Regular Latin Dancing and Health Education May Improve Cognition of Late Middle-Aged and Older Latinos

Disparities exist between Latinos and non-Latino Whites in cognitive function. Dance is culturally appropriate and challenges individuals physically and cognitively, yet the impact of regular dancing on cognitive function in older Latinos has not been examined. A two-group pilot trial was employed among inactive, older Latinos. Participants (N = 57) participated in the BAILAMOS© dance program or a health education program. Cognitive test scores were converted to z-scores and measures of global cognition and specific domains (executive function, episodic memory, working memory) were derived. Results revealed a group × time interaction for episodic memory (p < .05), such that the dance group showed greater improvement in episodic memory than the health education group. A main effect for time for global cognition (p < .05) was also demonstrated, with participants in both groups improving. Structured Latin dance programs can positively influence episodic memory, and participation in structured programs may improve overall cognition among older Latinos.

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US Older Adults That Consume Avocado or Guacamole Have Better Cognition Than Non-consumers: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2014

Frontiers in Nutrition ◽

10.3389/fnut.2021.746453 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Feon W. Cheng ◽

Nikki A. Ford ◽

Matthew K. Taylor

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

National Health ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

Nutrition Examination Survey ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

Special Cases ◽

Z Scores ◽

Global Cognition ◽

Mean Differences

Purpose: The goal of this study is to examine how avocado relates to cognitive function among older adults.Methods: A total of 2,886 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2014 participants aged 60 or older met the eligibility criteria and were included of our cross-sectional study. Participants were binarily classified as avocado consumers (i.e., reported consuming any avocado/guacamole in either 24-h dietary recalls) or non-consumers. Cognitive performance was evaluated with: Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD)—immediate and delayed recall (IWR/DWR), the Animal Fluency test, and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test. We calculated the education-dependent z-scores for each subject because education level can impact cognitive function. Global cognitive score, an average of the z-scores for each cognitive test, was calculated in participants who had completed all four tests. To account for relevant covariates, we tested for mean differences in cognition between consumers and non-consumers using independent sample t-tests and ANCOVA, special cases of ordinary least squares regression.Results: Avocado consumers had significantly better cognitive scores across all cognitive tests and the global cognition score (p < 0.05) in the unadjusted model. Some mean differences attenuated after adjusting for potential confounders, but others remained significant. Compared to non-consumers, avocado consumers had significantly higher z-scores of 0.15, 0.15, and 0.11 for CERAD IWR and DWR, and global cognition score, respectively (all p < 0.05 in adjusted models).Conclusion: Avocado consumption was associated with significantly better IWR, DWR, and the overall global cognition score, which remained significant when controlling for all relevant confounders.

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Cognitive Function in Adults with Enduring Anorexia Nervosa

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13030859 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 859

Author(s):

Maria Seidel ◽

Helen Brooker ◽

Kamilla Lauenborg ◽

Keith Wesnes ◽

Magnus Sjögren

Keyword(s):

Anorexia Nervosa ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Reaction Times ◽

Assessment System ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

Attention Tasks ◽

Inclusion Study ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a severe and often enduring disorder characterized by restriction of food intake, low body weight, fear of weight gain, and distorted body image. Investigations on cognition performance in AN patients have yielded conflicting results. Using an established and sensitive computerized cognitive test battery, we aimed to assess core aspects of cognitive function, including attention span, information processing, reasoning, working and episodic memory, in AN patients and controls. Patients were recruited from the Danish Prospective Longitudinal all-comer inclusion study in Eating Disorders (PROLED). Included were 26 individuals with AN and 36 healthy volunteers (HV). All were tested with CogTrack (an online cognitive assessment system) at baseline, and AN patients were tested again at a follow-up time point after weight increase (n = 13). At baseline, AN patients showed faster reaction times in the attention tasks, as well as increased accuracy in grammatical reasoning compared to HV. There were no differences in cognitive function between AN patients and HV in the other cognitive domains measured (sustained attention, working and episodic memory, speed of retrieval, and speed of grammatical reasoning). No differences were visible in the AN sample between baseline and follow-up. Performance did not correlate with any clinical variables in the AN sample. These findings supplement results from other studies suggesting increased concentration and reasoning accuracy in patients suffering from AN, who showed increased performance in cognitive tasks despite their illness.

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Abstract P268: Greater Cognitive Impairment Among Older Adults With Type 1 Diabetes as Compared to Non-diabetic Controls: Results From the Study of Longevity in Diabetes (SOLID)

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.141.suppl_1.p268 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Mary E Lacy ◽

Paola Gilsanz ◽

Chloe Eng ◽

Michal S Beeri ◽

Andrew J Karter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Executive Function ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Regression Models ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

Race Ethnicity

Introduction: Studies have shown poorer cognitive function in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) as compared to non-diabetic peers. However, little is known about cognitive function in older adults with T1D. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that older adults with T1D and type 2 diabetes (T2D) would have greater cognitive impairment than age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education-matched controls without diabetes. Methods: We compared baseline cognitive impairment among older adults (aged ≥60) from the Study of Longevity in Diabetes (SOLID) with T1D (n=771), T2D (=234) and no diabetes (n=253). Cognitive tests assessed three cognitive domains identified via factor analysis (language, executive function, episodic memory). All cognitive test scores were standardized and cognitive impairment was defined as 1.5 SD below the mean. In logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, and race/ethnicity, we examined the association between diabetes status (T1D, T2D or no diabetes) and cognition on each cognitive domain and on global cognition (average of scores on the 3 domains). Results: In adjusted regression models, compared to older adults without diabetes, those with T1D were more likely to have impaired cognitive function on the language (OR=2.13, 95% CI: 1.08, 4.17) and executive function domains (OR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.36, 5.22). No significant differences in global cognitive impairment or impairment on the episodic memory domain were observed for T1D and no significant differences on any domain were observed for T2D. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that older adults with T1D have greater cognitive impairment than their peers without diabetes; findings were specific to the language and executive function domains, with episodic memory being unaffected. No increase in cognitive impairment was observed for older adults with T2D. Additional research is needed to understand the causes and potentially modifiable factors associated with impaired cognition among older adults with T1D.

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The effects of acute dopamine reuptake inhibition on cognitive function during passive hyperthermia

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/apnm-2020-0869 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Phillip J. Wallace ◽

Ricardo S Martins ◽

Jake S Scott ◽

Scott W Steele ◽

Matthew Greenway ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Executive Function ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Thermal Strain ◽

Maze Learning ◽

Test Battery ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

Set Shifting ◽

Heart Rates ◽

The Impact

Dopamine activity can modulate physical performance in the heat, but less is known about its effects on cognition during thermal stress. Twelves males completed a randomized, double-blinded protocol consisting of oral ingestion of 20 mg of methylphenidate (MPH) or placebo (lactose pill) during passive heating using a water-perfused suit (water temperature ~49°C). To identify the impact of peripheral versus central thermal strain, a cognitive test battery was completed at four different thermal states: baseline (BASE; 37.2±0.6˚C core, 32.9±0.7˚C skin), neutral core-hot skin (NC-HS; 37.2±0.3˚C, 37.4±0.3˚C), hyperthermic core-hot skin (HC-HS; 38.7±0.4˚C, 38.7±0.2˚C), and hyperthermic core-cooled skin (HC-CS; 38.5±0.4˚C, 35.1±0.8˚C). The cognitive test battery consisted of the 2-back task (i.e. working memory), set-shifting (i.e. executive function), Groton Maze Learning Task (i.e. executive function) and detection task (i.e. psychomotor processing). MPH led to significantly higher heart rates (~5-15 b·min-1) at BASE, NC-HS, and HC-HS (all p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the number of errors made on each task (all p<0.05). Participants were significantly faster (p<0.05) on the set-shifting task in the HC-HS timepoint, irrespective of drug condition (p>0.05). In summary, we demonstrated that 20 mg of MPH did not significantly alter cognitive function during either normothermia or moderate hyperthermia. Novelty: ● 20 mg of MPH did not significantly alter cognitive function during passive heat stress ● MPH led to significant higher heart rates (~5-15 bmin-1) in thermoneutral and during passive heat stress ● Future studies are needed to determine the mechanisms of why MPH improves physical but not cognitive performance during heat stress

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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXPERIENCE OF SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL EVENTS AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION AMONG OLDER ADULTS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.3406 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S936-S937

Author(s):

Stephanie M Bergren ◽

Gabriella Dong

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Historical Event ◽

Historical Events ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Global Cognition ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Research has found relationships between experiencing stressful events and lower cognitive function in late life. However, there is little research about the cumulative experiences of significant historical events and cognitive function. Historical events may be unique compared to other life events due to their potential distal relationship to the individual. This study aims to examine the relationship between experiencing significant historical events and cognitive function among Chinese older adults. Data were drawn from the PINE Study, a cohort study of 3,126 US Chinese older adults collected from 2017-2019. Participants were asked if they experienced the Japanese invasion, famine, Great Leap Forward, Vietnam War, Cultural Revolution, and the Tian’anmen Square Protests. A composite score of 0-6 was calculated to count the number experienced. Cognitive function was measured through global cognition, episodic memory, working memory, processing speed, and Chinese MMSE. Linear and quantile regression were performed. Among the participants, 1908 (61.04%) were female with mean age of 75.33 (SD=8.22) years. The average number of historical events experienced was 2.36 (SD=1.44). After adjusting for covariates, every one additional historical event experience was associated with better global cognition (b=0.26, SE=0.009, p<.01), episodic memory (b = 0.045, SE=0.012, p<.001), and processing speed (b=0.383, SE=0.135, p<.01). Number of historical events was not significantly associated with working memory or C-MMSE. The positive relationship between historical events and some cognitive domains suggests a potential resilience effect after experiencing historical events. Future research should examine whether participants found events stressful and whether there are differential relationships to cognitive function.

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Higher visit-to-visit total cholesterol variability is associated with lower cognitive function among middle-aged and elderly Chinese men

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-72601-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jianian Hua ◽

Yanan Qiao ◽

Chaofu Ke ◽

Yueping Shen

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Total Cholesterol ◽

Estimating Equation ◽

Cognitive Status ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

High Tc ◽

Elderly Chinese ◽

Global Cognition ◽

Figure Drawing

Abstract To examine the prospective associations between total cholesterol (TC) variability and cognitive function in a large sample of Chinese participants aged 45 years and above. A total of 6,377 people who participated in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were included. TC variability was defined as the intra-individual standard deviation over two blood tests in CHARLS 2011 and 2015 (Wave 1 and Wave 3). Cognitive function was assessed by a global cognition score, which included three tests: episodic memory, figure drawing and Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status (TICS). Multivariate linear regression models (MRLMs) and generalized estimating equation (GEE) were used to investigate associations between TC variability and cognitive scores. After adjusting for potential confounders, male participants with higher visit-to-visit TC variability showed lower global cognition scores (β = − 0.71, P < 0.001). After further adjustment for baseline cognition, the association remained statistically significant (β = − 0.68, P < 0.001). The domains with declines were focused on episodic memory (β = − 0.22, P = 0.026) and TICS (β = − 0.44, P = 0.004). However, these associations were not found in women (β = − 0.10, P = 0.623). For men, the rates of decline in global cognition increased by 0.14 (β = − 0.14, P = 0.009) units per year while TC variability increased by 1 mmol/L. For males, higher visit-to-visit TC variability correlated with lower cognitive function and an increased rate of decreases in memory. More attention should be paid to cognitive decline in males with high TC variability, and particularly, on decreases in memory, calculation, attention and orientation.

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Association Between Dual-Task Gait and Cognitive Function in Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.617 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 162-162

Author(s):

Jessie VanSwearingen ◽

Mark Redfern ◽

Ervin Sejdic ◽

Andrea Rosso ◽

Anisha Suri

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Executive Function ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Dual Task ◽

Task Effects ◽

Community Mobility ◽

Gait Quality ◽

Z Scores ◽

Global Cognition ◽

Pearson Correlations

Abstract Community mobility involves walking with physical and cognitive challenges. In older adults (N=116; results here from initial analyses: N=29, Age=75±5 years, 51% females), we assessed gait speed and smoothness (harmonic-ratio) while walking on even and uneven surfaces, with or without an alternate alphabeting dual-task (ABC). ANOVA assessed surface and dual-task effects; Pearson correlations compared gait with global cognition and executive function composite z-scores. The four conditions (even, uneven, even-ABC and uneven-ABC) affected speed(m/s) (0.97±0.14 vs 0.90±0.15 vs 0.83±0.17 vs 0.79±0.16). Smoothness (2.19±0.48 vs 1.89±0.38 vs 1.92±0.53 vs 1.7±0.43) was affected by only surface (controlled for speed). Greater speed was associated with better global cognition(ρ=0.47 to 0.49, p<0.05) for all conditions and with better executive function for even-ABC(ρ=0.39, p=0.04) and uneven-ABC(ρ=0.40, p=0.03). Executive function was associated with smoothness during even(ρp=-0.42, p=0.03) and uneven(ρp=-0.39, p=0.04) walking. Type of walking challenge differentially affects gait quality and associations with cognitive function.

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Abstract 29: Olfactory Function and Neurocognitive Outcomes in Old Age: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study (ARIC-NCS)

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.135.suppl_1.29 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 135 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Priya Palta ◽

Honglei Chen ◽

Jennifer A Deal ◽

David Knopman ◽

Michael Griswold ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Z Score ◽

Sense Of Smell ◽

Z Scores ◽

Olfactory Impairment ◽

Global Cognition ◽

Domain Scores

Introduction: Impairment in the sense of smell is associated with plaques and tangles in the olfactory region of the brain, which connects to the hippocampus where neuropathologic changes related to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease are first sited. Olfactory impairments may thus be a marker for poor cognitive function and MCI. We assessed olfaction and cognitive function in 6055 White and Black men and women aged 60-99 years. Methods: Sense of smell was measured in ARIC-NCS participants (2011-2013) by the 12-item Sniffin’ Sticks screening test (score range: 0-12, median: 10). A clinically validated threshold (smell score <6) defined olfactory impairment (OI). A multidimensional neuropsychological assessment (10 tests) ascertained performance in domains of memory, language, executive function/processing speed, and global cognition. For relative comparisons across the tests, raw cognitive test scores were standardized to z scores and averaged to yield domain scores. Following review of neuropsychological assessments, medical history, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging, and physical examinations, MCI was classified by a neurologist and neuropsychologist, and adjudicated by a third reviewer. Multivariable linear regression estimated the mean difference in domain-specific z scores among participants with and without OI. Logistic regression was used to quantify the prevalence odds of MCI in participants with vs. those without OI. Models were adjusted for age, sex, race, education, ARIC study center, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and ApoE4. Race and sex were explored as effect modifiers. Results: The participants’ mean age was 76 years; 41% were male and 23% Black. The prevalence of olfactory impairment was 14%. Compared to participants with no OI, those with OI had a statistically significantly lower mean z score across all cognitive domains [memory: Beta= -0.37 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.45, -0.30); language: Beta= -0.39 (95% CI: -0.46, -0.33); executive function/processing speed: Beta= -0.24 (95% CI: -0.32, -0.17); global cognition: Beta= -0.34 (95% CI: -0.41, -0.26). Effect modification by race was observed in the domain of language. Blacks with OI had a greater mean difference in language z score compared to Blacks without OI (Beta= -0.57 (95% CI: -0.70, -0.44)). OI was associated with MCI in Whites, but not Blacks: white participants with OI had greater odds of MCI (Odds Ratio [OR] =1.76, 95% CI: 1.40, 2.21). Sex did not modify these associations. Conclusions: Compared to average cognitive aging (annual rate of decline of 0.04-0.05 standard deviation units/year) relatively large differences in standardized cognitive domain scores are observed between those with and without olfactory impairment among older adults. An impaired sense of smell may serve as a readily accessible early marker of neurodegeneration.

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Polyvictimization and Cognitive Function in an Ethnic Minority Aging Population

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1651 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 427-427

Author(s):

XinQi Dong ◽

Mengting Li

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Community Settings ◽

Multiple Forms ◽

Financial Exploitation ◽

Global Cognition

Abstract Globally, around 1 in 6 older adults experienced some form of elder mistreatment in community settings. However, little is known about the prevalence of polyvictimization, or experience of multiple forms of abuse, which may exacerbate negative outcomes over that of any one form of victimization in isolation. Data were drawn from the PINE study. Polyvictimization was defined as exposure to multiple forms of victimization, including psychological, physical, and sexual mistreatment, financial exploitation, and caregiver neglect. Cognitive function was evaluated by global cognition, episodic memory, executive function, working memory, and MMSE. Regression analyses were performed. Among 3153 participants, 128 experienced two forms of abuse while 12 experienced three or more forms of abuse. Polyvictimization was associated with lower global cognition (b=-0.05, SE=0.02, p<.05), episodic memory (b=-0.06, SE=0.03, p<.05), working memory (b=-0.14, SE=0.07, p<.05), and processing speed (b=-0.68, SE=0.33, p<.05). Interventions could target older adults with polyvictimization and protect their cognitive function.

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The impact of social stress and strain on cognitive function in older people

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.490 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

J Lindert ◽

K C Paul ◽

M Lachman ◽

B Ritz ◽

T Seeman

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Executive Functioning ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Social Stress ◽

Age Groups ◽

The United States ◽

Stress And Strain ◽

Men And Women ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Social stress and strain, especially discrimination and inequality might have an impact on memory and cognitive function. This is a major concern for older individuals, their families, communities and societies. We sought to assess changes in episodic memory (EM) and executive functioning (EF) among men and women in the 'Midlife in the United States' (MIDUS) cohort study, to delineate variations in EM and EF by gender, and to determine the impact of social stress/strain at three levels (family, work, society) on longitudinal changes in EM and EF in men and women. Methods We used data from the MIDUS study - a national probability sample of non-institutionalized, English speaking respondents aged 25-74 living in the 48 contiguous states of the United States. The initial wave in our study (1995) included 4963 non-institutionalized adults aged 32 to 84 (M = 55, SD = 12.4). The dependent variables are EM and EF, which were assessed with the Brief Test for Cognition. The independent variables were social stress and discrimination variables at the family/partner level, the work level and the society level, assessed with validated discrimination measures. To assess cognition changes we estimated adjusted linear regression models. Results Women report more perceived inequality for their family and more family strain than men across all age groups. After controlling for other explanatory variables, the main effect on cognition for all age groups was found for perceived inequality of one's family opportunities. Conclusions Reducing social stress and providing opportunities might be an important measure to support episodic memory and executive functioning in aging populations.

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