scholarly journals Age-related response speed deficits arise from specific impairments in sensory evidence accumulation rate

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meadhbh B. Brosnan ◽  
Megan H O'Neill ◽  
Gerard M Loughnane ◽  
Daniel J Pearce ◽  
Bryce Fleming ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Accumulation Rate ◽  
Response Speed ◽  
Decision Task ◽  
Critical Determinant ◽  
Evidence Accumulation ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Face ◽  
Sensory Evidence

Older adults exposed to enriched environments (EE) maintain relatively higher levels of cognitive function, even in the face of compromised markers of brain health. Response speed (RS) is often used as a simple proxy to measure the preservation of global cognitive function in older adults. However, it is unknown which specific sensory, decision, and/or motor processes provide the most specific indices of neurocognitive health. Here, using a simple decision task with electroencephalography (EEG), we found that the efficiency with which an individual accumulates sensory evidence was a critical determinant of the extent to which RS was preserved in older adults. Moreover, the mitigating influence of EE on age-related RS declines was most pronounced when evidence accumulation rates were shallowest. Our results suggest that EEG metrics of evidence accumulation may index neurocognitive vulnerability of the ageing brain.

Inefficient Encoding as an Explanation for Age-Related Deficits in Recollection-Based Processing

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 148-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Friedman ◽  
Ray Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Semantic Retrieval ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Face ◽  
Episodic Memories

A cardinal feature of aging is a decline in episodic memory (EM). Nevertheless, there is evidence that some older adults may be able to “compensate” for failures in recollection-based processing by recruiting brain regions and cognitive processes not normally recruited by the young. We review the evidence suggesting that age-related declines in EM performance and recollection-related brain activity (left-parietal EM effect; LPEM) are due to altered processing at encoding. We describe results from our laboratory on differences in encoding- and retrieval-related activity between young and older adults. We then show that, relative to the young, in older adults brain activity at encoding is reduced over a brain region believed to be crucial for successful semantic elaboration in a 400–1,400-ms interval (left inferior prefrontal cortex, LIPFC; Johnson, Nessler, & Friedman, 2013 ; Nessler, Friedman, Johnson, & Bersick, 2007 ; Nessler, Johnson, Bersick, & Friedman, 2006 ). This reduced brain activity is associated with diminished subsequent recognition-memory performance and the LPEM at retrieval. We provide evidence for this premise by demonstrating that disrupting encoding-related processes during this 400–1,400-ms interval in young adults affords causal support for the hypothesis that the reduction over LIPFC during encoding produces the hallmarks of an age-related EM deficit: normal semantic retrieval at encoding, reduced subsequent episodic recognition accuracy, free recall, and the LPEM. Finally, we show that the reduced LPEM in young adults is associated with “additional” brain activity over similar brain areas as those activated when older adults show deficient retrieval. Hence, rather than supporting the compensation hypothesis, these data are more consistent with the scaffolding hypothesis, in which the recruitment of additional cognitive processes is an adaptive response across the life span in the face of momentary increases in task demand due to poorly-encoded episodic memories.

Exercise Impacts Age-Related Changes in Cognitive Function and Neural Complexity

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer J. Heisz ◽  
Ana Kovacevic
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Neural Network ◽  
Future Work ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Age Related Changes

Age-related changes in the brain can compromise cognitive function. However, in some cases, the brain is able to functionally reorganize to compensate for some of this loss. The present paper reviews the benefits of exercise on executive functions in older adults and discusses a potential mechanism through which exercise may change the way the brain processes information for better cognitive outcomes. Specifically, older adults who are more physically active demonstrate a shift toward local neural processing that is associated with better executive functions. We discuss the use of neural complexity as a sensitive measure of the neural network plasticity that is enhanced through exercise. We conclude by highlighting the future work needed to improve exercise prescriptions that help older adults maintain their cognitive and physical functions for longer into their lifespan.

scholarly journals Associating Gait Phase and Physical Fitness with Global Cognitive Function in the Aged

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (13) ◽  
pp. 4786
Author(s):  
Byungjoo Noh ◽  
Changhong Youm ◽  
Myeounggon Lee ◽  
Hwayoung Park
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Stance Phase ◽  
Strong Dependence ◽  
Sit To Stand ◽  
Global Cognitive Function ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Type Data

This study aimed to identify classifier variables by considering both gait and physical fitness for identifying adults aged over 75 years and global cognitive function declines in older adults. The participants included 735 adults aged 65–89 years who were asked to walk at three different speeds (slower, preferred, and faster) while wearing inertial measurement units embedded in shoe-type data loggers and to perform nine physical fitness tests. The variability in the stance phase as well as the strength, balance, and functional endurance showed a strong dependence on the age being over 75 years. The cognitive function was evaluated by the Mini-Mental State Examination; a longer stance phase at a slower walking speed and decreased grip strength and five times sit-to-stand were associated with cognitive function. These findings may be useful for determining the decline in physical performance of older adults. A longer stance phase and decreased grip strength and five times sit-to-stand may be factors that help distinguish declines in cognitive function from normal age-related declines.

A Review and Reappraisal of the Default Network in Normal Aging and Dementia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica R. Andrews-Hanna ◽  
Matthew D. Grilli ◽  
Muireann Irish
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Brain Aging ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Normal Aging ◽  
Aging Brain ◽  
Default Network ◽  
Pathological Aging ◽  
Age Related

The brain’s default network (DN) has received considerable interest in the context of so-called “normal” and pathological aging. Findings have generally been couched in support of a pessimistic view of brain aging, marked by substantial loss of structural brain integrity accompanied by a host of impairments in brain and cognitive function. A critical look at the literature, however, reveals that the standard loss of integrity, loss of function (LILF) view in normal aging may not necessarily hold with respect to the DN and the internally guided functions it supports. Many internally guided processes subserved by the DN are preserved or enhanced in cognitively healthy older adults. Moreover, differences in motivational, contextual, and physiological factors between young and older adults likely influence the extant neuroimaging and cognitive findings. Accordingly, normal aging can be viewed as a series of possibly adaptive cognitive and DN-related alterations that bolster cognitive function and promote socioemotional well-being and stability in a stage of life noted for change. On the other hand, the available evidence reveals strong support for the LILF view of the DN in neurodegenerative disorders, whereby syndromes such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and semantic dementia (SD), characterized by progressive atrophy to distinct DN subsystems, display distinct aberrations in autobiographical and semantic cognition. Taken together, these findings call for more naturalistic, age-appropriate, and longitudinal paradigms when investigating neurocognitive changes in aging and to adequately assess and control for differences in non-neural factors that may obscure “true” effects of normal and pathological aging. A shift in the framework with which age-related alterations in internally guided cognition are interpreted may shed important light on the neurocognitive mechanisms differentiating healthy and pathological aging, leading to a more complete picture of the aging brain in all its complexity.

scholarly journals Sources of Cognitive Conflict and Their Relevance to Theory-of-Mind Proficiency in Healthy Aging: A Preregistered Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 095679762110178
Author(s):  
Foyzul Rahman ◽  
Klaus Kessler ◽  
Ian A. Apperly ◽  
Peter C. Hansen ◽  
Sabrina Javed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Response Speed ◽  
Cognitive Conflict ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Outcome Knowledge

Age-related decline in theory of mind (ToM) may be due to waning executive control, which is necessary for resolving conflict when reasoning about other individuals’ mental states. We assessed how older ( n = 50) and younger ( n = 50) adults were affected by three theoretically relevant sources of conflict within ToM: competing self-other perspectives, competing cued locations, and outcome knowledge. We examined which best accounted for age-related difficulty with ToM. Our data show unexpected similarity between age groups when people are representing a belief incongruent with their own. Individual differences in attention and response speed best explained the degree of conflict experienced through incompatible self-other perspectives. However, older adults were disproportionately affected by managing conflict between cued locations. Age and spatial working memory were most relevant for predicting the magnitude of conflict elicited by conflicting cued locations. We suggest that previous studies may have underestimated older adults’ ToM proficiency by including unnecessary conflict in ToM tasks.

scholarly journals Superior Effects of Modified Chen-Style Tai Chi versus 24-Style Tai Chi on Cognitive Function, Fitness, and Balance Performance in Adults over 55

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liye Zou ◽  
Paul D. Loprinzi ◽  
Jane Jie Yu ◽  
Lin Yang ◽  
Chunxiao Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Aging Population ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Global Cognitive Function ◽  
Age Related

Background: Cognitive decline and balance impairment are prevalent in the aging population. Previous studies investigated the beneficial effects of 24-style Tai Chi (TC-24) on either cognitive function or balance performance of older adults. It still remains largely unknown whether modified Chen-style TC (MTC) that includes 18 complex movements is more beneficial for these age-related health outcomes, as compared to TC-24. Objective: We investigated if MTC would show greater effects than TC-24 on global cognitive function and balance-related outcomes among older adults. Methods: We conducted a randomized trial where 80 eligible adults aged over 55 were allocated into two different styles of Tai Chi (TC) arms (sixty-minute session × three times per week, 12 weeks). Outcome assessments were performed at three time periods (baseline, Week 6, and Week 12) and included the Chinese Version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for overall cognitive function, One-leg Standing Test (LST) for static balance, Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) for dynamic balance, chair Stand Test (CST) for leg power, and the six-meter Walk Test (6MWT) for aerobic exercise capacity. Results: Compared to TC-24 arm, MTC arm demonstrated significantly greater improvements in MoCA, LST, TUGT, CST, and 6MWT (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Both forms of TC were effective in enhancing global cognitive function, balance, and fitness. Furthermore, MTC was more effective than TC-24 in enhancing these health-related parameters in an aging population.

scholarly journals Lower brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels are associated with age-related memory impairment in community-dwelling older adults: the Sefuri study

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshito Mizoguchi ◽  
Hiroshi Yao ◽  
Yoshiomi Imamura ◽  
Manabu Hashimoto ◽  
Akira Monji
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Memory Impairment ◽  
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Hippocampal Atrophy ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Behavioral Memory ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract The beneficial effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)—a member of the neurotrophin family—on cognitive function or dementia are well established in both rodents and human beings. In contrast, little is known about the association of proBDNF—a precursor protein with opposing neuronal effects of BDNF—with cognitive function in non-demented older adults. We analyzed brain magnetic resonance imaging findings of 256 community-dwelling older adults (mean age of 68.4 years). Serum BDNF and proBDNF levels were measured by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Logistic regression analysis revealed that older age, less physical activity, hippocampal atrophy, and lower BDNF levels were independently associated with memory impairment determined by the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test. Path analysis based on structural equation modeling indicated that age, sport activity, hippocampal atrophy and BDNF but not proBDNF were individually associated with Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test scores. These findings suggest that impaired BDNF function, in addition to physical inactivity and hippocampal atrophy, is associated with age-related memory impairment. Therefore, BDNF may be a potential target for dementia prevention.

Investigating walnut consumption and cognitive trajectories in a representative sample of older US adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Nicholas J Bishop ◽  
Krystle E Zuniga
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Cognitive Status ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Usa

Abstract Objective: Existing research suggests walnut intake may be associated with better cognitive function in older adults, yet few studies utilise longitudinal data from observational studies of ageing populations. Our objective was to estimate the association between whole walnut intake and cognitive change in a representative sample of older Americans. Design: Secondary analysis of the Health and Retirement Study and Health Care and Nutrition Study. Walnut consumption was defined as a categorical measure (none, low intake (0·01–0·08 1 oz. servings per day) and moderate intake (>0·08 1 oz. servings per day)) and cognitive function was measured using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status. Latent growth modelling estimated the association between walnut consumption and trajectories of cognitive status over a 4-year observational period. Sensitivity analyses assessing non-random dropout and Monte Carlo power analyses were conducted to contextualise results. Setting: The USA. Participants: A sample of 3632 US adults aged 65 years and older. Results: Those reporting any walnut consumption had greater cognitive scores at baseline than those not consuming walnuts (low walnut consumption, b = 1·53, se = 0·21, P < 0·001; moderate walnut consumption, b = 2·22, se = 0·27, P < 0·001), but walnut consumption was not associated with cognitive change. Walnut consumption was positively associated with socioeconomic status and health behaviours as well as intake of nutrients identified to have neuroprotective benefits. Conclusions: We identified an association between walnut consumption and cognitive function in older adults, although we did not find that walnut consumption was protective against age-related cognitive decline.

Abstract MP88: Fetuin-A, a Vascular Biomarker of Cognitive Decline in Older Adults

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gail A Laughlin ◽  
Linda K McEvoy ◽  
Elizabeth Barrett-Connor ◽  
Lori B Daniels ◽  
Joachim H Ix
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Vascular Disease ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Fetuin A ◽  
High Functioning ◽  
Age Related

Objectives: The contribution of vascular disease to neurocognitive decline is now widely recognized. Fetuin-A is an abundant plasma protein known to predict vascular disease. Prior studies have shown that fetuin-A levels are lower in patients with Alzheimer’s disease in direct proportion to the severity of cognitive impairment; however, their association with normal cognitive aging is unknown. We evaluated the association of serum fetuin-A levels with cognitive function in relatively high-functioning, community-dwelling older adults from the Rancho Bernardo Study. Methods: This is a population-based study of 1382 older adults (median age 75) who had plasma fetuin-A levels and cognitive function evaluated in 1992-96; 855 had repeat cognitive function assessment a median of 4 years later. Results: Adjusting for age, sex, education, and depression, higher levels of fetuin-A were associated with better baseline performance on the Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) (P=0.012) and a tendency for better Trails Making B scores (P=0.066). In longitudinal analyses, the likelihood of a major decline (highest decile of change) in Trails B was 29% lower (P=0.010) for each SD higher baseline fetuin-A level; odds of major decline in MMSE was 42% lower (P=0.005) per SD higher fetuin-A for individuals with no known CVD, but were not related to fetuin-A in those with CVD (P=0.33). Fetuin-A was not related to Category Fluency performance. Results did not vary by sex and were not explained by numerous vascular risk factors and comorbidities. Conclusions: Higher plasma fetuin-A concentrations are associated with better performance on tests of global cognitive function and executive function and with reduced likelihood of major decline in these cognitive abilities over a 4-year period. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that higher fetuin-A protects against cognitive decline in relatively high functioning older adults, although this may be less apparent in those with established vascular disease. Fetuin-A may serve as a biological link between vascular disease and normal age-related cognitive decline.

Experiences of age-related declining navigation abilities and impact on use of outdoor environments: A qualitative study of older adults with self-reported memory difficulties

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Heward ◽  
Ben Hicks ◽  
Brooke Hedges ◽  
Rebecca Gaden ◽  
Jan Wiener
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Outdoor Environments ◽  
Neuropsychological Theory

Laboratory-based experiments show ageing negatively impacts navigation abilities, yet a paucity of research explores lived experience. This exploratory study examined older people with self-reported memory difficulties experiences of declining navigation abilities during sixteen semi-structured telephone interviews. Findings reveal: (i) ‘Behavioural drivers’ that underpinned the participants’ experiences and actions when engaging with their environments (ii) ‘Avoidance’ and (iii) ‘Active’ strategies that were adopted by the participants. Declining cognitive function appeared to have a negative impact on participants perceived abilities and confidence to navigate unfamiliar outdoor environments, which in turn influenced the strategies they chose to adopt. Future psychosocial interventions should draw on neuropsychological theory to ensure retention of navigation skills and confidence for as long as possible.

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