (OR = 0.99, 95%CI = 0.96–1.02) nor the bBMI by APOE interaction (OR = 1.02, 95%CI = 0.96–1.08) predicted conversion. Although ΔBMI also did not significantly predict conversion (OR = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.78–1.04), the interaction between ΔBMI and carrier status was significant (OR = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.53–0.98). For carriers only, each one-unit decline in BMI over five years was associated with a 27%increase in the odds of conversion (OR = 0.73, 95%CI = 0.57–0.94). Conclusion: A decline in BMI over five years, but not bBMI, was strongly associated with conversion to MCI or dementia only for APOE ɛ4 carriers. Interventions and behaviors aimed at maintaining body mass may be important for long term cognitive health in older adults at genetic risk for AD.

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Development of a web-platform for dynamic monitoring of population health in Geneva: Specchio project

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.440 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

H Baysson ◽

S Joost ◽

H Attar Cohen ◽

I Guessous ◽

S Stringhini

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Status ◽

Occupational Exposures ◽

Well Being ◽

Dynamic Monitoring ◽

Health Study ◽

Medical File ◽

Directorate General ◽

Web Platform

Abstract Background In order to provide efficient public health decisions making, it is crucial to obtain reliable and recent data on the state of health of the population. For that purpose, a web-platform for the dynamic monitoring of the health status and well-being of the population is being developed in the Geneva canton. Methods Using a dedicated website, recruitment will be carried out over 5 years so as to enroll up to 20 000 volunteers, resident in Geneva and aged ≥ 18 years, followed-up for at least 10 years. Once connected to the website, participants will fill a general self-administered questionnaire on their socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics, anthropometry, health status, physical activity and diet. Environmental, behavioral and occupational exposures will also be evaluated via more specific questionnaires. Current addresses of residence will be geocoded and linked to geographical databases to passively gather information on noise, air pollution, green areas, and other exposures. Surveillance of health events will be implemented via yearly self-administered on line questionnaires and potentially via passive linkage to medical databases (medical file) and health registries with the participants' consent. For a subsample of volunteers, biochemical samples and biomarkers will be collected. Results The pilot study shows that the project is feasible, potentially cost-effective but requires innovative methodologies for ensuring long term follow-up. Different communication strategies used for recruitment and long-term participation need to be implemented ensuring trust from participants, different levels of health literacy and the need of justice. Conclusions Specchio is a new project aimed at setting up a digital longitudinal health study in Geneva. Challenges concerns the determinants of participation, recruitment and attrition, quality of data and ethics. Long-term funding by the Directorate General of Health Geneva is currently under evaluation. Key messages This digital longitudinal health study will enable dynamic monitoring of the health status and well-being of Geneva residents and will enable efficient public health decision making. Specchio is a new project funded by the Directorate General of Health Geneva.

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Imaging and Cognitive Genetics: The Norwegian Cognitive NeuroGenetics Sample

Twin Research and Human Genetics ◽

10.1017/thg.2012.8 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 442-452 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Thomas Espeseth ◽

Andrea Christoforou ◽

Astri J. Lundervold ◽

Vidar M. Steen ◽

Stephanie Le Hellard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sample Size ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Brain Function ◽

Large Scale ◽

Adult Life ◽

Aging Brain ◽

Adult Life Span ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

A Genome ◽

Effects Of Aging

Data collection for the Norwegian Cognitive NeuroGenetics sample (NCNG) was initiated in 2003 with a research grant (to Ivar Reinvang) to study cognitive aging, brain function, and genetic risk factors. The original focus was on the effects of aging (from middle age and up) and candidate genes (e.g., APOE, CHRNA4) in cross-sectional and longitudinal designs, with the cognitive and MRI-based data primarily being used for this purpose. However, as the main topic of the project broadened from cognitive aging to imaging and cognitive genetics more generally, the sample size, age range of the participants, and scope of available phenotypes and genotypes, have developed beyond the initial project. In 2009, a genome-wide association (GWA) study was undertaken, and the NCNG proper was established to study the genetics of cognitive and brain function more comprehensively. The NCNG is now controlled by the NCNG Study Group, which consists of the present authors. Prominent features of the NCNG are the adult life-span coverage of healthy participants with high-dimensional imaging, and cognitive data from a genetically homogenous sample. Another unique property is the large-scale (sample size 300–700) use of experimental cognitive tasks focusing on attention and working memory. The NCNG data is now used in numerous ongoing GWA-based studies and has contributed to several international consortia on imaging and cognitive genetics. The objective of the following presentation is to give other researchers the information necessary to evaluate possible contributions from the NCNG to various multi-sample data analyses.

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