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Begde A, Wilcockson T, Brayne C, Hogervorst E. Visual processing speed and its association with future dementia development in a population-based prospective cohort: EPIC-Norfolk. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5016. [PMID: 38424122 PMCID: PMC10904745 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55637-x] [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: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Visual processing deficits have frequently been reported when studied in individuals with dementia, which suggests their potential utility in supporting dementia screening. The study uses EPIC-Norfolk Prospective Population Cohort Study data (n = 8623) to investigate the role of visual processing speed assessed by the Visual Sensitivity Test (VST) in identifying the risk of future dementia using Cox regression analyses. Individuals with lower scores on the simple and complex VST had a higher probability of a future dementia diagnosis HR1.39 (95% CI 1.12, 1.67, P < 0.01) and HR 1.56 (95% CI 1.27, 1.90, P < 0.01), respectively. Although other more commonly used cognitive dementia screening tests were better predictors of future dementia risk (HR 3.45 for HVLT and HR 2.66, for SF-EMSE), the complex VST showed greater sensitivity to variables frequently associated with dementia risk. Reduced complex visual processing speed is significantly associated with a high likelihood of a future dementia diagnosis and risk/protective factors in this cohort. Combining visual processing tests with other neuropsychological tests could improve the identification of future dementia risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Begde
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK.
| | - Thomas Wilcockson
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Carol Brayne
- Department of Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 1PZ, UK
| | - Eef Hogervorst
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK
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2
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Caballero HS, McFall GP, Gee M, MacDonald S, Phillips NA, Fogarty J, Montero-Odasso M, Camicioli R, Dixon RA. Cognitive Speed in Neurodegenerative Disease: Comparing Mean Rate and Inconsistency Within and Across the Alzheimer's and Lewy Body Spectra in the COMPASS-ND Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 100:579-601. [PMID: 38875040 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Lewy body disease (LBD) are characterized by early and gradual worsening perturbations in speeded cognitive responses. Objective Using simple and choice reaction time tasks, we compared two indicators of cognitive speed within and across the AD and LBD spectra: mean rate (average reaction time across trials) and inconsistency (within person variability). Methods The AD spectrum cohorts included subjective cognitive impairment (SCI, n = 28), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 121), and AD (n = 45) participants. The LBD spectrum included Parkinson's disease (PD, n = 32), mild cognitive impairment in PD (PD-MCI, n = 21), and LBD (n = 18) participants. A cognitively unimpaired (CU, n = 39) cohort served as common benchmark. We conducted multivariate analyses of variance and discrimination analyses. Results Within the AD spectrum, the AD cohort was slower and more inconsistent than the CU, SCI, and MCI cohorts. The MCI cohort was slower than the CU cohort. Within the LBD spectrum, the LBD cohort was slower and more inconsistent than the CU, PD, and PD-MCI cohorts. The PD-MCI cohort was slower than the CU and PD cohorts. In cross-spectra (corresponding cohort) comparisons, the LBD cohort was slower and more inconsistent than the AD cohort. The PD-MCI cohort was slower than the MCI cohort. Discrimination analyses clarified the group difference patterns. Conclusions For both speed tasks, mean rate and inconsistency demonstrated similar sensitivity to spectra-related comparisons. Both dementia cohorts were slower and more inconsistent than each of their respective non-dementia cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Sebastian Caballero
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - G Peggy McFall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Myrlene Gee
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Stuart MacDonald
- Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Richard Camicioli
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Roger A Dixon
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Grewal KS, O'Connell ME, Kirk A, MacDonald SWS, Morgan D. Intraindividual variability measured with dispersion across diagnostic groups in a memory clinic sample. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2023; 30:639-648. [PMID: 34455884 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2021.1970552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Increased intraindividual variability (IIV) has been linked to outcomes such as cognitive decline and dementia, suggesting IIV might add valuable diagnostic information beyond traditional neuropsychological interpretation. We explored whether a subtype of IIV, dispersion, can provide additional information for dementia diagnosis. In a sample of memory clinic patients, three cognitive status groups were identified: subjective cognitive impairment (SCI; n = 85), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI; n = 16), and dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD; n = 48). Dispersion was computed as intraindividual standard deviations across multiple neuropsychological measures within three cognitive domains (executive functioning; immediate and delayed memory) and was compared for each diagnostic group using profile analysis. Patients with AD and a-MCI demonstrated less dispersion than patients with SCI in delayed memory. Results support existing theoretic perspectives on cognitive variability and age-related cognitive decline but suggest floor effects underlie suppression of dispersion in amnestic cognitive presentations. Questions remain about the contribution of IIV beyond impressions of impairment versus no impairment in these constrained representations of cognitive domains. Future investigations should investigate variability in SCI groups against controls to examine whether observed dispersion similarities between SCI and a-MCI or AD in immediate memory and executive functioning are meaningful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl S Grewal
- Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Megan E O'Connell
- Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Andrew Kirk
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | | | - Debra Morgan
- Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
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4
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Brosnan M, Pearce DJ, O'Neill MH, Loughnane GM, Fleming B, Zhou SH, Chong T, Nobre AC, O Connell RG, Bellgrove MA. Evidence Accumulation Rate Moderates the Relationship between Enriched Environment Exposure and Age-Related Response Speed Declines. J Neurosci 2023; 43:6401-6414. [PMID: 37507230 PMCID: PMC10500991 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2260-21.2023] [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: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Older adults exposed to enriched environments (EEs) maintain relatively higher levels of cognitive function, even in the face of compromised markers of brain health. Response speed (RS) is often used as a simple proxy to measure the preservation of global cognitive function in older adults. However, it is unknown which specific selection, decision, and/or motor processes provide the most specific indices of neurocognitive health. Here, using a simple decision task with electroencephalography (EEG), we found that the efficiency with which an individual accumulates sensory evidence was a critical determinant of the extent to which RS was preserved in older adults (63% female, 37% male). Moreover, the mitigating influence of EE on age-related RS declines was most pronounced when evidence accumulation rates were shallowest. These results suggest that the phenomenon of cognitive reserve, whereby high EE individuals can better tolerate suboptimal brain health to facilitate the preservation of cognitive function, is not just applicable to neuroanatomical indicators of brain aging but can be observed in markers of neurophysiology. Our results suggest that EEG metrics of evidence accumulation may index neurocognitive vulnerability of the aging brain.Significance Statement Response speed in older adults is closely linked with trajectories of cognitive aging. Here, by recording brain activity while individuals perform a simple computer task, we identify a neural metric that is a critical determinant of response speed. Older adults exposed to greater cognitive and social stimulation throughout a lifetime could maintain faster responding, even when this neural metric was impaired. This work suggests EEG is a useful technique for interrogating how a lifetime of stimulation benefits brain health in aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Méadhbh Brosnan
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6GG, United Kingdom
- Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Daniel J Pearce
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Megan H O'Neill
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Gerard M Loughnane
- School of Business, National College of Ireland, Dublin 1, Ireland
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Bryce Fleming
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Shou-Han Zhou
- Department of Psychology, James Cook University, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
| | - Trevor Chong
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Anna C Nobre
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6GG, United Kingdom
- Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Redmond G O Connell
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
- School of Business, National College of Ireland, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - Mark A Bellgrove
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
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John LH, Kors JA, Fridgeirsson EA, Reps JM, Rijnbeek PR. External validation of existing dementia prediction models on observational health data. BMC Med Res Methodol 2022; 22:311. [PMID: 36471238 PMCID: PMC9720950 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-022-01793-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many dementia prediction models have been developed, but only few have been externally validated, which hinders clinical uptake and may pose a risk if models are applied to actual patients regardless. Externally validating an existing prediction model is a difficult task, where we mostly rely on the completeness of model reporting in a published article. In this study, we aim to externally validate existing dementia prediction models. To that end, we define model reporting criteria, review published studies, and externally validate three well reported models using routinely collected health data from administrative claims and electronic health records. METHODS We identified dementia prediction models that were developed between 2011 and 2020 and assessed if they could be externally validated given a set of model criteria. In addition, we externally validated three of these models (Walters' Dementia Risk Score, Mehta's RxDx-Dementia Risk Index, and Nori's ADRD dementia prediction model) on a network of six observational health databases from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands, including the original development databases of the models. RESULTS We reviewed 59 dementia prediction models. All models reported the prediction method, development database, and target and outcome definitions. Less frequently reported by these 59 prediction models were predictor definitions (52 models) including the time window in which a predictor is assessed (21 models), predictor coefficients (20 models), and the time-at-risk (42 models). The validation of the model by Walters (development c-statistic: 0.84) showed moderate transportability (0.67-0.76 c-statistic). The Mehta model (development c-statistic: 0.81) transported well to some of the external databases (0.69-0.79 c-statistic). The Nori model (development AUROC: 0.69) transported well (0.62-0.68 AUROC) but performed modestly overall. Recalibration showed improvements for the Walters and Nori models, while recalibration could not be assessed for the Mehta model due to unreported baseline hazard. CONCLUSION We observed that reporting is mostly insufficient to fully externally validate published dementia prediction models, and therefore, it is uncertain how well these models would work in other clinical settings. We emphasize the importance of following established guidelines for reporting clinical prediction models. We recommend that reporting should be more explicit and have external validation in mind if the model is meant to be applied in different settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis H. John
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XDepartment of Medical Informatics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan A. Kors
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XDepartment of Medical Informatics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Egill A. Fridgeirsson
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XDepartment of Medical Informatics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jenna M. Reps
- grid.497530.c0000 0004 0389 4927Janssen Research and Development, 1125 Trenton Harbourton Rd, NJ 08560 Titusville, USA
| | - Peter R. Rijnbeek
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XDepartment of Medical Informatics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Barrett-Young A, Ambler A, Cheyne K, Guiney H, Kokaua J, Steptoe B, Tham YC, Wilson GA, Wong TY, Poulton R. Associations Between Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Ganglion Cell Layer in Middle Age and Cognition From Childhood to Adulthood. JAMA Ophthalmol 2022; 140:262-268. [PMID: 35142821 PMCID: PMC8832305 DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2021.6082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL) have been proposed as potential biomarkers for Alzheimer disease (AD). Although a number of studies have shown that knowing the thickness of RNFL and GCL can help differentiate between patients with AD and healthy controls, it is unclear whether these associations are observable earlier in life. OBJECTIVE To examine whether RNFL and GCL thickness was associated with global cognitive performance in middle age and in childhood and with a decline in cognitive performance from childhood to adulthood and whether RNFL and GCL thickness was associated with decline in specific cognitive domains over the same period. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This longitudinal cohort study involved members of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, a longitudinal representative birth cohort from New Zealand (n = 1037). Participants were born in 1972 to 1973 and followed up until age 45 years, with 94% of the living cohort still participating. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Cognitive performance (Full Scale IQ, processing speed, perceptual reasoning, and verbal comprehension) measured at ages 7, 9, and 11 years (mean value) and age 45 years, and RNFL and GCL thickness measured via optical coherence tomography (OCT) at age 45 years. RESULTS Data were analyzed between August 2020 and April 2021. Data from 865 participants were included in the present study (50.2% male, 49.8% female; 92.2% of the 938 study members seen at age 45 years). Of the 73 participants who were excluded, 63 were excluded because of issues with OCT scans and 10 were excluded because of diseases affecting the retina. Thinner RNFL and GCL were associated with lower Full Scale IQ in childhood and at age 45 years. Thinner RNFL was also associated with a greater decline in processing speed from childhood to adulthood. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE RNFL and GCL thickness in middle age was associated with cognitive performance in childhood and adulthood, and thinner RNFL with a decline in processing speed between childhood and adulthood. These data emphasize the potential utility of OCT measures as biomarkers of cognitive function; however, further longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether retinal thinning precedes cognitive decline and whether other confounding factors may account for this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh Barrett-Young
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand,Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Antony Ambler
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand,Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand,Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kirsten Cheyne
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand,Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Hayley Guiney
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand,Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jesse Kokaua
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand,Centre for Pacific Health, Va’a o Tautai, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Barbara Steptoe
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand,Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yih Chung Tham
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Graham A. Wilson
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Tien Yin Wong
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Richie Poulton
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand,Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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7
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LaPlume AA, Paterson TSE, Gardner S, Stokes KA, Freedman M, Levine B, Troyer AK, Anderson ND. Interindividual and intraindividual variability in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) measured with an online cognitive assessment. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2021; 43:796-812. [PMID: 34556008 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2021.1982867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mean cognitive performance is worse in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) compared to control groups. However, studies on variability of cognitive performance in aMCI have yielded inconclusive results, with many differences in variability measures and samples from one study to another. METHODS We examined variability in aMCI using an existing older adult sample (n = 91; 51 with aMCI, 40 with normal cognition for age), measured with an online self-administered computerized cognitive assessment (Cogniciti's Brain Health Assessment). Our methodology extended past findings by using pure measures of variability (controlling for confounding effects of group performance or practice), and a clinically representative aMCI sample (reflecting the continuum of cognitive performance between normal cognition and aMCI). RESULTS Between-group t-tests showed significantly greater between-person variability (interindividual variability or diversity) in overall cognitive performance in aMCI than controls, although the effect size was with a small to moderate effect size, d = 0.44. No significant group differences were found in within-person variability (intraindividual variability) across cognitive tasks (dispersion) or across trials of a response time task (inconsistency), which may be because we used a sample measuring the continuum of cognitive performance. Exploratory correlation analyses showed that a worse overall score was associated with greater inter- and intraindividual variability, and that variability measures were correlated with each other, indicating people with worse cognitive performance were more variable. DISCUSSION The current study demonstrates that self-administered online tests can be used to remotely assess different types of variability in people at risk of Alzheimer`s. Our findings show small but significantly more interindividual differences in people with aMCI. This diversity is considered as "noise" in standard assessments of mean performance, but offers an interesting and cognitively informative "signal" in itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalise A LaPlume
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest (Fully Affiliated with the University of Toronto), Toronto, Canada
| | - Theone S E Paterson
- Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada.,Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health Program, Baycrest, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sandra Gardner
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest (Fully Affiliated with the University of Toronto), Toronto, Canada.,Biostatistics Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kathryn A Stokes
- Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health Program, Baycrest, Toronto, Canada
| | - Morris Freedman
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest (Fully Affiliated with the University of Toronto), Toronto, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Baycrest, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Brian Levine
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest (Fully Affiliated with the University of Toronto), Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Angela K Troyer
- Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health Program, Baycrest, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nicole D Anderson
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest (Fully Affiliated with the University of Toronto), Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Manipulations of the Response-Stimulus Intervals as a Factor Inducing Controlled Amount of Reaction Time Intra-Individual Variability. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11050669. [PMID: 34065503 PMCID: PMC8161342 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11050669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggrandized fluctuations in the series of reaction times (RTs) are a very sensitive marker of neurocognitive disorders present in neuropsychiatric populations, pathological ageing and in patients with acquired brain injury. Even though it was documented that processing inconsistency founds a background of higher-order cognitive functions disturbances, there is a vast heterogeneity regarding types of task used to compute RT-related variability, which impedes determining the relationship between elementary and more complex cognitive processes. Considering the above, our goal was to develop a relatively new assessment method based on a simple reaction time paradigm, conducive to eliciting a controlled range of intra-individual variability. It was hypothesized that performance variability might be induced by manipulation of response-stimulus interval’s length and regularity. In order to verify this hypothesis, a group of 107 healthy students was tested using a series of digitalized tasks and their results were analyzed using parametric and ex-Gaussian statistics of RTs distributional markers. In general, these analyses proved that intra-individual variability might be evoked by a given type of response-stimulus interval manipulation even when it is applied to the simple reaction time task. Collected outcomes were discussed with reference to neuroscientific concepts of attentional resources and functional neural networks.
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9
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Dagliati A, Peek N, Brinton RD, Geifman N. Sex and APOE genotype differences related to statin use in the aging population. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2021; 7:e12156. [PMID: 33969178 PMCID: PMC8088592 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Significant evidence suggests that the cholesterol-lowering statins can affect cognitive function and reduce the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. These potential effects may be constrained by specific combinations of an individual's sex and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype. METHODS Here we examine data from 252,327 UK Biobank participants, aged 55 or over, and compare the effects of statin use in males and females. We assessed difference in statin treatments taking a matched cohort approach, and identified key stratifiers using regression models and conditional inference trees. Using statistical modeling, we further evaluated the effect of statins on survival, cognitive decline over time, and on AD prevalence. RESULTS We identified that in the selected population, males were older, had a higher level of education, better cognitive scores, higher incidence of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and a higher rate of statin use. We observed that males and those participants with an APOE ε4-positive genotype had higher probabilities of being treated with statins; while participants with an AD diagnosis had slightly lower probabilities. We found that use of statins was not significantly associated with overall higher rates of survival. However, when considering the interaction of statin use with sex, the results suggest higher survival rates in males treated with statins. Finally, examination of cognitive function indicates a potential beneficial effect of statins that is selective for APOE ε4-positive genotypes. DISCUSSION Our evaluation of the aging population in a large cohort from the UK Biobank confirms sex and APOE genotype as fundamental risk stratifiers for AD and cognitive function, furthermore it extends them to the specific area of statin use, clarifying their specific interactions with treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Dagliati
- Centre for Health InformaticsUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
- The Manchester Molecular Pathology Innovation CentreUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
- Department of ElectricalComputer and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of PaviaPaviaItaly
| | - Niels Peek
- Centre for Health InformaticsUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
- NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research CentreManchester Academic Health Science CentreUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Roberta Diaz Brinton
- Department of PharmacologyCollege of MedicineUniversity of ArizonaTucsonArizonaUSA
- Department of NeurologyCollege of MedicineUniversity of ArizonaTucsonArizonaUSA
- Center for Innovation in Brain ScienceUniversity of ArizonaTucsonArizonaUSA
| | - Nophar Geifman
- Centre for Health InformaticsUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
- The Manchester Molecular Pathology Innovation CentreUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
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Snitz BE, Tudorascu DL, Yu Z, Campbell E, Lopresti BJ, Laymon CM, Minhas DS, Nadkarni NK, Aizenstein HJ, Klunk WE, Weintraub S, Gershon RC, Cohen AD. Associations between NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery and in vivo brain amyloid and tau pathology in non-demented older adults. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2020; 12:e12018. [PMID: 32426450 PMCID: PMC7228102 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) was developed to be a common assessment metric across a broad array of research studies. We investigated associations between NIHTB-CB and brain amyloid and tau deposition in cognitively unimpaired older adults. METHODS One hundred eighteen community-based volunteers completed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Pittsburgh compound B (PiB)-PET (positron emission tomography) and AV-1451-PET neuroimaging, a neuropsychological evaluation, NIHTB-CB, and the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. Demographically adjusted regression models evaluated cognition-biomarker associations; standardized effect sizes allowed comparison of association strength across measures. RESULTS No NIHTB-CB measures were associated with amyloid deposition. NIHTB-CB measures of fluid cognition, including Pattern Comparison Processing Speed, Dimensional Change Card Sort, and Fluid Cognition Composite, were associated with tau deposition in higher Braak regions. Pattern Comparison Processing Speed was the most robust association with sensitivity analyses. DISCUSSION NIHTB-CB tasks of processing speed and executive functions may be sensitive to pathologic tau deposition on imaging in normal aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth E. Snitz
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of PittsburghSchool of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvania
| | - Dana L. Tudorascu
- Department of MedicineUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvania
| | - Zheming Yu
- Department of RadiologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvania
| | - Elizabeth Campbell
- Department of RadiologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvania
| | - Brian J. Lopresti
- Department of RadiologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvania
| | - Charles M. Laymon
- Department of RadiologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvania
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of Pittsburgh School of EngineeringPittsburghPennsylvania
| | - Davneet S. Minhas
- Department of RadiologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvania
| | - Neelesh K. Nadkarni
- Department of MedicineUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvania
| | - Howard J. Aizenstein
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of Pittsburgh School of EngineeringPittsburghPennsylvania
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvania
| | - William E. Klunk
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvania
| | - Sandra Weintraub
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinois
| | - Richard C. Gershon
- Department of Medical Social SciencesNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinois
| | - Ann D. Cohen
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvania
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11
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Brydges CR, Liu-Ambrose T, Bielak AAM. Using intraindividual variability as an indicator of cognitive improvement in a physical exercise intervention of older women with mild cognitive impairment. Neuropsychology 2020; 34:825-834. [PMID: 32338944 DOI: 10.1037/neu0000638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Intervention programs designed to improve cognitive ability in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have often focused on physical exercise as a means to improve traditional measures of cognition, with mixed success. Individuals with MCI show high levels of intraindividual variability (IIV) in response speed, and IIV may be sensitive to intervention-related changes. The current study evaluated if participants who participated in a physical activity intervention (aerobic or resistance training) showed a reduction in IIV, compared to a balance and tone control group. METHOD This study was a secondary analysis of the EXercise for Cognition and Everyday Living (EXCEL) Study. Women Aged 70-80 years with probable MCI (n = 86) participated in a 6-month randomized controlled trial designed to investigate the effects of different physical exercises on cognitive ability. Participants completed 1-back, task switching, and spatial working memory tasks at baseline, 13 weeks (midpoint) and upon completion of the program. RESULTS Analyses were conducted following both the intent-to-treat principle and complier average casual effect (CACE) modeling. Participants in the intervention group who complied with the program showed reduced IIV on task switching in the CACE models. The intent-to-treat analyses were all nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS Physical exercise resulted in improved IIV in older adults with probable MCI, showing that IIV is modifiable by lifestyle engagement. IIV may be a useful complementary index of cognitive plasticity particularly among those with cognitive impairment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
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Poptsi E, Tsardoulias E, Moraitou D, Symeonidis AL, Tsolaki M. REMEDES for Alzheimer-R4Alz Battery: Design and Development of a New Tool of Cognitive Control Assessment for the Diagnosis of Minor and Major Neurocognitive Disorders. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 72:783-801. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-190798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Poptsi
- Laboratory of Psychology, Section of Cognitive and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), Thessaloniki, Greece
- Greek Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, Thessaloniki (GAADRD), Greece
| | - Emmanouil Tsardoulias
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Despina Moraitou
- Laboratory of Psychology, Section of Cognitive and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), Thessaloniki, Greece
- Greek Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, Thessaloniki (GAADRD), Greece
| | - Andreas L. Symeonidis
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Magda Tsolaki
- Greek Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, Thessaloniki (GAADRD), Greece
- 1st Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), Thessaloniki, Greece
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13
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Bielak AAM, Brydges CR. Can Intraindividual Variability in Cognitive Speed Be Reduced by Physical Exercise? Results From the LIFE Study. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2019; 74:1335-1344. [PMID: 30169811 PMCID: PMC6777765 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gby101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Findings are mixed regarding the potential to improve older adults' cognitive ability via training and activity interventions. One novel sensitive outcome may be intraindividual variability (IIV) in cognitive speed, or moment-to-moment changes in a person's performance. The present article evaluated if participants who participated in a moderate physical activity intervention showed a reduction in IIV, compared with a successful aging education control group. METHOD For approximately 2.6 years, sedentary adults aged 70-90 years participated in the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Study (n = 1,635), a multisite Phase 3 randomized controlled trial to reduce major mobility disability. They completed 4 reaction time tests at baseline and at approximately 24 months post-test. RESULTS Analyses were conducted following both the intent-to-treat principle and complier average casual effect modeling. Results indicated that participants in the physical activity group did not show a reduction in their IIV. DISCUSSION The lack of a significant reduction in IIV may be due to the mild nature of the physical activity program and the cognitively healthy sample. It is also possible that other types of lifestyle activity interventions (e.g., social and cognitive engagement) can elicit reductions in IIV for older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison A M Bielak
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
| | - Christopher R Brydges
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
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14
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Wade AT, Davis CR, Dyer KA, Hodgson JM, Woodman RJ, Keage HAD, Murphy KJ. A Mediterranean Diet with Fresh, Lean Pork Improves Processing Speed and Mood: Cognitive Findings from the MedPork Randomised Controlled Trial. Nutrients 2019; 11:E1521. [PMID: 31277446 PMCID: PMC6683093 DOI: 10.3390/nu11071521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Mediterranean diet may be capable of improving cognitive function. However, the red meat restrictions of the diet could impact long-term adherence in Western populations. The current study therefore examined the cognitive effects of a Mediterranean diet with additional red meat. METHODS A 24-week parallel crossover design compared a Mediterranean diet with 2-3 weekly servings of fresh, lean pork (MedPork) and a low-fat (LF) control diet. Thirty-five participants aged between 45 and 80 years and at risk of cardiovascular disease followed each intervention for 8 weeks, separated by an 8-week washout period. Cognitive function was assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. Psychological well-being was measured through the SF-36 Health Survey and mood was measured using the Profile of Mood States (POMS). RESULTS During the MedPork intervention, participants consumed an average of 3 weekly servings of fresh pork. Compared to LF, the MedPork intervention led to higher processing speed performance (p = 0.01) and emotional role functioning (p = 0.03). No other significant differences were observed between diets. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that a Mediterranean diet inclusive of fresh, lean pork can be adhered to by an older non-Mediterranean population while leading to positive cognitive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra T Wade
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, 5001 Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Courtney R Davis
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, 5001 Adelaide, Australia
| | - Kathryn A Dyer
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, 5001 Adelaide, Australia
| | - Jonathan M Hodgson
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6000, Australia
| | - Richard J Woodman
- Flinders Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, 5042 Adelaide, Australia
| | - Hannah A D Keage
- Cognitive Ageing and Impairment Neurosciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, 5005 Adelaide, Australia
| | - Karen J Murphy
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, 5001 Adelaide, Australia
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, 5005 Adelaide, Australia
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15
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Bento-Torres J, Bento-Torres NVO, Stillman CM, Grove GA, Huang H, Uyar F, Watt JC, Wollam ME, Erickson KI. Associations between cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, intraindividual variability in behavior, and cingulate cortex in younger adults. JOURNAL OF SPORT AND HEALTH SCIENCE 2019; 8:315-324. [PMID: 31333884 PMCID: PMC6620364 DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and greater amounts of physical activity have been associated with lower intraindividual variability (IIV) in executive function in children and older adults. In the present study, we examined whether CRF, measured as maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and daily volume of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) were associated with IIV of reaction time during performance of the incongruent condition of the Stroop task in younger adults. Further, we examined whether the thickness of the cingulate cortex was associated with regulating variability in reaction time performance in the context of CRF or physical activity. METHODS CRF (measured as VO2max), accelerometry-measured MVPA, Stroop performance, and thickness of the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) derived from magnetic resonance imaging data were collected in 48 younger adults (age = 24.58 ± 4.95 years, mean ± SD). Multiple regression was used to test associations between IIV during the Stroop task and CRF, MVPA, and rACC thickness. Mediation was tested using maximum likelihood estimation with bootstrapping. RESULTS Consistent with our predictions, higher VO2max was associated with greater rACC thickness for the right hemisphere and greater daily amounts of MVPA were associated with greater rACC thickness for both the left and right hemispheres. Greater thickness of the right rACC was associated with lower IIV for the incongruent condition of the Stroop task. CRF and MVPA were not directly associated with IIV. However, we did find that IIV and both CRF and MVPA were indirectly associated via the thickness of the right rACC. CONCLUSION These results indicate that higher CRF and greater daily volume of MVPA may be associated with lower IIV during the Stroop task via structural integrity of the rACC. Randomized controlled trials of MVPA would provide crucial information about the causal relations between these variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Bento-Torres
- Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - Chelsea M. Stillman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - George A. Grove
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Haiqing Huang
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Fatma Uyar
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Jennifer C. Watt
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Mariegold E. Wollam
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Kirk I. Erickson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Corresponding author.
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16
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Manuel AL, Foxe D, Bradshaw N, Cordato NJ, Hodges JR, Burrell JR, Piguet O. Sustained attention failures on a 3-min reaction time task is a sensitive marker of dementia. J Neurol 2019; 266:1323-1331. [PMID: 30834482 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-019-09261-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the study is to determine the utility of a simple reaction time task as a marker of general cognitive decline across the frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) spectrum and in Alzheimer's disease (AD). One hundred and twelve patients presenting with AD or FTLD affecting behaviour (behavioural-variant frontotemporal dementia), language (progressive non fluent aphasia, logopenic progressive aphasia, semantic dementia) or motor function (corticobasal syndrome, progressive supranuclear palsy, frontotemporal dementia-motor neuron disease) and 25 age-matched healthy controls completed the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT), a 3-min reaction time (RT) task. The proportion of lapses (RT > 500 ms) was significantly increased in dementia patients compared to healthy controls, except for semantic dementia, and correlated with all cognitive functions except language. Discrimination of individuals (dementia patients versus healthy controls) based on the proportion of lapses yielded the highest classification performance (Area Under the Curve, AUC, 0.90) compared to standard neuropsychological tests. Only the complete and lengthy neuropsychological battery had a higher predictive value (AUC 0.96). The basic ability to sustain attention is fundamental to perform any cognitive task. Lapses, interpreted as momentary shifts in goal-directed processing, can therefore, be used as a marker of general cognitive decline indicative of possible dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie L Manuel
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. .,Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia. .,ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, Australia.
| | - David Foxe
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nathan Bradshaw
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Nicholas J Cordato
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia.,The Department of Aged Care, St George Hospital, Kogarah, Australia.,Calvary Health Care Sydney, Kogarah, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - John R Hodges
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia.,Clinical Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - James R Burrell
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia.,Clinical Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Concord General Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Olivier Piguet
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Sydney, Australia
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17
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Bento-Torres NVO, Bento-Torres J, Tomás AM, Souza LGTD, Freitas JOD, Pantoja JADS, Picanço-Diniz CW. WATER-BASED EXERCISE AND RESISTANCE TRAINING IMPROVE COGNITION IN OLDER ADULTS. REV BRAS MED ESPORTE 2019. [DOI: 10.1590/1517-869220192501190627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Introduction: Physical exercise has been associated with maintenance of physical abilities and the reduction of age-related cognitive decline, and is considered both a low-cost primary prevention strategy and a non-pharmacological treatment of cognitive dysfunction in older people. However, the contribution of each type of physical exercise to the cognitive health of the elderly population has not yet been fully investigated. Objective: This study investigated the possible influences of water-based and resistance training exercises on the cognitive performance of healthy older adults in automated tests, and investigated which test(s) would be the most effective indicator of differences in aging cognitive performance. Methods: Three groups of community-dwelling healthy older adults: water-based exercise group, resistance training group and sedentary group, were assessed using an automated set of neuropsychological tests (CANTAB) and tests to assess functional exercise capacity. Results were compared by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson linear correlation. Results: The water-based exercise group had the best functional exercise capacity scores and the best performance in the reaction time evaluation (response and movement latencies). The resistance training group had less movement latency than the sedentary group. Functional mobility was positively correlated with response and movement latency. Conclusions: Taken together our findings show that physical exercise contributes to the preservation of cognitive function in healthy older adults and that water-based exercise has better results than resistance training in terms of reaction time. Moreover, the changes related to reaction time function were detected before the changes in working memory functions, sustained attention and learning in the sedentary participants, suggesting that this variable could be an early sensitive indicator of subtle cognitive changes associated with aging. Level of Evidence II; Retrospective study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - João Bento-Torres
- Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil
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18
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Costa AS, Dogan I, Schulz JB, Reetz K. Going beyond the mean: Intraindividual variability of cognitive performance in prodromal and early neurodegenerative disorders. Clin Neuropsychol 2019; 33:369-389. [PMID: 30663511 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2018.1533587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Intraindividual variability (IIV), generally defined as short-term variations in behavior, has been proposed as a sign of subtle early impairment in neurodegenerative disorders, presumably associated with the disintegration of neuronal network connectivity. We aim to provide a review of IIV as a sensitive cognitive marker in prodromal neurodegenerative disorders. METHOD A narrative review focusing not only on theoretical and methodological definitions, including an overview on the neural correlates of IIV, but mainly on results from population-based and clinical-based studies on the role of IIV as a reliable predictor of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and conversion to dementia in neurodegenerative disorders, mostly Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. RESULTS Most studies focus on MCI and Alzheimer's disease and demonstrate that IIV is a reliable cognitive marker. IIV is partly more sensitive than mean performance in the prediction of cognitive impairment or progressive deterioration and is independent of socio-demographic variables and disease mediators (e.g., genetic susceptibility). Neuroimaging data, mostly from healthy subjects, suggest a relationship between IIV and dysfunction of the default mode network, presumably mediated by white matter disintegration in frontal and parietal areas. CONCLUSIONS IIV measures may provide valuable information about diagnosis and progression in prodromal stages of neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, further conceptual and methodological clarifications are needed to justify the inclusion of IIV as a sensible cognitive marker in routine clinical neuropsychological assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofia Costa
- a Neurocognition Unit, Department of Neurology , Hospital de Braga , Braga , Portugal.,b Department of Neurology , RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany.,c JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Imis Dogan
- b Department of Neurology , RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany.,c JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Jörg B Schulz
- b Department of Neurology , RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany.,c JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Kathrin Reetz
- b Department of Neurology , RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany.,c JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that daily stress processes, including exposure and emotional reactivity to daily stressors, are associated with response time inconsistency (RTI), an indicator of processing efficiency and cognitive health. Furthermore, we considered daily stress-cognitive health associations at the level of individual differences and within-persons over time. METHODS Participants were 111 older adults (mean = 80 years, range = 66-95 years) enrolled in a measurement burst study where assessments of response time-based cognitive performance, stressful experiences, and affect were administered on each of 6 days for a 2-week period. This protocol was repeated every 6 months for 2.5 years. Multilevel modeling was used to examine frequency of stressor exposure, nonstressor affect, and affect reactivity to daily stressors as individual difference and time-varying predictors of RTI. RESULTS Between-persons, higher levels of nonstressor negative affect (b = 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.01 to 0.83, p = .055) and negative affect reactivity (b = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.18 to 1.42, p = .012) were associated with greater RTI. Within-persons over time, higher levels of negative affect (b = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.06 to 0.34, p = .006) and negative affect reactivity (b = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.02 to 0.24, p = .018) were associated with increased RTI among the oldest portion of the sample, whereas higher levels of positive affect (b = -0.11, 95% CI = -0.21 to -0.02, p = .019) were associated with reduced RTI. CONCLUSIONS Negative affect reactions to daily stressors are associated with compromised RTI both between and within-persons. Findings suggest that emotional reactions to daily stressors contribute to compromise older adults' cognitive health, whereas increased positive affect may be beneficial.
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20
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Ferrucci R, Mrakic-Sposta S, Gardini S, Ruggiero F, Vergari M, Mameli F, Arighi A, Spallazzi M, Barocco F, Michelini G, Pietroboni AM, Ghezzi L, Fumagalli GG, D'Urso G, Caffarra P, Scarpini E, Priori A, Marceglia S. Behavioral and Neurophysiological Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Fronto-Temporal Dementia. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:235. [PMID: 30420799 PMCID: PMC6215856 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) is the clinical-diagnostic term that is now preferred to describe patients with a range of progressive dementia syndromes associated with focal atrophy of the frontal and anterior temporal cerebral regions. Currently available FTD medications have been used to control behavioral symptoms, even though they are ineffective in some patients, expensive and may induce adverse effects. Alternative therapeutic approaches are worth pursuing, such as non-invasive brain stimulation with transcranial direct current (tDCS). tDCS has been demonstrated to influence neuronal excitability and reported to enhance cognitive performance in dementia. The aim of this study was to investigate whether applying Anodal tDCS (2 mA intensity, 20 min) over the fronto-temporal cortex bilaterally in five consecutive daily sessions would improve cognitive performance and behavior symptoms in FTD patients, also considering the neuromodulatory effect of stimulation on cortical electrical activity measured through EEG. We recruited 13 patients with FTD and we tested the effect of Anodal and Sham (i.e., placebo) tDCS in two separate experimental sessions. In each session, at baseline (T0), after 5 consecutive days (T1), after 1 week (T2), and after 4 weeks (T3) from the end of the treatment, cognitive and behavioral functions were tested. EEG (21 electrodes, 10-20 international system) was recorded for 5 min with eyes closed at the same time points in nine patients. The present findings showed that Anodal tDCS applied bilaterally over the fronto-temporal cortex significantly improves (1) neuropsychiatric symptoms (as measured by the neuropsychiatric inventory, NPI) in FTD patients immediately after tDCS treatment, and (2) simple visual reaction times (sVRTs) up to 1 month after tDCS treatment. These cognitive improvements significantly correlate with the time course of the slow EEG oscillations (delta and theta bands) measured at the same time points. Even though further studies on larger samples are needed, these findings support the effectiveness of Anodal tDCS over the fronto-temporal regions in FTD on attentional processes that might be correlated to a normalized EEG low-frequency pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Ferrucci
- Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- “Aldo Ravelli” Research Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, University of Milan Medical School, Milan, Italy
- III Neurological Clinic, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Mrakic-Sposta
- Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- National Council of Research, Institute of Bioimaging and Molecular Physiology, Segrate, Italy
| | - Simona Gardini
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Fabiana Ruggiero
- Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Vergari
- Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Mameli
- Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Arighi
- Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Spallazzi
- Dementia Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Federica Barocco
- Dementia Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Anna Margherita Pietroboni
- Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Ghezzi
- Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giulio Fumagalli
- Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Caffarra
- Dementia Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Center for Cognitive Disorders and Dementia, AUSL of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Elio Scarpini
- Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Priori
- “Aldo Ravelli” Research Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, University of Milan Medical School, Milan, Italy
- III Neurological Clinic, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Marceglia
- Fondazione Ca' Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Is intraindividual reaction time variability an independent cognitive predictor of mortality in old age? Findings from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181719. [PMID: 28792946 PMCID: PMC5549897 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Intraindividual variability of reaction time (IIVRT), a proposed cognitive marker of neurobiological disturbance, increases in old age, and has been associated with dementia and mortality. The extent to which IIVRT is an independent predictor of mortality, however, is unclear. This study investigated the association of IIVRT and all-cause mortality while accounting for cognitive level, incident dementia and biomedical risk factors in 861 participants aged 70–90 from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study. Participants completed two computerised reaction time (RT) tasks (76 trials in total) at baseline, and comprehensive medical and neuropsychological assessments every 2 years. Composite RT measures were derived from the two tasks—the mean RT and the IIVRT measure computed from the intraindividual standard deviation of the RTs (with age and time-on-task effects partialled out). Consensus dementia diagnoses were made by an expert panel of clinicians using clinical criteria, and mortality data were obtained from a state registry. Cox proportional hazards models estimated the association of IIVRT and mean RT with survival time over 8 years during which 191 (22.2%) participants died. Greater IIVRT but not mean RT significantly predicted survival time after adjusting for age, sex, global cognition score, cardiovascular risk index and apolipoprotein ɛ4 status. After excluding incident dementia cases, the association of IIVRT with mortality changed very little. Our findings suggest that greater IIVRT uniquely predicts shorter time to death and that lower global cognition and prodromal dementia in older individuals do not explain this relationship.
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A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Associations Between Reaction Time Intraindividual Variability and Age-Related Cognitive Decline or Impairment, Dementia, and Mortality. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2017; 23:431-445. [PMID: 28462758 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617717000236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Intraindividual variability (IIV) in reaction time refers to the trial-to-trial fluctuations in responding across a given cognitive task. Cross-sectional research suggests that IIV increases with normal and neuropathological ageing and it may serve as a marker of neurobiological integrity. This raises the possibility that IIV may also predict future cognitive decline and, indeed, neuropathology. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to address these issues. METHODS A search of electronic databases Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, and Web of Science was completed on May 17, 2016 that identified longitudinal investigations of IIV in middle-aged or older adults. RESULTS A total of 688 studies were initially identified of which 22 met the inclusion criteria. Nine included longitudinal IIV measures and 17 predicted subsequent outcome (cognitive decline or impairment, dementia, mortality) from baseline IIV. The results suggested IIV increased over time, particularly in participants aged over 75 years. Greater baseline IIV was consistently associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes including cognitive decline or impairment, and mortality. CONCLUSIONS Increased IIV over time is associated with normal ageing. However, further increases in IIV over and above those found in normal ageing may be a risk factor for future cognitive impairment or mortality. Measures of IIV may, therefore, have considerable potential as a supplement to existing clinical assessment to aid identification of individuals at risk of adverse outcomes such as dementia or death. (JINS, 2017, 23, 431-445).
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