Latent Cognitive Class at Enrollment Predicts Future Cognitive Trajectories of Decline in a Community Sample of Older Adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Andrea R. Zammit ◽  
Jingyun Yang ◽  
Aron S. Buchman ◽  
Sue E. Leurgans ◽  
Graciela Muniz-Terrera ◽  
...  

Background: Methods that can identify subgroups with different trajectories of cognitive decline are crucial for isolating the biologic mechanisms which underlie these groupings. Objective: This study grouped older adults based on their baseline cognitive profiles using a latent variable approach and tested the hypothesis that these groups would differ in their subsequent trajectories of cognitive change. Methods: In this study we applied time-varying effects models (TVEMs) to examine the longitudinal trajectories of cognitive decline across different subgroups of older adults in the Rush Memory and Aging Project. Results: A total of 1,662 individuals (mean age = 79.6 years, SD = 7.4, 75.4%female) participated in the study; these were categorized into five previously identified classes of older adults differing in their baseline cognitive profiles: Superior Cognition (n = 328, 19.7%), Average Cognition (n = 767, 46.1%), Mixed-Domains Impairment (n = 71, 4.3%), Memory-Specific Impairment (n = 274, 16.5%), and Frontal Impairment (n = 222, 13.4%). Differences in the trajectories of cognition for these five classes persisted during 8 years of follow-up. Compared with the Average Cognition class, The Mixed-Domains and Memory-Specific Impairment classes showed steeper rates of decline, while other classes showed moderate declines. Conclusion: Baseline cognitive classes of older adults derived through the use of latent variable methods were associated with distinct longitudinal trajectories of cognitive decline that did not converge during an average of 8 years of follow-up.

Gerontology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 469-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane E. Hosking ◽  
Da Jiang ◽  
Kerry A. Sargent-Cox ◽  
Kaarin J. Anstey

Background: Subtle age-related cognitive decline may be associated with the capacity to remain engaged in mental, physical, and social activities. Informant reports of cognitive decline potentially provide additional information to psychometric tests on change in everyday cognitive function relevant to activity engagement. Objective: To investigate relations between decline in everyday cognitive function as assessed by informant report and activity engagement in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A sample of cognitively normal older adults was drawn from the 2 latest waves of the PATH Through Life Study (n = 1,391; mean age 74.5 ± 1.5, 48.4% female). PATH is a 16-year longitudinal cohort study set in the Canberra/Queanbeyan district, Australia. Assessments were carried out at baseline, and at 3 subsequent time-points 4 years apart. At wave-4, the IQCODE, an informant measure of 4-year cognitive decline was provided by a spouse, family member, or friend of each participant. Activity engagement was assessed by the abbreviated RIASEC Mental Activity List, self-reported frequency and duration of physical activity (Whitehall Questionnaire) and the Lubben Social Network Scale that assessed interaction with family/friends. Participants provided demographic information, self-reported health status (SF-12), and responses to the Goldberg Depression Scale. The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) were used to measure objective 4-year cognitive change. Those with MMSE score of ≤27 were excluded. Results: IQCODE score predicted disengagement from mental activities over 4 years in cognitively healthy adults (β = -0.056, standard error [SE] = 0.019, p = 0.004). This association was robust to covariate control and change on the SDMT which was also significantly related to mental activity disengagement. In models adjusted for change scores on the SDMT and the CVLT, the IQCODE was associated with less physical (β = -0.692, SE = 0.24, p = 0.004) and social engagement (β -0.046, SE = 0.021, p = 0.032), but relationships were attenuated with the inclusion of covariates. Conclusion: Informant-reported cognitive decline in a non-clinical sample was linked to activities that support cognitive health. Associations were robust to adjustment for cognitive change scores. Utilising informant reports prior to the manifestation of clinically relevant decline may identify those who would benefit most from personalised activity interventions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 799-799
Author(s):  
Bell S ◽  
Maietta J ◽  
Caldwell J ◽  
Hawley N ◽  
Ritter A ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Concussion is a common occurrence among older adults, stemming largely from falls. Evidence suggests that history of moderate–severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases risk for cognitive decline and dementia; however, long-term outcomes associated with concussion remain unclear. This study aims to investigate longitudinal cognitive change among older adults with self-reported concussion history (CH). Method Older adults (n = 39) enrolled in an observational, longitudinal study by the Center for Neurodegeneration and Translational Neuroscience diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease were studied, including 14 with CH. Participants completed baseline and one-year follow-up testing, including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Repeated measures ANCOVA with age and education covariates assessed change in MoCA Total Scores from baseline to follow-up based on CH. Results Main effects for age, education, time, and CH were not significant; however, significant interaction for CH by time was revealed, F(1,34) = 4.46, p < .05 such that those with CH demonstrated significantly greater decline from baseline to follow-up than those without CH (p < .05). In the CH group, change over time was associated with an effect size of 1.20 (Cohen’s d) compared to an effect size of 0.22 in the non-CH group. Conclusions History of concussion may lead to accelerated rate of cognitive decline in those diagnosed with MCI and AD over a 1-year period, which is consistent with prior research in moderate–severe TBI. These results preliminarily support the notion that concussion may be associated with significantly worse cognitive outcomes among older adults. Confirmation of our findings in larger samples and prospective validation of the observation are warranted.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 805-806
Author(s):  
Jennifer Deal ◽  
Junghyun Park ◽  
Nicholas Reed ◽  
Alison Abraham ◽  
Frank Lin ◽  
...  

Abstract Dual sensory impairment (DSI) affects 11.3% of adults aged ≥80 years. Hearing and vision impairments are each associated with cognitive decline and dementia, but DSI’s impact is unknown. All-cause dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were adjudicated using longitudinal cognitive information. Ten neurocognitive tests were summarized using latent variable methods. Hearing was measured using pure tone better-ear thresholds (0.5-4 kHz) and vision with better-eye presenting distance visual acuity and/or contrast sensitivity. In 881 adults (79±4 years, 44% black, 64% female), DSI (vs. no hearing or vision impairment) was cross-sectionally associated with -0.17 standard deviations (SD) [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.32, -0.02] lower global cognitive score and an 87% increased odds (95% CI: 1.01, 3.45) of combined MCI/dementia, after full adjustment for demographic and clinical factors. Future longitudinal research should elucidate the mechanism underlying this association to determine if treatment can delay cognitive decline and MCI/dementia in older adults.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Bin Yu ◽  
Andrew Steptoe ◽  
Yongjie Chen ◽  
Xiaohua Jia

Abstract Background Social isolation and loneliness have each been associated with cognitive decline, but most previous research is limited to Western populations. This study examined the relationships of social isolation and loneliness on cognitive function among Chinese older adults. Methods This study used two waves of data (2011 and 2015) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study and analyses were restricted to those respondents aged 50 and older. Social isolation, loneliness, and cognitive function were measured at baseline. Follow-up measures on cognitive function were obtained for 7761 participants (mean age = 60.97, s.d. = 7.31; male, 50.8%). Lagged dependent variable models adjusted for confounding factors were used to evaluate the association between baseline isolation, loneliness, and cognitive function at follow-up. Results Loneliness was significantly associated with the cognitive decline at follow-up (episodic memory: β = −0.03, p < 0.01; mental status: β = −0.03, p < 0.01) in the partially adjusted models. These associations became insignificant after additional confounding variables (chronic diseases, health behaviors, disabilities, and depressive symptoms) were taken into account (all p > 0.05). By contrast, social isolation was significantly associated with decreases in all cognitive function measures at follow-up (episodic memory: β = −0.05, p < 0.001; mental status: β = −0.03, p < 0.01) even after controlling for loneliness and all confounding variables. Conclusions Social isolation is associated with cognitive decline in Chinese older adults, and the relationships are independent of loneliness. These findings expand our knowledge about the links between social relationships and the cognitive function in non-Western populations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 91-91

AUTHORS:Kerstin Johansson, Karolina Thömkvist, Ingmar Skoog and Sacuiu SF* (*presenter)OBJECTIVE:To determine the effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in major depression in relation to the development of dementia during long-term follow-up.METHOD:In an observational clinical prospective study of consecutive patients 70 years and older diagnosed with major depression at baseline 2000-2004 (n=1090), who were free of dementia and received antidepressant treatment, with or without ECT, we sought to determine if cognitive decline (mild cognitive impairment and dementia) during 15 -year follow-up was associated with receiving ECT at baseline. The control group was selected among the participants in the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies matched by age group and sex 1:1.RESULTS:Among patients with affective syndromes 7% received ECT. During follow-up, 157 patients were diagnosed with dementia, equal proportions among those who received ECT (14.5%) and those who did not receive ECT (14.5%). The relation between ECT and cognitive decline remained non-significant irrespective antidepressive medication or presence of mild cognitive impairment at baseline.CONCLUSION:Preliminary results indicate that ECT was not associated with the development of cognitive decline in the long-term in a hospital-based cohort of 70+ year-olds. The results remain to verify against controls from a representative community sample.


2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. e177-e184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen-Maria Vasiliadis ◽  
Marie-Christine Payette ◽  
Djamal Berbiche ◽  
Sébastien Grenier ◽  
Carol Hudon

AbstractBackgroundThe effect of alcohol consumption on cognitive decline is not clear. We aimed to study the association between alcohol consumption and cognitive functioning controlling for functional heath status.MethodsA total of 1610 older adults with a score ≥26 on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were followed to assess the change in scores at the 3-year follow-up. Information on alcohol consumption as well as socio-demographic, lifestyle, psychosocial and clinical factors, as well as health service use were assessed at baseline and 3-year follow-up interviews. Linear mixed models with repeated measures were used stratifying by functional status.ResultsClose to 73% reported consuming alcohol in the past 6 months, of which 11% were heavy drinkers (≥11 and ≥16 drinks for women and men). A significant decrease in MMSE scores was observed in low functioning non-drinkers (−1.48; 95% CI: −2.06, −0.89) and light to moderate drinkers (−0.99; 95% CI: −1.54, −0.44) and high functioning non-drinkers (−0.51; 95% CI: −0.91, −0.10).ConclusionsAlcohol consumption did not contribute to cognitive decline. Cognitive decline was greater in individuals reporting low functional status. Research should focus on the interaction between changing patterns of alcohol consumption and social participation in individuals with low and high functioning status.


2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 362-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozioma C. Okonkwo ◽  
Ronald A. Cohen ◽  
John Gunstad ◽  
Geoffrey Tremont ◽  
Michael L. Alosco ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inge Petersen ◽  
Matt McGue ◽  
Qihua Tan ◽  
Kaare Christensen ◽  
Lene Christiansen

A complex interrelation exists between change in depression symptomatology and cognitive decline. Studies indicate either that depression is a direct risk factor for cognitive change over time, or vice versa. Longitudinal twin studies provide the possibility to unravel cause and effect of correlated traits. Here, we have applied twin modeling approaches to shed light on the genetic correlation between both level and change of depression symptomatology and cognitive functioning, and to further explore the bidirectionality of any such correlation using assessments of both phenotypes at two occasions 10 years apart. The study included 2,866 Danish twins with a mean age of 56.8 years at intake (range: 45–68 years). Of these, 1,267 were intact pairs. A total number of 1,582 twins (55%), of whom 557 were intact pairs, participated in the follow-up survey. We found stable cross-sectional heritability estimates of approximately 60% for general cognitive abilities and 30% for affective depressive symptoms. There was a considerable decline in the mean cognitive performance over 10 years, whereas the mean affective depression symptoms score was stable and with no genetic contribution to any individual change. Additionally, we saw a small but significant cross-trait correlation at both occasions (-0.11 and -0.09, respectively), but cross-trait cross-occasion analysis revealed no evidence that either of the two traits predicts the other over a 10-year interval. Thus, our study was not able to detect any causal association between change in depressive symptomatology and cognitive decline in middle-aged and elderly people over a 10-year interval.


1997 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. JORM ◽  
H. CHRISTENSEN ◽  
A. E. KORTEN ◽  
A. S. HENDERSON ◽  
P. A. JACOMB ◽  
...  

Data from a two-wave longitudinal study of an elderly community sample were used to assess whether cognitive complaints either predict subsequent cognitive decline or reflect past cognitive decline. Cognitive complaints and cognitive functioning were assessed on two occasions three and a half years apart. Cognitive complaints at Wave 1 were found not to predict future cognitive change on the Mini-Mental State Examination, an episodic memory test or a test of mental speed. Similarly, cognitive complaints at Wave 2 were unrelated to past cognitive changes on these tests after statistically controlling for the effects of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, cognitive complaints did not predict either mortality (after controlling for anxiety and depression) or future dementia. These results are evidence against the inclusion of cognitive complaints in diagnostic criteria for proposed disorders such as age-associated memory impairment, mild cognitive disorder and ageing-associated cognitive decline.


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