Cognitive Function in Healthy Aging

2010 ◽  
pp. 159-171
Author(s):  
Janet L. Jankowiak
Author(s):  
Krasimira Aleksandrova ◽  
George Pounis ◽  
Romina di Giuseppe

Author(s):  
Nina Pocuca ◽  
T Jordan Walter ◽  
Arpi Minassian ◽  
Jared W Young ◽  
Mark A Geyer ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Older adults (≥50 years) represent the fastest-growing population of people who use cannabis, potentially due to the increasing promotion of cannabis as medicine by dispensaries and cannabis websites. Given healthy aging and cannabis use are both associated with cognitive decline, it is important to establish the effects of cannabis on cognition in healthy aging. Objective This systematic scoping review used preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines to critically examine the extent of literature on this topic and highlight areas for future research. Method A search of six databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Family and Society Studies Worldwide, and CINAHL) for articles published by September 2019, yielded 1,014 unique results. Results Six articles reported findings for older populations (three human and three rodent studies), highlighting the paucity of research in this area. Human studies revealed largely null results, likely due to several methodological limitations. Better-controlled rodent studies indicate that the relationship between ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cognitive function in healthy aging depends on age and level of THC exposure. Extremely low doses of THC improved cognition in very old rodents. Somewhat higher chronic doses improved cognition in moderately aged rodents. No studies examined the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) or high-CBD cannabis on cognition. Conclusions This systematic scoping review provides crucial, timely direction for future research on this emerging issue. Future research that combines neuroimaging and cognitive assessment would serve to advance understanding of the effects of age and quantity of THC and CBD on cognition in healthy aging.


Author(s):  
Kathryn Hale ◽  
Truls Østbye ◽  
Bilesha Perera ◽  
Robert Bradley ◽  
Joanna Maselko

The context in which dependents, regardless of age, receive care affects their health. This study adapted the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory, originally designed for child development research, to assess the quality of stimulation and support available to elders in their habitual households in Sri Lanka. Whether the adapted domains correlated with indicators of health and well-being in ways consistent with the child development literature was then examined. Through mixed-methods research based on 248 household surveys, four focus groups, and 15 interviews, three domains emerged: Physical Environment, Variety of Stimulation, and Emotional and Verbal Responsiveness. Regression modeling revealed that a higher quality physical home environment correlated with two measures of cognitive function after adjusting for covariates, but no consistent association with two psychological well-being scales. In contrast, higher Variety of Stimulation scores correlated with better cognitive function and lower psychological distress. There was no consistent correlation between Responsiveness and selected health outcomes. Qualitative data indicate that elders are active household contributors who strive to achieve harmonious relations with coresident kin. These findings reveal notable synergies between early and late life efforts to improve cognitive and psychological health, and highlight household considerations for future healthy aging research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. P280-P280
Author(s):  
Christopher T. Whitlow ◽  
Leonardo Guimaraes Bezerra ◽  
Timothy M. Hughes ◽  
Youngkyoo Jung ◽  
Jeongchul Kim ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinyue Yu ◽  
Xiang Wu ◽  
Aruhan Mu ◽  
Liqin Zhou

BACKGROUND Given that cognitive decline lacks effective treatment options and has severe implications for healthy aging, Internet use may achieve non-pharmacological relief of cognitive decline through cognitive stimulation and social engagement. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the variety, frequency and type of Internet use and cognitive decline from two theoretical perspectives: the cognitive reserve theory and the stress hypothesis. METHODS Data were obtained from a total of 10,532 survey samples from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) databases wave 3 (2014) and wave 5 (2018). Cognitive function was measured using vocabulary tests, and Internet use was categorized into five aspects: study, work, social, entertainment, and business. Associations between diversity, frequency, and type of Internet use and cognitive decline were estimated by controlling for demographic variables and health status risk factors through fixed-effects models. RESULTS Using the Internet at least once a week for study, work, and entertainment purposes, and for social purposes less than once a week were all associated with better cognitive function. Using the Internet less than once a week for business activity was associated with poorer cognitive function. Using more than one type of Internet at least once a week was associated with better cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that breadth and depth of Internet use is positively associated with cognitive function, and that different types of Internet use have different roles in cognitive decline. The importance of the Internet as a non-pharmacological intervention pathway for cognitive decline is emphasized. It is instructive for the development of relevant policies. Future research could explore specific mechanisms of influence.


2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432110468
Author(s):  
Natascha Merten ◽  
Aaron Alex Pinto ◽  
Adam J Paulsen ◽  
Yanjun Chen ◽  
Lauren K Dillard ◽  
...  

Objectives Psychological well-being (PWB) may be a potential modifiable risk factor of age-related diseases. We aimed to determine associations of PWB with sensorineural and cognitive function and neuronal health in middle-aged adults. Methods This study included 2039 Beaver Dam Offspring Study participants. We assessed PWB, hearing, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity impairment, olfactory impairment, cognition, and retinal (macular ganglion cell inner-plexiform layer, mGCIPL) thickness. Age-sex-education-adjusted multivariable linear, logistic regression, and generalized estimating equation models were used and then further adjusted for health-related confounders. Results Individuals with higher PWB had better hearing functions, visual acuity, and thicker mGCIPL and reduced odds for hearing, contrast sensitivity and olfactory impairment in age-sex-education-adjusted models. Effects on mGCIPL and visual and olfactory measures decreased with adjustment. Higher PWB was associated with better cognition, better combined sensorineural-cognitive function, and decreased cognitive impairment. Discussion Psychological well-being was associated with sensorineural-cognitive health indicating a potential of PWB interventions for healthy aging.


2010 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. S127-S127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer H. Barnett ◽  
Andrew Blackwell ◽  
Philip Scheltens ◽  
Gunhild Waldemar ◽  
Peter Johannsen ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina S Wright ◽  
Shari R Waldstein ◽  
Marie Fanelli Kuczmarski ◽  
Ryan T Pohlig ◽  
Constance S Gerassimakis ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivePoor diet quality contributes to morbidity, including poor brain health outcomes such as cognitive decline and dementia. African Americans and individuals living in poverty may be at greater risk for cognitive decrements from poor diet quality.DesignCross-sectional.SettingBaltimore, MD, USA.SubjectsParticipants were 2090 African Americans and Whites (57 % female, mean age=47·9 years) who completed two 24 h dietary recalls. We examined cognitive performance and potential interactions of diet quality with race and poverty status using baseline data from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study. Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) scores were calculated and interpreted using federal guidelines. A neurocognitive test battery was administered to evaluate cognitive function over several domains.ResultsLinear regression analyses showed that lower HEI-2010 scores were associated with poorer verbal learning and memory (P<0·05) after adjustment for covariates. Diet quality within the sample was poor. Significant interactions of HEI-2010 and poverty status (allP<0·05) indicated that higher diet quality was associated with higher performance on tests of attention and cognitive flexibility, visuospatial ability and perceptual speed among those below the poverty line. No significant race interactions emerged. Higher diet quality was associated with better performance on two measures of verbal learning and memory, irrespective of race and poverty status.ConclusionsFindings suggest that diet quality and cognitive function are likely related at the population level. Future research is needed to determine whether the association is clinically significant.


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