1
|
Gustavson DE, Elman JA, Reynolds CA, Eyler LT, Fennema-Notestine C, Puckett OK, Panizzon MS, Gillespie NA, Neale MC, Lyons MJ, Franz CE, Kremen WS. Brain reserve in midlife is associated with executive function changes across 12 years. Neurobiol Aging 2024; 141:113-120. [PMID: 38852544 PMCID: PMC11246793 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2024.05.001] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
We examined how brain reserve in midlife, measured by brain-predicted age difference scores (Brain-PADs), predicted executive function concurrently and longitudinally into early old age, and whether these associations were moderated by young adult cognitive reserve or APOE genotype. 508 men in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA) completed neuroimaging assessments at mean age 56 and six executive function tasks at mean ages 56, 62, and 68 years. Results indicated that greater brain reserve at age 56 was associated with better concurrent executive function (r=.10, p=.040) and less decline in executive function over 12 years (r=.34, p=.001). These associations were not moderated by cognitive reserve or APOE genotype. Twin analysis suggested associations with executive function slopes were driven by genetic influences. Our findings suggest that greater brain reserve allowed for better cognitive maintenance from middle- to old age, driven by a genetic association. The results are consistent with differential preservation of executive function based on brain reserve that is independent of young adult cognitive reserve or APOE genotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Gustavson
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.
| | - Jeremy A Elman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Chandra A Reynolds
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Lisa T Eyler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Christine Fennema-Notestine
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Olivia K Puckett
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Matthew S Panizzon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nathan A Gillespie
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavior Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Michael C Neale
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavior Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Michael J Lyons
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carol E Franz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - William S Kremen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Posis AIB, Alcaraz JE, Parada H, Shadyab AH, Elman JA, Panizzon MS, Reynolds CA, Franz CE, Kremen WS, McEvoy LK. Association Between Traumatic Brain Injury and Cognitive Decline Among Middle-to-Older Aged Men in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. Neurotrauma Rep 2024; 5:563-573. [PMID: 39036434 PMCID: PMC11257108 DOI: 10.1089/neur.2024.0034] [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: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with increased risk of dementia. However, whether TBI is associated with greater cognitive decline over time in specific cognitive domains among older adults is not well understood. This prospective cohort study used data from 1476 male Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging participants (average age at study entry = 57.9 years, range = 51-71 years; 97.6% non-Hispanic; 92.5% White) collected from 2003 to 2019, who had complete information on prior TBI. Participants completed a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment at up to three visits over up to a 12-year follow-up period during which they also self-reported their history of TBI. Multivariable, linear mixed-effects models were used to assess associations between TBI and cognitive performance trajectories. Effect measure modification by apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon 4 (ε4) genotype status was assessed in a subset of participants. Thirty-one percent of participants reported a history of TBI; 29.4% were APOE ε4 carriers. There were no statistically significant associations of TBI with decline in episodic memory, executive function, or processing speed among participants overall. In models stratified by APOE ε4 carrier status, TBI was associated with a larger magnitude of decline in executive function for APOE ε4 carriers (β = -0.0181; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.0335, -0.0027) compared to noncarriers (β = -0.0031; 95% CI -0.0128, 0.0067; P Interaction = 0.03). In sensitivity analyses, TBI earlier in life (before military induction, average age = 20 years) was associated with faster declines in executive function compared to no TBI, irrespective of APOE ε4 status. In this sample of middle-to-older aged men, TBI was associated with faster declines in executive function among APOE ε4 carriers and among those who reported TBI in early life. These findings support the importance of a life course perspective when considering factors that may influence cognitive health in aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ivan B. Posis
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - John E. Alcaraz
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Humberto Parada
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
- Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, California, USA
- Department of Radiation Medicine & Applied Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Aladdin H. Shadyab
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jeremy A. Elman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Matthew S. Panizzon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Chandra A. Reynolds
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Carol E. Franz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - William S. Kremen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Linda K. McEvoy
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tang R, Buchholz E, Dale AM, Rissman RA, Fennema-Notestine C, Gillespie NA, Hagler DJ, Lyons MJ, Neale MC, Panizzon MS, Puckett OK, Reynolds CA, Franz CE, Kremen WS, Elman JA. Associations of plasma neurofilament light chain with cognition and neuroimaging measures in community-dwelling early old age men. Alzheimers Res Ther 2024; 16:90. [PMID: 38664843 PMCID: PMC11044425 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-024-01464-1] [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: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a promising biomarker of neurodegeneration with potential clinical utility in monitoring the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the cross-sectional associations of plasma NfL with measures of cognition and brain have been inconsistent in community-dwelling populations. METHODS We examined these associations in a large community-dwelling sample of early old age men (N = 969, mean age = 67.57 years, range = 61-73 years), who are either cognitively unimpaired (CU) or with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Specifically, we investigated five cognitive domains (executive function, episodic memory, verbal fluency, processing speed, visual-spatial ability), as well as neuroimaging measures of gray and white matter. RESULTS After adjusting for age, health status, and young adult general cognitive ability, plasma NfL level was only significantly associated with processing speed and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, but not with other cognitive or neuroimaging measures. The association with processing speed was driven by individuals with MCI, as it was not detected in CU individuals. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that in early old age men without dementia, plasma NfL does not appear to be sensitive to cross-sectional individual differences in most domains of cognition or neuroimaging measures of gray and white matter. The revealed plasma NfL associations were limited to WMH for all participants and processing speed only within the MCI cohort. Importantly, considering cognitive status in community-based samples will better inform the interpretation of the relationships of plasma NfL with cognition and brain and may help resolve mixed findings in the literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rongxiang Tang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA.
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA.
| | - Erik Buchholz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
| | - Anders M Dale
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
| | - Robert A Rissman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
| | - Christine Fennema-Notestine
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
| | - Nathan A Gillespie
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavior Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Donald J Hagler
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
| | - Michael J Lyons
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, 02215, USA
| | - Michael C Neale
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavior Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA
| | - Matthew S Panizzon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
| | - Olivia K Puckett
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
| | - Chandra A Reynolds
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, 80309, USA
| | - Carol E Franz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
| | - William S Kremen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
| | - Jeremy A Elman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ma J, Tang L, Peng P, Wang T, Gui H, Ren X. Shifting as an executive function separate from updating and inhibition in old age: Behavioral and genetic evidence. Behav Brain Res 2023; 452:114604. [PMID: 37516210 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114604] [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] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the organization of executive functions (EFs), specifically working memory updating, prepotent response inhibition, and mental-set shifting in old age, with a particular focus on determining whether the shifting function was behaviorally and genetically separated from the other functions. A total of 248 healthy older Chinese individuals participated, and multiple measures of executive functions were collected. Additionally, measures of fluid intelligence were included to explore the varying relationships between the three executive functions and this higher-order cognitive ability. Furthermore, genetic data were gathered and analyzed to investigate the associations between EFs and six candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) mapped to dopaminergic, serotonergic, or glutamatergic genes. The results indicated that both the three-factor model and the two-factor model, which combined updating and inhibition, demonstrated a good fit. Furthermore, shifting was found to be behaviorally separated from the other two functions, and the correlation between shifting and fluid intelligence was smaller compared to the correlations between updating and inhibition with fluid intelligence. Moreover, the DRD2 SNPs showed significant associations with shifting, rather than with updating and inhibition. These findings provide evidence that shifting is distinct and separate from updating and inhibition, highlighting the diversity of EFs among older adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juanjuan Ma
- School of Education, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lixu Tang
- School of Wushu, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Peng Peng
- Department of Special Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA
| | - Tengfei Wang
- Department of Psychology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongsheng Gui
- Behavioral Health Services and Psychiatry Research, Henry Ford Health, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Michigan State University, USA
| | - Xuezhu Ren
- School of Education, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hatoum AS. The Etiology of Executive Functioning Is Nature and Nurture. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:e5-e6. [PMID: 37380255 PMCID: PMC11210718 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander S Hatoum
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Garduno AC, Laughlin GA, Bergstrom J, Tu XM, Cummins KM, Franz CE, Elman JA, Lyons MJ, Reynolds CA, Neale MC, Gillespie NA, Xian H, McKenzie RE, Toomey R, Kremen WS, Panizzon MS, McEvoy LK. Alcohol use and cognitive aging in middle-aged men: The Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2023; 29:235-245. [PMID: 35465863 PMCID: PMC9592679 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617722000169] [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] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine associations of alcohol use with cognitive aging among middle-aged men. METHOD 1,608 male twins (mean 57 years at baseline) participated in up to three visits over 12 years, from 2003-2007 to 2016-2019. Participants were classified into six groups based on current and past self-reported alcohol use: lifetime abstainers, former drinkers, very light (1-4 drinks in past 14 days), light (5-14 drinks), moderate (15-28 drinks), and at-risk drinkers (>28 drinks in past 14 days). Linear mixed-effects regressions modeled cognitive trajectories by alcohol group, with time-based models evaluating rate of decline as a function of baseline alcohol use, and age-based models evaluating age-related differences in performance by current alcohol use. Analyses used standardized cognitive domain factor scores and adjusted for sociodemographic and health-related factors. RESULTS Performance decreased over time in all domains. Relative to very light drinkers, former drinkers showed worse verbal fluency performance, by -0.21 SD (95% CI -0.35, -0.07), and at-risk drinkers showed faster working memory decline, by 0.14 SD (95% CI 0.02, -0.20) per decade. There was no evidence of protective associations of light/moderate drinking on rate of decline. In age-based models, light drinkers displayed better memory performance at advanced ages than very light drinkers (+0.14 SD; 95% CI 0.02, 0.20 per 10-years older age); likely attributable to residual confounding or reverse association. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol consumption showed minimal associations with cognitive aging among middle-aged men. Stronger associations of alcohol with cognitive aging may become apparent at older ages, when cognitive abilities decline more rapidly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexis C Garduno
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Gail A Laughlin
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jaclyn Bergstrom
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Xin M Tu
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kevin M Cummins
- Department of Public Health, California State University, Fullerton, CA, USA
| | - Carol E Franz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jeremy A Elman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Michael J Lyons
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chandra A Reynolds
- Department of Psychology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Michael C Neale
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Nathan A Gillespie
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Hong Xian
- Department of Statistics, St Louis University, St Louis, MO, USA
- Research Service, VA St Louis Healthcare System, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ruth E McKenzie
- Department of Psychology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Applied Human Development and Community Studies, Merrimack College, North Andover, MA, USA
| | - Rosemary Toomey
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William S Kremen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Matthew S Panizzon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Linda K McEvoy
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Alzheimer's Disease Polygenic Scores Predict Changes in Episodic Memory and Executive Function Across 12 Years in Late Middle Age. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2023; 29:136-147. [PMID: 35184795 PMCID: PMC9392810 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617722000108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alzheimer's disease (AD) is highly heritable, and AD polygenic risk scores (AD-PRSs) have been derived from genome-wide association studies. However, the nature of genetic influences very early in the disease process is still not well known. Here we tested the hypothesis that an AD-PRSs would be associated with changes in episodic memory and executive function across late midlife in men who were cognitively unimpaired at their baseline midlife assessment.. METHOD We examined 1168 men in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA) who were cognitively normal (CN) at their first of up to three assessments across 12 years (mean ages 56, 62, and 68). Latent growth models of episodic memory and executive function were based on 6-7 tests/subtests. AD-PRSs were based on Kunkle et al. (Nature Genetics, 51, 414-430, 2019), p < 5×10-8 threshold. RESULTS AD-PRSs were correlated with linear slopes of change for both cognitive abilities. Men with higher AD-PRSs had steeper declines in both memory (r = -.19, 95% CI [-.35, -.03]) and executive functioning (r = -.27, 95% CI [-.49, -.05]). Associations appeared driven by a combination of APOE and non-APOE genetic influences. CONCLUSIONS Memory is most characteristically impaired in AD, but executive functions are one of the first cognitive abilities to decline in midlife in normal aging. This study is among the first to demonstrate that this early decline also relates to AD genetic influences, even in men CN at baseline.
Collapse
|
8
|
Hatoum AS, Morrison CL, Mitchell EC, Lam M, Benca-Bachman CE, Reineberg AE, Palmer RHC, Evans LM, Keller MC, Friedman NP. Genome-wide Association Study Shows That Executive Functioning Is Influenced by GABAergic Processes and Is a Neurocognitive Genetic Correlate of Psychiatric Disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 93:59-70. [PMID: 36150907 PMCID: PMC9722603 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deficits in executive functions (EFs), cognitive processes that control goal-directed behaviors, are associated with psychopathology and neurologic disorders. Little is known about the molecular bases of individual differences in EFs. Prior candidate gene studies have been underpowered in their search for dopaminergic processes involved in cognitive functioning, and existing genome-wide association studies of EFs used small sample sizes and/or focused on individual tasks that are imprecise measures of EFs. METHODS We conducted a genome-wide association study of a common EF (cEF) factor score based on multiple tasks in the UK Biobank (n = 427,037 individuals of European descent). RESULTS We found 129 independent genome-wide significant lead variants in 112 distinct loci. cEF was associated with fast synaptic transmission processes (synaptic, potassium channel, and GABA [gamma-aminobutyric acid] pathways) in gene-based analyses. cEF was genetically correlated with measures of intelligence (IQ) and cognitive processing speed, but cEF and IQ showed differential genetic associations with psychiatric disorders and educational attainment. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that cEF is a genetically distinct cognitive construct that is particularly relevant to understanding the genetic variance in psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander S Hatoum
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado; Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington St. Louis Medical School, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Claire L Morrison
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado.
| | - Evann C Mitchell
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Max Lam
- Division of Psychiatry Research, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Chelsie E Benca-Bachman
- Behavioral Genetics of Addiction Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Andrew E Reineberg
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Rohan H C Palmer
- Behavioral Genetics of Addiction Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Luke M Evans
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Matthew C Keller
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Naomi P Friedman
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Franz CE, Gustavson DE, Elman JA, Fennema-Notestine C, Hagler DJ, Baraff A, Tu XM, Wu TC, DeAnda J, Beck A, Kaufman JD, Whitsel N, Finch CE, Chen JC, Lyons MJ, Kremen WS. Associations Between Ambient Air Pollution and Cognitive Abilities from Midlife to Early Old Age: Modification by APOE Genotype. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 93:193-209. [PMID: 36970897 PMCID: PMC10827529 DOI: 10.3233/jad-221054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) measures of ambient air pollution are associated with accelerated age-related cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). OBJECTIVE We examined associations between air pollution, four cognitive factors, and the moderating role of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype in the understudied period of midlife. METHODS Participants were ∼1,100 men in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. Baseline cognitive assessments were from 2003 to 2007. Measures included past (1993-1999) and recent (3 years prior to baseline assessment) PM2.5 and NO2 exposure, in-person assessment of episodic memory, executive function, verbal fluency, and processing speed, and APOE genotype. Average baseline age was 56 years with a 12-year follow-up. Analyses adjusted for health and lifestyle covariates. RESULTS Performance in all cognitive domains declined from age 56 to 68. Higher PM2.5 exposures were associated with worse general verbal fluency. We found significant exposure-by-APOE genotype interactions for specific cognitive domains: PM2.5 with executive function and NO2 with episodic memory. Higher PM2.5 exposure was related to worse executive function in APOE ɛ4 carriers, but not in non-carriers. There were no associations with processing speed. CONCLUSION These results indicate negative effects of ambient air pollution exposure on fluency alongside intriguing differential modifications of cognitive performance by APOE genotype. APOE ɛ4 carriers appeared more sensitive to environmental differences. The process by which air pollution and its interaction with genetic risk for ADRD affects risk for later life cognitive decline or progression to dementia may begin in midlife.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carol E. Franz
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Daniel E. Gustavson
- Institute for Behavior Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
| | - Jeremy A. Elman
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Christine Fennema-Notestine
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Donald J. Hagler
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Aaron Baraff
- Vietnam Era Twin Registry, VA Puget Sound Health Care, Seattle, WA
| | - Xin M. Tu
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, CA
| | - Tsung-Chin Wu
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, CA
| | - Jaden DeAnda
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
| | - Asad Beck
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Joel D. Kaufman
- Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, and General Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Nathan Whitsel
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Caleb E. Finch
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jiu-Chiuan Chen
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Michael J. Lyons
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA
| | - William S. Kremen
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kaiser Pinotti L, Castro ADS, de Oliveira Garcia GH, Alvim PHP, Roza TH, Andrade FA, Kowacs PA, Massuda R. Executive functions in migraine patients: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Cogn Neuropsychiatry 2023; 28:52-66. [PMID: 36420996 DOI: 10.1080/13546805.2022.2149390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Migraine, a common neurological disease, is known to impact the quality of life of individuals with this condition.Methods: We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to investigate the abnormalities associated with executive functions of migraineurs as compared with healthy controls. In addition, we investigated the differences between patients with and without aura.Results: A total of 25 studies were included in the systematic review and 19 in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was conducted using random effects models, with the unit of analysis as the standardised mean difference (calculated as Hedges'g). Patients with migraine had worse performance in the trail making test A (g = 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.05-0.74; p = 0.0271) and B (g = 0.40; 95% CI 0.16-0.64; p = 0.0026), and digit span backward test (g = -0.20; 95% CI - 0.31, - 0.09; p = 0.0105). Subgroup analysis revealed no difference between migraine with and without aura.Conclusion: These results suggest that migraine patients may present worse performance for specific executive functional domains, including attention, working memory, and mental flexibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luciane Kaiser Pinotti
- Postgraduate Program in Internal Medicine and Health Sciences (PPGMICS), Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Anderson da Silva Castro
- Complexo Hospital de Cllínicas do Paraná (CHC), Neurology Service, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | | | - Pedro Henrique Pereira Alvim
- Postgraduate Program in Internal Medicine and Health Sciences (PPGMICS), Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil.,Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Thiago Henrique Roza
- Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Antunes Andrade
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunopathology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Pedro André Kowacs
- Postgraduate Program in Internal Medicine and Health Sciences (PPGMICS), Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil.,Complexo Hospital de Cllínicas do Paraná (CHC), Neurology Service, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Raffael Massuda
- Postgraduate Program in Internal Medicine and Health Sciences (PPGMICS), Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil.,Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Gustavson DE, Archer DB, Elman JA, Puckett OK, Fennema-Notestine C, Panizzon MS, Shashikumar N, Hohman TJ, Jefferson AL, Eyler LT, McEvoy LK, Lyons MJ, Franz CE, Kremen WS. Associations among executive function Abilities, free Water, and white matter microstructure in early old age. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 37:103279. [PMID: 36493704 PMCID: PMC9731853 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have investigated white matter microstructure in relation to late-life cognitive impairments, with fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) measures thought to capture demyelination and axonal degradation. However, new post-processing methods allow isolation of free water (FW), which captures extracellular fluid contributions such as atrophy and neuroinflammation, from tissue components. FW also appears to be highly relevant to late-life cognitive impairment. Here, we evaluated whether executive functions are associated with FW, and FA and MD corrected for FW (FAFWcorr and MDFWcorr). METHOD We examined 489 non-demented men in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA) at mean age 68. Two latent factors capturing 'common executive function' and 'working-memory specific' processes were estimated based on 6 tasks. Analyses focused on 11 cortical white matter tracts across three metrics: FW, FAFWcorr, and MDFWcorr. RESULTS Better 'common executive function' was associated with lower FW across 9 of the 11 tracts. There were no significant associations with intracellular metrics after false discovery rate correction. Effects also appeared driven by individuals with MCI (13.7% of the sample). Working memory-specific tasks showed some associations with FAFWcorr, including the triangularis portion of the inferior frontal gyrus. There was no evidence that cognitive reserve (i.e., general cognitive ability assessed in early adulthood) moderated these associations between executive function and FW or FA. DISCUSSION Executive function abilities in early old age are associated primarily with extracellular fluid (FW) as opposed to white matter (FAFWcorr or MDFWcorr). Moderation analyses suggested cognitive reserve does not play a strong role in these associations, at least in this sample of non-demented men.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Gustavson
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA; Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Derek B Archer
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jeremy A Elman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Olivia K Puckett
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Christine Fennema-Notestine
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Matthew S Panizzon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Niranjana Shashikumar
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Timothy J Hohman
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Angela L Jefferson
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Lisa T Eyler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Linda K McEvoy
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Michael J Lyons
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carol E Franz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - William S Kremen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tang R, Elman JA, Franz CE, Dale AM, Eyler LT, Fennema-Notestine C, Hagler DJ, Lyons MJ, Panizzon MS, Puckett OK, Kremen WS. Longitudinal association of executive function and structural network controllability in the aging brain. GeroScience 2022; 45:837-849. [PMID: 36269506 PMCID: PMC9886719 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-022-00676-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Executive function encompasses effortful cognitive processes that are particularly susceptible to aging. Functional brain networks supporting executive function-such as the frontoparietal control network and the multiple demand system-have been extensively investigated. However, it remains unclear how structural networks facilitate and constrain the dynamics of functional networks to contribute to aging-related executive function declines. We examined whether changes in structural network modal controllability-a network's ability to facilitate effortful brain state transitions that support cognitive functions-are associated with changes in executive function cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Diffusion-weighted imaging and neuropsychological testing were conducted at two time points (Time 1: ages 56 to 66, N = 172; Time 2: ages 61 to 70, N = 267) in community-dwelling men from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. An executive function factor score was computed from six neuropsychological tasks. Structural networks constructed from white matter connectivity were used to estimate modal controllability in control network and multiple demand system. We showed that higher modal controllability in control network and multiple demand system was associated with better executive function at Time 2, after controlling for age, young adult general cognitive ability, and physical health status. Moreover, changes in executive function over a period of 5 to 6 years (Time 1-Time 2, N = 105) were associated with changes in modal controllability of the multiple demand system and weakly in the control network over the same time period. These findings suggest that changes in the ability of structural brain networks in facilitating effortful brain state transitions may be a key neural mechanism underlying aging-related executive function declines and cognitive aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rongxiang Tang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA. .,Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - Jeremy A. Elman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA ,Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Carol E. Franz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA ,Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Anders M. Dale
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA ,Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Lisa T. Eyler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA ,Desert Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92093 USA
| | - Christine Fennema-Notestine
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA ,Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Donald J. Hagler
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Michael J. Lyons
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA 02212 USA
| | - Matthew S. Panizzon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA ,Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Olivia K. Puckett
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA ,Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - William S. Kremen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA ,Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ciobanu LG, Stankov L, Schubert KO, Amare AT, Jawahar MC, Lawrence-Wood E, Mills NT, Knight M, Clark SR, Aidman E. General intelligence and executive functioning are overlapping but separable at genetic and molecular pathway levels: An analytical review of existing GWAS findings. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272368. [PMID: 36251633 PMCID: PMC9576059 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the genomic architecture and molecular mechanisms of cognitive functioning in healthy individuals is critical for developing tailored interventions to enhance cognitive functioning, as well as for identifying targets for treating impaired cognition. There has been substantial progress in uncovering the genetic composition of the general cognitive ability (g). However, there is an ongoing debate whether executive functioning (EF)–another key predictor of cognitive health and performance, is separable from general g. To provide an analytical review on existing findings on genetic influences on the relationship between g and EF, we re-analysed a subset of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) from the GWAS catalogue that used measures of g and EF as outcomes in non-clinical populations. We identified two sets of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with g (1,372 SNPs across 12 studies), and EF (300 SNPs across 5 studies) at p<5x10-6. A comparative analysis of GWAS-identified g and EF SNPs in high linkage disequilibrium (LD), followed by pathway enrichment analyses suggest that g and EF are overlapping but separable at genetic variant and molecular pathway levels, however more evidence is required to characterize the genetic overlap/distinction between the two constructs. While not without limitations, these findings may have implications for navigating further research towards translatable genetic findings for cognitive remediation, enhancement, and augmentation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liliana G. Ciobanu
- Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Lazar Stankov
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - K. Oliver Schubert
- Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Northern Adelaide Mental Health Services, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Azmeraw T. Amare
- Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre of Research Excellence in Frailty and Healthy Ageing, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | | | | | - Natalie T. Mills
- Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Matthew Knight
- Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Weapons and Combat Systems Division, Defence Science & Technology Group, Edinburgh, SA, Australia
| | - Scott R. Clark
- Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Eugene Aidman
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Land Division, Defence Science & Technology Group, Edinburgh, SA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Freis SM, Morrison CL, Lessem JM, Hewitt JK, Friedman NP. Genetic and environmental influences on executive functions and intelligence in middle childhood. Dev Sci 2022; 25:e13150. [PMID: 34288270 PMCID: PMC8639807 DOI: 10.1111/desc.13150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Executive functions (EFs) and intelligence (IQ) are phenotypically correlated. In twin studies, latent variables for EFs and IQ display moderate to high heritability estimates; however, they show variable genetic correlations in twin studies spanning childhood to middle age. We analyzed data from over 11,000 children (9- to 10-year-olds, including 749 twin pairs) in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study to examine the phenotypic and genetic relations between EFs and IQ in childhood. We identified two EF factors-Common EF and Updating-Specific-which were both related to IQ (rs = 0.64-0.81). Common EF and IQ were heritable (53%-67%), and their genetic correlation (rG = 0.86) was not significantly different than 1. These results suggest that EFs and IQ are phenotypically but not genetically separable in middle childhood, meaning that this phenotypic separability may be influenced by environmental factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M Freis
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Claire L Morrison
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Lessem
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - John K Hewitt
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Naomi P Friedman
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Friedman NP, Robbins TW. The role of prefrontal cortex in cognitive control and executive function. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:72-89. [PMID: 34408280 PMCID: PMC8617292 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01132-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 333] [Impact Index Per Article: 166.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Concepts of cognitive control (CC) and executive function (EF) are defined in terms of their relationships with goal-directed behavior versus habits and controlled versus automatic processing, and related to the functions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and related regions and networks. A psychometric approach shows unity and diversity in CC constructs, with 3 components in the most commonly studied constructs: general or common CC and components specific to mental set shifting and working memory updating. These constructs are considered against the cellular and systems neurobiology of PFC and what is known of its functional neuroanatomical or network organization based on lesioning, neurochemical, and neuroimaging approaches across species. CC is also considered in the context of motivation, as "cool" and "hot" forms. Its Common CC component is shown to be distinct from general intelligence (g) and closely related to response inhibition. Impairments in CC are considered as possible causes of psychiatric symptoms and consequences of disorders. The relationships of CC with the general factor of psychopathology (p) and dimensional constructs such as impulsivity in large scale developmental and adult populations are considered, as well as implications for genetic studies and RDoC approaches to psychiatric classification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naomi P Friedman
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience and Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.
| | - Trevor W Robbins
- Department of Psychology and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Eglit GML, Elman JA, Panizzon MS, Sanderson-Cimino M, Williams ME, Dale AM, Eyler LT, Fennema-Notestine C, Gillespie NA, Gustavson DE, Hatton SN, Hagler DJ, Hauger RL, Jak AJ, Logue MW, McEvoy LK, McKenzie RE, Neale MC, Puckett O, Reynolds CA, Toomey R, Tu XM, Whitsel N, Xian H, Lyons MJ, Franz CE, Kremen WS. Paradoxical cognitive trajectories in men from earlier to later adulthood. Neurobiol Aging 2022; 109:229-238. [PMID: 34785406 PMCID: PMC8715388 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Because longitudinal studies of aging typically lack cognitive data from earlier ages, it is unclear how general cognitive ability (GCA) changes throughout the life course. In 1173 Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA) participants, we assessed young adult GCA at average age 20 and current GCA at 3 VETSA assessments beginning at average age 56. The same GCA index was used throughout. Higher young adult GCA and better GCA maintenance were associated with stronger specific cognitive abilities from age 51 to 73. Given equivalent GCA at age 56, individuals who had higher age 20 GCA outperformed those whose GCA remained stable in terms of memory, executive function, and working memory abilities from age 51 to 73. Thus, paradoxically, despite poorer maintenance of GCA, high young adult GCA still conferred benefits. Advanced predicted brain age and the combination of elevated vascular burden and APOE-ε4 status were associated with poorer maintenance of GCA. These findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between peak and current GCA for greater understanding of cognitive aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Graham M L Eglit
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Jeremy A Elman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mathew S Panizzon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mark Sanderson-Cimino
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - McKenna E Williams
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Anders M Dale
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lisa T Eyler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Christine Fennema-Notestine
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nathan A Gillespie
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavior Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Daniel E Gustavson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sean N Hatton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Donald J Hagler
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Richard L Hauger
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Amy J Jak
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Mark W Logue
- National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Sciences Division, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Psychiatry and Biomedical Genetics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Linda K McEvoy
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ruth E McKenzie
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; School of Education and Social Policy, Merrimack College, North Andover, MA, USA
| | - Michael C Neale
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavior Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Olivia Puckett
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Chandra A Reynolds
- Department of Psychology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Rosemary Toomey
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xin M Tu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nathan Whitsel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hong Xian
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael J Lyons
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Carol E Franz
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - William S Kremen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Seer C, Sidlauskaite J, Lange F, Rodríguez-Nieto G, Swinnen SP. Cognition and action: a latent variable approach to study contributions of executive functions to motor control in older adults. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:15942-15963. [PMID: 34166223 PMCID: PMC8266336 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Aging is associated with profound alterations in motor control that may be exacerbated by age-related executive functioning decline. Executive functions span multiple facets including inhibition (suppressing unwanted response tendencies), shifting (switching between cognitive operations), and updating (managing working memory content). However, comprehensive studies regarding the contributions of single facets of executive functioning to movement control in older adults are still lacking. A battery of nine neuropsychological tasks was administered to n = 92 older adults in order to derive latent factors for inhibition, shifting, and updating by structural equation modeling. A bimanual task was used to assess complex motor control. A sample of n = 26 young adults served as a control group to verify age-related performance differences. In older adults, structural equation models revealed that performance on the most challenging condition of the complex motor task was best predicted by the updating factor and by general executive functioning performance. These data suggest a central role for working memory updating in complex motor performance and contribute to our understanding of how individual differences in executive functioning relate to movement control in older adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Seer
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven, Flanders, Belgium.,KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Justina Sidlauskaite
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven, Flanders, Belgium.,KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Florian Lange
- Behavioral Engineering Research Group, KU Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Geraldine Rodríguez-Nieto
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven, Flanders, Belgium.,KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Stephan P Swinnen
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven, Flanders, Belgium.,KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ortega-Mora EI, Caballero-Sánchez U, Román-López TV, Rosas-Escobar CB, González-Barrios JA, Romero-Hidalgo S, Méndez-Díaz M, Prospéro-García OE, Ruiz-Contreras AE. Allele-dosage genetic polymorphisms of cannabinoid receptor 1 predict attention, but not working memory performance in humans. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2021; 216:103299. [PMID: 33799104 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2021.103299] [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] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention and working memory (WM) are under high genetic regulation. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CNR1 gene, that encode for CB1R, have previously been shown to be related with individual differences in attentional control and WM. However, it remains unclear whether there is an allele-dosage or a dominant contribution of polymorphisms of CNR1 affecting attention and WM performance. This study evaluated the associations between attention and WM performance and three SNPs of CNR1: rs1406977, rs2180619, and rs1049353, previously associated with both processes. Healthy volunteers (n = 127) were asked to perform the Attention Network Task (ANT) to evaluate their overall attention and alerting, orienting, and executive systems, and the n-back task for evaluating their WM. All subjects were genotyped using qPCR with TaqMan assays; and dominant and additive models were assessed using the risk alleles of each SNP as the predictor variable. Results showed an individual association of the three SNPs with attention performance, but the composite genotype by the three alleles had the greatest contribution. Moreover, the additive-dosage model showed that for each G-allele added to the genotypic configuration, there was an increase in the percentage of correct responses respect to carriers who have no risk alleles in their genotypic configuration. The number of risk alleles in the genotypic configurations did not predict efficiency in any of the attention systems, nor in WM performance. Our model showed a contribution of three single nucleotide polymorphisms of the CNR1 gene to explain 9% of the variance of attention in an additive manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Ivett Ortega-Mora
- Lab. Neurogenómica Cognitiva, Coord. Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Fac. Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico
| | - Ulises Caballero-Sánchez
- Lab. Neurogenómica Cognitiva, Coord. Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Fac. Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico
| | - Talía V Román-López
- Lab. Neurogenómica Cognitiva, Coord. Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Fac. Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico
| | - Cintia B Rosas-Escobar
- Lab. Neurogenómica Cognitiva, Coord. Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Fac. Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico
| | - Juan Antonio González-Barrios
- Lab. Medicina Genómica, Hospital Regional 1o de Octubre, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado (ISSSTE), Mexico
| | - Sandra Romero-Hidalgo
- Departamento de Genómica Computacional, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico
| | | | | | - Alejandra E Ruiz-Contreras
- Lab. Neurogenómica Cognitiva, Coord. Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Fac. Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Sanderson-Cimino M, Panizzon MS, Elman JA, Tu X, Gustavson DE, Puckett O, Cross K, Notestine R, Hatton SN, Eyler LT, McEvoy LK, Hagler DJ, Neale MC, Gillespie NA, Lyons MJ, Franz CE, Fennema-Notestine C, Kremen WS. Periventricular and deep abnormal white matter differ in associations with cognitive performance at midlife. Neuropsychology 2021; 35:252-264. [PMID: 33970659 PMCID: PMC8500190 DOI: 10.1037/neu0000718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Abnormal white matter (AWM) on magnetic resonance imaging is associated with cognitive performance in older adults. We explored cognitive associations with AWM during late-midlife. Method: Participants were community-dwelling men (n = 242; M = 61.90 years; range = 56-66). Linear-mixed effects regression models examined associations of total, periventricular, and deep AWM with cognitive performance, controlling for multiple comparisons. Models considering specific cognitive domains controlled for current general cognitive ability (GCA). We hypothesized that total AWM would be associated with worse processing speed, executive function, and current GCA; deep AWM would correlate with GCA and periventricular AWM would relate to specific cognitive abilities. We also assessed the potential influence of cognitive reserve by examining a moderation effect of early life (mean age of 20) cognition. Results: Greater total and deep AWM were associated with poorer current GCA. Periventricular AWM was associated with worse executive function, working memory, and episodic memory. When periventricular and deep AWM were modeled simultaneously, both retained their respective significant associations with cognitive performance. Cognitive reserve did not moderate associations. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that AWM contributes to poorer cognitive function in late-midlife. Examining only total AWM may obscure the potential differential impact of regional AWM. Separating total AWM into subtypes while controlling for current GCA revealed a dissociation in relationships with cognitive performance; deep AWM was associated with nonspecific cognitive ability whereas periventricular AWM was associated with specific frontal-related abilities and memory. Management of vascular or other risk factors that may increase the risk of AWM should begin during or before early late-midlife. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Sanderson-Cimino
- Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State/University of California
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California
| | - Matthew S. Panizzon
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California
- Department of Psychiatry University of California
| | - Jeremy A. Elman
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California
- Department of Psychiatry University of California
| | - Xin Tu
- Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California
| | - Daniel E. Gustavson
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California
- Department of Psychiatry University of California
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
| | - Olivia Puckett
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California
- Department of Psychiatry University of California
| | | | - Randy Notestine
- Department of Psychiatry University of California
- Computational and Applied Statistics Laboratory (CASL) at the San Diego Supercomputer Center
| | - Sean N Hatton
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California
- Department of Psychiatry University of California
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California
| | - Lisa T. Eyler
- Department of Psychiatry University of California
- Mental Illness Research, Education, And Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System
| | - Linda K. McEvoy
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego
| | | | - Michael C. Neale
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavior Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University
| | - Nathan A. Gillespie
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavior Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University
| | - Michael J. Lyons
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University
| | - Carol E. Franz
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California
- Department of Psychiatry University of California
| | - Christine Fennema-Notestine
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California
- Department of Psychiatry University of California
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego
| | - William S. Kremen
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California
- Department of Psychiatry University of California
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Elman JA, Puckett OK, Beck A, Fennema-Notestine C, Cross LK, Dale AM, Eglit GML, Eyler LT, Gillespie NA, Granholm EL, Gustavson DE, Hagler DJ, Hatton SN, Hauger R, Jak AJ, Logue MW, McEvoy LK, McKenzie RE, Neale MC, Panizzon MS, Reynolds CA, Sanderson-Cimino M, Toomey R, Tu XM, Whitsel N, Williams ME, Xian H, Lyons MJ, Franz CE, Kremen WS. MRI-assessed locus coeruleus integrity is heritable and associated with multiple cognitive domains, mild cognitive impairment, and daytime dysfunction. Alzheimers Dement 2021; 17:1017-1025. [PMID: 33580733 PMCID: PMC8248066 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction The locus coeruleus (LC) undergoes extensive neurodegeneration in early Alzheimer's disease (AD). The LC is implicated in regulating the sleep–wake cycle, modulating cognitive function, and AD progression. Methods Participants were 481 men (ages 62 to 71.7) from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. LC structural integrity was indexed by neuromelanin‐sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast‐to‐noise ratio (LCCNR). We examined LCCNR, cognition, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and daytime dysfunction. Results Heritability of LCCNR was .48. Participants with aMCI showed greater daytime dysfunction. Lower LCCNR was associated with poorer episodic memory, general verbal fluency, semantic fluency, and processing speed, as well as increased odds of aMCI and greater daytime dysfunction. Discussion Reduced LC integrity is associated with widespread differences across cognitive domains, daytime sleep‐related dysfunction, and risk for aMCI. These findings in late‐middle‐aged adults highlight the potential of MRI‐based measures of LC integrity in early identification of AD risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy A Elman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Olivia K Puckett
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Asad Beck
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Christine Fennema-Notestine
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Latonya K Cross
- Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii Hilo, Hilo, Hawaii, USA
| | - Anders M Dale
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Graham M L Eglit
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Lisa T Eyler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Desert Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Nathan A Gillespie
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavior Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Eric L Granholm
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Daniel E Gustavson
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Donald J Hagler
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Sean N Hatton
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Richard Hauger
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Amy J Jak
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Mark W Logue
- National Center for PTSD: Behavioral Science Division, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and the Biomedical Genetics Section, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Linda K McEvoy
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ruth E McKenzie
- School of Education and Public Policy, Merrimack College, Andover, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael C Neale
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavior Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Matthew S Panizzon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Chandra A Reynolds
- Department of Psychology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Mark Sanderson-Cimino
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State/University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Rosemary Toomey
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Xin M Tu
- Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Nathan Whitsel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - McKenna E Williams
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State/University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Hong Xian
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Michael J Lyons
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carol E Franz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - William S Kremen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Darst BF, Huo Z, Jonaitis EM, Koscik RL, Clark LR, Lu Q, Kremen WS, Franz CE, Rana B, Lyons MJ, Hogan KJ, Zhao J, Johnson SC, Engelman CD. Metabolites Associated with Early Cognitive Changes Implicated in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 79:1041-1054. [PMID: 33427733 PMCID: PMC8054536 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding metabolic mechanisms associated with cognitive changes preceding an Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis could advance our understanding of AD progression and inform preventive methods. OBJECTIVE We investigated the metabolomics of the early changes in executive function and delayed recall, the earliest aspects of cognitive function to change in the course of AD development, in order to better understand mechanisms that could contribute to early stages and progression of this disease. METHODS This investigation used longitudinal plasma samples from the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention (WRAP), a cohort of participants who were dementia free at enrollment and enriched with a parental history of AD. Metabolomic profiles were quantified for 2,324 fasting plasma samples among 1,200 participants, each with up to three study visits, which occurred every two years. Metabolites were individually tested for association with executive function and delayed recall trajectories across age. RESULTS Of 1,097 metabolites tested, levels of seven were associated with executive function trajectories, including an amino acid cysteine S-sulfate and three fatty acids, including erucate (22 : 1n9), while none were associated with delayed recall trajectories. Replication was attempted for four of these metabolites that were present in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA). Although none reached statistical significance, three of these associations showed consistent effectdirections. CONCLUSION Our results suggest potential metabolomic mechanisms that could contribute to the earliest signs of cognitive decline. In particular, fatty acids may be associated with cognition in a manner that is more complex than previously suspected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Burcu F. Darst
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Zhiguang Huo
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Erin M. Jonaitis
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Rebecca L. Koscik
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Lindsay R. Clark
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Wm. S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital, Madison, WI, USA
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Qiongshi Lu
- Department of Biostatistics & Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | | | - Brinda Rana
- University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Michael J. Lyons
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kirk J. Hogan
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jinying Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sterling C. Johnson
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Wm. S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital, Madison, WI, USA
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Corinne D. Engelman
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Gustavson DE, Jak AJ, Elman JA, Panizzon MS, Franz CE, Gifford KA, Reynolds CA, Toomey R, Lyons MJ, Kremen WS. How Well Does Subjective Cognitive Decline Correspond to Objectively Measured Cognitive Decline? Assessment of 10-12 Year Change. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 83:291-304. [PMID: 34308902 PMCID: PMC8482061 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although not strongly correlated with current objective cognitive ability, subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Most studies focus on SCD in relation to future decline rather than objective prior decline that it purportedly measures. OBJECTIVE We evaluated whether self-report of cognitive decline-as a continuous measure-corresponds to objectively-assessed episodic memory and executive function decline across the same period. METHODS 1,170 men completed the Everyday Cognition Questionnaire (ECog) at mean age 68 assessing subjective changes in cognitive ability relative to 10 years prior. A subset had mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but MCI was diagnosed without regard to subjective decline. Participants completed up to 3 objective assessments of memory and executive function (M = 56, 62, and 68 years). Informant-reported ECogs were completed for 1,045 individuals. Analyses controlled for depression and anxiety symptoms assessed at mean age 68. RESULTS Participant-reported ECog scores were modestly associated with objective decline for memory (β= -0.23, 95%CI [-0.37, -0.10]) and executive function (β= -0.19, 95%CI [-0.33, -0.05]) over the same time period. However, these associations were nonsignificant after excluding MCI cases. Results were similar for informant ratings. Participant-rated ECog scores were more strongly associated with concurrent depression and anxiety symptoms, (β= 0.44, 95%CI [0.36, 0.53]). CONCLUSION Continuous SCD scores are correlated with prior objective cognitive changes in non-demented individuals, though this association appears driven by individuals with current MCI. However, participants' current depression and anxiety ratings tend to be strongly associated with their SCD ratings. Thus, what primarily drives SCD ratings remains unclear.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E. Gustavson
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Amy J. Jak
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Psychology Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare system, La Jolla, CA
| | - Jeremy A. Elman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Matthew S. Panizzon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Carol E. Franz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Katherine A. Gifford
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Chandra A. Reynolds
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA
| | - Rosemary Toomey
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA
| | - Michael J. Lyons
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA
| | - William S. Kremen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Huo Z, Rana BK, Elman JA, Dong R, Engelman CD, Johnson SC, Lyons MJ, Franz CE, Kremen WS, Zhao J. Metabolic Profiling of Cognitive Aging in Midlife. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:555850. [PMID: 33250761 PMCID: PMC7674168 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.555850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's dementia (AD) begins many years before its clinical symptoms. Metabolic dysfunction represents a core feature of AD and cognitive impairment, but few metabolomic studies have focused on cognitive aging in midlife. Using an untargeted metabolomics approach, we identified metabolic predictors of cognitive aging in midlife using fasting plasma sample from 30 middle-aged (mean age 57.2), male-male twin pairs enrolled in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA). For all twin pairs, one twin developed incident MCI, whereas his co-twin brother remained to be cognitively normal during an average 5.5-year follow-up. Linear mixed model was used to identify metabolites predictive of MCI conversion or cognitive change over time, adjusting for traditional risk factors. Results from twins were replicated in an independent cohort of middle-aged adults (mean age 59.1) in the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention (WRAP). Results in twins showed that higher baseline levels of four plasma metabolites, including sphingomyelin (d18:1/20:1 and d18:2/20:0), sphingomyelin (d18:1/22:1, d18:2/22:0, and d16:1/24:1), DAG (18:2/20:4), and hydroxy-CMPF, were significantly associated with a slower decrease in one or more domains of cognitive function. The association of sphingomyelin (d18:1/20:1 and d18:2/20:0) was replicated in WRAP. Our results support that metabolic perturbation occurs many years before cognitive impairment and plasma metabolites may serve as early biomarkers for prediction or monitoring of cognitive aging and AD in midlife.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiguang Huo
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Brinda K. Rana
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Jeremy A. Elman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Ruocheng Dong
- Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Corinne D. Engelman
- Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Sterling C. Johnson
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Michael J. Lyons
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Carol E. Franz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - William S. Kremen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Jinying Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Baxi M, Di Biase MA, Lyall AE, Cetin-Karayumak S, Seitz J, Ning L, Makris N, Rosene D, Kubicki M, Rathi Y. Quantifying Genetic and Environmental Influence on Gray Matter Microstructure Using Diffusion MRI. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:6191-6205. [PMID: 32676671 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Early neuroimaging work in twin studies focused on studying genetic and environmental influence on gray matter macrostructure. However, it is also important to understand how gray matter microstructure is influenced by genes and environment to facilitate future investigations of their influence in mental disorders. Advanced diffusion MRI (dMRI) measures allow more accurate assessment of gray matter microstructure compared with conventional diffusion tensor measures. To understand genetic and environmental influence on gray matter, we used diffusion and structural MRI data from a large twin and sibling study (N = 840) and computed advanced dMRI measures including return to origin probability (RTOP), which is heavily weighted toward intracellular and intra-axonal restricted spaces, and mean squared displacement (MSD), more heavily weighted to diffusion in extracellular space and large cell bodies in gray matter. We show that while macrostructural features like brain volume are mainly genetically influenced, RTOP and MSD can together tap into both genetic and environmental influence on microstructure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madhura Baxi
- Graduate Program of Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA.,Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Maria A Di Biase
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Amanda E Lyall
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02114, USA
| | - Suheyla Cetin-Karayumak
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Johanna Seitz
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Lipeng Ning
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Nikos Makris
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02114, USA
| | - Douglas Rosene
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Marek Kubicki
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02114, USA
| | - Yogesh Rathi
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02114, USA.,Laboratory of Mathematics in Imaging, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Snyder HR, Friedman NP, Hankin BL. Associations Between Task Performance and Self-Report Measures of Cognitive Control: Shared Versus Distinct Abilities. Assessment 2020; 28:1080-1096. [PMID: 33084353 DOI: 10.1177/1073191120965694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite overlapping terminology and assumptions that they tap the same constructs, executive function (EF) task performance and EF/effortful control (EC) questionnaires have been reported to be only weakly correlated. It is unclear if this reflects true lack of association or methodological limitations. The current study addresses past methodological limitations using a preregistered latent variable approach in a community youth sample (N = 291, age 13-22 years). EF task performance was assessed with a well-validated battery inhibition, shifting, and updating tasks. Self-reported EF/EC was assessed using the predominant temperament measure (Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised [EATQ-R]), and a self-report assessment more closely aligned with EF constructs (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Self-Report [BRIEF-SR]). Bifactor models fit the BRIEF-SR, EATQ-R and EF task measures well. Self-reported EF/EC and EF task factors were only weakly correlated on average in youth, although there were some stronger associations in older youth. These results suggest that task-based measures of EF and self-report measures of EF/EC may be best viewed as complementary, but largely distinct, windows on cognitive control.
Collapse
|
26
|
Glisky EL, Alexander GE, Hou M, Kawa K, Woolverton CB, Zigman EK, Nguyen LA, Haws K, Figueredo AJ, Ryan L. Differences between young and older adults in unity and diversity of executive functions. AGING NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2020; 28:829-854. [PMID: 33028159 DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2020.1830936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Miyake and colleagues (2000) identified three independent but correlated components of executive function in young adults - set shifting, inhibition, and updating. The present study compared the factor structure in young adults to two groups of older adults (ages 60-73 and 74-98). A three-factor model of shifting, inhibition and updating was confirmed in young adults, but the factors were weakly or uncorrelated. In both older groups, a two-factor solution was indicated, updating/inhibition and shifting, which were moderately correlated in young-older adults, and strongly correlated in the old-older group. A nested factors model in the oldest group revealed a common factor, which loaded on all but one of the tests, and a shifting-specific factor. We concluded that in young adulthood, shifting, updating and inhibition may operate relatively independently. As people age and processing becomes less efficient, they may rely increasingly on general executive control processes, reallocating their limited resources to optimize performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gene E Alexander
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Mingzhu Hou
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Kevin Kawa
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - Erika K Zigman
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Lauren A Nguyen
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Kari Haws
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - Lee Ryan
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Gustavson DE, Elman JA, Panizzon MS, Franz CE, Zuber J, Sanderson-Cimino M, Reynolds CA, Jacobson KC, Xian H, Jak AJ, Toomey R, Lyons MJ, Kremen WS. Association of baseline semantic fluency and progression to mild cognitive impairment in middle-aged men. Neurology 2020; 95:e973-e983. [PMID: 32606222 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000010130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that individual differences in episodic memory and verbal fluency in cognitively normal middle-aged adults will predict progression to amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) after 6 years. METHOD The cohort analyzed included 842 male twins who were cognitively normal at baseline (mean 56 years) and completed measures of episodic memory and verbal fluency at baseline and again 6 years later (mean 62 years). RESULTS Poor episodic memory predicted progression to both amnestic MCI (odds ratio [OR], 4.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.44-10.60) and nonamnestic MCI (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.32-3.44). Poor semantic verbal fluency also independently predicted progression to amnestic MCI (OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.12-3.52). In the full sample, a semantic-specific fluency latent variable at wave 1 (which controls for letter fluency) predicted change in episodic memory at wave 2 (β = 0.13), but not vice versa (β = 0.04). Associations between episodic memory and verbal fluency factors were primarily explained by genetic, rather than environmental, correlations. CONCLUSIONS Among individuals who were cognitively normal at wave 1, episodic memory moderately to strongly predicted progression to MCI at average age 62, emphasizing the fact that there is still meaningful variability even among cognitively normal individuals. Episodic memory, which is typically a primary focus for Alzheimer disease (AD) risk, declined earlier and more quickly than fluency. However, semantic fluency at average age 56 predicted 6-year change in memory as well as progression to amnestic MCI even after accounting for baseline memory performance. These findings emphasize the utility of memory and fluency measures in early identification of AD risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Gustavson
- From the Department of Psychiatry (A.J.J.), Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging (D.E.G., J.A.E., M.S.P., C.E.F., J.Z., M.S.-C., W.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla; Department of Medicine (D.E.G.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Psychology (M.S.-C.), San Diego State University; Department of Psychology (C.A.R.), University of California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience (K.C.J.), University of Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (H.X.), St. Louis University; Clinical Epidemiology Center (H.X.), Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System, MO; Psychology Service (A.J.J.) and Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (A.J.J., W.S.K.), Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, CA; and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (R.T., M.J.L.), Boston University, MA
| | - Jeremy A Elman
- From the Department of Psychiatry (A.J.J.), Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging (D.E.G., J.A.E., M.S.P., C.E.F., J.Z., M.S.-C., W.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla; Department of Medicine (D.E.G.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Psychology (M.S.-C.), San Diego State University; Department of Psychology (C.A.R.), University of California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience (K.C.J.), University of Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (H.X.), St. Louis University; Clinical Epidemiology Center (H.X.), Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System, MO; Psychology Service (A.J.J.) and Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (A.J.J., W.S.K.), Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, CA; and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (R.T., M.J.L.), Boston University, MA
| | - Matthew S Panizzon
- From the Department of Psychiatry (A.J.J.), Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging (D.E.G., J.A.E., M.S.P., C.E.F., J.Z., M.S.-C., W.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla; Department of Medicine (D.E.G.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Psychology (M.S.-C.), San Diego State University; Department of Psychology (C.A.R.), University of California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience (K.C.J.), University of Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (H.X.), St. Louis University; Clinical Epidemiology Center (H.X.), Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System, MO; Psychology Service (A.J.J.) and Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (A.J.J., W.S.K.), Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, CA; and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (R.T., M.J.L.), Boston University, MA
| | - Carol E Franz
- From the Department of Psychiatry (A.J.J.), Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging (D.E.G., J.A.E., M.S.P., C.E.F., J.Z., M.S.-C., W.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla; Department of Medicine (D.E.G.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Psychology (M.S.-C.), San Diego State University; Department of Psychology (C.A.R.), University of California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience (K.C.J.), University of Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (H.X.), St. Louis University; Clinical Epidemiology Center (H.X.), Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System, MO; Psychology Service (A.J.J.) and Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (A.J.J., W.S.K.), Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, CA; and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (R.T., M.J.L.), Boston University, MA
| | - Jordan Zuber
- From the Department of Psychiatry (A.J.J.), Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging (D.E.G., J.A.E., M.S.P., C.E.F., J.Z., M.S.-C., W.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla; Department of Medicine (D.E.G.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Psychology (M.S.-C.), San Diego State University; Department of Psychology (C.A.R.), University of California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience (K.C.J.), University of Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (H.X.), St. Louis University; Clinical Epidemiology Center (H.X.), Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System, MO; Psychology Service (A.J.J.) and Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (A.J.J., W.S.K.), Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, CA; and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (R.T., M.J.L.), Boston University, MA
| | - Mark Sanderson-Cimino
- From the Department of Psychiatry (A.J.J.), Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging (D.E.G., J.A.E., M.S.P., C.E.F., J.Z., M.S.-C., W.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla; Department of Medicine (D.E.G.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Psychology (M.S.-C.), San Diego State University; Department of Psychology (C.A.R.), University of California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience (K.C.J.), University of Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (H.X.), St. Louis University; Clinical Epidemiology Center (H.X.), Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System, MO; Psychology Service (A.J.J.) and Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (A.J.J., W.S.K.), Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, CA; and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (R.T., M.J.L.), Boston University, MA
| | - Chandra A Reynolds
- From the Department of Psychiatry (A.J.J.), Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging (D.E.G., J.A.E., M.S.P., C.E.F., J.Z., M.S.-C., W.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla; Department of Medicine (D.E.G.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Psychology (M.S.-C.), San Diego State University; Department of Psychology (C.A.R.), University of California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience (K.C.J.), University of Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (H.X.), St. Louis University; Clinical Epidemiology Center (H.X.), Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System, MO; Psychology Service (A.J.J.) and Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (A.J.J., W.S.K.), Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, CA; and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (R.T., M.J.L.), Boston University, MA
| | - Kristen C Jacobson
- From the Department of Psychiatry (A.J.J.), Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging (D.E.G., J.A.E., M.S.P., C.E.F., J.Z., M.S.-C., W.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla; Department of Medicine (D.E.G.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Psychology (M.S.-C.), San Diego State University; Department of Psychology (C.A.R.), University of California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience (K.C.J.), University of Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (H.X.), St. Louis University; Clinical Epidemiology Center (H.X.), Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System, MO; Psychology Service (A.J.J.) and Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (A.J.J., W.S.K.), Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, CA; and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (R.T., M.J.L.), Boston University, MA
| | - Hong Xian
- From the Department of Psychiatry (A.J.J.), Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging (D.E.G., J.A.E., M.S.P., C.E.F., J.Z., M.S.-C., W.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla; Department of Medicine (D.E.G.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Psychology (M.S.-C.), San Diego State University; Department of Psychology (C.A.R.), University of California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience (K.C.J.), University of Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (H.X.), St. Louis University; Clinical Epidemiology Center (H.X.), Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System, MO; Psychology Service (A.J.J.) and Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (A.J.J., W.S.K.), Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, CA; and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (R.T., M.J.L.), Boston University, MA
| | - Amy J Jak
- From the Department of Psychiatry (A.J.J.), Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging (D.E.G., J.A.E., M.S.P., C.E.F., J.Z., M.S.-C., W.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla; Department of Medicine (D.E.G.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Psychology (M.S.-C.), San Diego State University; Department of Psychology (C.A.R.), University of California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience (K.C.J.), University of Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (H.X.), St. Louis University; Clinical Epidemiology Center (H.X.), Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System, MO; Psychology Service (A.J.J.) and Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (A.J.J., W.S.K.), Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, CA; and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (R.T., M.J.L.), Boston University, MA
| | - Rosemary Toomey
- From the Department of Psychiatry (A.J.J.), Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging (D.E.G., J.A.E., M.S.P., C.E.F., J.Z., M.S.-C., W.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla; Department of Medicine (D.E.G.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Psychology (M.S.-C.), San Diego State University; Department of Psychology (C.A.R.), University of California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience (K.C.J.), University of Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (H.X.), St. Louis University; Clinical Epidemiology Center (H.X.), Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System, MO; Psychology Service (A.J.J.) and Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (A.J.J., W.S.K.), Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, CA; and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (R.T., M.J.L.), Boston University, MA
| | - Michael J Lyons
- From the Department of Psychiatry (A.J.J.), Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging (D.E.G., J.A.E., M.S.P., C.E.F., J.Z., M.S.-C., W.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla; Department of Medicine (D.E.G.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Psychology (M.S.-C.), San Diego State University; Department of Psychology (C.A.R.), University of California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience (K.C.J.), University of Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (H.X.), St. Louis University; Clinical Epidemiology Center (H.X.), Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System, MO; Psychology Service (A.J.J.) and Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (A.J.J., W.S.K.), Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, CA; and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (R.T., M.J.L.), Boston University, MA
| | - William S Kremen
- From the Department of Psychiatry (A.J.J.), Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging (D.E.G., J.A.E., M.S.P., C.E.F., J.Z., M.S.-C., W.S.K.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla; Department of Medicine (D.E.G.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Psychology (M.S.-C.), San Diego State University; Department of Psychology (C.A.R.), University of California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience (K.C.J.), University of Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (H.X.), St. Louis University; Clinical Epidemiology Center (H.X.), Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System, MO; Psychology Service (A.J.J.) and Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (A.J.J., W.S.K.), Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, CA; and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (R.T., M.J.L.), Boston University, MA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Xian H, Boutwell B, Reynolds CA, Lew D, Logue M, Gustavson DE, Kavish N, Panizzon MS, Tu X, Toomey R, Puckett OK, Elman JA, Jacobson KC, Lyons MJ, Kremen WS, Franz CE. Genetic Underpinnings of Increased BMI and Its Association With Late Midlife Cognitive Abilities. Gerontol Geriatr Med 2020; 6:2333721420925267. [PMID: 32537479 PMCID: PMC7268925 DOI: 10.1177/2333721420925267] [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: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: First, we test for differences in various cognitive
abilities across trajectories of body mass index (BMI) over the later life
course. Second, we examine whether genetic risk factors for unhealthy
BMIs—assessed via polygenic risk scores (PRS)—predict cognitive abilities in
late-life. Methods: The study used a longitudinal sample of Vietnam
veteran males to explore the associations between BMI trajectories, measured
across four time points, and later cognitive abilities. The sample of 977
individuals was drawn from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. Cognitive
abilities evaluated included executive function, abstract reasoning, episodic
memory, processing speed, verbal fluency, and visual spatial ability. Multilevel
linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between BMI
trajectories and cognitive abilities. Then, BMI PRS was added to the models to
evaluate polygenic associations with cognitive abilities. Results:
There were no significant differences in cognitive ability between any of the
BMI trajectory groups. There was a significant inverse relationship between
BMI-PRS and several cognitive ability measures. Discussion: While
no associations emerged for BMI trajectories and cognitive abilities at the
phenotypic levels, BMI PRS measures did correlate with key cognitive domains.
Our results suggest possible polygenic linkages cutting across key components of
the central and peripheral nervous system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mark Logue
- VA Boston Healthcare System, MA, USA.,Boston University School of Medicine, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Xin Tu
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - William S Kremen
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Carol E Franz
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Gustavson DE, Panizzon MS, Franz CE, Reynolds CA, Corley RP, Hewitt JK, Lyons MJ, Kremen WS, Friedman NP. Integrating verbal fluency with executive functions: Evidence from twin studies in adolescence and middle age. J Exp Psychol Gen 2019; 148:2104-2119. [PMID: 30896200 PMCID: PMC6754807 DOI: 10.1037/xge0000589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The relationship of verbal fluency to executive functions (EFs) remains somewhat unclear. Verbal fluency is sometimes considered an EF ability, but is not often included in the same models as other well-studied EFs (inhibition, shifting, and working memory updating). We examined the associations between verbal fluency and EFs at 2 ages with the unity/diversity model, which includes common and domain-specific EF factors. Participants were 813 adolescent twins from the Colorado Longitudinal Twin Sample (mean age 17 years) and 1,290 middle-aged twins from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (mean age 56 years) who completed multiple measures of EFs, verbal fluency, vocabulary, and nonverbal cognitive ability. Results revealed that, in both samples, a General Fluency factor (i.e., comprising both phonemic and semantic fluency measures) was associated with the Common EF factor, but also with variance unique to working memory updating, working memory span, and set-shifting. In adolescents, semantic fluency also had unique associations with shifting beyond its shared variance with phonemic fluency and Common EF. After accounting for EFs and other cognitive abilities, there were unique genetic and environmental influences on the General Fluency and Semantic-Specific latent factors. These results suggest that verbal fluency ability may best be viewed as an amalgamation of general EF variance (i.e., Common EF ability), variance shared with other EFs (e.g., Updating-Specific ability), and multiple sources of unique genetic/environmental variance (i.e., General Fluency and Semantic-Specific abilities). These associations between verbal fluency and EFs generalize to populations that differ in age by approximately 40 years. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
|
30
|
Gustavson DE, Lurquin JH, Michaelson LE, Barker JE, Carruth NP, von Bastian CC, Miyake A. Lower general executive function is primarily associated with trait worry: A latent variable analysis of negative thought/affect measures. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 20:557-571. [PMID: 30816740 DOI: 10.1037/emo0000584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This exploratory latent-variable study sought to identify common sources of variance between two multifaceted sets of constructs: executive functions (EFs) and negative thoughts/affect. One-hundred ninety-two college students completed nine tasks representing three types of EFs (inhibition, updating, and shifting) and a set of questionnaires assessing four facets of negative thought/affect (anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, worry, and rumination). Results indicated that, although the four negative thought/affect constructs were substantially correlated with one another, trait worry was the construct uniquely associated with EFs. Specifically, worry was associated with general EF abilities underlying all three subtypes of EFs (common EF), but was not associated with specific EF abilities (i.e., shifting-specific and updating-specific). These findings highlight the importance of partitioning common and specific variances in both EFs and negative thought/affect when examining the associations between these two research domains. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
|
31
|
Influence of young adult cognitive ability and additional education on later-life cognition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:2021-2026. [PMID: 30670647 PMCID: PMC6369818 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1811537116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
How and when education improves cognitive capacity is an issue of profound societal importance. Education and later-life education-related factors, such as occupational complexity and engagement in cognitive-intellectual activities, are frequently considered indices of cognitive reserve, but whether their effects are truly causal remains unclear. In this study, after accounting for general cognitive ability (GCA) at an average age of 20 y, additional education, occupational complexity, or engagement in cognitive-intellectual activities accounted for little variance in late midlife cognitive functioning in men age 56-66 (n = 1009). Age 20 GCA accounted for 40% of variance in the same measure in late midlife and approximately 10% of variance in each of seven cognitive domains. The other factors each accounted for <1% of the variance in cognitive outcomes. The impact of these other factors likely reflects reverse causation-namely, downstream effects of early adult GCA. Supporting that idea, age 20 GCA, but not education, was associated with late midlife cortical surface area (n = 367). In our view, the most parsimonious explanation of our results, a meta-analysis of the impact of education, and epidemiologic studies of the Flynn effect is that intellectual capacity gains due to education plateau in late adolescence/early adulthood. Longitudinal studies with multiple cognitive assessments before completion of education would be needed to confirm this speculation. If cognitive gains reach an asymptote by early adulthood, then strengthening cognitive reserve and reducing later-life cognitive decline and dementia risk may really begin with improving educational quality and access in childhood and adolescence.
Collapse
|
32
|
Gustavson DE, Franz CE, Panizzon MS, Reynolds CA, Xian H, Jacobson KC, Toomey R, Lyons MJ, Kremen WS. Genetic and Environmental Associations Among Executive Functions, Trait Anxiety, and Depression Symptoms in Middle Age. Clin Psychol Sci 2019; 7:127-142. [PMID: 30923645 PMCID: PMC6433407 DOI: 10.1177/2167702618805075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Multiple executive functions (EFs) are associated with trait anxiety and depression symptoms, but it is unclear how genetic and/or environmental factors account for these associations, and if they are explained by general variance underlying multiple EFs (i.e., Common EF). In this study, 1207 male twins completed seven EF tasks and measures of trait anxiety and depression symptoms at average age 62. The Common EF factor was associated with both anxiety (r= -.25) and depression symptoms (r= -.35). Anxiety and depression had near complete genetic overlap (r g=.96). Genetic influences shared with depression accounted for 83% of the phenotypic correlation between anxiety and Common EF. For depression, the phenotypic correlation with Common EF was explained by genetic influences shared with anxiety (69%), but also nonshared environmental influences distinct from anxiety (20%). These results suggest that genetic influences on Common EF play a role in the observed genetic overlap between anxiety and depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Gustavson
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego
| | - Carol E Franz
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego
| | - Matthew S Panizzon
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego
| | | | - Hong Xian
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Louis University and Clinical Epidemiology Center, Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System
| | - Kristen C Jacobson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago
| | - Rosemary Toomey
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University
| | - Michael J Lyons
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University
| | - William S Kremen
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego and Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Gustavson DE, Panizzon MS, Elman JA, Franz CE, Beck A, Reynolds CA, Jacobson KC, Xian H, Toomey R, Lyons MJ, Kremen WS. Genetic and Environmental Influences on Verbal Fluency in Middle Age: A Longitudinal Twin Study. Behav Genet 2018; 48:361-373. [PMID: 29922985 PMCID: PMC6301139 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-018-9910-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests that measures of phonemic fluency and semantic fluency are differentially associated with other cognitive and health phenotypes, but few studies have examined their shared and unique variance, especially using genetically-informative designs. In this study, 1464 middle-aged twins completed six fluency subtests at up to two time-points (mean age 56 and 62 years). Confirmatory factor analyses supported a two-factor solution: a General Fluency latent factor explained variation in all six subtests and a Semantic-Specific factor accounted for additional variance in semantic subtests. Both factors were explained primarily by genetic influences at both waves (a2 = 0.57-0.76). There was considerable stability of individual differences over 6 years (r = .90 for General Fluency, r = .81 for Semantic-Specific), especially for genetic influences (rg = .94 and 1.0, respectively). These results suggest that semantic fluency can be viewed as a combination of general and semantic-specific variance, but phonemic fluency is captured entirely by the general factor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Gustavson
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr. (MC 0738), La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - Matthew S Panizzon
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr. (MC 0738), La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Jeremy A Elman
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr. (MC 0738), La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Carol E Franz
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr. (MC 0738), La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Asad Beck
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr. (MC 0738), La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Chandra A Reynolds
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Kristen C Jacobson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hong Xian
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Louis University and Clinical Epidemiology Center, Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rosemary Toomey
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael J Lyons
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William S Kremen
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr. (MC 0738), La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Gustavson DE, Panizzon MS, Elman JA, Franz CE, Reynolds CA, Jacobson KC, Friedman NP, Xian H, Toomey R, Lyons MJ, Kremen WS. Stability of genetic and environmental influences on executive functions in midlife. Psychol Aging 2018; 33:219-231. [PMID: 29658745 PMCID: PMC5905725 DOI: 10.1037/pag0000230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Research on executive functions (EFs) has revealed that individual differences in general EF abilities are highly correlated across the first few decades of life, especially at the level of genetic influences. Our work has also provided evidence for substantial heritability of this Common EF factor in midlife, but it remains unclear whether individual differences in Common EFs continue to show strong stability in middle age. We examined data from 1,464 middle-aged twins from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging, most of whom completed 7 neuropsychological measures of EFs at 2 points in middle age (Mages = 56 and 62). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that individual differences in Common EF, a latent factor explaining variation in seven neuropsychological EF tasks, were highly correlated across this 6-year period (r = .97), and that the same genetic and environmental influences were operating across this interval (genetic and shared environmental correlations = 1.0, nonshared environment correlation = .95). Similar phenotypic and genetic stability was observed for a Working Memory (WM)-Specific latent factor, which explained additional variance in working memory span tasks not captured by Common EF (r = .98, genetic correlation = 1.0, nonshared environmental correlation = .88). There was a large mean-level performance decline in Common EF (d = -.60) but not WM-Specific (d = -.03). These results suggest that there is substantial decline in Common EF abilities across middle age but that individual differences are almost perfectly stable. (PsycINFO Database Record
Collapse
|