scholarly journals Enriching hippocampal memory function in older adults through video games

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory D. Clemenson ◽  
Shauna M. Stark ◽  
Samantha M. Rutledge ◽  
Craig E.L. Stark
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Video Games ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Memory Function ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

AbstractHealthy aging is accompanied by a steady cognitive decline with clear losses in memory. Animal studies have consistently demonstrated that simply modifying an animal’s living environment (known as environmental enrichment) can have a positive influence on age-related cognitive decline in the hippocampus. Previously, we showed that playing immersive 3D video games can improve hippocampal-based memory in young healthy adults, suggesting that the exploration of the large open worlds of modern-day video games may act as proxy for environmental enrichment in humans. Here, we replicated our previous video game study in older adults and showing that playing video games for 4 weeks can improve hippocampal-based memory in a population that is already experiencing age-related decline in this memory. Furthermore, we showed that the improvements last for up to 4 weeks past the intervention, highlighting the potential of video games as intervention for age-related cognitive decline.

scholarly journals Linked Sources of Neural Noise Contribute to Age-related Cognitive Decline

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 1813-1822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tam T. Tran ◽  
Camarin E. Rolle ◽  
Adam Gazzaley ◽  
Bradley Voytek
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Alpha Phase ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Neural Noise ◽  
Baseline Noise ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

Healthy aging is associated with a multitude of structural changes in the brain. These physical age-related changes are accompanied by increased variability in neural activity of all kinds, and this increased variability, collectively referred to as “neural noise,” is argued to contribute to age-related cognitive decline. In this study, we examine the relationship between two particular types of neural noise in aging. We recorded scalp EEG from younger (20–30 years old) and older (60–70 years old) adults performing a spatial visual discrimination task. First, we used the 1/ f-like exponent of the EEG power spectrum, a putative marker of neural noise, to assess baseline shifts toward a noisier state in aging. Next, we examined age-related decreases in the trial-by-trial consistency of visual stimulus processing. Finally, we examined to what extent these two age-related noise markers are related, hypothesizing that greater baseline noise would increase the variability of stimulus-evoked responses. We found that visual cortical baseline noise was higher in older adults, and the consistency of older adults' oscillatory alpha (8–12 Hz) phase responses to visual targets was also lower than that of younger adults. Crucially, older adults with the highest levels of baseline noise also had the least consistent alpha phase responses, whereas younger adults with more consistent phase responses achieved better behavioral performance. These results establish a link between tonic neural noise and stimulus-associated neural variability in aging. Moreover, they suggest that tonic age-related increases in baseline noise might diminish sensory processing and, as a result, subsequent cognitive performance.

Activity Engagement in Cognitive Aging: A Review of the Evidence

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Rogalski ◽  
Muriel Quintana
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

The population of older adults is rapidly increasing, as is the number and type of products and interventions proposed to prevent or reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline. Advocacy and prevention are part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA’s) scope of practice documents, and speech-language pathologists must have basic awareness of the evidence contributing to healthy cognitive aging. In this article, we provide a brief overview outlining the evidence on activity engagement and its effects on cognition in older adults. We explore the current evidence around the activities of eating and drinking with a discussion on the potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, alcohol, and coffee. We investigate the evidence on the hypothesized neuroprotective effects of social activity, the evidence on computerized cognitive training, and the emerging behavioral and neuroimaging evidence on physical activity. We conclude that actively aging using a combination of several strategies may be our best line of defense against cognitive decline.

scholarly journals Visual attention during seeing for speaking in healthy aging

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwendolyn L Rehrig ◽  
Taylor R. Hayes ◽  
John M. Henderson ◽  
Fernanda Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Visual Attention ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
World Knowledge ◽  
Extensive Experience ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Logistic Mixed Effects Model ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

As we age, we accumulate a wealth of information, but cognitive processing becomes slower and less efficient. There is mixed evidence on whether world knowledge compensates for age-related cognitive decline (Umanath & Marsh, 2014). We investigated whether older adults are more likely to fixate more meaningful scene locations than are young adults. Young (N=30) and older adults (N=30, aged 66-82) described scenes while eye movements and descriptions were recorded. We used a logistic mixed-effects model to determine whether fixated scene locations differed in meaning, salience, and center distance from locations that were not fixated, and whether those properties differed for locations young and older adults fixated. Meaning predicted fixated locations well overall, though the locations older adults fixated were less meaningful than those that young adults fixated. These results suggest that older adults’ visual attention is less sensitive to meaning than young adults, despite extensive experience with scenes.

scholarly journals Mindfulness, Education, and Exercise for age-related cognitive decline: Study protocol, pilot study results, and description of the baseline sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 581-594
Author(s):  
Julie Loebach Wetherell ◽  
Hayley S Ripperger ◽  
Michelle Voegtle ◽  
Beau M Ances ◽  
David Balota ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Vigorous Intensity ◽  
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

Background/Aims Age-related cognitive decline is a pervasive problem in our aging population. To date, no pharmacological treatments to halt or reverse cognitive decline are available. Behavioral interventions, such as physical exercise and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, may reduce or reverse cognitive decline, but rigorously designed randomized controlled trials are needed to test the efficacy of such interventions. Methods Here, we describe the design of the Mindfulness, Education, and Exercise study, an 18-month randomized controlled trial that will assess the effect of two interventions—mindfulness training plus moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise or moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise alone—compared with a health education control group on cognitive function in older adults. An extensive battery of biobehavioral assessments will be used to understand the mechanisms of cognitive remediation, by using structural and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and metabolic and behavioral assessments. Results We provide the results from a preliminary study (n = 29) of non-randomized pilot participants who received both the exercise and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction interventions. We also provide details on the recruitment and baseline characteristics of the randomized controlled trial sample (n = 585). Conclusion When complete, the Mindfulness, Education, and Exercise study will inform the research community on the efficacy of these widely available interventions improve cognitive functioning in older adults.

scholarly journals Loneliness of Older Adults: Social Network and the Living Environment

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Kemperman ◽  
Pauline van den Berg ◽  
Minou Weijs-Perrée ◽  
Kevin Uijtdewillegen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Life Cycle Stage ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Mobility Limitations ◽  
Perceived Safety ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Comprehensive Framework

The social participation and integration of older adults are important aspects of healthy aging. However, in general, older adults have smaller social networks than their younger counterparts due to changes in their life cycle stage, such as retirement or age-related losses, along with a declining health and increasing mobility limitations. Consequently, with increasing age, an increasing proportion of older people experience feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Previous studies that have analyzed the relationships between loneliness, social networks, and the living environment have often been based on bivariate relationships or included only a limited number of variables. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze multiple relationships in a more comprehensive framework. Data were collected using a survey among 182 adults aged 65 years and over in the Netherlands. A Bayesian belief network (BBN) modeling approach was used that derives all direct and indirect relationships between the variables. The results showed that feelings of loneliness are directly related to satisfaction with one’s social network and neighborhood attachment and are indirectly related to perceived safety and satisfaction with local amenities and services. This knowledge is relevant to urban planners and policy makers who focus on creating livable and healthy social neighborhoods for the aging population.

Epidemiology of Cerebrovascular Disease Related Cognitive Decline

2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (S1) ◽  
pp. 105-110
Author(s):  
Chengxuan Qiu ◽  
Laura Fratiglioni
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrovascular Disease ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Memory Function ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Dementia Patients ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

Cognitive decline is a central component of the dementia process. Population-based prospective studies have confirmed the existence of age-related cognitive decline, although its conceptual basis and nosological status remain controversial. Healthy old people show decline with aging in global cognition and memory function in particular. Preclinical and clinical dementia patients exhibit deficits across multiple cognitive domains, with the largest and most consistent deficits in memory function. Cerebrovascluar disease may lead to cognitive decline and promote the clinical expression of dementia directly or by interaction with APOE η4. Early treatment and prevention of cerebrovascular disease may be the major measures for preventing and postponing the progression of the vascular disease related cognitive decline.

scholarly journals Randomized Trial of Marine n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids for the Prevention of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease and Inflammation in Aging (PUFA Trial): Rationale, Design and Baseline Results

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gene Bowman ◽  
Lisa Silbert ◽  
Hiroko Dodge ◽  
David Lahna ◽  
Kirsten Hagen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Small Vessel Disease ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cerebral White Matter ◽  
Operational Experience ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

Vascular risk factors for age-related cognitive decline are significant, and their management may ultimately prove the most successful strategy for reducing risk and sustaining cognitive health. This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with parallel group allocation to either marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) or soybean oil placebo assesses the effects on the total volume of accumulation in cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMH), a potentially modifiable neurovascular component of age-related cognitive decline. Total WMH accumulation over 3 years is the primary endpoint. The safety and efficacy of n-3 PUFA is evaluated in older adults with significant WMH and suboptimum plasma n-3 PUFA as inclusion criteria. One hundred and two non-demented older adults were enrolled with a mean age of 81.1 (±4.4) years, WMH of 19.4 (±16.1) cm3, and a plasma n-3 PUFA of 86.64 (±29.21) µg/mL. 61% were female, 28% were apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 carriers, and the mean mini-mental state exam (MMSE) was 27.9 (±1.7). This trial provides an initial evaluation of n-3 PUFA effects on WMH, a reproducible and valid risk biomarker for cognitive decline, as well as on inflammatory biomarkers thought to play a role in WMH accumulation. We present the baseline results and operational experience of enriching a study population on advanced age, blood n-3 PUFA, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) derived WMH with biomarker outcomes (WMH, inflammation markers) in a dementia prevention paradigm.

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