The Neurocognitive Study for the Aging: Longitudinal Analysis on the Contribution of Sex, Age, Education and APOE ɛ4 on Cognitive Performance

Objective: The effects of normal cognitive aging on executive functions (EF), Verbal Episodic Memory (VEM) and the contribution of age, sex, education, and APOΕ ε4 in a group of old Greek Cypriots across a five-year period were investigated.Design: NEUROAGE, the first project on cognitive aging in Cyprus, is a prospective longitudinal study with a rolling admission process. Participants are assessed at baseline and retested every 24–30 months.Subjects: 170 participants completed all three testing cycles; 86 men and 84 women with ages ranging between 60 and 88 years (mean = 73.21, SD = 5.84); education, 2–20 years (mean = 9.07, SD = 4.27).Results: Α Repeated Measures Multivariate Analysis of Covariance was conducted with one between-subject factor: sex; two covariates: age and education, while Time (time 1, time 2, time 3) served as a within – subject factor. Time did not have an effect on mini mental status examination in Greek (MMSE), EF or VEM. Also, sex had no effect on MMSE, EF and VEM. There was no time by sex interaction. Age and Education significantly predicted the EF performance, F(1, 168) = 11.23, p < 0.05; F(1, 158) = 90.03, p < 0.001 and VEM performance, F(1, 171) = 17.22, p < 0.001; F(1, 171) = 61.25, p < 0.001. Furthermore, there was a significant interaction effect between time and education, for EF, F(2, 167) = 7.02, p < 0.001. Performance of the APOE ε4 carriers did not differ on any of the above measures as compared to performance of non-carriers in this older adult group.Conclusion: Cognitively healthy adults maintained overall cognitive performance across the five-year period. Male and female participants performed similarly and the pattern of change over time was similar across the two sexes. Education was predictive of VEM and EF performance across time. Furthermore, those with higher education maintained higher levels of EF performance. APOE results did not differentiate performance at baseline. Implications of findings are discussed.

Download Full-text

Abstract 506: Changes in Vascular Function from Pre-conception to Post-partum Among Mongolian Women

Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology ◽

10.1161/atvb.35.suppl_1.506 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 35 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Enkhmaa Davaasambuu ◽

Chrisandra Shufelt ◽

Jennifer Stuart ◽

Noel Bairey Merz ◽

Garrett Fitzmaurice ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Vascular Function ◽

Augmentation Index ◽

Post Partum ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Second Trimester ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Time Points ◽

Temporary Decrease ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

Background: A recent study found significant changes in maternal cardiovascular function from pre-conception to post-partum in British women. Objective: To document vascular function before, during, and after pregnancy as measured by brachial blood pressure, heart rate-corrected augmentation index (AIx75), and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in Mongolian women. Methods: 70 women, planning to conceive, were enrolled in this prospective, longitudinal study. Within six months, 46 women conceived, 38 of whom delivered; of these, 27 with complete measurements were included in this analysis. Pre-conception, second trimester, third trimester, and 2 month post-partum vascular function were assessed using SphygmoCor arterial tonometry (Atcor Medical). Within-woman differences across time points, adjusted for age, parity and body mass index (BMI), were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of covariance. Results: Mean age was 31.3 ± 5.5 (SD) years, mean BMI was 21.9 ± 2.9 kg/m 2 and 81.5% were parous. We observed statistically significant differences across time points for AIx75 (p=0.02), with lowest levels in the second trimester and highest levels post-partum (Table). Brachial systolic and diastolic blood pressures and PWV were also lowest in the second trimester, but differences across time points were not statistically significant. Conclusion: In this pre-conception cohort followed through post-partum, we observed a significant, temporary decrease in AIx75 in pregnancy. The decrease in AIx75 represents increased vascular compliance necessary to accommodate the maternal physiologic and metabolic changes during pregnancy.

Download Full-text

Sleep symptomatology is associated with greater subjective cognitive concerns: Findings from the community-based Healthy Brain Project

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab097 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jessica Nicolazzo ◽

Katharine Xu ◽

Alexandra Lavale ◽

Rachel Buckley ◽

Nawaf Yassi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Sex Education ◽

Severity Index ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Psychomotor Function ◽

Community Based ◽

The Relationship ◽

Insomnia Severity

Abstract Study objectives To examine if sleep symptomatology was associated with subjective cognitive concerns or objective cognitive performance in a dementia-free community-based sample. Methods A total of 1421 middle-aged participants (mean±standard deviation = 57±7; 77% female) from the Healthy Brain Project completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to measure sleep quality, insomnia symptom severity, and daytime sleepiness, respectively. Participants were classified as having no sleep symptomatology (normal scores on each sleep measure), moderate sleep symptomatology (abnormal scores on one sleep measure), or high sleep symptomatology (abnormal scores on at least two sleep measures), using established cut-off values. Analysis of covariance was used to compare objective cognitive function (Cogstate Brief Battery) and subjective cognitive concerns (Modified Cognitive Function Instrument) across groups. Results Following adjustments for age, sex, education, mood, and vascular risk factors, persons classified as having high sleep symptomatology, versus none, displayed more subjective cognitive concerns (d=0.24) but no differences in objective cognitive performance (d=0.00-0.18). Subjective cognitive concerns modified the association between sleep symptomatology and psychomotor function. The strength of the relationship between high sleep symptomatology (versus none) and psychomotor function was significantly greater in persons with high as compared with low cognitive concerns (β±SE =-0.37±0.16; p=0.02). Conclusions More severe sleep symptomatology was associated with greater subjective cognitive concerns. Persons reporting high levels of sleep symptomatology may be more likely to display poorer objective cognitive function in the presence of subjective cognitive concerns.

Download Full-text

Impact of Educational Weaning Knowledge and Practices of Parents and Guardians of Children under Two Years Old at the David Rose Health Centre

Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research ◽

10.9734/jammr/2019/v30i1230262 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 21-22

Author(s):

Padmini Bissessar ◽

Kenesha Adams ◽

Gina Chin ◽

Sheena Chin ◽

Paul Garraway ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Educational Intervention ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Health Centre ◽

World Health Organisation ◽

Educational Interventions ◽

World Health ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Repeated Measures Design ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

Objectives: To assess the knowledge of weaning, of parents and guardians, of children under two-years-old, attending David Rose Health Centre. To assess whether there is an association between selected demographic variables, and the weaning knowledge. To educate the parents and guardians on the World Health Organisation recommended weaning practices. To assess the change in knowledge of weaning after the delivery of an educational intervention. Design and Methods: A prospective longitudinal study with repeated measures design obtained 120 participants using a convenient, non-probability sampling method. Data was collected using a pre-intervention and post-intervention questionnaire. The data was processed using the SPSS Version 24 Software Program and analysed with a scoring system developed by the researchers using the PAHO/WHO “Guiding Principles for Complementary Feeding of the Breastfed Child”. Results: Both educational interventions increased the participants knowledge from good to almost 100%. Conclusions: Most parents and guardians had good baseline knowledge. However, there were certain aspects where they lacked or had inaccurate knowledge. Overall, their knowledge improved regardless of the type of educational intervention they were exposed to. Recommendations: Future studies should be held in classroom settings, with more time allowed to assess change of knowledge.

Download Full-text

Protein intake and transitions between frailty states and to death in very old adults: the Newcastle 85+ study

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afz142 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 49 (1) ◽

pp. 32-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Nuno Mendonça ◽

Andrew Kingston ◽

Antoneta Granic ◽

Carol Jagger

Keyword(s):

Energy Intake ◽

Sex Education ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Physical Endurance ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Very Old ◽

Old Adults ◽

State Models ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

Abstract Objectives To examine the association of protein intake with frailty progression in very old adults. Design The Newcastle 85+ study, a prospective longitudinal study of people aged 85 years old in Northeast England and followed over 5 years. Setting and Participants 668 community-dwelling older adults (59% women) at baseline, with complete dietary assessment and Fried frailty status (FFS). Measures Dietary intake was estimated with 2 × 24-h multiple pass recalls at baseline. FFS was based on five criteria: shrinking, physical endurance/energy, low physical activity, weakness and slow walking speed and was available at baseline and 1.5, 3 and 5 years. The contribution of protein intake (g/kg adjusted body weight/day [g/kg aBW/d]) to transitions to and from FFS (robust, pre-frail and frail) and to death over 5 years was examined by multi-state models. Results Increase in one unit of protein intake (g/kg aBW/d) decreased the likelihood of transitioning from pre-frail to frail after adjusting for age, sex, education and multimorbidity (hazard ratios [HR]: 0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.25–0.77) but not for the other transitions. Reductions in incident frailty were equally present in individuals with protein intake ≥0.8 (HR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.43–0.84) and ≥1 g/kg aBW/d (HR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.44–0.90) from 85 to 90 years. This relationship was attenuated after adjustment for energy intake, but the direction of the association remained the same (e.g. g/kg aBW/d model: HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.36–1.41). Conclusion High protein intake, partly mediated by energy intake, may delay incident frailty in very old adults. Frailty prevention strategies in this age group should consider adequate provision of protein and energy.

Download Full-text

A prospective longitudinal study of the impact of early postnatal vs. chronic maternal depressive symptoms on child development

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2010.05.004 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 26 (8) ◽

pp. 484-489 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

A.-L. Sutter-Dallay ◽

L. Murray ◽

L. Dequae-Merchadou ◽

E. Glatigny-Dallay ◽

M.-L. Bourgeois ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Child Development ◽

Postnatal Depression ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Maternal Depressive Symptoms ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Postnatal Depressive Symptoms ◽

Prospective Longitudinal ◽

The Impact

AbstractBackgroundFew studies of the effects of postnatal depression on child development have considered the chronicity of depressive symptoms. We investigated whether early postnatal depressive symptoms (PNDS) predicted child developmental outcome independently of later maternal depressive symptoms.MethodsIn a prospective, longitudinal study, mothers and children were followed-up from birth to 2 years; repeated measures of PNDS were made using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS); child development was assessed using the Bayley Scales II. Multilevel modelling techniques were used to examine the association between 6 week PNDS, and child development, taking subsequent depressive symptoms into account.ResultsChildren of mothers with 6 week PNDS were significantly more likely than children of non-symptomatic mothers to have poor cognitive outcome; however, this association was reduced to trend level when adjusted for later maternal depressive symptoms.ConclusionEffects of early PNDS on infant development may be partly explained by subsequent depressive symptoms.

Download Full-text

Improving spatial normalization of brain diffusion MRI to measure longitudinal changes of tissue microstructure in the cortex and white matter

10.1101/590521 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Florencia Jacobacci ◽

Jorge Jovicich ◽

Gonzalo Lerner ◽

Edson Amaro ◽

Jorge L. Armony ◽

...

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Gray Matter ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Mean Diffusivity ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Longitudinal Changes ◽

Diffusion Weighted Images ◽

Diffusion Weighted ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

ABSTRACTBackgroundFractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) are frequently used to evaluate longitudinal changes in white matter microstructure. Recently, there has been a growing interest in identifying experience-dependent plasticity in gray matter using MD. Improving registration has thus become a major goal to enhance the detection of subtle longitudinal changes in cortical microstructure.PurposeTo optimize normalization to improve registration in gray matter and reduce variability associated with multi-session registrations.Study TypeProspective longitudinal studySubjectsTwenty-one healthy subjects (18-31 years old) underwent 9 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning sessions each.Field Strength/Sequence3.0T, diffusion-weighted multiband-accelerated sequence, MP2RAGE sequence.AssessmentDiffusion-weighted images were registered to standard space using different pipelines that varied in the features used for normalization, namely the non-linear registration algorithm (FSL vs ANTs), the registration target (FA-based vs T1-based templates), and the use of intermediate individual (FA-based or T1-based) targets. We compared the across-session test-retest reproducibility error from these normalization approaches for FA and MD in white and gray matters.Statistical TestsReproducibility errors were compared using a repeated-measures analysis of variance with pipeline as within-subject factor.ResultsThe registration of FA data to the FMRIB58 FA atlas using ANTs yielded lower reproducibility errors in white matter (p<0.0001) with respect to FSL. Moreover, using the MNI152 T1 template as the target of registration resulted in lower reproducibility errors for MD (p<0.0001), whereas the FMRIB58 FA template performed better for FA (p<0.0001). Finally, the use of an intermediate individual template improved reproducibility when registration of the FA images to the MNI152-T1 was carried out within modality (FA-FA) (p<0.05), but not via a T1-based individual template.Data ConclusionA normalization approach using ANTs to register FA images to the MNI152 T1 template via an individual FA template minimized test-retest reproducibility errors both for gray and white matter.

Download Full-text

The association between cancer-related fatigue and diabetes from pre-chemotherapy to 6-months post-chemotherapy

10.21203/rs.3.rs-220601/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Amber Kleckner ◽

Ian R. Kleckner ◽

Eva Culakova ◽

Michelle Shayne ◽

Elizabeth K. Belcher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Diabetes Management ◽

Menopausal Status ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Cancer Related Fatigue ◽

Diabetes Status ◽

Prospective Longitudinal ◽

The Impact

Abstract Purpose To quantify the impact of diabetes on the trajectory of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) from pre-chemotherapy to 6 months post-chemotherapy for patients with breast cancer compared to non-cancer controls.Methods This was a secondary analysis from a nationwide prospective longitudinal study of female patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy and age-matched women without cancer (controls). CRF was measured using the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory (MFSI) pre-, post-, and 6-months post-chemotherapy in patients; controls were assessed at equivalent time points. Diabetes status was obtained at baseline. Repeated measures mixed models estimated the association between CRF and diabetes controlling for cancer (y/n), body mass index, exercise and smoking habits, baseline anxiety and depressive symptoms, menopausal status, marital status, race, and education.Results A total of 439 patients and 235 controls (age: 52.8±10.5 years) had available data on diabetes status. Diabetes was twice as prevalent among patients as controls (11.6% vs. 6.8%). Patients had worse fatigue than controls throughout treatment (p<0.001). Diabetes was associated with worse CRF with a clinically meaningful difference of 4.7±1.7 points on the fatigue measure in all participants (p=0.009) and patients alone (p=0.030). For MFSI subdomains, diabetes was associated with worse general (p=0.002), physical (p=0.005), and mental fatigue (p=0.025) but not worse emotional fatigue or vigor (p>0.14) among patients. Conclusions Diabetes was twice as prevalent in women with breast cancer compared to controls, and diabetes was associated with more severe CRF in patients before and after chemotherapy and at 6 months post-chemotherapy. Interventions that address diabetes management may also help address CRF during chemotherapy treatment

Download Full-text

Early Postoperative Measures Predict 1- and 2-Year Outcomes After Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty: Importance of Contralateral Limb Strength

Physical Therapy ◽

10.2522/ptj.20090089 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 90 (1) ◽

pp. 43-54 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Joseph A. Zeni ◽

Lynn Snyder-Mackler

Keyword(s):

Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Quadriceps Muscle ◽

Stair Climbing ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Age Related ◽

Functional Scores ◽

Total Knee ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

Background Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been shown to be an effective surgical intervention for people with end-stage knee osteoarthritis. However, recovery of function is variable, and not all people have successful outcomes. Objective The aim of this study was to discern which early postoperative functional measures could predict functional ability at 1 year and 2 years after surgery. Design and Methods One hundred fifty-five people who underwent unilateral TKA participated in the prospective longitudinal study. Functional evaluations were performed at the initial outpatient physical therapy appointment and at 1 and 2 years after surgery. Evaluations consisted of measurements of height, weight, quadriceps muscle strength (force-generating capacity), and knee range of motion; the Timed “Up & Go” Test (TUG); the stair-climbing task (SCT); and the Knee Outcome Survey (KOS) questionnaire. The ability to predict 1- and 2-year outcomes on the basis of early postoperative measures was analyzed with a hierarchical regression. Differences in functional scores were evaluated with a repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results The TUG, SCT, and KOS scores at 1 and 2 years showed significant improvements over the scores at the initial evaluation (P<.001). A weaker quadriceps muscle in the limb that did not undergo surgery (“nonoperated limb”) was related to poorer 1- and 2-year outcomes even after the influence of the other early postoperative measures was accounted for in the regression. Older participants with higher body masses also had poorer outcomes at 1 and 2 years. Postoperative measures were better predictors of TUG and SCT times than of KOS scores. Conclusions Rehabilitation regimens after TKA should include exercises to improve the strength of the nonoperated limb as well as to treat the deficits imposed by the surgery. Emphasis on treating age-related impairments and reducing body mass also might improve long-term outcomes.

Download Full-text

Study of Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Women with Breast Cancer

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17238896 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (23) ◽

pp. 8896

Author(s):

Blanca Rodríguez Martín ◽

Eduardo José Fernández Rodríguez ◽

María Isabel Rihuete Galve ◽

Juan Jesús Cruz Hernández

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Oncology Patients ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Prospective Longitudinal ◽

The Impact

Background: Oncology patients experience a large number of symptoms and, those referring to cognitive performance has an ever-increasing importance in clinical practice, due to the increase in survival rates and interest in the patient’s quality of life. The studies reviewed showed that chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment might occur in 15 and 50% of oncology patients. The main objective of this research was to study the impact of chemotherapy on the cognitive function of patients with locoregional breast cancer. Method: Analytical, prospective, longitudinal study using three measures, unifactorial intrasubject design, non-probability, and random selection sampling. The sample comprised women newly diagnosed with locoregional breast cancer in stages I, II, IIIA who received chemotherapy at the University Hospital of Salamanca (Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca), randomly selected for three years. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, HAD); quality of life (QLQ-BR23 scale) and the following cognitive variables were assessed—processing speed, attention, memory, and executive functions (subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale and the Trail Making Test). Results: The final sample size included 151 participants; 23 were excluded. A decline in cognitive performance was observed in patients, which did not completely recover two months after chemotherapy was completed. Additionally, worse cognitive performance was observed in patients with anxious or depressive symptoms. There was a negative impact on the quality of life. Conclusion: Chemotherapy had an impact on the cognitive performance of oncology patients in most cognitive domains studied.

Download Full-text

Capturing the costs of acute hand and wrist injuries: Lessons learnt from a prospective longitudinal burden of injury study

Hand Therapy ◽

10.1177/1758998320952815 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 119-129

Author(s):

Luke Steven Robinson ◽

Ted Brown ◽

Lisa O’Brien

Keyword(s):

Societal Perspective ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Longitudinal Design ◽

Public Health Care ◽

Phone Call ◽

Future Research ◽

Wrist Injuries ◽

Wrist Injury ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

Introduction Given the high incidence of hand and wrist injuries, they are exceptionally costly to the economy. This prospective, longitudinal study aimed to establish methods for capturing the burden of acute hand and wrist injury from an individual and societal perspective. Methods A prospective longitudinal design with baseline measures of injury type and severity, and repeated measures of disability, cost, and activity limitations and participation restrictions at six weeks, three months, and six months was selected. Participants were recruited from two large urban Australian public health care services. We sought to establish methods for capturing the burden of acute hand and wrist injury from an individual and societal perspective and compare survey completion by the method of administration. Results A total of 206 patients consented to participate in this study, representing 54% of those invited to participate. The survey completion rates were 18% at six weeks, 2.4% at twelve weeks, and 0.004% at six months following injury. From the limited data collected at six weeks, it was noted that nearly half of the patients reported a decrease in usual financial income, 14% reported absenteeism, and 62% reported presenteeism. Participants who elected to have data collected via phone call had the highest survey completion rate ( n = 6/10; 30%) at six-week’s follow-up. Discussion The study findings highlight the difficulties of completing longitudinal survey research investigating individual and societal burden with this population. Future research should be carefully designed to encourage participation and retention by considering patient and public involvement in study design, the time burden placed on the participants within and across selected survey time points, providing participants with incentives to participate, and highlighting the relevance and real-world applications of the findings.

Download Full-text