scholarly journals Food Insecurity Is Associated with Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review of Findings across the Life Course

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-222
Author(s):  
Michael F. Royer ◽  
Nicolas Guerithault ◽  
B. Blair Braden ◽  
Melissa N. Laska ◽  
Meg Bruening
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
The Life Course

Food insecurity (FI) has negative implications across the life course that include poor health outcomes among both children and adults. However, the behavioral mechanisms by which FI impacts health behaviors are not clear. By understanding how FI is related to cognitive function/brain structure across the life course, we can design more targeted interventions. A systematic literature review was performed by conducting comprehensive database searches in Google Scholar and PubMed. Inclusion criteria required studies to include measures of FI and cognitive function/brain structure in humans. Study sample, design, outcomes, and biases were extracted. In total, 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. Cognitive domains included general cognition (n = 13), executive function (n = 10), visuospatial abilities (n = 4), and verbal memory (n = 8). No studies examined brain structure. Most studies (88%) indicated significant inverse associations between FI and cognitive function across all stages of the life course, particularly for general cognition and executive function. Significant inverse associations were observed between FI and either general cognition or executive function among children (n = 3) and adults (n = 12). All studies considered confounding variables; however, given that all were observational, no causality can be inferred from the findings. These findings indicate that FI is related to lower cognitive function across the life course. Research should explore how changes in food security status impacts cognitive function and brain structure to develop optimal FI interventions and improve cognitive health.

scholarly journals Racial Disparities in Cognitive Function: The Roles of Cumulative Stress Exposures Across the Life Course

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 504-504
Author(s):  
Ruijia Chen ◽  
Jennifer Weuve ◽  
Laura Kubzansky ◽  
David Williams
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Racial Disparities ◽  
The United States ◽  
Coping Resources ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Cumulative Stress ◽  
The Life Course

Abstract Introduction: Racial disparities in cognitive function have been well-documented in the literature, but factors driving the disparities remain under explored. This study aims to quantify the extent to which cumulative stress exposures across the life course explain Black–White disparities in executive function and episodic memory. Method: Data were drawn from the 2004–2006 wave of the Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) and the MIDUS refresher study (N=5,967, 5,277 White, 690 Black). Cumulative stress exposures were assessed by using 10 domains of stressors (e.g., financial stress, childhood adversity). Cognitive function was assessed using the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone. Marginal structural models were conducted to quantify the proportion of the effect of race/ethnicity status on cognitive function that can be explained by cumulative stress exposures. Result: Blacks reported higher levels of cumulative stress exposures and lower average levels of executive function and episodic memory than Whites. Cumulative stress exposures explained 8.43% of the disparities in executive function and 13.21 % of the disparities in episodic memory. Cumulative stress exposures had stronger effects on racial disparities in cognitive function in the older age group (age≥ 55 years old) than in the younger age group (age < 55 years old). Conclusion: Cumulative stress exposures explain modest proportions of racial disparities in levels of cognitive function. Interventions that focus on reducing stress exposures or improving coping resources among Blacks may help lessen racial disparities in cognitive function at the population level.

Racial Disparities in Cognitive Function among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: The Roles of Cumulative Stress Exposures Across the Life Course

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruijia Chen ◽  
Jennifer Weuve ◽  
Supriya Misra ◽  
Adolfo Cuevas ◽  
Laura D Kubzansky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Racial Disparities ◽  
Cumulative Stress ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
Stress Work

Abstract Background Racial disparities in cognitive function are well documented, but factors driving these disparities remain underexplored. This study aims to quantify the extent to which cumulative stress exposures across the life course explain Black–White disparities in executive function and episodic memory in middle-aged and older adults. Methods Data were drawn from the 2004–2006 wave of the Midlife Development in the United States Study (MIDUS 2) and the MIDUS Refresher study (N = 5,947; 5,262 White, 685 Black). Cumulative stress exposures were assessed by 10 domains (i.e., childhood stress, stressful life events in adulthood, financial stress, work psychological stress, work physical stress, work-family conflicts, neighborhood disorder, relationship stress, perceived inequality, perceived discrimination). Cognitive function was assessed using the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone. Marginal structural models were used to quantify the proportion of the effect of race/ethnicity status on cognitive function mediated through cumulative stress exposures. Results After adjusting for age, sex, and sample, on average, Black participants had lower levels of executive function (difference: -0.83 standard deviation units, 95% CI -0.91, -0.75) and episodic memory (difference: -0.53 standard deviation units, 95% CI -0.60, -0.45) scores than White participants. Cumulative stress exposures accounted for 8.4% of the disparity in executive function and 13.2% of the disparity in episodic memory. Conclusions Cumulative stress exposures across the life course explained modest proportions of Black-White disparities in cognitive function in this large cross-sectional study.

scholarly journals Serum sodium in relation to various domains of cognitive function in the elderly US population

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sohyae Lee ◽  
Jin-young Min ◽  
Beom Kim ◽  
Sang-Won Ha ◽  
Jeohng Ho Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Serum Sodium ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
P Value ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution Test ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Recent evidence suggests that sodium imbalances may be associated with cognitive impairment; however, the association between specific domains of cognition remains unclear. This study examines the association between serum sodium levels and immediate and delayed verbal memory as measured by the CERAD Word Learning Test (CERAD WLT), executive function as measured by the Animal Fluency test (AFT), and sustained attention, working memory, and processing speed as measured by the Digit Symbol Substitution test (DSST) in the elderly population of the US aged 60 and older who participated in the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (n = 2,541). Methods Cognitive function tests were performed by trained interviewers and sodium levels were measured using indirect ion selective electrode methodology. Results After adjusting for all covariates, quintiles of CERAD WLT scores showed significant positive associations with log-transformed sodium levels (Immediate recall (IR) β = 4.25 (SE = 1.83, p-value 0.027); Delayed recall (DR) β = 6.54 (SE = 1.82, p-value 0.001)). Compared to normal sodium levels, hyponatremia was significantly associated with lower CERAD WLT-IR (β = -0.34, SE = 0.15, p-value 0.035) and CERAD WLT-DR scores (β -0.48, SE = 0.10, p-value < 0.001) and showed borderline significance with AFT scores (β = = -0.38, SE = 0.19, p-value 0.052). Hypernatremia did not show any significant relationships with cognitive test scores, compared to normal sodium levels. Conclusions Our cross-sectional study showed that lower sodium levels were associated with cognitive change, especially regarding memory and executive function.

Optimizing cognitive development over the life course and preventing cognitive decline: Introducing the Cognitive Health Environment Life Course Model (CHELM)

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaarin J. Anstey
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Differential Development ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
The Life Course

Optimal cognitive development is defined in this article as the highest level of cognitive function reached in each cognitive domain given a person’s biological and genetic disposition, and the highest possible maintenance of cognitive function over the adult life course. Theoretical perspectives underpinning the development of a framework for understanding optimal cognitive development are described, including differential development, intra-individual dynamics, cascades, biological mechanisms, reserve capacity, and plasticity. The Cognitive Health and Environment Life Course Model (CHELM) is proposed as a means to provide a framework for understanding the socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health factors influencing cognitive development and decline. The CHELM may guide framing of policy and interventions to optimize cognitive development and minimize cognitive decline in late-life.

scholarly journals Serum Sodium in Relation to Various Domains of Cognitive Function in the Elderly US Population

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sohyae Lee ◽  
Jin-young Min ◽  
Beom Kim ◽  
Sang-Won Ha ◽  
Jeohng Ho Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Serum Sodium ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
P Value ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution Test ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background:Recent evidence suggests that sodium imbalances may be associated with cognitive impairment; however, the association between specific domains of cognition remains unclear. This study examines the association between serum sodium levels and immediate and delayed verbal memory as measured by the CERAD Word Learning Test (CERAD WLT), executive function as measured by the Animal Fluency test (AFT), and sustained attention, working memory, and processing speed as measured by the Digit Symbol Substitution test (DSST) in the elderly population of the US aged 60 and older who participated in the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (n=2,700). Methods:Cognitive function tests were performed by trained interviewers and sodium levels were measured using indirect ion selective electrode methodology. Results:After adjusting for all covariates, CERAD WLT scores showed significant positive associations with sodium levels (Immediate recall (IR) β = 0.11 (SE = 0.04, p-value 0.018); Delayed recall (DR) β = 0.07 (SE = 0.03, p-value 0.009)). Compared to individuals with normal sodium levels, individuals with hyponatremia were significantly associated with lower CERAD WLT-DR (β = -0.71, SE = 0.23, p-value 0.005) and AFT scores (β = -1.58, SE = 0.68, p-value 0.027), and showed a borderline significant relationship with lower CERAD WLT-DR scores (β = -1.11, SE = 0.56, p-value 0.057). Individuals with hypernatremia did not show any significant relationships with cognitive test scores, compared to those with normal sodium levels. Conclusions:Our cross-sectional study showed that lower sodium levels were associated with cognitive change, especially regarding memory and executive function.

scholarly journals Cognitive Function and White Matter Changes Associated with Renal Transplantation

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aditi Gupta ◽  
Rebecca J. Lepping ◽  
Alan S.L. Yu ◽  
Rodrigo D. Perea ◽  
Robyn A. Honea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Renal Transplantation ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
White Matter Integrity ◽  
Logical Memory ◽  
Brain White Matter ◽  
With Memory

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a disease with an aging population and a high prevalence of cognitive impairment affecting quality of life, health care costs and mortality. Structural changes in the brain with decreased white matter integrity have been observed in ESRD. Understanding the changes in cognition and associated changes in brain structure after renal transplantation can help define the mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment in ESRD. Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational cohort study in ESRD patients listed for renal transplantation and followed them post-transplantation. We assessed their cognitive function with a battery of neuropsychological tests and brain white matter integrity with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) both before transplant and 3 months after transplant. Results: Eleven patients, aged 56.5 ± 10.7 years, completed the study. Cognitive measures of memory and executive function improved after the transplant, specifically on tests of logical memory I (p = 0.004), logical memory II (p = 0.003) and digit symbol (p < 0.0001). DTI metrics also improved post the transplant with an increase in fractional anisotropy (p = 0.01) and decrease in mean diffusivity (p = 0.004). These changes were more prominent in tracts associated with memory and executive function. Conclusions: Cognitive function, particularly memory and executive function, improve post the transplant with concurrent improvements in white matter integrity in tracts associated with memory and executive function. These data suggest that abnormalities in cognition and brain structure seen in the ESRD population are at least partially reversible.

scholarly journals Verbal intelligence is a more robust cross-sectional measure of cognitive reserve than level of education in healthy older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Boyle ◽  
S. P. Knight ◽  
C. De Looze ◽  
D. Carey ◽  
S. Scarlett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Cognitive Outcome ◽  
Verbal Intelligence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Occupational Complexity

Abstract Background Cognitive reserve is most commonly measured using socio-behavioural proxy variables. These variables are easy to collect, have a straightforward interpretation, and are widely associated with reduced risk of dementia and cognitive decline in epidemiological studies. However, the specific proxies vary across studies and have rarely been assessed in complete models of cognitive reserve (i.e. alongside both a measure of cognitive outcome and a measure of brain structure). Complete models can test independent associations between proxies and cognitive function in addition to the moderation effect of proxies on the brain-cognition relationship. Consequently, there is insufficient empirical evidence guiding the choice of proxy measures of cognitive reserve and poor comparability across studies. Method In a cross-sectional study, we assessed the validity of 5 common proxies (education, occupational complexity, verbal intelligence, leisure activities, and exercise) and all possible combinations of these proxies in 2 separate community-dwelling older adult cohorts: The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA; N = 313, mean age = 68.9 years, range = 54–88) and the Cognitive Reserve/Reference Ability Neural Network Study (CR/RANN; N = 234, mean age = 64.49 years, range = 50–80). Fifteen models were created with 3 brain structure variables (grey matter volume, hippocampal volume, and mean cortical thickness) and 5 cognitive variables (verbal fluency, processing speed, executive function, episodic memory, and global cognition). Results No moderation effects were observed. There were robust positive associations with cognitive function, independent of brain structure, for 2 individual proxies (verbal intelligence and education) and 16 composites (i.e. combinations of proxies). Verbal intelligence was statistically significant in all models. Education was significant only in models with executive function as the cognitive outcome variable. Three robust composites were observed in more than two-thirds of brain-cognition models: the composites of (1) occupational complexity and verbal intelligence, (2) education and verbal intelligence, and (3) education, occupational complexity, and verbal intelligence. However, no composite had larger average effects nor was more robust than verbal intelligence alone. Conclusion These results support the use of verbal intelligence as a proxy measure of CR in cross-sectional studies of cognitively healthy older adults.

scholarly journals Affective symptoms across the life course and resilience in cognitive function

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-124
Author(s):  
Georgia Bell ◽  
Amber John ◽  
Darya Gaysina
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Affective Symptoms ◽  
The Life Course
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