scholarly journals Immediate verbal recall and familial dementia risk: population-based study of over 4000 twins

2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noora Lindgren ◽  
Jaakko Kaprio ◽  
Juha O Rinne ◽  
Eero Vuoksimaa
Keyword(s):  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Familial Risk ◽  
Heritability Estimate ◽  
Word List ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Verbal Recall ◽  
Immediate Recall ◽  
Dementia Risk

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of familial risk for dementia on verbal learning by comparing cognitively healthy twins who had demented co-twins with cognitively healthy twins who had cognitively healthy co-twins.Methods4367 twins aged ≥65 years including 1375 twin pairs (533 monozygotic (MZ), 823 dizygotic (DZ) and 19 unknown zygosity pairs) from a population-based Finnish Twin Cohort participated in a cross-sectional telephone assessment for dementia and in a single free recall trial of a 10-item word list.ResultsCognitively healthy twins with demented co-twins (n=101 pairs) recalled less words than cognitively healthy twins with cognitively healthy co-twins (n=770 pairs) after adjusting for age, sex and education, B=− 0.44, 95%  CI (−0.73 to −0.14), p=0.003. The effect size was similar in MZ (n=31) twins (3.88 vs 4.29 words, B=−0.41, 95%  CI (−0.96 to 0.13)) and DZ (n=66) twins (3.70 vs 4.17 words, B=−0.47, 95%  CI (−0.84 to −0.10)). The heritability estimate of immediate recall (IR) was 0.37, 95%  CI (0.21 to 0.43).ConclusionsThe results demonstrate that familial risk for dementia is reflected in the IR performance of cognitively healthy older persons. The finding of poorer IR performance in non-affected siblings compared with the general population, together with substantial heritability of IR, supports IR as a useful endophenotype for molecular genetic studies of dementia.

scholarly journals The Nordic diet and cognition – The DR's EXTRA Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 114 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reija Männikkö ◽  
Pirjo Komulainen ◽  
Ursula Schwab ◽  
Harri M. Heikkilä ◽  
Kai Savonen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Word List ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Lifestyle Factor ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nordic Diet ◽  
Diet Score

The rapid increase in the prevalence of dementia associated with ageing populations has stimulated interest in identifying modifiable lifestyle factors that could prevent cognitive impairment. One such potential preventive lifestyle factor is the Nordic diet that has been shown to reduce the risk of CVD; however, its effect on cognition has not been studied. The aim of the present study was to estimate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of the baseline Nordic diet with cognitive function at baseline and after a 4-year follow-up in a population-based random sample (n1140 women and men, age 57–78 years) as secondary analyses of the Finnish Dose-Responses to Exercise Training study. The Nordic diet score was created based on reported dietary components in 4-d food records. Cognition was assessed by the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) neuropsychological battery and the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE). The baseline Nordic diet score had been positively associated with Verbal Fluency (β 0·08 (95 % CI 0·00, 0·16),P= 0·039) and Word List Learning (β 0·06 (95 % CI 0·01, 0·10),P= 0·022) at 4 years but not with the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease total score (CERAD-TS) or MMSE at 4 years, after adjustment for baseline cognitive scores, demographic factors and health-related factors. After excluding individuals with impaired cognition at baseline, the baseline Nordic diet score had also been positively associated with the CERAD-TS (β 0·10 (95 % CI 0·00, 0·20),P= 0·042) and MMSE (β 0·03 (95 % CI 0·00, 0·06),P= 0·039) at 4 years. These associations disappeared after further adjustment for energy intake. In conclusion, the Nordic diet might have a positive association with cognition in individuals with normal cognition.

scholarly journals A genome-wide analysis of putative functional and exonic variation associated with extremely high intelligence

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 1145-1151 ◽  
Author(s):  
S L Spain ◽  
I Pedroso ◽  
N Kadeva ◽  
M B Miller ◽  
W G Iacono ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Distribution ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Heritability Estimate ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Functional Protein ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Rare Alleles ◽  
High Intelligence

Abstract Although individual differences in intelligence (general cognitive ability) are highly heritable, molecular genetic analyses to date have had limited success in identifying specific loci responsible for its heritability. This study is the first to investigate exome variation in individuals of extremely high intelligence. Under the quantitative genetic model, sampling from the high extreme of the distribution should provide increased power to detect associations. We therefore performed a case–control association analysis with 1409 individuals drawn from the top 0.0003 (IQ >170) of the population distribution of intelligence and 3253 unselected population-based controls. Our analysis focused on putative functional exonic variants assayed on the Illumina HumanExome BeadChip. We did not observe any individual protein-altering variants that are reproducibly associated with extremely high intelligence and within the entire distribution of intelligence. Moreover, no significant associations were found for multiple rare alleles within individual genes. However, analyses using genome-wide similarity between unrelated individuals (genome-wide complex trait analysis) indicate that the genotyped functional protein-altering variation yields a heritability estimate of 17.4% (s.e. 1.7%) based on a liability model. In addition, investigation of nominally significant associations revealed fewer rare alleles associated with extremely high intelligence than would be expected under the null hypothesis. This observation is consistent with the hypothesis that rare functional alleles are more frequently detrimental than beneficial to intelligence.

Heritability of pachymetric indices using Pentacam Scheimflug imaging

2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (7) ◽  
pp. 985-988
Author(s):  
Hassan Hashemi ◽  
AbbasAli Yekta ◽  
Samira Heydarian ◽  
Hadi Ostadimoghaddam ◽  
Mohammadreza Aghamirsalim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Familial Aggregation ◽  
Corneal Thickness ◽  
Heritability Estimate ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Entrance Pupil ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Rural Districts ◽  
High Heritability ◽  
The Mean

AimTo investigate the heritability of corneal thickness at the apex, entrance pupil centre, thinnest point, pachymetric progression index (PPI) and maximum Ambrósio relational thickness (ARTmax) using Pentacam.MethodsThe present cross-sectional and population-based study was conducted in two rural districts that were selected randomly. Individuals 5 years and older and data from households where one of the parents and at least one child participated in the study were considered for this analysis. All subjects were examined for visual acuity, refraction, biomicroscopy and, finally, Pentacam imaging. The heritability estimate was used to calculate familial aggregation of pachymetric indices.ResultsOf the 3851 selected individuals, 3314 participated in the study. After applying the exclusion criteria, a total of 1383 individuals from 382 households were included in the analysis; of these, 754 (54.52%) were female. The mean age of the subjects was 37.23±19.35 years (from 6 to 93 years). The highest heritability was observed for corneal thickness at the apex (85%), and the lowest was for ARTmax (27.62%). The heritability of other studied parameters, including corneal thickness at the entrance pupil centre, thinnest point and average PPI, was 82.0%, 77.0% and 31.49%, respectively.ConclusionThe high heritability of the mentioned pachymetric parameters confirms the high correlation between these phenotypes and genetic factors and calls for genetic and molecular research to find related genes and to understand the aetiology of associated diseases, especially glaucoma and keratoconus.

scholarly journals Performance of the NINDS-CSN 5-Minute Protocol in a National Population-Based Sample

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 856-867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard E. Kennedy ◽  
Virginia G. Wadley ◽  
Leslie A. McClure ◽  
Abraham J. Letter ◽  
Frederick W. Unverzagt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Word List ◽  
Vascular Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
List Learning ◽  
Cerebrovascular Risk ◽  
Regards Study

AbstractIn 2006, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke-Canadian Stroke Network (NINDS-CSN) Vascular Cognitive Impairment Harmonization Standards recommended a 5-Minute Protocol as a brief screening instrument for vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). We report demographically adjusted norms for the 5-Minute Protocol and its relation to other measures of cognitive function and cerebrovascular risk factors. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 7199 stroke-free adults in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study on the NINDS-CSN 5-Minute Protocol score. Total scores on the 5-Minute Protocol were inversely correlated with age and positively correlated with years of education, and performance on the Six-Item Screener, Word List Learning, and Animal Fluency (all p-values <.001). Higher cerebrovascular risk on the Framingham Stroke Risk Profile (FSRP) was associated with lower total 5-Minute Protocol scores (p <.001). The 5-Minute Protocol also differentiated between participants with and without confirmed stroke and with and without stroke symptom histories (p <.001). The NINDS-CSN 5-Minute Protocol is a brief, easily administered screening measure that is sensitive to cerebrovascular risk and offers a valid method of screening for cognitive impairment in populations at risk for VCI. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–12)

scholarly journals Normative and standardized data for cognitive measuresin the Mexican Health and Aging Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Mejía Arango ◽  
Rebeca Wong ◽  
Alejandra Michaels-Obregón
Keyword(s):  
Visual Memory ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Psychiatric Disease ◽  
Normative Values ◽  
Verbal Recall ◽  
Visuospatial Abilities ◽  
Aging Study ◽  
Education Groups

Objective. To describe the cognitive instrument used in the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) in Mexican individuals aged 60 and over and to provide normative values for the Cross Cultural Cognitive Examination test and its modified versions (CCCE). Materials and methods. The CCCE was administered to 5 120 subjects as part of a population-based sample free of neurologic and psychiatric disease from the MHAS 2012 survey. Normative data were generated by age and education for each test in the cognitive instrument as well as for the total cognition score. Pearson correlations and analysis of variance were used to examine the relationship of scores to demographic variables. Results. Results present standardized normed scores for eight cognitive domains: orientation, attention, verbal learning memory, verbal recall memory, visuospatial abilities, visual memory, executive function, and numeracy in three education groups within three age groups. Conclusion. These findings highlight the need for population-based norms for the CCCE, which has been used in population-based studies. Demographic factors such as age and education must be considered when interpreting the cognitive measures.

Minerals Intake Distributions in a Large Sample of Iranian at-Risk Population Using the National Cancer Institute Method: Do They Meet Their Requirements?

2015 ◽  
Vol 85 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 129-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Heidari ◽  
Awat Feizi ◽  
Leila Azadbakht ◽  
Nizal Sarrafzadegan
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
National Cancer Institute ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nutritional Interventions ◽  
High Prevalence

Abstract. Background: Minerals are required for the body’s normal function. Aim: The current study assessed the intake distribution of minerals and estimated the prevalence of inadequacy and excess among a representative sample of healthy middle aged and elderly Iranian people. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the second follow up to the Isfahan Cohort Study (ICS), 1922 generally healthy people aged 40 and older were investigated. Dietary intakes were collected using 24 hour recalls and two or more consecutive food records. Distribution of minerals intake was estimated using traditional (averaging dietary intake days) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) methods, and the results obtained from the two methods, were compared. The prevalence of minerals intake inadequacy or excess was estimated using the estimated average requirement (EAR) cut-point method, the probability approach and the tolerable upper intake levels (UL). Results: There were remarkable differences between values obtained using traditional and NCI methods, particularly in the lower and upper percentiles of the estimated intake distributions. A high prevalence of inadequacy of magnesium (50 - 100 %), calcium (21 - 93 %) and zinc (30 - 55 % for males > 50 years) was observed. Significant gender differences were found regarding inadequate intakes of calcium (21 - 76 % for males vs. 45 - 93 % for females), magnesium (92 % vs. 100 %), iron (0 vs. 15 % for age group 40 - 50 years) and zinc (29 - 55 % vs. 0 %) (all; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Severely imbalanced intakes of magnesium, calcium and zinc were observed among the middle-aged and elderly Iranian population. Nutritional interventions and population-based education to improve healthy diets among the studied population at risk are needed.

The German Version of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS)

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heide Glaesmer ◽  
Gesine Grande ◽  
Elmar Braehler ◽  
Marcus Roth
Keyword(s):  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Factorial Invariance ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
Life Scale

The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) is the most commonly used measure for life satisfaction. Although there are numerous studies confirming factorial validity, most studies on dimensionality are based on small samples. A controversial debate continues on the factorial invariance across different subgroups. The present study aimed to test psychometric properties, factorial structure, factorial invariance across age and gender, and to deliver population-based norms for the German general population from a large cross-sectional sample of 2519 subjects. Confirmatory factor analyses supported that the scale is one-factorial, even though indications of inhomogeneity of the scale have been detected. Both findings show invariance across the seven age groups and both genders. As indicators of the convergent validity, a positive correlation with social support and negative correlation with depressiveness was shown. Population-based norms are provided to support the application in the context of individual diagnostics.

Association between reproductive factors and postmenopausal osteoporosis

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (03) ◽  
pp. 248-251
Author(s):  
H. R. Meybodi ◽  
N. Khalili ◽  
P. Khashayar ◽  
R. Heshmat ◽  
A. Hossein-nezhad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Mineral Density ◽  
Bone Mineral ◽  
Reproductive Factors ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Age At Menarche ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Menstrual History ◽  
Duration Of Breastfeeding

SummaryThe present cross-sectional research was designed to study possible correlations between clinical reproductive factors and bone mineral density (BMD) values.Using the data gathered by the population-based Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study (IMOS), we investigated the correlation found between reproductive factors and osteoporosis. Subjects were recruited from five major cities of Iran. Bone mineral density was measured using Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry and the results were analyzed against the age at menarche and at menopause, number of pregnancies, children and abortions, and the history (and duration) of breastfeeding.Data was available for 2528 women. Gravidity and number of children were reversely correlated with BMD. Younger age at menarche was associated with higher BMD values, whereas there was no significant correlation between age at menopause and menstrual history and BMD.Our study suggests that clinical reproductive factors, particularly number of children and breastfeeding, could be incorporated as predictors of BMD levels in women. Given the controversial results obtained in different studies, longitudinal studies should be carried out to enlighten the importance of these factors and the rationale of their use to predict BMD values in different settings.

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