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Glover CM, Yu L, Lichtenberg PA, Han SD, Lamar M, Stewart CC, Bennett DA, Barnes LL, Boyle PA. Factors Associated With Healthcare and Financial Decision Making Among Older Black Adults Without Dementia. Clin Gerontol 2024:1-17. [PMID: 38992940 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2024.2375326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The study aims to identify factors associated with health care and financial decision-making among older Black adults without dementia. METHODS Participants (N = 326) underwent assessments of decision-making and completed measurements of factors from four categories: cognitive, contextual, psychosocial, and personality. We performed separate linear regression models to examine the association between each factor and decision-making and created a fully adjusted model. RESULTS Higher global cognition (estimate = 1.92, SE = 0.21, p < .0001) was associated with better decision-making. Contextual factors including higher current annual income (estimate = 0.23, SE = 0.05, p < .0001), higher childhood socioeconomic status (estimate = 0.48, SE = 0.18, p = .006), higher health and financial literacy (estimate = 0.08, SE = 0.01, p < .0001), and lower financial stress (estimate = -0.19, SE = 0.07, p = .01) were associated with better decision-making. More psychological well-being (estimate = 0.07, SE = 0.22, p = .001), a psychosocial factor, and less neuroticism (estimate = -0.06, SE = 0.02, p = .002), a personality factor, were associated with better decision-making. In the fully adjusted model, two factors, higher global cognition and higher literacy (health and financial), remained associated with better decision-making. CONCLUSIONS Cognitive and contextual factors serve as drivers of decision-making among older Black adults. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Clinicians may implement strategies to bolster cognition and improve health and financial literacy to facilitate optimal decision-making among older Black adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal M Glover
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Lei Yu
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Peter A Lichtenberg
- Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - S Duke Han
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Melissa Lamar
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Christopher C Stewart
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Lisa L Barnes
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Patricia A Boyle
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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2
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Therrien S, Anthony M, Turnbull A, Lin FV. Risk-Taking Behavior Differs Between Older Adults with and without Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 100:1227-1235. [PMID: 39031355 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Background Adequately evaluating risk and making decisions is vital but understudied for older adults living independently but with compromised cognition, as seen in those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), specifically those with amnestic MCI (aMCI) which is associated with higher risk of conversion to Alzheimer's disease. Objective We propose to comprehensively evaluate risk-taking behaviors across domains important for everyday activities between an aMCI group and their cognitively healthy counterparts (HC). Methods A case-control study design. Data on risk-taking behaviors via the Domain-Specific Risk-Taking Scale (DOSPERT), and candidate confounding mental health factors (i.e., neurodegeneration, depression, and fatigue) were collected. Analyses on group difference and interaction between group and confounding factors on risk-taking behaviors were conducted. Results The aMCI group showed a higher likelihood of risk-taking than HC (t = 4.38, df = 73, p < 0.001). Moderation analysis showed fatigue (F = 5.91, p = 0.018) and presence of depression (F = 4.52, p = 0.037), but not neurodegeneration, as significant moderators for group and DOSPERT total score, controlling for sex. In post-hoc analyses, there was a significant relationship between both fatigue (B = -7.83, SE = 3.65, t = -2.14, p = 0.036), and presence of depression (B = -20.80, SE = 9.97, t = -2.09, p = 0.041), with DOSPERT total score for HC but not for aMCI. There were no significant relationships between neurodegeneration, fatigue, or depression with any specific risk-taking domains after correction for multiple comparisons. Conclusions Our results show differences in risk-taking behavior between older adults with and without intact cognition, and overall decision-making is affected by fatigue and depression in HC but not aMCI, together suggesting the importance of cognition in the ability to adjust risk-taking behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Therrien
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, CogT Lab, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Mia Anthony
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, CogT Lab, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Adam Turnbull
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, CogT Lab, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - F Vankee Lin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, CogT Lab, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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3
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Wilson RS, Yu L, Stewart CC, Bennett DA, Boyle PA. Change in Decision-Making Analysis and Preferences in Old Age. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2023; 78:1659-1667. [PMID: 36856705 PMCID: PMC10561891 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbad037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To test the hypotheses that decision making ability declines in old age and that a higher level of cognitive reserve is associated with a reduced rate of decline. METHODS As part of an ongoing cohort study, 982 older adults without dementia at study enrollment completed measures of purpose in life and cognitive activity which were used as markers of cognitive reserve. At annual intervals thereafter, they completed 6 tests of decision making. RESULTS In a factor analysis of baseline decision making scores, 3 measures (financial/health literacy, financial/health decision making, scam susceptibility) loaded on an "analytic" factor and 3 (temporal discounting small stakes, temporal discounting large stakes, risk aversion) loaded on a "preferences" (for temporal discounting and avoiding risk) factor. During a mean of 4.7 years of follow-up (standard deviation = 2.9), analytic factor scores decreased (mean = 0.042-unit per year, standard error [SE] = 0.006, p < .001) and preferences factor scores increased (mean = 0.021-unit per year, SE = 0.006, p < .001), with a correlation of 0.13 (p < .001) between rates of change. Evidence of an association between cognitive reserve and decision making was mixed with purpose in life related to change in analytic decision making, whereas past (but not current) cognitive activity was related to change in decision making preferences. DISCUSSION Decision making analysis and preferences change over time in late life. Change over time in decision making components is relatively independent and differentially related to age and cognitive reserve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S Wilson
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Lei Yu
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Christopher C Stewart
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Patricia A Boyle
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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4
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Dean LT, Chung SE, Gross AL, Clay OJ, Willis SL, Crowe M, McDonough IM, Thomas KR, Marsiske M, Aysola J, Thorpe RJ, Felix C, Berkowitz M, Coe NB. Does Consumer Credit Precede or Follow Changes in Cognitive Impairment Among Older Adults? An Investigation in the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) Trial. J Aging Health 2023; 35:84S-94S. [PMID: 37994853 DOI: 10.1177/08982643221113715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We assessed the relationships between pre- and post-morbid consumer credit history (credit scores, debts unpaid, or in collections) and classification of mild (or greater) cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS Generalized Estimating Equation models assessed pre-and post-morbid credit history and MCI risk among 1740 participants aged 65+ in the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) study, linked to TransUnion consumer credit data. RESULTS Each 50-point increase in credit score was associated with up to 8% lower odds of MCI in the next 3 years. In contrast, new unpaid collections over doubled the odds of having MCI in the next 3 years. MCI was associated with subsequent credit score declines and a 47%-71% greater risk of having a new unpaid collection in the next 4 years. DISCUSSION Credit declines may signal risk for future MCI. MCI may lead to financial challenges that warrant credit monitoring interventions for older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine T Dean
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shang-En Chung
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alden L Gross
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Olivio J Clay
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- University of Alabama at Birmingham Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Michael Crowe
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Ian M McDonough
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Kelsey R Thomas
- VA San Diego Healthcare System and Department of Psychiatry, San Diego School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Jaya Aysola
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Roland J Thorpe
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins Alzheimer's Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Cynthia Felix
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Melissa Berkowitz
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Norma B Coe
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Eloesa V, Lamar M, Yu L, Bennett DA, Barnes LL, Boyle PA. Decision Making and Blood Sugar Indicators in Older African American Adults. J Aging Health 2023; 35:221-229. [PMID: 35997533 PMCID: PMC10266504 DOI: 10.1177/08982643221122639] [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: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: Decision making is a modifiable behavior associated with health outcomes. We investigated the association of decision making with blood sugar indicators in older community-dwelling African American adults. Methods: Participants were 328 older African American adults from community-based studies (mean age = 78). Decision making was assessed using a performance-based measure (range: 0-12). Blood sugar indicators were non-fasting hemoglobin A1c and blood glucose. Using regression, we assessed the relationship between decision making and each blood sugar indicator, controlling for demographics. We additionally examined if an association varied by known diabetes diagnosis. Results: Lower decision making was associated with higher HbA1c (b: -0.05, p-value: .03), but not blood glucose. In an interaction analysis, the association of lower decision making with higher levels of HbA1c was present only among individuals with known diabetes (b (with diabetes): -0.13, p-value: <.01). Discussion: Decision making may contribute to glycemic control in African American older adults with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Eloesa
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, 2468Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Melissa Lamar
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, 2468Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lei Yu
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, 2468Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, 2468Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lisa L Barnes
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, 2468Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Patricia A Boyle
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, 2468Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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Weissberger GH, Samek A, Mosqueda L, Nguyen AL, Lim AC, Fenton L, Han SD. Increased Financial Altruism is Associated with Alzheimer's Disease Neurocognitive Profile in Older Adults. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 88:995-1005. [PMID: 35723104 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220187] [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: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older age is associated with an increase in altruistic behaviors such as charitable giving. However, few studies have investigated the cognitive correlates of financial altruism in older adults. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the cognitive correlates of financial altruism measured using an altruistic choice paradigm in a community-based sample of older adults. METHODS In the present study, a sample of older adults (N = 67; M age = 69.21, SD = 11.23; M education years = 15.97, SD = 2.51; 58.2% female; 71.6% Non-Hispanic White) completed a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and an altruistic choice paradigm in which they made decisions about allocating money between themselves and an anonymous person. RESULTS In multiple linear regression analyses that controlled for age, education, and sex, financial altruism was negatively associated with performance on cognitive measures typically sensitive to early Alzheimer's disease (including word list learning and recall, delayed story recall, and animal fluency). CONCLUSION Findings of this study point to a negative relationship between financial altruism and cognitive functioning in older adults on measures known to be sensitive to Alzheimer's disease. Findings also point to a potential link between financial exploitation risk and Alzheimer's disease in older age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gali H Weissberger
- Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Anya Samek
- Department of Economics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Laura Mosqueda
- Department of Family Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Alhambra, CA, USA.,USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Annie L Nguyen
- Department of Family Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Alhambra, CA, USA
| | - Aaron C Lim
- Department of Family Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Alhambra, CA, USA
| | - Laura Fenton
- Department of Psychology, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - S Duke Han
- Department of Family Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Alhambra, CA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychology, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Behavioral Sciences and Psychiatry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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7
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Lichtenberg PA, Tarraf W, Rorai VO, Roling M, Moray J, Gross EZ, Boyle PA. The WALLET Study: Examining early memory loss and personal finance. Innov Aging 2022; 6:igac038. [PMID: 35795136 PMCID: PMC9250658 DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igac038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives This feasibility study tests a new approach for assessing personal finance in older persons with early memory loss. The project examines 2 primary outcomes that gauge the financial viability and well-being of older adults: wealth loss and financial exploitation. The overall objective is to determine the association of financial literacy and management, financial decision-making, and cognition with wealth loss and financial exploitation. Research Design and Methods This cross-sectional study recruited 46 participants who were 60 years of age or older. Participants were classified as having mild cognitive impairment, perceived cognitive impairment, or no cognitive impairment. The study coordinator arranged with each participant to obtain copies of their main checking account statements for 12 consecutive months within the previous 2 years and, if appropriate, credit card statements. All statements were de-identified and assigned a random ID number. Participants then completed 2 telephone interviews. Results The average participant age was 72 years (standard deviation [SD] = 7.7); 84% were female, 39% White, and 35% currently married. Average education was 16.2 years (SD = 2.4); mean yearly household income was almost $42,000 (SD = 25,752); and monthly social security payments averaged $1,446 (SD = 1,244). Our results indicate that the methods used to analyze checking account statements, followed by telephone interviews to verify identified trends, were useful in developing a financial behavior index to measure wealth loss. Discussion and Implications We demonstrate an alternative method for assessing personal finance using person-centered principles, which we believe are critical in the presence of diminished or impaired cognition. Our findings offer an innovative method for assessing the risk for wealth loss and financial exploitation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wassim Tarraf
- Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit , Michigan, USA
- Department of Healthcare Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit , Michigan, USA
| | - Vanessa O Rorai
- Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit , Michigan, USA
| | - Matthew Roling
- School of Business, Wayne State University, Detroit , Michigan, USA
| | - Juno Moray
- Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit , Michigan, USA
| | - Evan Z Gross
- Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, Detroit , Michigan, USA
| | - Patricia A Boyle
- Rush Alzheimer Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago , Illinois, USA
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8
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Stewart CC, Yu L, Glover CM, Bennett DA, Wilson RS, Boyle PA. Purpose in Life and Cognition Interact to Impact Healthcare and Financial Decision Making in Old Age. J Appl Gerontol 2022; 41:1887-1895. [PMID: 35543174 DOI: 10.1177/07334648221095514] [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: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Little is known about the contribution of positive psychological factors, such as purpose in life, to healthcare and financial decision making in aging. Here, we examined the relationship between purpose and decision making and tested the hypothesis that purpose benefits decision making, particularly when cognition is limited. Methods: Participants were 1081 community-based older adults without dementia. Healthcare and financial decision making was measured via a 12-item performance-based instrument. Purpose was measured via a 10-item scale. Results: In a linear regression model adjusted for age, sex, and education, higher global cognition was associated with better performance on the decision making measure, as expected. Purpose was not directly related to decision making. However, the interaction of purpose with cognition was significant, such that greater purpose was associated with better decision making among persons with lower cognition. Discussion: Purpose in life may promote better decision making among older adults with lower cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher C Stewart
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Lei Yu
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Crystal M Glover
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Robert S Wilson
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Patricia A Boyle
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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9
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Zhang Y, Wang J, Sun T, Wang L, Li T, Li H, Zheng Y, Fan Z, Zhang M, Tu L, Yu X, Wang H. Decision-Making Profiles and Their Associations with Cognitive Performance in Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 87:1215-1227. [PMID: 35431239 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: It is crucial for older adults, especially those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), to make profitable decisions routinely. However, the results regarding decision-making (DM) remain inconsistent. Objective: The present study assessed DM profiles under uncertainty conditions in individuals with MCI and their associations with multi-domain cognitive performance. Method: Fifty-three patients with MCI and forty-two age-, gender-, and education level-matched healthy controls (HCs) were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological battery test. The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and Game of Dice Task (GDT) were used to assess DM competence in conditions involving ambiguity and risk, respectively. In addition, Spearman’s correlations were used to examine relationships between GDT and multi-domain cognitive performance. Result: The final capital (FC) and frequency of utilization of negative feedback (FUNF) and positive feedback (FUPF) in the GDT were lower in MCI patients than in HCs. In addition, the number of shifts between safe and risky alternatives was significantly different across groups. However, IGT performance was comparable across groups. In the MCI patients, risky DM performance was associated with language, whereas in HCs was correlated with memory and executive functions. Besides, in MCI, performance on IGT was significantly correlated with social cognition. Conclusion: Individuals with mild cognitive impairment have difficulty utilizing feedback to make optimal decisions under risky situations. The association between decision-making performance and cognitive function is divergent regarding situational uncertainty and individuals’ cognitive status. In mild cognitive impairment and normal aging, decision-making under ambiguity needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Dementia Care & Research Center, Beijing Dementia Key Lab, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Dementia Care & Research Center, Beijing Dementia Key Lab, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Sun
- Dementia Care & Research Center, Beijing Dementia Key Lab, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychiatry, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luchun Wang
- Dementia Care & Research Center, Beijing Dementia Key Lab, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Li
- Dementia Care & Research Center, Beijing Dementia Key Lab, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Huizi Li
- Dementia Care & Research Center, Beijing Dementia Key Lab, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Yaonan Zheng
- Dementia Care & Research Center, Beijing Dementia Key Lab, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Zili Fan
- Dementia Care & Research Center, Beijing Dementia Key Lab, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Beijing, China
- Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Dementia Care & Research Center, Beijing Dementia Key Lab, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychiatry, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lihui Tu
- Dementia Care & Research Center, Beijing Dementia Key Lab, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Beijing, China
- Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Yu
- Dementia Care & Research Center, Beijing Dementia Key Lab, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Beijing, China
| | - Huali Wang
- Dementia Care & Research Center, Beijing Dementia Key Lab, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Beijing, China
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10
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Boyle PA, Wang T, Yu L, Wilson RS, Dawe R, Arfanakis K, Schneider JA, Beck T, Rajan KB, Evans D, Bennett DA. The "cognitive clock": A novel indicator of brain health. Alzheimers Dement 2021; 17:1923-1937. [PMID: 34060702 PMCID: PMC9014826 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12351] [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] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We identified a "cognitive clock," a novel indicator of brain health that provides person-specific estimates of cognitive age, and tested the hypothesis that cognitive age is a better predictor of brain health than chronological age in two independent datasets. METHODS The initial analyses were based on 1057 participants from the Rush Memory and Aging Project and the Religious Orders Study who began without impairment and underwent cognitive assessments up to 24 years. A shape invariant model characterized the latent pattern of cognitive decline, conceptualized here as the "cognitive clock," and yielded person-specific estimates of cognitive age. Survival analyses examined cognitive versus chronological age for predicting Alzheimer's disease dementia, mild cognitive impairment and mortality, and regression analyses examined associations of cognitive versus chronological age with neuropathology and brain atrophy. Finally, we applied the cognitive clock to an independent validation sample of 2592 participants from the Chicago Health and Aging Project, a biracial population-based study, to confirm the predictive utility of cognitive age. RESULTS The "cognitive clock" showed that cognition remained stable until a cognitive age of about 80, then declined moderately until 90, then declined precipitously. In the initial dataset, cognitive age was a better predictor of dementia, mild cognitive impairment and mortality than chronological age, and was more strongly associated with neuropathology and brain atrophy. Application of the cognitive clock to the independent validation sample provided further support for the utility of cognitive age as a strong prognostic indicator of adverse outcomes. DISCUSSION Cognitive age is a robust prognostic indicator of adverse health outcomes and may serve as a useful biomarker in aging research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Boyle
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Tianhao Wang
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Lei Yu
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Robert S Wilson
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Robert Dawe
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Konstantinos Arfanakis
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Julie A Schneider
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Pathology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Todd Beck
- Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Kumar B Rajan
- Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Denis Evans
- Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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11
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Kapasi A, Yu L, Stewart C, Schneider JA, Bennett DA, Boyle PA. Association of Amyloid-β Pathology with Decision Making and Scam Susceptibility. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 83:879-887. [PMID: 34366345 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent findings suggest that poor decision making and increased scam susceptibility are harbingers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia and may be among the earliest behavioral manifestations of pathologic cognitive aging. However, the degree to which poor decision making and scam susceptibility reflect accumulating Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To investigate the associations of AD pathology with decision making and scam susceptibility in older adults without dementia. METHODS Data came from 198 deceased participants without clinical dementia (mean age at death = 90 years; 69%women) from two ongoing studies of aging. All underwent annual clinical evaluations, completed assessments of healthcare and financial decision making and scam susceptibility, and brain donation. Neuropathologic evaluations quantified pathologic hallmarks of AD, amyloid-β and tau-tangles, Lewy body pathology, and TDP-43 proteinopathy. RESULTS In linear regression models adjusted for demographics, amyloid-β pathology was associated with lower decision making (estimate = -0.35; SE = 0.16, p = 0.03), particularly healthcare decision making (estimate = -0.20; SE = 0.09, p = 0.03), as well as greater scam susceptibility (estimate = 0.12; SE = 0.04, p = 0.003); tau-tangle pathology was not related. Further, TDP-43 pathology was associated with greater scam susceptibility (estimate = 0.10; SE = 0.04; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION Accumulating AD pathology, particularly amyloid-β, is associated with poor decision making and increased scam susceptibility among older persons without overt cognitive impairment. These findings provide compelling evidence that decision making and scam susceptibility are sensitive to the earliest pathological changes of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alifiya Kapasi
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lei Yu
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Christopher Stewart
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Julie A Schneider
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Patricia A Boyle
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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12
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Taeckens-Seabaugh A, McLaughlin JK, Greenfield JC, Wang K, Chess ES. Impaired Financial Decision-Making as an Early Indicator of Cognitive Decline: A Commentary. JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIAL WORK 2021; 64:340-347. [PMID: 33634746 DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2021.1894522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive impairment and dementia are public health concerns with significant financial implications for both individual households and public insurance systems. Though research has refined diagnostic tools for cognitive impairment and dementia diseases, little attention has focused on how cognitive decline may impact financial security. Research indicates that financial decision-making may be one of the first cognitive abilities impacted by cognitive decline, putting individuals at risk of financial fraud and exploitation. However, financial decision-making is not directly assessed in cognitive screenings. Identification of prodromal decline in financial decision-making may help individuals to preserve their financial security and reduce the likelihood of relying on public benefits. This commentary outlines the need for social workers and researchers to better understand the relationship between cognitive health, financial decision-making, and financial security in later life to formulate culturally responsive strategies that can uphold and benefit financial statuses, especially for minoritized communities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jennifer C Greenfield
- Graduate School of Social Work, Craig Hall, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Kaipeng Wang
- Graduate School of Social Work, Craig Hall, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Eric S Chess
- Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA
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13
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Stewart CC, Yu L, Glover CM, Mottola G, Bennett DA, Wilson RS, Boyle PA. Loneliness Interacts With Cognition in Relation to Healthcare and Financial Decision Making Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2021; 60:1476-1484. [PMID: 32574350 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnaa078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Cognition is a known determinant of healthcare and financial decision making in old age. Social vulnerabilities also might play a role in such decisions; however, the evidence for this is less clear. Here, we examined the association of loneliness with decision making and tested the hypothesis that loneliness is associated with decision making via its interaction with global cognition. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Participants were 1,121 nondemented older adults from the Rush Memory and Aging Project. Healthcare and financial decision making was assessed via a performance-based measure; loneliness was assessed via the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale; and cognition was assessed via a 19-test neuropsychological battery. RESULTS In a regression model adjusted for age, sex, and education, global cognition was associated with decision making (B = 2.43, SE = 0.14, p < .001) but loneliness was not (B = -0.04, SE = 0.11, p = .72). However, in a model including the interaction of loneliness with global cognition, the interaction was significant (B = 0.44, SE = 0.20, p = .03), such that the detrimental effect of loneliness on decision making was stronger when cognition was low. In secondary analyses examining the interaction of loneliness with 5 specific cognitive domains, the interaction between loneliness and working memory with decision making was significant (B = 0.35, SE = 0.15, p = .02). DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Our results suggest that loneliness compromises healthcare and financial decision making among older adults with lower global cognition and, more specifically, lower working memory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lei Yu
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Crystal M Glover
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Gary Mottola
- FINRA Investor Education Foundation, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Robert S Wilson
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Patricia A Boyle
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
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14
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Weissberger GH, Mosqueda L, Nguyen AL, Axelrod J, Nguyen CP, Boyle PA, Spreng N, Han SD. Functional Connectivity Correlates of Perceived Financial Exploitation in Older Adults. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:583433. [PMID: 33304266 PMCID: PMC7693621 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.583433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Financial exploitation (FE) in old age is devastating and common; however, the neural correlates of FE are poorly understood. Previous studies of FE in older adults have implicated declines in decision making and social cognition as two risk factors for FE in later life. Here we examined whether functional connectivity among brain regions implicated in decision making and social cognition differed for those with an experience of FE vs. those without. Participants included 16 older adults without cognitive impairment who reported FE (Mean age = 70.5, 62.5% female, Mean education = 16.0 years) and 16 demographically and cognitively matched adults who denied a history of FE (Mean age = 65.1, 37.5% female, Mean education = 15.1 years). Measures of whole-brain resting-state functional connectivity in the hippocampus, insula, and medial frontal cortex were derived for each group. Compared to the non-FE group, FE was associated with greater functional connectivity between the right hippocampus and bilateral temporal regions, and less functional connectivity between the right hippocampus and the right cerebellum and bilateral lingual gyri. The FE group showed less connectivity between the right and left insula and cingulate cortex, and between the right insula and regions of the left lateral temporal gyrus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Finally, the FE group showed greater functional connectivity between the medial frontal cortex and the right lateral temporal gyrus and orbitofrontal cortex, and less functional connectivity with the right pre- and postcentral gyri. Results suggest that perceived FE in old age is associated with whole-brain functional connectivity differences involving the hippocampus, insula, and medial frontal cortex, consistent with models implicating age-associated changes in decision making and social cognition in FE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gali H. Weissberger
- Department of Family Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, Alhambra, CA, United States
- Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Laura Mosqueda
- Department of Family Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, Alhambra, CA, United States
- USC School of Gerontology, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Annie L. Nguyen
- Department of Family Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, Alhambra, CA, United States
| | - Jenna Axelrod
- Department of Family Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, Alhambra, CA, United States
| | - Caroline P. Nguyen
- Department of Family Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, Alhambra, CA, United States
| | - Patricia A. Boyle
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Psychiatry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Nathan Spreng
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - S. Duke Han
- Department of Family Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, Alhambra, CA, United States
- USC School of Gerontology, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Psychiatry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Psychology, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Neurology, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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15
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Sunderaraman P, Chapman S, Barker MS, Cosentino S. Self-awareness for financial decision-making abilities in healthy adults. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235558. [PMID: 32614887 PMCID: PMC7332073 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Decades of research have established how to measure metacognition (i.e., awareness of one's cognitive abilities), whereas relatively little is known about how to assess the integrity of financial awareness (FA; awareness of one's financial abilities), a related construct with practical implications for vulnerable older adults. The current study's goal was to apply established metacognitive frameworks to identify an objective measure of FA. METHODS Metacognitive ratings were integrated into two financial decision making (FDM) assessments in order to derive two types of FA metrics: absolute accuracy (calibration) and relative accuracy (resolution) in each FDM task. Associations between each FA metric, demographic variables, FDM performances, and metamemory were examined. DESIGN & SETTING Cross-sectional, community-based, prospective study. PARTICIPANTS 93 individuals with mean age = 59 years (SD = 15.12); mean education = 15.70 (SD = 2.39); 60% females. MEASURES FA was calculated using the Financial Competency Assessment Inventory (FCAI) and Decision Making Competence Assessment Tool, Finance Module (DMC-F), and memory awareness was calculated using an objective metamemory test. RESULTS None of the FA metrics was associated with age, education or gender. FCAI calibration was inversely associated with FDM, and positively correlated with DMC-F calibration and metamemory calibration. None of the FA metrics for DMC-F was associated with metamemory. CONCLUSIONS Mirroring findings from metamemory studies, overconfidence in FDM was associated with lower FDM accuracy in healthy adults. Moreover, calibration scores on the FCAI and metamemory were related, suggesting that FA taps into metacognitive abilities. Our findings provide preliminary evidence for how to measure FA in both clinical and research contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Sunderaraman
- Cognitive Neuroscience Division of the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Gertrude. H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Silvia Chapman
- Cognitive Neuroscience Division of the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Gertrude. H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Megan S. Barker
- Cognitive Neuroscience Division of the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Gertrude. H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Stephanie Cosentino
- Cognitive Neuroscience Division of the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Gertrude. H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
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16
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Han SD, Barnes LL, Leurgans S, Yu L, Bennett DA, Boyle PA. Literacy Mediates Racial Differences in Financial and Healthcare Decision Making in Older Adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2020; 68:1279-1285. [PMID: 32092157 PMCID: PMC8324307 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Decision making in financial and healthcare matters is of critical importance for well-being in old age. Preliminary work suggests racial differences in decision making; however, the factors that drive racial differences in decision making remain unclear. We hypothesized literacy, particularly financial and health literacy, mediates racial differences in decision making. DESIGN Community-based epidemiologic cohort study. SETTING Communities in northeastern Illinois. PARTICIPANTS Nondemented Black participants (N = 138) of the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center Minority Aging Research Study and the Rush Memory and Aging Project who completed decision-making and literacy measures were matched to White participants (N = 138) according to age, education, sex, and global cognition using Mahalanobis distance (total N = 276). MEASUREMENTS All participants completed clinical assessments, a decision-making measure that resembles real-world materials relevant to finance and healthcare, and a financial and health literacy measure. Regression models were used to examine racial differences in decision making and test the hypothesis that literacy mediates this association. In secondary analyses, we examined the impact of literacy in specific domains of decision making (financial and healthcare). RESULTS In models adjusted for age, education, sex, and global cognition, older Black adults performed lower than older White adults on literacy (β = -8.20; SE = 1.34; 95% CI = -10.82 to -5.57; P < .01) and separately on decision making (β = -.80; SE = .23; 95% CI = -1.25 to -.34; P < .01). However, when decision making was regressed on both race and literacy, the association of race was attenuated and became nonsignificant (β = -.45; SE = .24; 95% CI = -.93 to .02; P = .06), but literacy remained significantly associated with decision making (β = .04; SE = .01; 95% CI = .02-.06; P < .01). In secondary models, a similar pattern was observed for both financial and healthcare decision making. CONCLUSIONS Racial differences in decision making are largely mediated by literacy. These findings suggest that efforts to improve literacy may help reduce racial differences in decision making and improve health and well-being for diverse populations. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1279-1285, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Duke Han
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Neurology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Psychiatry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Lisa L Barnes
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Psychiatry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Sue Leurgans
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Lei Yu
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Patricia A Boyle
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Psychiatry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
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17
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Decision making, key to successful aging, has implications for financial success, physical health, and well being. While poor decision making has been linked with increased risk of mortality, age-related cognitive decline, and dementia, less is known regarding its associations with chronic disease indicators. We investigated the associations of decision making with blood pressure (BP) values [i.e., SBP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and pulse pressure (PP), separately] in a community-based cohort study of aging. METHODS Participants were 908 nondemented older adults (age ∼81 years; 75% women) from the Rush Memory and Aging Project. Decision making was measured using questions designed to simulate materials used in financial and healthcare settings in the real world and yielded a total score and domain-specific health and financial decision making scores. Two seated and one standing BP measurement were taken with all three contributing to average SBP, MAP that is, [SBP + (2 × DBP)]/3, and PP, that is, SBP - DBP. Participants were queried about hypertension status and antihypertension medications were visually inspected and coded. Participants also underwent medical history and cognitive assessments. RESULTS In separate multivariable linear regression models, total decision making scores were inversely associated with SBP, MAP, and PP after adjusting for age, sex, education, antihypertension medication use, diabetes, and cumulative cardiovascular disease burden (P values = 0.03). Decision making remained associated with these BP values after additional adjustment for global cognition. CONCLUSION Poorer decision making is associated with higher BP values in nondemented older adults.
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