Age-related cognitive decline and vision impairment affecting the detection of dementia syndrome in old age

1997 ◽  
Vol 171 (5) ◽  
pp. 449-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Friedel M. Reischies ◽  
Bernhard Geiselmann
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Mental State ◽  
Missing Values ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Vision Impairment ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Dementia Syndrome ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

BackgroundCurrently the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) is widely used as a screening instrument for dementia syndrome. Diagnostic validity may be lowered in old age by normal age-related cognitive decline. Furthermore, visual impairment, occurring frequently in old age, leads to missing values which prevent an interpretation of the test result.MethodIn the Berlin Ageing Study (n=516, age range 70–103 years) MMSE and clinical dementia diagnosis, made by a psychiatrist investigating all subjects by the Geriatric Mental State–A and History and Aetiology Schedule interviews, were investigated independently. The MMblind was analysed, an MMSE version for vision impairment in which all items requiring image processing are omitted. The study sample is population-based; dementia cases (DSM–III–R) were excluded on the basis of the clinical diagnosis.ResultsNorms are reported for very old age regarding MMSE as well as MMblind. There is a considerable age effect on MMSE scores. In contrast to MMSE, sensitivity and specificity of the shorter MMblind version are not reduced.ConclusionsThe considerable age effect requires the adaptation of cut-off values for old age. The blind version of the MMSE seems to be a valid instrument improving the applicability of the MMSE in old age.

Epidemiology of Cerebrovascular Disease Related Cognitive Decline

2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (S1) ◽  
pp. 105-110
Author(s):  
Chengxuan Qiu ◽  
Laura Fratiglioni
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrovascular Disease ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Memory Function ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Dementia Patients ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

Cognitive decline is a central component of the dementia process. Population-based prospective studies have confirmed the existence of age-related cognitive decline, although its conceptual basis and nosological status remain controversial. Healthy old people show decline with aging in global cognition and memory function in particular. Preclinical and clinical dementia patients exhibit deficits across multiple cognitive domains, with the largest and most consistent deficits in memory function. Cerebrovascluar disease may lead to cognitive decline and promote the clinical expression of dementia directly or by interaction with APOE η4. Early treatment and prevention of cerebrovascular disease may be the major measures for preventing and postponing the progression of the vascular disease related cognitive decline.

Cognitive change before old age (11 to 70) predicts cognitive change after old age (70 to 82)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Conte ◽  
Judith Okely ◽  
Olivia Hamilton ◽  
Janie Corley ◽  
Danielle Page ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Growth Curve Models ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Lothian Birth Cohort ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

Identifying predictors of cognitive decline within older age helps to understand its mechanisms and to identify those at greater risk. Here we examine how cognitive change from 11 to 70 years is associated with cognitive change within older age (70 to 82 years) in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 longitudinal study (N=1091 at recruitment). Using latent growth curve models, we estimate rates of change from age 70 to 82 in general cognitive ability (g) and in three cognitive domains: visuospatial, memory and processing speed. g accounted for 71.3% of interindividual change variance. Greater 11-70 cognitive gain predicted slower decline in g over 12 subsequent years (β = .163, p = .001), independently of cognitive level at age 70, and domain-specific change beyond g. These results contribute toward identifying people at higher risk of age-related cognitive decline. Age-related cognitive decline is a significant threat to the quality of life in older age. Its economic and social impact on society will increase together with the steadily rising life expectancy. How can we preserve cognitive health in older age? Researchers have made significant advances in identifying protective and risk factors. However, most studies focus on a limited age range, and cognitive change mechanisms are not yet completely understood. This work takes advantage of almost life-spanning longitudinal data to test if cognitive trajectory across childhood and adulthood can predict cognitive trajectories in older age. Our findings show that earlier change is associated with later change. Some factors related to individual differences in cognitive change might thus operate over much of the adult life course, and certainly before older age. This knowledge can help identify individuals at higher risk of decline and understand the mechanisms and factors responsible.

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

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S372-S372 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Testing Older Adults for Signs of Age-Related Cognitive Decline: Clock Drawing Test vs.Mini-Mental State Examination

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-148
Author(s):  
Fahimeh Ghavidel ◽  
Javad Salehi Fadardi ◽  
Fereshteh Sedaghat ◽  
Zahra Tabibi ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Mental State ◽  
Clock Drawing Test ◽  
Clock Drawing ◽  
Drawing Test ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline ◽  
State Examination

Genome‐wide meta‐analysis of age‐related cognitive decline in population‐based older individuals

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (S2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vibha Acharya ◽  
Kang‐Hsien Fan ◽  
Beth E Snitz ◽  
Mary Ganguli ◽  
Steve DeKosky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

Activity Engagement in Cognitive Aging: A Review of the Evidence

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Rogalski ◽  
Muriel Quintana
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

The population of older adults is rapidly increasing, as is the number and type of products and interventions proposed to prevent or reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline. Advocacy and prevention are part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA’s) scope of practice documents, and speech-language pathologists must have basic awareness of the evidence contributing to healthy cognitive aging. In this article, we provide a brief overview outlining the evidence on activity engagement and its effects on cognition in older adults. We explore the current evidence around the activities of eating and drinking with a discussion on the potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, alcohol, and coffee. We investigate the evidence on the hypothesized neuroprotective effects of social activity, the evidence on computerized cognitive training, and the emerging behavioral and neuroimaging evidence on physical activity. We conclude that actively aging using a combination of several strategies may be our best line of defense against cognitive decline.

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