Cognitively Stimulating Activities: Effects on Cognition across Four Studies with up to 21 Years of Longitudinal Data

Engagement in cognitively stimulating activities has been considered to maintain or strengthen cognitive skills, thereby minimizing age-related cognitive decline. While the idea that there may be a modifiable behavior that could lower risk for cognitive decline is appealing and potentially empowering for older adults, research findings have not consistently supported the beneficial effects of engaging in cognitively stimulating tasks. Using observational studies of naturalistic cognitive activities, we report a series of mixed effects models that include baseline and change in cognitive activity predicting cognitive outcomes over up to 21 years in four longitudinal studies of aging. Consistent evidence was found for cross-sectional relationships between level of cognitive activity and cognitive test performance. Baseline activity at an earlier age did not, however, predict rate of decline later in life, thus not supporting the concept that engaging in cognitive activity at an earlier point in time increases one's ability to mitigate future age-related cognitive decline. In contrast, change in activity was associated with relative change in cognitive performance. Results therefore suggest that change in cognitive activity from one's previous level has at least a transitory association with cognitive performance measured at the same point in time.

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Multimodal measurement approach to identify individuals with mild cognitive impairment: study protocol for a cross-sectional trial

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046879 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. e046879

Author(s):

Bernhard Grässler ◽

Fabian Herold ◽

Milos Dordevic ◽

Tariq Ali Gujar ◽

Sabine Darius ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Statistical Analysis ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Classification Accuracy ◽

Multimodal Approach ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Cognitive Decline

IntroductionThe diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), that is, the transitory phase between normal age-related cognitive decline and dementia, remains a challenging task. It was observed that a multimodal approach (simultaneous analysis of several complementary modalities) can improve the classification accuracy. We will combine three noninvasive measurement modalities: functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), electroencephalography and heart rate variability via ECG. Our aim is to explore neurophysiological correlates of cognitive performance and whether our multimodal approach can aid in early identification of individuals with MCI.Methods and analysisThis study will be a cross-sectional with patients with MCI and healthy controls (HC). The neurophysiological signals will be measured during rest and while performing cognitive tasks: (1) Stroop, (2) N-back and (3) verbal fluency test (VFT). Main aims of statistical analysis are to (1) determine the differences in neurophysiological responses of HC and MCI, (2) investigate relationships between measures of cognitive performance and neurophysiological responses and (3) investigate whether the classification accuracy can be improved by using our multimodal approach. To meet these targets, statistical analysis will include machine learning approaches.This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study that applies simultaneously these three modalities in MCI and HC. We hypothesise that the multimodal approach improves the classification accuracy between HC and MCI as compared with a unimodal approach. If our hypothesis is verified, this study paves the way for additional research on multimodal approaches for dementia research and fosters the exploration of new biomarkers for an early detection of nonphysiological age-related cognitive decline.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was obtained from the local Ethics Committee (reference: 83/19). Data will be shared with the scientific community no more than 1 year following completion of study and data assembly.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04427436, registered on 10 June 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT04427436.

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Gene Expression Profile in Different Age Groups and Its Association with Cognitive Function in Healthy Malay Adults in Malaysia

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells10071611 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1611

Author(s):

Nur Fathiah Abdul Abdul Sani ◽

Ahmad Imran Zaydi Amir Amir Hamzah ◽

Zulzikry Hafiz Abu Abu Bakar ◽

Yasmin Anum Mohd Mohd Yusof ◽

Suzana Makpol ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Successful Aging ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Age Groups ◽

Genetic Network ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Cognitive Decline

The mechanism of cognitive aging at the molecular level is complex and not well understood. Growing evidence suggests that cognitive differences might also be caused by ethnicity. Thus, this study aims to determine the gene expression changes associated with age-related cognitive decline among Malay adults in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 160 healthy Malay subjects, aged between 28 and 79, and recruited around Selangor and Klang Valley, Malaysia. Gene expression analysis was performed using a HumanHT-12v4.0 Expression BeadChip microarray kit. The top 20 differentially expressed genes at p < 0.05 and fold change (FC) = 1.2 showed that PAFAH1B3, HIST1H1E, KCNA3, TM7SF2, RGS1, and TGFBRAP1 were regulated with increased age. The gene set analysis suggests that the Malay adult’s susceptibility to developing age-related cognitive decline might be due to the changes in gene expression patterns associated with inflammation, signal transduction, and metabolic pathway in the genetic network. It may, perhaps, have important implications for finding a biomarker for cognitive decline and offer molecular targets to achieve successful aging, mainly in the Malay population in Malaysia.

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Individual variation in brain microstructural-cognition relationships in aging

10.1101/2021.02.19.431732 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Raihaan Patel ◽

Clare E. Mackay ◽

Michelle G. Jansen ◽

Gabriel A. Devenyi ◽

M. Clare O’Donoghue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Late Life ◽

Older Age ◽

Data Driven ◽

Semantic Fluency ◽

Cognitive Domains ◽

Age Related ◽

Brain Microstructure ◽

Age Related Cognitive Decline

AbstractWhile all individuals are susceptible to age-related cognitive decline, significant inter- and intra-individual variability exists. However, the sources of this variation remain poorly understood. Here, we examined the association between 30-year trajectories of cognitive decline and multimodal indices of brain microstructure and morphology in older age. We used the Whitehall II Study, an extensively characterised cohort using 3T brain magnetic resonance images acquired at older age (mean age = 69.52 ± 4.9) and 5 repeated cognitive performance assessments between mid-life (mean age = 53.2 ± 4.9 years) and late-life (mean age = 67.7 ± 4.9). Using non-negative matrix factorization, we identified 10 brain microstructural components that integrate measures of cortical thickness, surface area, fractional anisotropy, and mean and radial diffusivities. We observed two modes of variance that describe the association between cognition and brain microstructure. The first describes variations in 5 microstructural components associated with low mid-life performance across multiple cognitive domains, decline in reasoning abilities, but a relative maintenance of lexical and semantic fluency from mid-to-late life. The second describes variations in 5 microstructural components that are associated with low mid-life performance in lexical fluency, semantic fluency and short-term memory performance, but a retention of abilities in multiple domains from mid-to-late life. The extent to which a subject loads onto a latent variables predicts their future cognitive performance 3.2 years later (mean age = 70.87 ± 4.9). This data-driven approach highlights a complex pattern of brain-behavior relationships, wherein the same individuals express both decline and maintenance in function across cognitive domains and in brain structural features.Significance StatementAlthough declines in cognitive performance are an established aspect of aging, inter- and intra-individual variation exists. Nevertheless, the sources of this variation remain unclear. We analyse a unique sample to examine associations between 30-year trajectories of cognitive decline and multimodal indices of brain anatomy in older age. Using data-driven techniques, we find that age-related cognitive decline is not uniform. Instead, each individual expresses a mixture of maintenance and decline across cognitive domains, that are associated with a mixture of preservation and degeneration of brain structure. Further, we find the primary determinants of late-life cognitive performance are mid-life performance and higher brain surface area. These results suggest that early and mid-life preventative measures may be needed to reduce age-related cognitive decline.

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Cognitive performance after postoperative pituitary radiotherapy: a dosimetric study of the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje-11-0749 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 166 (2) ◽

pp. 171-179 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Pauline Brummelman ◽

Margriet G A Sattler ◽

Linda C Meiners ◽

Martin F Elderson ◽

Robin P F Dullaart ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Executive Functioning ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Test Performance ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Field Technique ◽

Group A ◽

Cross Sectional Design ◽

Cognitive Test Performance

ObjectiveThe hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) are important for memory and executive functioning and are known to be sensitive to radiotherapy (RT). Radiation dosimetry relates radiation exposure to specific brain areas. The effects of various pituitary RT techniques were studied by relating detailed dosimetry of the hippocampus and PFC to cognitive performance.MethodsIn this cross-sectional design, 75 non-functioning pituitary macroadenoma (NFA) patients (61±10 years) participated and were divided into irradiated (RT+, n=30) and non-irradiated (RT−, n=45) groups. The RT+ group (who all received 25 fractions of 1.8 Gy; total dose: 45 Gy) consisted of three RT technique groups: three-field technique, n=10; four-field technique, n=15; and five-field technique, n=5. Memory and executive functioning were assessed by standardized neuropsychological tests. A reconstruction of the dose distributions for the three RT techniques was made. The RT doses on 30, 50, and 70% of the volume of the left and right hippocampus and PFC were calculated.ResultsCognitive test performance was not different between the four groups, despite differences in radiation doses applied to the hippocampi and PFC. Age at RT, time since RT, and the use of thyroid hormone varied significantly between the groups; however, they were not related to cognitive performance.ConclusionThis study showed that there were no significant differences on cognitive performance between the three-, four-, and five-field RT groups and the non-irradiated patient group. A dose–response relationship could not be established, even with a radiation dose that was higher on most of the volume of the hippocampus and PFC in case of a four-field RT technique compared with the three- and five-field RT techniques.

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Do Professors Better Maintain Cognitive Functioning in Older Age?

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000201 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 5-17

Author(s):

Damaris Aschwanden ◽

Vera Schumacher ◽

Kathrin Zimmermann ◽

Christina Werner ◽

Mathias Allemand ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Perceptual Speed ◽

Highly Educated ◽

Intellectual Engagement ◽

Age Related ◽

Average Education ◽

Age Related Cognitive Decline

Abstract. Research on cognitive aging demonstrates age-related cognitive decline. Education is a protective factor against cognitive decline, but few studies have examined the cognitive development of highly educated individuals. This study compared the cognitive performance and intellectual engagement of retired professors ( N = 47, Mage = 72.9) and individuals with average education ( N = 236, Mage = 72.7) over 5 years. Although the highly educated sample showed better performance in perceptual speed and working memory, cognitive performance was rather stable over time in both samples. Interestingly, high intellectual engagement enabled individuals with average education to keep up with the performance of the highly educated sample on perceptual speed. These findings raise the question whether intellectual engagement is more beneficial than years of education in perceptual speed.

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Cross-Sectional Study of Older Outpatients With Schizophrenia and Healthy Comparison Subjects: No Differences in Age-Related Cognitive Decline

American Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1176/appi.ajp.157.8.1324 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 157 (8) ◽

pp. 1324-1326 ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

Lisa T. Eyler Zorrilla ◽

Robert K. Heaton ◽

Lou Ann McAdams ◽

Sidney Zisook ◽

M. Jackuelyn Harris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Cognitive Decline

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Preserved cognition and reduced age-related cognitive decline during treatment with angiotensin II receptor blockers: A 20-year follow-up study

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.02.386 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S372-S372 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

D. Wincewicz ◽

T. Tolmunen ◽

A.K. Brem ◽

J. Kauhanen ◽

S. Lehto

Keyword(s):

Angiotensin Ii ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Population Based ◽

Angiotensin Ii Receptor ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age Related ◽

Receptor Blockers ◽

Age Related Cognitive Decline ◽

The Brain

IntroductionModulators of the brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) have been shown to improve cognitive functioning in several animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders. Moreover, the brain RAS has been considered a new target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there are no population-based follow-up studies supporting this hypothesis.ObjectivesCross-sectional and prospective relationships between cognitive decline and ARB treatment were examined in the population-based Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study.AimsTo evaluate procognitive/antidementia capacity of orally delivered angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB).MethodsThe study was conducted on a sample of 1774 subjects (920 females, 854 males; age range at baseline: 42–61 years) from Eastern Finland. An established cutoff score of at least 2-point decrease in the Mini Mental State Examination over a 9-year follow-up was used to detect age-related cognitive decline in the cross-sectional setting. In the prospective setting, a hospital discharge diagnosis of dementia/AD was used as outcome variable. Cross-sectional relationships were determined with logistic regression and prospective analyses were conducted with the Cox proportional hazards model (both adjusted for relevant background variables).ResultsCross-sectional analysis displayed a decrease of the odds of cognitive decline (n = 87; 4.9% of participants) in those with ARB treatment; OR = 0.445, 95% CI: 0.22–0.90, P = 0.024. Furthermore, in the prospective setting, the risk of dementia/AD diagnosis (n = 149; 8.4% of participants) was significantly reduced in ARB treated participants; HR = 0.621, 95% CI: 0.40–0.98, P = 0.038.ConclusionsARB treatment is associated with a decreased risk for age-related cognitive decline and dementia/AD manifestation.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Effects of Estradiol on Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neurons and Their Impact on Cognitive Performance and Age-Related Cognitive Decline

Estrogens and Memory ◽

10.1093/oso/9780190645908.003.0017 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 282-302

Author(s):

Robert B. Gibbs

Keyword(s):

Estrogen Receptor ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Basal Forebrain ◽

Essential Role ◽

Cholinergic Neurons ◽

Age Related ◽

Estrogen Effects ◽

Age Related Cognitive Decline ◽

Cholinergic Projections

Cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain play an important role in modulating wakefulness, alertness, and selective attention and contribute significantly to learning and memory processes. These neurons also are affected by estrogens. Loss of circulating estrogens negatively impacts the functionality of cholinergic projections to the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, resulting in impaired cognitive performance. These effects can be reversed by appropriate estrogen treatment or treatment with selective estrogen receptor agonists. Evidence also suggests that the cholinergic neurons play an essential role in enabling effects of estrogens on synaptic plasticity, which benefit cognitive performance. This chapter summarizes evidence for estrogen effects on basal forebrain cholinergic projections and the relevance of these findings to the maintenance of cognitive performance and to the prevention of age- and disease-related cognitive decline in women.

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Intellectual engagement and cognitive ability in later life (the “use it or lose it” conjecture): longitudinal, prospective study

BMJ ◽

10.1136/bmj.k4925 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. k4925 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Roger T Staff ◽

Michael J Hogan ◽

Daniel S Williams ◽

L J Whalley

Keyword(s):

Life Course ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Ability ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Later Life ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

Intellectual Engagement ◽

Age Related

Abstract Objectives To examine the association between intellectual engagement and cognitive ability in later life, and determine whether the maintenance of intellectual engagement will offset age related cognitive decline. Design Longitudinal, prospective, observational study. Setting Non-clinical volunteers in late middle age (all born in 1936) living independently in northeast Scotland. Participants Sample of 498 volunteers who had taken part in the Scottish Mental Health Survey of 1947, from one birth year (1936). Main outcome measures Cognitive ability and trajectory of cognitive decline in later life. Typical intellectual engagement was measured by a questionnaire, and repeated cognitive measurements of information processing speed and verbal memory were obtained over a 15 year period (recording more than 1200 longitudinal data points for each cognitive test). Results Intellectual engagement was significantly associated with level of cognitive performance in later life, with each point on a 24 point scale accounting for 0.97 standardised cognitive performance (IQ-like) score, for processing speed and 0.71 points for memory (both P<0.05). Engagement in problem solving activities had the largest association with life course cognitive gains, with each point accounting for 0.43 standardised cognitive performance score, for processing speed and 0.36 points for memory (both P<0.05). However, engagement did not influence the trajectory of age related decline in cognitive performance. Engagement in intellectual stimulating activities was associated with early life ability, with correlations between engagement and childhood ability and education being 0.35 and 0.22, respectively (both P<0.01). Conclusion These results show that self reported engagement is not associated with the trajectory of cognitive decline in late life, but is associated with the acquisition of ability during the life course. Overall, findings suggest that high performing adults engage and those that engage more being protected from relative decline.

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