Multiple Pathways of Cognitive Aging

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Adaptive Functioning ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Compensatory Mechanisms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Research Designs ◽  
Trajectories Of Change ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
Complex Methods

The study of aging and cognition has grown tremendously over the past 50 years, developing from a field dominated by experimentally based information-processing traditions to one represented by a more mature approach both conceptually and methodologically. A quick examination of relevant research over the last 10 years reveals a growth in integrative approaches incorporating behavioral, neuropsychological, and social information. In addition, the concurrent recognition of limitations associated with simple cross-sectional age-group comparisons along with the use of more complex methods has resulted in the development of increasingly sophisticated research designs and analytic tools focused on understanding a multitude of potential mediators and moderators of cognitive change. This all has led away from a monolithic—often negative—view of cognitive aging to one that is more nuanced and sensitive to contextual factors. This recent shift in the psychology of aging discipline from describing cognitive aging in terms of limitations into one focused on understanding the factors associated with adaptive functioning in later life is a prime inspiration for the present volume. Thus, an emphasis here is on understanding both the factors underlying individual differences in trajectories of change in cognitive functioning in later life and the nature of compensatory mechanisms developed by most successful and active middle-aged and older adults through their experiences in dealing with complex tasks. This includes the consideration of motivational factors as a driver of both cognitive change and adaptive functioning. The 15 contributions offer unique insights and highlight innovative methodological approaches that have been used to study these issues.

scholarly journals Association Between the Activity Space Exposure to Parks in Childhood and Adolescence and Cognitive Aging in Later Life

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Cherrie ◽  
Niamh Shortt ◽  
Catharine Ward Thompson ◽  
Ian Deary ◽  
Jamie Pearce
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Life Course Perspective ◽  
Activity Space ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence

The exposure to green space in early life may support better cognitive aging in later life. However, this exposure is usually measured using the residential location alone. This disregards the exposure to green spaces in places frequented during daily activities (i.e., the ‘activity space’). Overlooking the multiple locations visited by an individual over the course of a day is likely to result in poor estimation of the environmental exposure and therefore exacerbates the contextual uncertainty. A child’s activity space is influenced by factors including age, sex, and the parental perception of the neighborhood. This paper develops indices of park availability based on individuals’ activity spaces (home, school, and the optimal route to school). These measures are used to examine whether park availability in childhood is related to cognitive change much later in life. Multi-level linear models, including random effects for schools, were used to test the association between park availability during childhood and adolescence and cognitive aging (age 70 to 76) in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 participants (N = 281). To test for the effect modification, these models were stratified by sex and road traffic accident (RTA) density. Park availability during adolescence was associated with better cognitive aging at a concurrently low RTA density (β = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.36 to 1.60), but not when the RTA density was higher (β = 0.22, 95% CI: −0.07 to 0.51). Green space exposure during early life may be important for optimal cognitive aging; this should be evidenced using activity space-based measures within a life-course perspective.

scholarly journals EXPLORING SEX DIFFERENCES IN COGNITION IN OLDER BLACKS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S543-S543
Author(s):  
DeAnnah R Byrd ◽  
Roland J Thorpe ◽  
Keith E Whitfield
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Black Men ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Future Research

Abstract Previous literature suggest that women experience more dementia than men. However, it is unclear what accounts for these differences and whether sex differences exist among Blacks over time. We hypothesize that Black women will have worse cognitive outcomes than men and smoking may potentially explain these differences. Longitudinal data from the Baltimore Study of Black Aging-Patterns of Cognitive Aging was used to assess cognitive change over 33 months in five domains. The sample consisted of 602 community-dwelling Blacks, aged 48-92 years at baseline and 450 at follow-up. Findings indicated that Black women reported better vocabulary, working and verbal memory than Black men, controlling for age, education, smoking, and health status. These findings suggest that Black women may have some cognitive advantages in mid to later life compared to Black men. Future research should continue exploring longitudinal sex differences in cognitive domains among Blacks and the underlying drivers of these differences.

scholarly journals Greater Disease Burden, Greater Risk? Exploring Cognitive Change and Health Status Among Older Blacks

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 807-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
DeAnnah R. Byrd ◽  
Roland J. Thorpe ◽  
Keith E. Whitfield
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Perceptual Speed ◽  
Over Time

Objective: The objective of study is to examine the relationships between health status and changes in cognition over time among middle to older aged Blacks. Method: Data come from the Baltimore Study of Black Aging—Patterns of Cognitive Aging. At baseline, 602 Black participants, ranging from ages 48 to 95 years, were enrolled. At follow-up, approximately 3 years later, 450 participants were re-interviewed. Results: After accounting for baseline cognition, age, sex, and education, a greater number of health conditions was associated with slower perceptual speed ( b = −5.099, p = .022). Average peak expiratory flow was also associated with improvements in working memory ( b = 0.029, p = .019) and perceptual speed ( b = 0.026, p = .026), controlling for model covariates. Discussion: Study findings demonstrate that greater disease burden is associated with declines in specific fluid cognitive abilities in middle to later life among Blacks. This finding highlights the importance of reducing health disparities that disproportionately affect Blacks.

scholarly journals Personality Pathology and Cognitive Aging

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 389-389
Author(s):  
Patrick Cruitt ◽  
Patrick Hill ◽  
Thomas Oltmanns
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Current Investigation ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Neo Five Factor Inventory ◽  
Cognitive Problems ◽  
Aging Network

Abstract Research on the relationship between normal-range personality and cognitive aging has demonstrated consistent, but modest, effects. The current investigation seeks to increase our understanding of unhealthy cognitive aging by examining the maladaptive extremes of personality. Borderline and avoidant personality disorder (PD), but not obsessive-compulsive PD, were hypothesized to show prospective associations with cognitive aging. The current investigation tested this hypothesis in two longitudinal studies of older adulthood: the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center cohort (ADRC, N = 434, Mage = 69.95, 56% women) and the St. Louis Personality and Aging Network study (SPAN, N = 1,058, Mage = 65.92, 54% women). The ADRC study administered a battery of neuropsychological tests to assess cognitive ability/memory. Borderline PD was measured with a composite derived from the NEO Five Factor Inventory. The SPAN study administered self-, informant, and interview measures of the three PDs, a free recall memory task, and an informant report measure of cognitive problems. Borderline PD features exhibited cross-sectional correlations with memory (ADRC: r = -.11; SPAN: all rs = -.08), general cognitive ability (ADRC: r = -.11), and informant reported cognitive problems (rs ranged from .15 to .39). These features also prospectively predicted changes in cognitive problems (Std. bs = .13 and .15), but not in memory or cognitive ability. Avoidant and obsessive-compulsive PD exhibited little association with cognitive aging. These findings suggest that borderline PD features may interfere with cognitive maintenance interventions. Furthermore, they argue for the development of PD treatments adapted for the context of later life.

scholarly journals Cognition in Healthy Aging

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 962
Author(s):  
Macarena Sánchez-Izquierdo ◽  
Rocío Fernández-Ballesteros
Keyword(s):  
Life Span ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Experimental Trials

The study of cognitive change across a life span, both in pathological and healthy samples, has been heavily influenced by developments in cognitive psychology as a theoretical paradigm, neuropsychology and other bio-medical fields; this alongside the increase in new longitudinal and cohort designs, complemented in the last decades by the evaluation of experimental interventions. Here, a review of aging databases was conducted, looking for the most relevant studies carried out on cognitive functioning in healthy older adults. The aim was to review not only longitudinal, cross-sectional or cohort studies, but also by intervention program evaluations. The most important studies, searching for long-term patterns of stability and change of cognitive measures across a life span and in old age, have shown a great range of inter-individual variability in cognitive functioning changes attributed to age. Furthermore, intellectual functioning in healthy individuals seems to decline rather late in life, if ever, as shown in longitudinal studies where age-related decline of cognitive functioning occurs later in life than indicated by cross-sectional studies. The longitudinal evidence and experimental trials have shown the benefits of aerobic physical exercise and an intellectually engaged lifestyle, suggesting that bio-psycho-socioenvironmental factors concurrently with age predict or determine both positive or negative change or stability in cognition in later life.

scholarly journals Social Engagement and Episodic Memory in Non-Hispanic Black and White Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 343-343
Author(s):  
Abbey Hamlin ◽  
A Zarina Kraal ◽  
Laura Zahodne
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Social engagement may confer cognitive benefits in older adulthood, but studies have typically been restricted to largely non-Hispanic White (NHW) samples. Levels of social engagement vary across race such that NHW report larger social networks, more frequent participation in social activities, and greater social support than non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB). Associations between social engagement and cognition may also vary by race, but research is sparse. The current cross-sectional study examined associations between different aspects of social engagement and episodic memory performance, as well as interactions between social engagement and race among NHB and NHW participants in the Michigan Cognitive Aging Project (N = 247; 48.4% NHB; age = 64.19 ± 2.92). Social engagement (network size, activities, support) was self-reported. Episodic memory was a z-score composite of immediate, delayed, and recognition trials of a list-learning task. Separate hierarchical linear regression models quantified interactions between race and each of the three social engagement variables on episodic memory, controlling for sociodemographics, depressive symptoms, and health conditions. Results showed a main effect of more frequent social activity on better episodic memory, as well as an interaction between race and social support indicating a significant positive association in NHB but not NHW. These preliminary findings suggest that participating in social activities may be equally beneficial for episodic memory across NHB and NHW older adults and that social support may be particularly beneficial for NHB. Future research is needed to determine the potential applications of these results in reducing cognitive inequalities through the development of culturally-relevant interventions.

scholarly journals The Relation between Age of Retirement and Frailty in Later Life? A Cross-Sectional Study in Flemish Older Adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 104473
Author(s):  
Michael C.J. Van der Elst ◽  
Birgitte Schoenmakers ◽  
Dominique Verté ◽  
Liesbeth De Donder ◽  
Nico De Witte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

scholarly journals Are Homemade and Commercial Infant Foods Different? A Nutritional Profile and Food Variety Analysis in Spain

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 777
Author(s):  
Maria Jose Bernal ◽  
Sergio Roman ◽  
Michelle Klerks ◽  
Juan Francisco Haro-Vicente ◽  
Luis Manuel Sanchez-Siles
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Food Diary ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Developmental Needs ◽  
Infant Foods ◽  
Nutritional Profile ◽  
Yellow Orange ◽  
Food Variety

Complementary feeding (CF) is an important determinant of early and later life nutrition with great implications for the health status and the development of an adequate growth. Parents can choose between homemade foods (HMFs) and/or commercial infant foods (CIFs). There is no consistent evidence as to whether HMFs provide a better nutritional profile and variety over CIFs. The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional profiles and food variety of HMFs versus CIFs in the Spanish market targeted for infants (6–11 months) and young children (12–18 months). Thirty mothers with their children aged 6 to 18 months were included in this cross-sectional study, following a 3-day weighed food diary of which HMFs were collected and chemically analyzed. HMFs meals for infant provided significantly lower energy, higher protein and higher fiber, for young children provided significantly higher protein and fiber than CIFs meals. HMFs fruit purees for infant shown significantly higher fiber and for young children provided higher energy than CIFs. HMFs meals contained a significantly greater number of different vegetables than CIFs meals (3.7 vs. 3.3), with carrot as the most frequently used in both. However, in CIFs fruit purees shown higher different fruits than HMFs, in both the banana was the fruit most frequently used. There was a predominance of meat and lack of oily fish and legumes in both HMFs and CIFs meals. HMFs and CIFs were equally characterized by a soft texture and yellow-orange colours. Importantly, our findings emphasize the need for clear guidelines for the preparation of HMFs as well as the promotion of food variety (taste and textures) in both HMFs and CIFs to suit infants’ and young children’s nutritional and developmental needs.

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