scholarly journals Activity Engagement and Cognitive Performance Amongst Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandria N. Weaver ◽  
Susanne M. Jaeggi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Mental Functioning ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Cognitive Activities ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Age Related Changes

Research supporting cognitive reserve theory suggests that engaging in a variety of cognitive, social, and physical activities may serve as protective factors against age-related changes in mental functioning, especially if the activities are cognitively engaging. Individuals who participate in a variety of cognitive activities have been found to be more likely to maintain a higher level of cognitive functioning and be less likely to develop dementia. In this study, we explore the relationship between engaging in a variety of activities and cognitive performance amongst 206 healthy older adults between the ages of 65–85. Age and years of education were found to be the most significant predictors of a global composite representing cognitive performance, consistent with previous work linking these variables to age-related changes in cognition and the cognitive reserve. We interpret these results to suggest that age and education are better predictors of global cognitive performance in older adults than self-reported activity engagement.

scholarly journals Auditory word recognition across the lifespan

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 119-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrike K. Blumenfeld ◽  
Scott R. Schroeder ◽  
Susan C. Bobb ◽  
Max R. Freeman ◽  
Viorica Marian
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Word Identification ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Auditory Word ◽  
Auditory Word Recognition ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Age Related Changes

Abstract Recent research suggests that bilingual experience reconfigures linguistic and nonlinguistic cognitive processes. We examined the relationship between linguistic competition resolution and nonlinguistic cognitive control in younger and older adults who were either bilingual or monolingual. Participants heard words in English and identified the referent among four pictures while eye-movements were recorded. Target pictures (e.g., cab) appeared with a phonological competitor picture (e.g., cat) and two filler pictures. After each eye-tracking trial, priming probes assessed residual activation and inhibition of target and competitor words. When accounting for processing speed, results revealed that age-related changes in activation and inhibition are smaller in bilinguals than in monolinguals. Moreover, younger and older bilinguals, but not monolinguals, recruited similar inhibition mechanisms during word identification and during a nonlinguistic Stroop task. Results suggest that, during lexical access, bilinguals show more consistent competition resolution and recruitment of cognitive control across the lifespan than monolinguals.

scholarly journals DNA methylation and cognitive functioning in healthy older adults

2011 ◽  
Vol 107 (5) ◽  
pp. 744-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga J. G. Schiepers ◽  
Martin P. J. van Boxtel ◽  
Renate H. M. de Groot ◽  
Jelle Jolles ◽  
Frans J. Kok ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Global Dna Methylation ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Relationship

Long-term supplementation with folic acid may improve cognitive performance in older individuals. The relationship between folate status and cognitive performance might be mediated by changes in methylation capacity, as methylation reactions are important for normal functioning of the brain. Although aberrant DNA methylation has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders, the relationship between DNA methylation status and non-pathological cognitive functioning in human subjects has not yet been investigated. The present study investigated the associations between global DNA methylation and key domains of cognitive functioning in healthy older adults. Global DNA methylation, defined as the percentage of methylated cytosine to total cytosine, was measured in leucocytes by liquid chromatography–MS/MS, in 215 men and women, aged 50–70 years, who participated in the Folic Acid and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (FACIT) study (clinical trial registration number NCT00110604). Cognitive performance was assessed by means of the Visual Verbal Word Learning Task, the Stroop Colour-Word Interference Test, the Concept Shifting Test, the Letter–Digit Substitution Test and the Verbal Fluency Test. Using hierarchical linear regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, level of education, alcohol consumption, smoking status, physical activity, erythrocyte folate concentration and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677 C → T genotype, we found that global DNA methylation was not related to cognitive performance on any of the domains measured. The present study results do not support the hypothesis that global DNA methylation, as measured in leucocytes, might be associated with cognitive functioning in healthy older individuals.

scholarly journals Sarcopenic Obesity and Cognitive Functioning: The Mediating Roles of Insulin Resistance and Inflammation?

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Levine ◽  
E. M. Crimmins
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Older Subjects ◽  
The Relationship

This study examined the influence of insulin resistance and inflammation on the association between body composition and cognitive performance in older adults, aged 60–69 and aged 70 and older. Subjects included 1127 adults from NHANES 1999–2002. Body composition was categorized based on measurements of muscle mass and waist circumference as sarcopenic nonobese, nonsarcopenic obese, sarcopenic obese, and normal. Using OLS regression models, our findings suggest body composition is not associated with cognitive functioning in adults ages 60–69; however, for adults aged 70 and over, sarcopenia and obesity, either independently or concurrently, were associated with worse cognitive functioning relative to non-sarcopenic non-obese older adults. Furthermore, insulin resistance accounted for a significant proportion of the relationship between cognitive performance and obesity, with or without sarcopenia. Additionally, although high CRP was significantly associated with poorer cognitive functioning in adults ages 60–69, it did not influence the association between body composition and cognitive performance. This study provides evidence that age-related physiological maladaptations, such as metabolic deregulation, which are associated with abdominal fat, may simultaneously contribute to lower cognition and muscle mass, reflecting a degradation of multiple physiological systems.

Age-related changes of hyoid bone position in healthy older adults with aspiration

2013 ◽  
Vol 124 (6) ◽  
pp. E231-E236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Feng ◽  
Tee Todd ◽  
Yunping Hu ◽  
Catherine R. Lintzenich ◽  
J. Jeffrey Carr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hyoid Bone ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Changes

scholarly journals Age-related Changes in Memory for Object and Position-In-Context

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tammy Tran ◽  
Kaitlyn E. Tobin ◽  
Sophia H. Block ◽  
Vyash Puliyadi ◽  
Michela Gallagher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Spatial Context ◽  
Complex Environments ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Changes

AbstractThere has been considerable focus on investigating age-related memory changes in cognitively healthy older adults, in the absence of neurodegenerative disorders. Previous studies have reported age-related domain-specific changes in older adults, showing increased difficulty encoding and processing object information but minimal to no impairment in processing spatial information compared to younger adults.However, few of these studies have examined age-related changes in the encoding of concurrently presented object and spatial stimuli, specifically the integration of both spatial and non-spatial (object) information. To more closely resemble real-life memory encoding and the integration of both spatial and non-spatial information, the current study developed a new experimental paradigm with novel environments that allowed for the placement of different objects in different positions within the environment. The current findings show that older adults have decreased performance in recognizing changes of the object position within the spatial context but no significant differences in recognizing changes in the identity of the object within the spatial context compared to younger adults. These findings suggest there may be potential age-related differences in the mechanisms underlying the representations of complex environments and furthermore, the integration of spatial and non-spatial information may be differentially processed relative to independent and isolated representations of object and spatial information.

Sleep disorders

2017 ◽  
pp. 1041-1048
Author(s):  
Yohannes Endeshaw ◽  
Donald L. Bliwise
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sleep Disorders ◽  
Sleep Apnoea ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Periodic Leg Movement ◽  
Work Up ◽  
Age Related Changes

The chapter describes age-related changes in sleep and sleep disorders that are commonly encountered among older adults. In general, the sleep quality of older adults is described as lighter (increase in stage N1 and N2 non-rapid eye movement sleep) and associated with more frequent arousals. Despite these age-related changes, healthy older adults do not report sleep-related problems. Previous studies have indicated that sleep-related complaints among older adults are associated with medical, neurological, and psychiatric diseases. Older adults with primary sleep disorders such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnoea and hypopnea, restless legs syndrome, and periodic leg movement disorder also report sleep-related complaints. These findings imply that sleep-related complaints among older adults are not due to normal age-related changes, but are associated with potentially treatable conditions. Hence, appropriate work-up for and treatment of these underlying disorders is indicated for successful management of sleep-related complaints among older adults.

Sleep-Wake Disturbances and Episodic Memory in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 109980042094160
Author(s):  
An-Yun Yeh ◽  
Susan J. Pressler ◽  
Donna Algase ◽  
Laura M. Struble ◽  
Bunny J. Pozehl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Learning Test ◽  
The Relationship

Sleep-wake disturbances have been associated with episodic memory loss, but past studies were limited by use of single measures of objective or perceived disturbances. Notably, cognitive reserve and depressive symptoms have been associated with sleep-wake disturbances and poorer episodic memory in older adults. The aims of this study were to determine the relationship between episodic memory and sleep-wake disturbances using objective and perceived measures in older adults and to examine cognitive reserve and depressive symptoms as moderators of this relationship. In this descriptive study, 62 healthy older adults (mean age: 69.9 years; 75.8% women) were recruited from the University of Michigan Clinical Research Program. Objective sleep-wake disturbances were measured by 7-day actigraphy and perceived sleep-wake disturbances by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Episodic memory was measured by the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised. Analyses involved Pearson’s correlation coefficients and hierarchical multiple regression. Results showed that more objectively measured sleep disruption was associated with poorer episodic memory and more perceived daytime sleepiness was associated with better episodic memory. Cognitive reserve and depressive symptoms were not moderators of this relationship. In this study, the relationship between sleep-wake disturbances and episodic memory differed by type of measure, objective or perceived. Future studies are needed using multiple measures of episodic memory to further understand the sleep-wake disturbances and episodic memory relationship in a larger diverse sample of healthy older adults.

scholarly journals Presenting features of COVID-19 in older people: relationships with frailty, inflammation and mortality

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1089-1094
Author(s):  
Paul Knopp ◽  
Amy Miles ◽  
Thomas E. Webb ◽  
Benjamin C. Mcloughlin ◽  
Imran Mannan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Independent Risk Factor ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Age Related ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Cardinal Symptoms ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Age Related Changes

Abstract Purpose To describe the clinical features of COVID-19 in older adults, and relate these to outcomes. Methods A cohort study of 217 individuals (median age 80, IQR 74–85 years; 62% men) hospitalised with COVID-19, followed up for all-cause mortality, was conducted. Secondary outcomes included cognitive and physical function at discharge. C-reactive protein and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio were used as measures of immune activity. Results Cardinal COVID-19 symptoms (fever, dyspnoea, cough) were common but not universal. Inflammation on hospitalisation was lower in frail older adults. Fever, dyspnoea, delirium and inflammation were associated with mortality. Delirium at presentation was an independent risk factor for cognitive decline at discharge. Conclusions COVID-19 may present without cardinal symptoms as well as implicate a possible role for age-related changes in immunity in mediating the relationship between frailty and mortality.

scholarly journals Cognitive reserve moderates the relationship between neuropsychological performance and white matter fiber bundle length in healthy older adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 632-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurie M. Baker ◽  
David H. Laidlaw ◽  
Ryan Cabeen ◽  
Erbil Akbudak ◽  
Thomas E. Conturo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Fiber Bundle ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Neuropsychological Performance ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
The Relationship

scholarly journals COGNITIVE RESERVE AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN HEALTHY LATVIAN SENIORS

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 261
Author(s):  
Kristīne Šneidere ◽  
Sonia Montemurro ◽  
Sara Mondini ◽  
Jelena Harlamova ◽  
Zane Ulmane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Normal Ageing ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
The Relationship

In the next 30 years, a significant increase of the population aged over 65 is expected (WHO, 2015). Ageing can often be associated with cognitive decline; however, recent research indicates that symptoms of age-related cognitive impairment are modulated by Cognitive Reserve (CR), which derives from level of education, working activity, and social activity (Tucker & Stern, 2011). The role of CR in neurodegenerative disease has been extensively researched, but little is known about its contribution to normal ageing. Fifty-four healthy Latvian seniors were recruited for the study. We assessed simple and complex reaction times, associative memory, memory retrieval, attention, working memory. Furthermore, we quantified their CR. We analysed the relationship between CR and reaction times with two separate logistic regressions. Then, four linear regression models were built to analyse the relationship between CR and the scores on the cognitive tasks. CR was not related to the cognitive performance of healthy Latvian seniors. Such results indicate that CR resources may be mostly required when high-demanding tasks have to be performed.

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