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Ryan DJ, De Looze C, McGarrigle CA, Scarlett S, Kenny RA. Examining mental health and autonomic function as putative mediators of the relationship between sleep and trajectories of cognitive function: findings from the Irish longitudinal study on ageing (TILDA). Aging Ment Health 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38709667 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2024.2345133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study investigates the mediating roles of autonomic function and mental health in the association between sleep and cognitive decline in adults aged 50 and above. METHOD A total of 2,697 participants with observations on sleep and mediators at baseline and repeated measures of cognitive function (MMSE) were included. Clusters of individuals with similar cognitive trajectories (high-stable, mid-stable and low-declining) were identified. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to estimate the likelihood of membership to each trajectory group based on sleep duration and disturbance. Finally, mediation analysis tested potential mediating effects of autonomic function and mental health underpinning the sleep-cognition relationship. RESULTS Short (p = .028), long (p =.019), and disturbed sleep (p =.008) increased the likelihood of a low-declining cognitive trajectory. Mental health measures fully attenuated relationships between cognitive decline and short or disturbed sleep but not long sleep. No autonomic function mediation was observed. CONCLUSION Older adults with short or disturbed sleep are at risk of cognitive decline due to poor mental health. Individuals with long sleep are also at risk, however, the acting pathways remain to be identified. These outcomes have clinical implications, potentially identifying intervention strategies targeting mental health and sleep as prophylactic measures against dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Ryan
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Céline De Looze
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Christine A McGarrigle
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Siobhan Scarlett
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rose Anne Kenny
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- The Mercer Institute for Successful Ageing (MISA), St. James's hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Callow DD, Zipunnikov V, Spira AP, Wanigatunga SK, Pettigrew C, Albert M, Soldan A. Actigraphy Estimated Sleep Moderates the Relationship between Physical Activity and Cognition in Older Adults. Ment Health Phys Act 2024; 26:100573. [PMID: 38264712 PMCID: PMC10803079 DOI: 10.1016/j.mhpa.2023.100573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Background and Aims Physical inactivity and poor sleep are common in older adults and may interact to contribute to age- and disease-related cognitive decline. However, prior work regarding the associations among physical activity, and cognition in older adults is primarily limited to subjective questionnaires that are susceptible to inaccuracies and recall bias. Therefore, this study examined whether objectively measured physical activity and sleep characteristics, each estimated using actigraphy, are independently or interactively associated with cognitive performance. Methods The study included 157 older adults free of dementia (136 cognitively unimpaired; 21 MCI; M age = 71.7) from the BIOCARD cohort. Results Using multiple linear regression, cognition was regressed on estimated total volume of physical activity (TVPA), sleep efficiency (SE), wake after sleep onset (WASO), and total sleep time (TST) (adjusted for age, sex, education, diagnosis, vascular risk factors, and Apolipoprotein E (APOE)-e4 genetic status). Models were also run for domain-specific cognitive composite scores. TVPA and SE each were positively associated with a global cognitive composite score. TVPA was positively associated with executive function and language composites, and SE was positively related to executive function, visuospatial, and language composites. Importantly, a TVPA by SE interaction (p = 0.015) suggested that adults with the poorest SE experienced the greatest benefit from physical activity in relation to global cognition. The other sleep metrics were unrelated to cognitive performance. Conclusion These results suggest that TVPA and SE may synergistically benefit cognition in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel D Callow
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Vadim Zipunnikov
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam P Spira
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sarah K Wanigatunga
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Corinne Pettigrew
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Marilyn Albert
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Anja Soldan
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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Sleep-Related Changes Prior to Cognitive Dysfunction. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2023; 23:177-183. [PMID: 36881255 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-023-01258-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence on the relationship between sleep and cognition and present available data reporting the impact that sleep alterations may have on cognitive functions. RECENT FINDINGS Research findings support the idea that sleep is involved in cognitive processes and that altered sleep homeostasis or circadian rhythms may lead to clinical and biochemical changes associated with cognitive impairment. Evidence is particularly solid for the association between specific sleep architecture and circadian alterations and Alzheimer's disease. Sleep changes, as early manifestations or possible risk factors for neurodegeneration and cognitive decline, may be appropriate targets for interventions aiming to reduce the likelihood of dementia.
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Burke S, Grudzien A, Li T, Abril M, Spadola C, Barnes C, Hanson K, Grandner M, DeKosky S. Correlations between sleep disturbance and brain structures associated with neurodegeneration in the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center Uniform Data Set. J Clin Neurosci 2022; 106:204-212. [PMID: 35970678 PMCID: PMC9671822 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2022.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to 1) determine the association between sleep disturbance and brain structure volumes, 2) the moderation effect of apolipoprotein ε4 genotype on sleep disturbance and brain structures, and 3) the moderation effect of sleep disturbance on cognitive status and regional brain volumes. Using the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center Uniform Data Set (n = 1,533), multiple linear regressions were used to evaluate the association between sleep disturbance and brain volumes. Sleep disturbance was measured using one question from the NPI-Q. After controlling for intracranial volume, age, sex, years of education, race, ethnicity, and applying the FDR correction, total cerebrospinal fluid volume, left lateral ventricle volume, total lateral ventricle volume, and total third ventricle volume demonstrated significantly higher means for those with sleep disturbance. Total brain volume, total white and gray matter volume, total cerebrum brain volume (including gray but not white matter), left hippocampus volume, total hippocampal volume, the left, right, and total frontal lobe cortical gray matter volume, and the left, right, and total temporal lobe cortical gray matter volume demonstrated significantly lower mean volumes for those with sleep disturbance. Sleep disturbance moderated the association between cognitive status and lateral ventricular volumes. These findings suggest that disrupted sleep is associated with atrophy across multiple brain regions and ventricular hydrocephalus ex vacuo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanna Burke
- School of Social Work, Florida International University, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, 11200 SW 8th St. Miami, FL 33199, United States.
| | - Adrienne Grudzien
- School of Social Work, Florida International University, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, 11200 SW 8th St. Miami, FL 33199, United States.
| | - Tan Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11200 S.W. 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States.
| | - Marlou Abril
- Department of Biostatistics, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11200 S.W. 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States.
| | - Christine Spadola
- The University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work, 211 S. Cooper Street, Box 19129, Arlington, TX 76019-0129, United States.
| | - Christopher Barnes
- Clinical and Translational Science Informatics and Technology, University of Florida Clinical and Translational Science Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States.
| | - Kevin Hanson
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Integrated Data Repository, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States.
| | - Michael Grandner
- Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinic, University of Arizona College of Medicine, 1501 N Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724-5002, United States.
| | - Steven DeKosky
- McKnight Brain Institute, Aerts-Cosper Professor of Alzheimer's Research, Associate Director, 1Florida Alzheimer's Disease Center, Professor of Neurology and Neuroscience, University of Florida, College of Medicine, United States.
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Alfini AJ, Won J, Weiss LR, Nyhuis CC, Zipunnikov V, Spira AP, Liu-Ambrose T, Shackman AJ, Smith JC. Cardiorespiratory Fitness as a Moderator of Sleep-Related Associations with Hippocampal Volume and Cognition. Brain Sci 2022; 12:1360. [PMID: 36291294 PMCID: PMC9599432 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12101360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to understand the associations of sleep and cardiorespiratory fitness with hippocampal volume and global cognition among older adults (n = 30, age = 65.8 years, female = 73.3%). Wrist actigraphy provided objective measures of nighttime sleep including sleep duration, average wake bout length (WBL; sleep disturbance), and wake-to-sleep transition probability (WTSP; sleep consolidation). Cardiorespiratory fitness was quantified via cycle exercise using a modified heart rate recovery approach. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine hippocampal volume and the Mini-Mental State Examination was used to assess global cognition. Fitness moderated associations of sleep with hippocampal volume and cognitive performance, whereby the association of WBL-an index of poor sleep-with hippocampal atrophy was stronger among less-fit individuals, and the association of sleep duration with cognitive performance was stronger among more-fit individuals. Across the fitness levels, a longer WBL was associated with lower cognitive performance, and a higher WTSP-an index of more consolidated sleep-was associated with greater hippocampal volume. Sleep and fitness were unrelated to the volume of an amygdala control region, suggesting a degree of neuroanatomical specificity. In conclusion, higher cardiorespiratory fitness may attenuate sleep disturbance-related hippocampal atrophy and magnify the cognitive benefits of good sleep. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso J. Alfini
- National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, Division of Lung Diseases, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - Junyeon Won
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Lauren R. Weiss
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Casandra C. Nyhuis
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Vadim Zipunnikov
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Adam P. Spira
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Teresa Liu-Ambrose
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Alexander J. Shackman
- Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Maryland Neuroimaging Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - J. Carson Smith
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Maryland Neuroimaging Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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Jiang Y, Jessee W, Hoyng S, Borhani S, Liu Z, Zhao X, Price LK, High W, Suhl J, Cerel-Suhl S. Sharpening Working Memory With Real-Time Electrophysiological Brain Signals: Which Neurofeedback Paradigms Work? Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:780817. [PMID: 35418848 PMCID: PMC8995767 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.780817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence supports the idea that the ultimate biofeedback is to reward sensory pleasure (e.g., enhanced visual clarity) in real-time to neural circuits that are associated with a desired performance, such as excellent memory retrieval. Neurofeedback is biofeedback that uses real-time sensory reward to brain activity associated with a certain performance (e.g., accurate and fast recall). Working memory is a key component of human intelligence. The challenges are in our current limited understanding of neurocognitive dysfunctions as well as in technical difficulties for closed-loop feedback in true real-time. Here we review recent advancements of real time neurofeedback to improve memory training in healthy young and older adults. With new advancements in neuromarkers of specific neurophysiological functions, neurofeedback training should be better targeted beyond a single frequency approach to include frequency interactions and event-related potentials. Our review confirms the positive trend that neurofeedback training mostly works to improve memory and cognition to some extent in most studies. Yet, the training typically takes multiple weeks with 2-3 sessions per week. We review various neurofeedback reward strategies and outcome measures. A well-known issue in such training is that some people simply do not respond to neurofeedback. Thus, we also review the literature of individual differences in psychological factors e.g., placebo effects and so-called "BCI illiteracy" (Brain Computer Interface illiteracy). We recommend the use of Neural modulation sensitivity or BCI insensitivity in the neurofeedback literature. Future directions include much needed research in mild cognitive impairment, in non-Alzheimer's dementia populations, and neurofeedback using EEG features during resting and sleep for memory enhancement and as sensitive outcome measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Jiang
- Lexington Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, KY, United States
- College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - William Jessee
- College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Stevie Hoyng
- College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Soheil Borhani
- Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Ziming Liu
- Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Xiaopeng Zhao
- Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Lacey K. Price
- Lexington Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Walter High
- New Mexico Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Jeremiah Suhl
- Lexington Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Sylvia Cerel-Suhl
- Lexington Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, KY, United States
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Won J, Alfini AJ, Smith JC. Cardiovascular Endurance Modifies the Link between Subjective Sleep Quality and Entorhinal Cortex Thickness in Younger Adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2021; 53:2131-2139. [PMID: 33988545 PMCID: PMC8440339 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000002697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Poor sleep is linked to impaired cognitive function, cortical brain atrophy, and lower cortical thickness. Independently, higher cardiovascular endurance has neuroprotective effects. It remains in question, however, whether cardiovascular endurance moderates the relationship between sleep and brain health. The aims of this study included the following: 1) the association between subjective sleep quality and cognitive performance, hippocampus volume, and entorhinal cortex (EC) thickness, and 2) the moderating effects of cardiovascular endurance on the associations of sleep quality with cognitive and magnetic resonance imaging measures in healthy younger adults. METHODS A total of 1095 younger adults (28.8 ± 3.6 yr) from the Human Connectome Project were included in the analyses. The 2-min walk test was used as a proxy of cardiovascular endurance. Self-reported sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Composite cognitive tests were used to assess global cognition, and T1-weighted structural magnetic resonance imaging data (obtained using Siemens 3T scanner) was used to assess hippocampus volume and EC thickness. Linear regression was used to examine the moderating effects of fitness on the relationships between sleep and each of these neurocognitive outcomes after controlling for age, sex, and education year. RESULTS Poorer sleep quality was associated with both a lower crystalized intelligence score (B = -0.198, P = 0.034) and lower EC thickness (B = -0.013, P = 0.003). With greater 2-min walk test score, the association between greater Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score and lower EC thickness was attenuated (B = 0.0008, P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS Higher cardiovascular endurance may mitigate the relationship between poorer subjective sleep quality and lower EC thickness. Future longitudinal studies should examine the interactive effects of sleep and fitness on brain health among older and more vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyeon Won
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
| | - Alfonso J. Alfini
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - J. Carson Smith
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
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Scarlett S, Kenny RA, O'Connell MD, Nolan H, de Looze C. Associations between cognitive function, actigraphy-based and self-reported sleep in older community-dwelling adults: Findings from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2021; 36:731-742. [PMID: 33185299 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cognitive impairment is prevalent in older ages. Associations with sleep are well established; however, ambiguity remains in which sleep characteristics contribute to this impairment. We examined cross-sectional associations between both self-reported and actigraphy-based sleep and cognitive performance across a number of domains in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS 1520 participants aged 50 and older with self-reported and actigraphy-based total sleep time (TST) (≤5, 6, 7-8, 9 and ≥10 h) and self-reported sleep problems were analysed. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), verbal fluency, immediate and delayed recall memory, colour trails tests, and choice reaction tests (CRT). Associations between sleep and cognition were modelled using linear and negative binomial regression. RESULTS Negative associations were found between ≥10 h of self-reported TST and MoCA error rate (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18, 1.71; p < 0.001); verbal fluency (beta [B] = -2.32 words; 95% CI = -4.00, -0.65; p < 0.01); and delayed recall (B = -0.91 words; 95% CI = -1.58, -0.25; p < 0.05) compared to 7-8 h. Significant associations with actigraphy-based TST were limited to MoCA error rate in ≤5 h (IRR = 1.22; 95% CI = 1.02, 1.45; p < 0.05) compared to 7-8 h. Higher numbers of sleep problems were associated with slower performance in CRT cognitive response time (IRR = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.00, 104; p < 0.05) and total response time (IRR = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.00, 1.04; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Self-reported long sleep duration was consistently associated with worse cognitive performance across multiple domains. Marginal associations between cognition and both actigraphy-based sleep and self-reported sleep problems were also apparent. These results further affirm poor sleep as a risk factor for cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhan Scarlett
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rose Anne Kenny
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Mercer's Institute for Successful Ageing, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Matthew Dl O'Connell
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Hugh Nolan
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Céline de Looze
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Krivanek TJ, Gale SA, McFeeley BM, Nicastri CM, Daffner KR. Promoting Successful Cognitive Aging: A Ten-Year Update. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 81:871-920. [PMID: 33935078 PMCID: PMC8293659 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A decade has passed since we published a comprehensive review in this journal addressing the topic of promoting successful cognitive aging, making this a good time to take stock of the field. Because there have been limited large-scale, randomized controlled trials, especially following individuals from middle age to late life, some experts have questioned whether recommendations can be legitimately offered about reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Despite uncertainties, clinicians often need to at least make provisional recommendations to patients based on the highest quality data available. Converging lines of evidence from epidemiological/cohort studies, animal/basic science studies, human proof-of-concept studies, and human intervention studies can provide guidance, highlighting strategies for enhancing cognitive reserve and preventing loss of cognitive capacity. Many of the suggestions made in 2010 have been supported by additional research. Importantly, there is a growing consensus among major health organizations about recommendations to mitigate cognitive decline and promote healthy cognitive aging. Regular physical activity and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors have been supported by all of these organizations. Most organizations have also embraced cognitively stimulating activities, a heart-healthy diet, smoking cessation, and countering metabolic syndrome. Other behaviors like regular social engagement, limiting alcohol use, stress management, getting adequate sleep, avoiding anticholinergic medications, addressing sensory deficits, and protecting the brain against physical and toxic damage also have been endorsed, although less consistently. In this update, we review the evidence for each of these recommendations and offer practical advice about behavior-change techniques to help patients adopt brain-healthy behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor J. Krivanek
- Center for Brain/Mind Medicine, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Hale Building for Transformative Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Seth A. Gale
- Center for Brain/Mind Medicine, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Hale Building for Transformative Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brittany M. McFeeley
- Center for Brain/Mind Medicine, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Hale Building for Transformative Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Casey M. Nicastri
- Center for Brain/Mind Medicine, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Hale Building for Transformative Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kirk R. Daffner
- Center for Brain/Mind Medicine, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Hale Building for Transformative Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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