scholarly journals Genetic Underpinnings of Increased BMI and Its Association With Late Midlife Cognitive Abilities

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 233372142092526
Author(s):  
Hong Xian ◽  
Brian Boutwell ◽  
Chandra A. Reynolds ◽  
Daphne Lew ◽  
Mark Logue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Memory Processing ◽  
Visual Spatial ◽  
Bmi Trajectories ◽  
Multilevel Linear Regression

Objectives: First, we test for differences in various cognitive abilities across trajectories of body mass index (BMI) over the later life course. Second, we examine whether genetic risk factors for unhealthy BMIs—assessed via polygenic risk scores (PRS)—predict cognitive abilities in late-life. Methods: The study used a longitudinal sample of Vietnam veteran males to explore the associations between BMI trajectories, measured across four time points, and later cognitive abilities. The sample of 977 individuals was drawn from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. Cognitive abilities evaluated included executive function, abstract reasoning, episodic memory, processing speed, verbal fluency, and visual spatial ability. Multilevel linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between BMI trajectories and cognitive abilities. Then, BMI PRS was added to the models to evaluate polygenic associations with cognitive abilities. Results: There were no significant differences in cognitive ability between any of the BMI trajectory groups. There was a significant inverse relationship between BMI-PRS and several cognitive ability measures. Discussion: While no associations emerged for BMI trajectories and cognitive abilities at the phenotypic levels, BMI PRS measures did correlate with key cognitive domains. Our results suggest possible polygenic linkages cutting across key components of the central and peripheral nervous system.

scholarly journals Physical frailty and decline in general and specific cognitive abilities: the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catharine Gale ◽  
Stuart J Ritchie ◽  
John M Starr ◽  
Ian J Deary
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
General Cognitive Ability ◽  
Visuospatial Ability ◽  
Physical Frailty ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Memory Processing ◽  
Lothian Birth Cohort

BackgroundPhysical frailty is associated with many adverse outcomes including disability, chronic disease, hospitalisation, institutionalisation and death. It is unclear what impact it might have on the rate of normal cognitive ageing. We investigated whether physical frailty was related to initial level of, and change in, cognitive abilities from age 70 to 79 years.MethodParticipants were 950 members of the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. Physical frailty was assessed at age 70 years using the Fried criteria. Cognitive function was assessed at ages 70, 73, 76 and 79 years. We used linear regression to examine cross-sectional and prospective associations between physical frailty status at age 70 years and factor score estimates for baseline level of and change in four cognitive domains (visuospatial ability, memory, processing speed and crystallised ability) and in general cognitive ability.ResultsPhysical frailty, but not prefrailty, was associated with lower baseline levels of visuospatial ability, memory, processing speed and general cognitive ability after control for age, sex, education, depressive symptoms, smoking and number of chronic illnesses. Physical frailty was associated with greater decline in each cognitive domain: age-adjusted and sex-adjusted standardised regression coefficients (95% CIs) were: −0.45 (−0.70 to –0.20) for visuospatial ability, −0.32 (−0.56 to –0.07) for memory, −0.47 (−0.72 to −0.22) for processing speed, −0.43 (−0.68 to –0.18) for crystallised ability and −0.45 (−0.70 to –0.21) for general cognitive ability. These associations were only slightly attenuated after additional control for other covariates.ConclusionPhysical frailty may be an important indicator of age-related decline across multiple cognitive domains.

scholarly journals Physical frailty and decline in general and specific cognitive abilities: the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catharine R Gale ◽  
Stuart James Ritchie ◽  
Ian Deary
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
General Cognitive Ability ◽  
Visuospatial Ability ◽  
Physical Frailty ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Memory Processing ◽  
Lothian Birth Cohort

Background: Physical frailty is associated with many adverse outcomes including disability, chronic disease, hospitalization, institutionalization and death. It is unclear what impact it might have on the rate of normal cognitive ageing. We investigated whether physical frailty was related to initial level of, and change in, cognitive abilities from age 70 to 79 years. Method: Participants were 950 members of the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. Physical frailty was assessed at age 70 using the Fried criteria. Cognitive function was assessed at ages 70, 73, 76 and 79. We used linear regression to examine the associations between physical frailty status at age 70 and factor score estimates for baseline level of and change in four cognitive domains (visuospatial ability, memory, processing speed, and crystallized ability) and in general cognitive ability.Results: Physical frailty, but not pre-frailty, was associated with lower baseline levels of visuospatial ability, memory, processing speed, and general cognitive ability after control for age, sex, education, depressive symptoms, smoking, and number of chronic illnesses. Physical frailty was associated with greater decline in each cognitive domain: age- and sex-adjusted standardized regression coefficients (95% confidence intervals) were: -0.45 (-0.70, -0.20) for visuospatial ability, -0.32 (-0.56, -0.07) for memory, -0.47 (-0.72, -0.22) for processing speed, -0.43 (-0.68, -0.18) for crystallized ability, and -0.45 (-0.70, -0.21) for general cognitive ability. Further adjustment for the other covariates had only modest attenuating effects on these associations and they remained significant.Conclusion: Physical frailty may be an important indicator of age-related decline across multiple cognitive domains.

scholarly journals Meta-analysis of epigenome-wide associations between DNA methylation at birth and childhood cognitive skills

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doretta Caramaschi ◽  
Alexander Neumann ◽  
Andres Cardenas ◽  
Gwen Tindula ◽  
Silvia Alemany ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Cord Blood ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Life Outcomes ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Wide Range

ABSTRACTCognitive skills are a strong predictor of a wide range of later life outcomes. Genetic and epigenetic associations across the genome explain some of the variation in general cognitive abilities in the general population and it is plausible that epigenetic associations might arise from prenatal environmental exposures and/or genetic variation early in life. We investigated the association between cord blood DNA methylation at birth and cognitive skills assessed in children from eight pregnancy cohorts (N=2196-3798) within the Pregnancy And Childhood Epigenetics (PACE) Consortium across overall, verbal and non-verbal cognitive scores. The associations at single CpG sites were weak for all of the cognitive domains investigated. One region near DUSP22 on chromosome 6 was associated with non-verbal cognition in a model adjusted for maternal IQ. We conclude that there is little evidence to support the idea that cord blood DNA methylation at single CpGs can predict cognitive skills and further studies are needed to confirm regional differences.

scholarly journals Secular rise in economically valuable personality traits

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (25) ◽  
pp. 6527-6532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Jokela ◽  
Tuomas Pekkarinen ◽  
Matti Sarvimäki ◽  
Marko Terviö ◽  
Roope Uusitalo
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Family Background ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Simultaneous Increase ◽  
Flynn Effect ◽  
The Family

Although trends in many physical characteristics and cognitive capabilities of modern humans are well-documented, less is known about how personality traits have evolved over time. We analyze data from a standardized personality test administered to 79% of Finnish men born between 1962 and 1976 (n = 419,523) and find steady increases in personality traits that predict higher income in later life. The magnitudes of these trends are similar to the simultaneous increase in cognitive abilities, at 0.2–0.6 SD during the 15-y window. When anchored to earnings, the change in personality traits amounts to a 12% increase. Both personality and cognitive ability have consistent associations with family background, but the trends are similar across groups defined by parental income, parental education, number of siblings, and rural/urban status. Nevertheless, much of the trends in test scores can be attributed to changes in the family background composition, namely 33% for personality and 64% for cognitive ability. These composition effects are mostly due to improvements in parents’ education. We conclude that there is a “Flynn effect” for personality that mirrors the original Flynn effect for cognitive ability in magnitude and practical significance but is less driven by compositional changes in family background.

scholarly journals Brain structure and cognitive ability in healthy aging: a review on longitudinal correlated change

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Oschwald ◽  
Sabrina Guye ◽  
Franziskus Liem ◽  
Philippe Rast ◽  
Sherry Willis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Medial Temporal Lobe ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Memory Processing ◽  
Theory Of Aging ◽  
Specific Cognitive Abilities

Abstract Little is still known about the neuroanatomical substrates related to changes in specific cognitive abilities in the course of healthy aging, and the existing evidence is predominantly based on cross-sectional studies. However, to understand the intricate dynamics between developmental changes in brain structure and changes in cognitive ability, longitudinal studies are needed. In the present article, we review the current longitudinal evidence on correlated changes between magnetic resonance imaging-derived measures of brain structure (e.g. gray matter/white matter volume, cortical thickness), and laboratory-based measures of fluid cognitive ability (e.g. intelligence, memory, processing speed) in healthy older adults. To theoretically embed the discussion, we refer to the revised Scaffolding Theory of Aging and Cognition. We found 31 eligible articles, with sample sizes ranging from n = 25 to n = 731 (median n = 104), and participant age ranging from 19 to 103. Several of these studies report positive correlated changes for specific regions and specific cognitive abilities (e.g. between structures of the medial temporal lobe and episodic memory). However, the number of studies presenting converging evidence is small, and the large methodological variability between studies precludes general conclusions. Methodological and theoretical limitations are discussed. Clearly, more empirical evidence is needed to advance the field. Therefore, we provide guidance for future researchers by presenting ideas to stimulate theory and methods for development.

scholarly journals Cortical Structure and Cognition in Infants and Toddlers

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 786-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica B Girault ◽  
Emil Cornea ◽  
Barbara D Goldman ◽  
Shaili C Jha ◽  
Veronica A Murphy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Cortical Thickness ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
General Cognitive Ability ◽  
Infants And Toddlers ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Cortical Structure ◽  
Cortical Regions ◽  
Visual Reception

ABSTRACTCortical structure has been consistently related to cognitive abilities in children and adults, yet we know little about how the cortex develops to support emergent cognition in infancy and toddlerhood when cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA) are maturing rapidly. In this report, we assessed how regional and global measures of CT and SA in a sample (N = 487) of healthy neonates, 1-year-olds, and 2-year-olds related to motor, language, visual reception, and general cognitive ability. We report novel findings that thicker cortices at ages 1 and 2 and larger SA at birth, age 1, and age 2 confer a cognitive advantage in infancy and toddlerhood. While several expected brain–cognition relationships were observed, overlapping cortical regions were also implicated across cognitive domains, suggesting that infancy marks a period of plasticity and refinement in cortical structure to support burgeoning motor, language, and cognitive abilities. CT may be a particularly important morphological indicator of ability, but its impact on cognition is relatively weak when compared with gestational age and maternal education. Findings suggest that prenatal and early postnatal cortical developments are important for cognition in infants and toddlers but should be considered in relation to other child and demographic factors.

scholarly journals The Effects of Cognitive Training Program for Older Adults: A Brief Preliminary Report

2021 ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Outcome ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Visual Spatial

As one ages, some degree of cognitive decline is expected. Despite this, declines in cognitive abilities and the possibility of dementia is a common concern among older adults. In response to these concerns, a variety of cognitive training programs has been developed that aim to improve or maintain cognitive functioning. Prior literature has shown mixed or limited findings on cognitive changes after implementation of cognitive training. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a cognitive training program designed for older adults with no to minimal cognitive decline. The current study included 17 participants who engaged in two one-hour cognitive training sessions each week for 12 weeks. Each session required participants to complete activities that targeted the following cognitive domains: attention, visual and verbal memory, visual spatial skills, processing speed and executive functioning, and language. These cognitive domains, along with depression and memory self-efficacy, were assessed prior to and immediately after completion of the program. Small to large effect sizes on the majority of cognitive outcome measures were observed following participation in the program. Small reductions in depressive symptoms were also found. These findings provide preliminary support for the use of a comprehensive cognitive training program for cognitively-intact older adults.

scholarly journals Greater Adolescent Cognitive Ability Is Linked to Lower Risk of Cognitive Impairment in Later Life

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 481-482
Author(s):  
Tara Gruenewald ◽  
Catalina Zavala ◽  
Molli Grossman ◽  
Thalida Arpawong ◽  
Jennifer Manly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Positive Screen ◽  
Aging Study ◽  
Sibling Models

Abstract There have been few investigations of the role that adolescent cognitive ability plays in predicting later-life cognitive impairment, and the mechanisms, such greater life course educational exposure, that might underlie these connections. This knowledge gap is due, in part, to a lack of cohorts with early-life cognitive assessment who are followed to later adulthood. We capitalized on data from the 1960 Project Talent (PT) high school cohort (n>360,000) and two recent follow-ups, the Project Talent Twin & Sibling (PTTS; n=2,491 in 2014) Study and the Project Talent Aging Study (PTAS; n=6,421 in 2018), to examine these potential links. In 1960, ability was assessed in multiple cognitive domains (e.g., general aptitude, quantitative, reasoning). Participants/proxies reporting 2 or more symptoms of cognitive impairment in 2018 on the AD8 Dementia Screener were classified as having a positive screen. Binary logistic generalized estimating equations with race, sex, and adolescent family SES covariates, indicated that in multiple cognitive domains, higher ability in adolescence predicted lower odds of a positive AD8 screen in later life (ORs of 0.80 - 0.85). The effects were only slightly attenuated with inclusion of life course educational attainment. Sibling models found a similar pattern of associations and effect sizes, indicating that the association is not attributable to shared family and genetic background. These findings indicate that higher cognitive ability as indicated by better performance in multiple cognitive domains in adolescence may be protective against cognitive impairment five decades later and life course educational attainment only partially mediates this association.

MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN KOGNITIF MELALUI AKTIVITAS SENI MUSIK TERHADAP ANAK KELOMPOK B DI TK. ADINDA CAHAYA CIMAHI

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Nurpuri Waraswati ◽  
Rini Andriani
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Present Method ◽  
Evaluation Research ◽  
Music Learning ◽  
Learning Time ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Art Activities ◽  
Basic Ability

Early Childhood Education (PAUD) implements education that refers to all the basic aspects or abilities that are developing in the child. The basic ability of children is very interesting to be studied, one of them cognitive abilities of children. It is raised in connection with the lack of cognitive abilities in Adinda Cahaya kindergarten with the present method mainly through the activity of the art of music. The existing formulation in this study is "The activity of music art that can improve the cognitive abilities of children". The purpose of this study is to describe the cognitive abilities of children in music art activities.. There are six levels of cognitive ability: knowledge, understanding, application of analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Research questions are 1). How does music activity and music learning time to support the development of children's cognitive abilities? 2. How does the child's memory of what the teacher has taught in music art activities? 3) How are children's development related to cognitive ability? The conclusion is that the study of music art gives a positive and influential effect on the child's cognitive development that will stimulate brain development and emotional intelligence.

scholarly journals Reliability and Validity of Composite Scores from the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery in Adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 588-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert K. Heaton ◽  
Natacha Akshoomoff ◽  
David Tulsky ◽  
Dan Mungas ◽  
Sandra Weintraub ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Memory Processing ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Gender Education ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Composite Scores ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

AbstractThis study describes psychometric properties of the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) Composite Scores in an adult sample. The NIHTB-CB was designed for use in epidemiologic studies and clinical trials for ages 3 to 85. A total of 268 self-described healthy adults were recruited at four university-based sites, using stratified sampling guidelines to target demographic variability for age (20–85 years), gender, education, and ethnicity. The NIHTB-CB contains seven computer-based instruments assessing five cognitive sub-domains: Language, Executive Function, Episodic Memory, Processing Speed, and Working Memory. Participants completed the NIHTB-CB, corresponding gold standard validation measures selected to tap the same cognitive abilities, and sociodemographic questionnaires. Three Composite Scores were derived for both the NIHTB-CB and gold standard batteries: “Crystallized Cognition Composite,” “Fluid Cognition Composite,” and “Total Cognition Composite” scores. NIHTB Composite Scores showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alphas=0.84 Crystallized, 0.83 Fluid, 0.77 Total), excellent test–retest reliability (r: 0.86–0.92), strong convergent (r: 0.78–0.90) and discriminant (r: 0.19–0.39) validities versus gold standard composites, and expected age effects (r=0.18 crystallized, r=−0.68 fluid, r=−0.26 total). Significant relationships with self-reported prior school difficulties and current health status, employment, and presence of a disability provided evidence of external validity. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Composite Scores have excellent reliability and validity, suggesting they can be used effectively in epidemiologic and clinical studies. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–11)

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