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Muschalla B. Are retired persons fitter in their psychological capacities than unemployed? A cross-sectional representative study in Germany. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e065869. [PMID: 38238046 PMCID: PMC10806760 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Beyond specific aspects of numerical or verbal intelligence or cognitive speed, a broad range of psychological capacities are generally important in school, job and social life for all age groups. People have to quit the labour market up from a certain age about 65, whereas (younger) unemployed are motivated for return to work. The question is which psychological capacity profiles can be found in different employment groups (employed, mini-jobbers, voluntary service, retired, unemployed). DESIGN A representative cross-sectional survey was conducted in Germany, reaching 2528 persons. SETTING Republic of Germany. PARTICIPANTS Randomly selected inhabitants throughout Germany. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Participants reported their sociodemographic and work characteristics, as well as their psychological capacity profiles (Mini-ICF-APP-S) and work-related specific mental health problems (work-anxiety, embitterment). RESULTS The unemployed had-compared with all other groups-highest rates of work-anxiety and embitterment (16.3%). In contrast to the unemployed, the 'older' (70 aged) retired group, who were no longer working on the labour market, seldomly reported work-anxiety (2.6%) or embitterment (4.2%). The unemployed had the worst capacity profiles, most frequently no school degree (11.5%), most unemployment in their history (four times, as compared with once in the older retired). The psychological capacity profiles of the retired were similar to employed persons. CONCLUSIONS Keeping older persons with high psychological capacity levels in working life could be an alternative to forced reintegration of people with chronic participation problems into the competitive labour market. Unemployed persons with chronic health and participation problems might benefit from other social inclusion means.
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Weerasekera A, Ion‐Mărgineanu A, Green C, Mody M, Nolan GP. Predictive models demonstrate age-dependent association of subcortical volumes and cognitive measures. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 44:801-812. [PMID: 36222055 PMCID: PMC9842902 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Whether brain matter volume is correlated with cognitive functioning and higher intelligence is controversial. We explored this relationship by analysis of data collected on 193 healthy young and older adults through the "Leipzig Study for Mind-Body-Emotion Interactions" (LEMON) study. Our analysis involved four cognitive measures: fluid intelligence, crystallized intelligence, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. Brain subregion volumes were determined by magnetic resonance imaging. We normalized each subregion volume to the estimated total intracranial volume and conducted training simulations to compare the predictive power of normalized volumes of large regions of the brain (i.e., gray matter, cortical white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid), normalized subcortical volumes, and combined normalized volumes of large brain regions and normalized subcortical volumes. Statistical tests showed significant differences in the performance accuracy and feature importance of the subregion volumes in predicting cognitive skills for young and older adults. Random forest feature selection analysis showed that cortical white matter was the key feature in predicting fluid intelligence in both young and older adults. In young adults, crystallized intelligence was best predicted by caudate nucleus, thalamus, pallidum, and nucleus accumbens volumes, whereas putamen, amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and hippocampus volumes were selected for older adults. Cognitive flexibility was best predicted by the caudate, nucleus accumbens, and hippocampus in young adults and caudate and amygdala in older adults. Finally, working memory was best predicted by the putamen, pallidum, and nucleus accumbens in the younger group, whereas amygdala and hippocampus volumes were predictive in the older group. Thus, machine learning predictive models demonstrated an age-dependent association between subcortical volumes and cognitive measures. These approaches may be useful in predicting the likelihood of age-related cognitive decline and in testing of approaches for targeted improvement of cognitive functioning in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akila Weerasekera
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical ImagingMassachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Christopher Green
- Department of Diagnostic RadiologyDetroit Medical Center & Wayne State School of MedicineDetroitMichiganUSA
| | - Maria Mody
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical ImagingMassachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Garry P. Nolan
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyStanford University School of MedicinePalo AltoCaliforniaUSA
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Román-Caballero R, Arnedo M, Triviño M, Lupiáñez J. Musical practice as an enhancer of cognitive function in healthy aging - A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207957. [PMID: 30481227 PMCID: PMC6258526 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is accompanied by cognitive decline, although recent research indicates that the rate of decline depends on multiple lifestyle factors. One of such factors is musical practice, an activity that involves several sensory and motor systems and a wide range of high-level cognitive processes. This paper describes the first systematic review and meta-analysis, to our knowledge, of the impact of musical practice on healthy neurocognitive aging. The inclusion criteria for the review required that studies were empirical works in English or Spanish that they explored the effects of musical practice on older people; they included an assessment of cognitive functions and/or an assessment of brain status; and they included a sample of participants aged 59 years or older with no cognitive impairment or brain damage. This review led to the selection of 13 studies: 9 correlational studies involving older musicians and non-musicians and 4 experimental studies involving short-term musical training programs. The results of the meta-analysis showed cognitive and cerebral benefits of musical practice, both in domain-specific functions (auditory perception) and in other rather domain-general functions. Moreover, these benefits seem to protect cognitive domains that usually decline with aging and boost other domains that do not decline with aging. The origin of these benefits may reside, simultaneously, in the specific training of many of these cognitive functions during musical practice (specific training mechanism), in the improvement of compensatory cognitive processes (specific compensatory mechanism), and in the preservation of general functions with a global influence on others, such as perceptual capacity, processing speed, inhibition and attention (general compensatory mechanism). Therefore, musical practice seems to be a promising tool to reduce the impact of cognitive problems associated to aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Román-Caballero
- Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Marisa Arnedo
- Department of Psychobiology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Mónica Triviño
- Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- San Rafael University Hospital, Granada, Spain
| | - Juan Lupiáñez
- Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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Peng D, Shi Z, Xu J, Shen L, Xiao S, Zhang N, Li Y, Jiao J, Wang YJ, Liu S, Zhang M, Wang M, Liu S, Zhou Y, Zhang X, Gu XH, Yang CC, Wang Y, Jiao B, Tang B, Wang J, Yu T, Ji Y. Demographic and clinical characteristics related to cognitive decline in Alzheimer disease in China: A multicenter survey from 2011 to 2014. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e3727. [PMID: 27367978 PMCID: PMC4937892 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000003727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Revised: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of dementia. AD diagnosis, progression, and treatment have not been analyzed nationwide in China. The primary aim of this study was to analyze demographic and clinical characteristics related to cognitive decline in AD patients treated at outpatient clinics in China.We performed a retrospective study of 1993 AD patients at 10 cognitive centers across 8 cities in China from March 2011 to October 2014. Of these, 891 patients were followed for more than 1 year.The mean age at diagnosis was 72.0 ± 10.0 years (range 38-96 years), and the mean age at onset of AD was 69.8 ± 9.5 years. Most patients (65.1%) had moderate to severe symptoms at the time of diagnosis, and mean Mini-Mental State Examination at diagnosis was 15.7 ± 7.7. AD patients showed significant cognitive decline at 12 months after diagnosis. Having more than 9 years of formal education was an independent risk factor related to rapid cognitive decline [odds ratio (OR) = 1.80; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.11-2.91]. Early-onset AD patients experienced more rapid cognitive decline than late-onset patients (OR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.09-3.06).Most AD patients in China had moderate to severe symptoms at the time of diagnosis and experienced significant cognitive decline within 1 year. Rapid cognitive decline in AD was related to having a higher educational level and younger age of onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dantao Peng
- Department of Neurology, China-Japanese Friendship Hospital, Beijing
| | - Zhihong Shi
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and of neurodegenerative diseases, Tianjin Dementia Institute
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin
| | - Jun Xu
- Department of Neurology, Northern Jiangsu Province Hospital, Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province
| | - Lu Shen
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha
| | - Shifu Xiao
- Department of Geriatrics, Shanghai Mental Health Center of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of neurology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong university, Shandong
| | - Jinsong Jiao
- Department of Neurology, China-Japanese Friendship Hospital, Beijing
| | - Yan-Jiang Wang
- Department of Neurology and Center for Clinical Neuroscience, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing
| | - Shuai Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and of neurodegenerative diseases, Tianjin Dementia Institute
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin
| | - Meilin Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University
| | - Meng Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin
| | - Shuling Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and of neurodegenerative diseases, Tianjin Dementia Institute
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin
| | - Yuying Zhou
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and of neurodegenerative diseases, Tianjin Dementia Institute
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Hospital, Ministry of Health, Beijing
| | - Xiao-hua Gu
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province
| | - Ce-ce Yang
- Department of Geriatrics, Shanghai Mental Health Center of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Neurology, China-Japanese Friendship Hospital, Beijing
| | - Bin Jiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha
| | - Beisha Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha
| | - Jinhuan Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and of neurodegenerative diseases, Tianjin Dementia Institute
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Tao Yu
- First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin
| | - Yong Ji
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and of neurodegenerative diseases, Tianjin Dementia Institute
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin
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Seinfeld S, Sanchez-Vives MV. Healthy Aging Promotion through Neuroscientific Information-Based Strategies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:12158-70. [PMID: 26426029 PMCID: PMC4626961 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph121012158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
To ensure the well-being of a rapidly growing elderly population, it is fundamental to find strategies to foster healthy brain aging. With this intention, we designed a program of scientific-based lectures aimed at dissemination by established neuroscientists about brain function, brain plasticity and how lifestyle influences the brain. We also carried out a pilot study on the impact of the lectures on attendees. The objective was to provide information to elderly people in order to encourage them to identify unhealthy and healthy daily habits, and more importantly, to promote behavioral changes towards healthy brain aging. Here we report on our experience. In order to determine the impact of the lectures in the daily routine of the attendees, we asked them to fill out questionnaires. Preliminary results indicate that neuroscientific information-based strategies can be a useful method to have a positive impact on the lives of elderly, increase their awareness on how to improve brain function and promote positive lifestyle modifications. Furthermore, based on self-reported data, we also found that through this strategy it is possible to promote behavioral changes related to nutrition, sleep, and realization of physical and cognitively stimulating activities. Finally, based on the results obtained, the importance of promoting self-efficacy and the empowerment of the older populations is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Seinfeld
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
- Event Lab, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Maria V Sanchez-Vives
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
- Event Lab, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Basic Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
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Murabito JM, Beiser AS, Decarli C, Seshadri S, Wolf PA, Au R. Parental longevity is associated with cognition and brain ageing in middle-aged offspring. Age Ageing 2014; 43:358-63. [PMID: 24212919 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/aft175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND offspring of long-lived individuals have lower risk for dementia. We examined the relation between parental longevity and cognition and subclinical markers of brain ageing in community-dwelling adult offspring. METHODS offspring participants with both parents in the Framingham Heart Study, aged ≥55 years and dementia-free underwent baseline and repeat neuropsychological (NP) testing and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Parental longevity was defined as having at least one parent survive to age ≥85 years. To test the association between parental longevity and measures of cognition and brain volumes, we used multivariable linear and logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, education and time to NP testing or brain MRI. RESULTS of 728 offspring (mean age 66 years, 54% women), 407 (56%) had ≥1 parent achieve longevity. In cross-sectional analysis, parental longevity was associated with better scores on attention (beta 0.21 ± 0.08, P = 0.006) and a lower odds of extensive white matter hyperintensity on brain MRI (odds ratio 0.59, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.92, P = 0.019). The association with white matter hyperintensity was no longer significant in models adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors and disease. In longitudinal analysis (6.7 ± 1.7 years later), offspring with parental longevity had slower decline in attention (0.18 ± 0.08, P = 0.038), executive function (beta 0.19 ± 0.09, P = 0.031) and visual memory (beta -0.18 ± 0.08, P = 0.023), and less increase in temporal horn volume (beta -0.25 ± 0.09, P = 0.005). The associations persisted in fully adjusted models. CONCLUSION parental longevity is associated with better brain ageing in middle-aged offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne M Murabito
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Dato S, Soerensen M, Lagani V, Montesanto A, Passarino G, Christensen K, Tan Q, Christiansen L. Contribution of genetic polymorphisms on functional status at very old age: a gene-based analysis of 38 genes (311 SNPs) in the oxidative stress pathway. Exp Gerontol 2014; 52:23-9. [PMID: 24462499 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2014.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2013] [Revised: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Preservation of functional ability is a well-recognized marker of longevity. At a molecular level, a major determinant of the physiological decline occurring with aging is the imbalance between production and accumulation of oxidative damage to macromolecules, together with a decreased efficiency of stress response to avoid or repair such damage. In this paper we investigated the association of 38 genes (311 SNPs) belonging to the pro-antioxidant pathways with physical and cognitive performances, by analyzing single SNP and gene-based associations with Hand Grip strength (HG), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Walking Speed (WS), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Composite Cognitive Score (CCS) in a Cohort of 1089 Danish nonagenarians. Moreover, for each gene analyzed in the pro-antioxidant pathway, we tested the influence on longitudinal survival. In the whole sample, nominal associations were found for TXNRD1 variability with ADL and WS, NDUFS1 and UCP3 with HG and WS, GCLC and UCP2 with WS (p<0.05). Stronger associations although not holding the multiple comparison correction, were observed between MMSE and NDUFV1, MT1A and GSTP1 variability (p<0.009). Moreover, we found that association between genetic variability in the pro-antioxidant pathway and functional status at old age is influenced by sex. In particular, most significant associations were observed in nonagenarian females, between HG scores and GLRX and UCP3 variability, between ADL levels and TXNRD1, MMSE and MT1A genetic variability. In males, a borderline statistically significant association with ADL level was found for UQCRFS1 gene. Nominally significant associations in relation to survival were found in the female sample only with SOD2, NDUFS1, UCP3 and TXNRD1 variability, the latter two confirming previous observations reported in the same cohort. Overall, our work supports the evidence that genes belonging to the pro-anti-oxidant pathway are able to modulate physical and cognitive performance after the ninth decade of life, finally influencing extreme survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Dato
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Heart Sciences, University of Calabria, Ponte Pietro Bucci cubo 4C, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy; The Danish Aging Research Center, Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winslows Vej 9B, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
| | - M Soerensen
- The Danish Aging Research Center, Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winslows Vej 9B, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
| | - V Lagani
- Bio Informatics Laboratory, Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology (Hellas), Heraklion, Greece.
| | - A Montesanto
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Heart Sciences, University of Calabria, Ponte Pietro Bucci cubo 4C, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy.
| | - G Passarino
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Heart Sciences, University of Calabria, Ponte Pietro Bucci cubo 4C, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy.
| | - K Christensen
- The Danish Aging Research Center, Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winslows Vej 9B, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
| | - Q Tan
- The Danish Aging Research Center, Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winslows Vej 9B, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
| | - L Christiansen
- The Danish Aging Research Center, Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winslows Vej 9B, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
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Cosentino S, Schupf N, Christensen K, Andersen SL, Newman A, Mayeux R. Reduced prevalence of cognitive impairment in families with exceptional longevity. JAMA Neurol 2013; 70:867-74. [PMID: 23649824 PMCID: PMC4151346 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2013.1959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Family studies of centenarians and long-lived persons have found substantial familial aggregation of survival to extreme ages; however, the extent to which such familial longevity is characterized by cognitively intact survival is not established. OBJECTIVE To determine whether families with exceptional longevity are protected against cognitive impairment consistent with Alzheimer disease. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis. SETTING Multisite study in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Denmark. PARTICIPANTS A total of 1870 individuals (1510 family members and 360 spouse controls) recruited through the Long Life Family Study. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE Prevalence of cognitive impairment based on a diagnostic algorithm validated using the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center data set. RESULTS The cognitive algorithm classified 546 individuals (38.5%) as having cognitive impairment consistent with Alzheimer disease. Long Life Family Study probands had a slightly but not statistically significant reduced risk of cognitive impairment compared with spouse controls (121 of 232 for probands vs 45 of 103 for spouse controls; odds ratio = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.4-1.4), whereas Long Life Family Study sons and daughters had a clearly reduced risk of cognitive impairment (11 of 213 for sons and daughters vs 28 of 216 for spouse controls; odds ratio = 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.9). Restriction to nieces and nephews in the offspring generation attenuated this effect (37 of 328 for nieces and nephews vs 28 of 216 for spouse controls; odds ratio = 0.8; 95% CI, 0.4-1.4). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Rates of cognitive impairment characteristic of Alzheimer disease were relatively high. In the proband generation, rates were comparable across family members and spouse controls, whereas sons and daughters of probands had significantly lower rates than spouse controls. Results suggest a delayed onset of cognitive impairment in families with exceptional longevity, but assessment of age-specific incidence rates is required to confirm this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Cosentino
- Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Nicole Schupf
- Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Kaare Christensen
- The Danish Aging Research Center, University of Southern Denmark and the Department of Clinical Genetics, and Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Stacy L. Andersen
- Geriatrics Section, School of Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - Anne Newman
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Richard Mayeux
- Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
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Barral S, Cosentino S, Costa R, Andersen SL, Christensen K, Eckfeldt JH, Newman AB, Perls TT, Province MA, Hadley EC, Rossi WK, Mayeux R. Exceptional memory performance in the Long Life Family Study. Neurobiol Aging 2013; 34:2445-8. [PMID: 23759147 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2013.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/01/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Research to understand variability at the highest end of the cognitive performance distribution has been scarce. Our aim was to define a cognitive endophenotype based on exceptional episodic memory (EM) performance and to investigate familial aggregation of EM in families from the Long Life Family Study (LLFS). Using a sample of 1911 nondemented offspring of long-lived probands, we created a quantitative phenotype, EM (memory z ≥ 1.5), and classified LLFS families as EM and non-EM families based on the number of EM offspring. We then assessed differences in memory performance between LLFS relatives in the parental generation of EM families and those in non-EM families using multivariate analysis adjusted for APOE Apolipoprotein E genotype. LLFS relatives in the proband generation from EM families showed better EM performance than those from non-EM families (β = 0.74, standard error = 0.19, p = 1.4 × 10(-4)). We demonstrated that there is a familial correlation of the EM endophenotype, suggesting that genetic variants might influence memory performance in long-lived families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Barral
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, Department of Neurology, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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Body mass index, cognition, disability, APOE genotype, and mortality: the "Treviso Longeva" Study. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2012; 20:594-602. [PMID: 21989319 DOI: 10.1097/jgp.0b013e31823031a4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The concurrent contributions of dynamic, interrelated late-life parameters, such as body mass index (BMI), cognition, and physical functioning on mortality in the elderly are unclear, as is the influence of APOE genotype. We explored these measures in relation to 7-year mortality in long-lived Italian elderly. DESIGN A representative, age-stratified, population sample. SETTING The Treviso Longeva (TRELONG) Study, in Treviso, Italy. PARTICIPANTS Three hundred eleven men and 357 women, aged 70 years and older (mean age 84 ± 8 years). MEASUREMENTS Seven-year mortality, BMI, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), APOE genotype, and a variety of clinical and survey data. RESULTS In separate age- and sex-adjusted analyses, BMI <18.5 kg/m(2), MMSE ≤24, and ADL <6, were associated with greater 7-year mortality among adults aged 70 years and older. In a multivariate model including all factors, MMSE ≤24, and ADL <6 were associated with greater mortality; BMI ≥30 kg/m(2) was protective. There were no interactions between BMI, MMSE, or ADL. When excluding those dying within 3 years of baseline, only an MMSE ≤24 was related to mortality. APOEε4 was not related to mortality. CONCLUSION Higher MMSE score, higher ADL score, and higher BMI, independent of age, sex, and other factors, are markers for longer life among northern Italian adults aged 70 years or older. Global cognition, BMI, and physical functioning, assessed by short, simple tests are profound indicators of death within less than a decade.
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Barral S, Cosentino S, Costa R, Matteini A, Christensen K, Andersen SL, Glynn NW, Newman AB, Mayeux R. Cognitive function in families with exceptional survival. Neurobiol Aging 2011; 33:619.e1-7. [PMID: 21439683 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2011.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2010] [Revised: 01/24/2011] [Accepted: 02/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The authors investigated whether cognitive function may be used as an endophenotype for longevity by assessing the cognitive performance of a family-based cohort consisting of 1380 individuals from 283 families recruited for exceptional survival in field centers in Boston, New York, Pittsburgh, and Denmark. Cognitive performance was assessed in the combined offspring of the Long Life Family Study (LLFS) probands and their LLFS siblings as compared with their spouses' cognitive performance. Our results indicate that the combined offspring of the LLFS probands and their siblings achieve significantly higher scores on both digit forward and backward tasks (p = 5 10(-5) and p = 8 10(-4) respectively) as well as on a verbal fluency task (p = 0.008) when compared with their spouse controls. No differences between groups were found for the other cognitive tests assessed. We conclude that LLFS family members in the offspring generation demonstrate significantly better performance on multiple tasks requiring attention, working memory, and semantic processing when compared with individuals without a family history of exceptional survival, suggesting that cognitive performance may serve as an important endophenotype for longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Barral
- The Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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Apolipoprotein C3 polymorphisms, cognitive function and diabetes in Caribbean origin Hispanics. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5465. [PMID: 19424489 PMCID: PMC2674932 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2009] [Accepted: 04/14/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) modulates triglyceride metabolism through inhibition of lipoprotein lipase, but is itself regulated by insulin, so that APOC3 represents a potential mechanism by which glucose metabolism may affect lipid metabolism. Unfavorable lipoprotein profiles and impaired glucose metabolism are linked to cognitive decline, and all three conditions may decrease lifespan. Associations between apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) gene polymorphisms and impaired lipid and glucose metabolism are well-established, but potential connections between APOC3 polymorphisms, cognitive decline and diabetes deserve further attention. METHODS We examined whether APOC3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) m482 (rs2854117) and 3u386 (rs5128) were related to cognitive measures, whether the associations between cognitive differences and genotype were related to metabolic differences, and how diabetes status affected these associations. Study subjects were Hispanics of Caribbean origin (n = 991, aged 45-74) living in the Boston metropolitan area. RESULTS Cognitive and metabolic measures differed substantially by type II diabetes status. In multivariate regression models, APOC3 m482 AA subjects with diabetes exhibited lower executive function (P = 0.009), Stroop color naming score (P = 0.014) and Stroop color-word score (P = 0.022) compared to AG/GG subjects. APOC3 m482 AA subjects with diabetes exhibited significantly higher glucose (P = 0.032) and total cholesterol (P = 0.028) compared to AG/GG subjects. APOC3 3u386 GC/GG subjects with diabetes exhibited significantly higher triglyceride (P = 0.004), total cholesterol (P = 0.003) and glucose (P = 0.016) compared to CC subjects. CONCLUSIONS In summary, we identified significant associations between APOC3 polymorphisms, impaired cognition and metabolic dysregulation in Caribbean Hispanics with diabetes. Further research investigating these relationships in other populations is warranted.
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Carcaillon L, Pérès K, Péré JJ, Helmer C, Orgogozo JM, Dartigues JF. Fast cognitive decline at the time of dementia diagnosis: a major prognostic factor for survival in the community. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2007; 23:439-45. [PMID: 17476100 DOI: 10.1159/000102017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Current findings suggest the existence of a category of fast cognitive decliners with a poorer prognosis but better treatment response. Our study aimed at confirming the concept of fast decliners at the time of Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis which best predicts mortality, in an unselected sample. METHODS 245 incident cases of AD were selected from the French longitudinal cohort PAQUID. We investigated a different threshold of cognitive decline [measured by the annual loss of points in the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score] to define when a subject could be considered as a fast decliner. We used Cox proportional hazards models to study the relation between cognitive decline and mortality. RESULTS The significant threshold of decline associated with a higher mortality rate was a loss of 3 points per year in the MMSE score. Among the 245 AD cases, 83 (33.9%) subjects were considered as fast decliners. Of them, 78.3% died during the follow-up compared with 63.0% of the slow decliners (RR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5). CONCLUSION These results constitute an empirical validation of the concept of fast decliners in community-based AD patients and justify the cutoff of 3 points for the definition of this condition.
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Bennett HP, Piguet O, Grayson DA, Creasey H, Waite LM, Lye T, Corbett AJ, Hayes M, Broe GA, Halliday GM. Cognitive, extrapyramidal, and magnetic resonance imaging predictors of functional impairment in nondemented older community dwellers: the Sydney Older Person Study. J Am Geriatr Soc 2006; 54:3-10. [PMID: 16420192 DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2005.00532.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify the clinical correlates of functional incapacity in the community living "old-old." DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Community-based. PARTICIPANTS One hundred six nondemented people aged 80 to 94. MEASUREMENTS Participants were medically and cognitively assessed, underwent magnetic resonance imaging scanning (MRI), and were interviewed regarding their functional status: activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs (IADLs), and the complex IADL functions of reading, hobbies, and socializing. RESULTS Dependency in IADLs, but not ADLs, was present. After controlling for age, sex, and education, extrapyramidal (EP) signs were significantly associated with two of the three IADLs, with EP signs comprising a composite score of 10 EP signs (e.g., resting tremor) and a 5-meter timed walk. Cognitive test performance on a range of tests was also associated with functional status. A hierarchical model confirmed the association between the EP signs and cognitive test performance and functional scores, but no "pattern" of cognitive association emerged. Hippocampal volume was associated with socializing. CONCLUSION This study has shown that many nondemented very old people living in the community are losing capacity to perform IADL functions and that areas of incapacity are associated with the presence of EP signs and impaired cognition. These results highlight the need for health workers to include an assessment of EP and cognitive status in their evaluation of older persons living in the community, even in the context of a lack of dementia diagnosis. Furthermore, it signifies the need to directly evaluate IADL function to identify need for intervention and support if required. This group of old-old individuals may now be considered the "survivors" of their cohort, and early detection of the difficulties they are experiencing will enable clinicians to respond appropriately, thus providing them a higher quality of life for their years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley P Bennett
- Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute and University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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