Online Tool (Brain Assessment) for the Detection of Cognitive Function Changes during Aging

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Masayuki Satoh ◽  
Ken-ichi Tabei ◽  
Saiko Fujita ◽  
Yoshinori Ota
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Normal Aging ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Cognitive Tests ◽  
Repeated Testing ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Word Memory ◽  
Lifestyle Related Diseases

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> It is well-known that cognitive function declines with age. In order to detect changes in cognitive function, cognitive tests should be performed repeatedly. Currently existing cognitive tests come in only a single version, so the subject is likely to remember the contents with repeated testing. And, under the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in-person assessment should be avoided. This study was performed to develop a new cognitive test (brain assessment, BA) that has 5 versions and can be performed on a personal computer (PC) through the Internet. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> Five thousand subjects performed the online BA, which consisted of 5 subtests: number memory, word memory, mental rotation test, N-back test, and judgment test. We standardized the raw scores (cognitive scores, CSs) using mean and standard deviation, which were 50 and 10, respectively. Then, we calculated the mean CS for each sex and age, plotted the relationships between ages and mean CSs on figures, and calculated the formula of cognitive changes during normal aging. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The CSs of all subtests decreased with aging. The regression coefficient was from −0.31 to −0.45. It is noteworthy that in most subtests, the CSs started to increase at 85 years of age. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> Our BA has 5 versions and can be done on a PC using the Internet. We tested the BA in a large number of subjects, and the standard values of CSs were measured in individuals up to 89 years of age. By performing this test repeatedly, subjects can evaluate the degree of their cognitive decline. If the rate of cognitive decline is greater than that predicted using the normalized formula, the subjects can undertake strategies to improve their control of lifestyle-related diseases or other habits of daily living. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The BA can be easily taken online using a PC, and its scores linearly declined with normal aging. The BA will be useful for detecting longitudinal cognitive changes and comparing them to the pattern seen in normal aging.

scholarly journals Does postoperative cognitive decline after coronary bypass affect quality of life?

Open Heart ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e001569
Author(s):  
Fredrike Blokzijl ◽  
Frederik Keus ◽  
Saskia Houterman ◽  
Willem Dieperink ◽  
Iwan C C van der Horst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Dysfunction ◽  
Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Physical Component Score ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Component Score ◽  
Postoperative Cognitive Decline

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the influence of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on both postoperative cognitive dysfunction and quality of life (QoL) and the association between the two patient-related outcomes.MethodsIn a prospective, observational cohort study, patients with elective, isolated CABG were included. Cognitive function was assessed using the Cogstate computerised cognitive test battery preoperatively, 3 days and 6 months after surgery. QoL was measured preoperatively and at 6 months using the RAND-36 questionnaire including the Physical Component Score (PCS) and the Mental Component Score (MCS). Regression analysis, with adjustment for confounders, was used to evaluate the association between postoperative cognitive dysfunction and QoL.ResultsA total of 142 patients were included in the study. Evidence of persistent cognitive dysfunction was observed in 33% of patients after 6 months. At 6 months, the PCS had improved in 59% and decreased in 21% of patients, and the MCS increased in 49% and decreased in 29%. Postoperative cognitive changes were not associated with QoL scores.ConclusionsPostoperative cognitive dysfunction and decreased QoL are common 6 months after surgery, although cognitive function and QoL were found to have improved in many patients at 6 months of follow-up. Impaired cognitive function is not associated with impaired QoL at 6 months.Trial registration numberNCT03774342.

Abstract 22: Visit-to-Visit Variability in Blood Pressure is Related to Late-Life Cognitive Decline

Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 131 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Qin ◽  
Anthony J Viera ◽  
Linda S Adair ◽  
Brenda L Plassman ◽  
Lloyd J Edwards ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Nutrition Survey

Introduction: Recent studies suggest higher visit-to-visit variability of blood pressure (BP) is associated with worse cognitive function, but evidence based on longitudinal cognitive testing has not been reported. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that higher visit-to-visit variability in BP, but not mean BP, would be associated with faster decline in cognitive function among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This prospective cohort study comprised 1213 adults who had two or more waves of BP measurements as part of the China Health and Nutrition Survey from 1991, up to their first cognitive tests, and completed a cognitive screening test at two or more waves in 1997, 2000 or 2004. Mean (SD) age at first cognitive test was 64 (6) y. Outcomes were repeated measures of global cognitive scores (baseline mean ± SD: 19 ± 6 points), standardized composite cognitive and verbal memory scores (standardized units [SU]). Visit-to visit BP variability was expressed as the standard deviation [SD] or as the variation independent of mean (SD/mean^x, with x derived from curve fitting) in BP measures obtained at a mean interval of 3.6 years. Multivariable-adjusted linear mixed-effects models were used to determine the association of changes in cognitive scores with visit-to visit BP variability. Results: Higher visit-to-visit variability in systolic BP, but not mean systolic BP, was associated with a faster decline of cognitive function (adjusted mean difference [95% CI] for high vs. low tertile of SD in variability (Figure): global score -0.23 points/y [-0.41 to -0.04], composite scores -0.029 SU/y [-0.056 to -0.002] and verbal memory -0.044 SU/y [-0.075 to -0.012]). Higher visit-to-visit variability in diastolic BP was associated with a faster decline of global cognitive function only among adults 55-64 years, independent of mean diastolic BP. Conclusion: Higher long-term BP visit-to-visit variability predicted a faster rate of cognitive decline among older adults.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the effect of Cooled HaEmodialysis on Cognitive function in patients suffering with end-stage KidnEy Disease (E-CHECKED): feasibility randomised control trial protocol

Trials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Indranil Dasgupta ◽  
Aghogho Odudu ◽  
Jyoti Baharani ◽  
Niall Fergusson ◽  
Helen Griffiths ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Randomised Control Trial ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Dialysis Fluid ◽  
Dialysate Temperature

Abstract Background Cognitive impairment is common in haemodialysis (HD) patients and is associated independently with depression and mortality. This association is poorly understood, and no intervention is proven to slow cognitive decline. There is evidence that cooler dialysis fluid (dialysate) may slow white matter changes in the brain, but no study has investigated the effect of cooler dialysate on cognition. This study addresses whether cooler dialysate can prevent the decline in cognition and improve quality of life (QOL) in HD patients. Methods This is a multi-site prospective randomised, double-blinded feasibility trial. Setting: Four HD units in the UK. Participants and interventions: Ninety HD patients randomised (1:1) to standard care (dialysate temperature 36.5 °C) or intervention (dialysate temperature 35 °C) for 12 months. Primary outcome measure: Change in cognition using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Secondary outcome measures: Recruitment and attrition rates, reasons for non-recruitment, frequency of intradialytic hypotension, depressive symptom scores, patient and carers burden, a detailed computerised cognitive test and QOL assessments. Analysis: mixed method approach, utilising measurement of cognition, questionnaires, physiological measurements and semi-structured interviews. Discussion The results of this feasibility trial will inform the design of a future adequately powered substantive trial investigating the effect of dialysate cooling on prevention and/or slowing in cognitive decline in patients undergoing haemodialysis using a computerised battery of neuro-cognitive tests. The main hypothesis that would be tested in this future trial is that patients treated with regular conventional haemodialysis will have a lesser decline in cognitive function and a better quality of life over 1 year by using cooler dialysis fluid at 35 °C, versus a standard dialysis fluid temperature of 36.5 °C. This also should reflect in improvements in their abilities for activities of daily living and therefore reduce carers’ burden. If successful, the treatment could be universally applied at no extra cost. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03645733. Registered retrospectively on 24 August 2018.

scholarly journals PARASYMPATHETIC INFLUENCE ON COGNITIVE AGING IS MODERATED BY SYMPATHETIC ACTIVITY, ESPECIALLY IN EARLY MIDLIFE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S94-S94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik L Knight ◽  
Ryan Giuliano ◽  
Sean Shank ◽  
Megan Clarke ◽  
David M Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Parasympathetic Nervous System ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Age Related

Abstract The two branches of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) have been individually linked to age-related changes in cognitive functioning: The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is thought to support healthy cognitive aging, whereas the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) has been linked to heightened cognitive decline. Despite these separate findings and despite the integrative nature of the ANS, little work has examined the two branches simultaneously to better understand their interactive effects on age-related cognitive changes. We examined cognitive change in two waves of the MIDUS cognitive project and indexed PNS and SNS activity from heart rate variability and epinephrine levels (respectively) from the MIDUS biomarker project (n = 764, 56% female, mean age = 54.1 years). Our findings indicate that higher PNS levels attenuate cognitive decline, but only among individuals with low SNS levels; at higher SNS levels, the beneficial effects of the PNS are blocked. Further, lower PNS levels can be somewhat compensated for by increased SNS levels. This pattern was most robust among individuals transitioning to mid-life (i.e., 35-40 years old at the initial cognitive test). These results suggest that interventions targeting the ANS as a modifiable factor in cognitive aging should consider both ANS branch’s effects simultaneously, particularly in the early stages of midlife.

Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Identify Mild Cognitive Impairment: Who Should Be Imaged?

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (S16) ◽  
pp. 18-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liana G. Apostolova
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Neuropsychological Testing ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Normal Aging ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
New Information

Problems with memory are a very common complaint in the elderly and are not synonymous with dementia. Some degree of cognitive decline, manifested as greater difficulty in learning and retrieving new information for instance, develops with normal aging. Thus many older patients do not perform at the same level they did when they were younger but they do perform well when compared to their peers. For many, cognitive change ends at this stage and they proceed to lead normal, healthy, dementia-free lives.The cohort that has cognitive changes beyond what is expected in normal aging but does not yet meet criteria for dementia concerns clinicians greatly as many of these patients eventually become demented. These patients usually go through a latent stage in which neurodegenerative pathology silently spreads in the brain. Once there is enough pathological burden, cognitive decline beyond what is expected for normal aging can be detected by formal neuropsychological testing. Frequently such patients go through a state called mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In this state patients are still functionally intact and live independently, but show cognitive impairment relative to the age- and education-adjusted norms.The MCI state in itself is a prominent risk factor for developing dementia. Most patients with amnestic MCI develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia over time. At six years, as many as 80% progress to AD. Thus, MCI is a very important topic of research and an increasingly important topic of clinical care.

Impact of Internet use on cognitive decline in middle-aged and elderly people in China: a longitudinal observational study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinyue Yu ◽  
Xiang Wu ◽  
Aruhan Mu ◽  
Liqin Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
Pharmacological Intervention ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Internet

BACKGROUND Given that cognitive decline lacks effective treatment options and has severe implications for healthy aging, Internet use may achieve non-pharmacological relief of cognitive decline through cognitive stimulation and social engagement. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the variety, frequency and type of Internet use and cognitive decline from two theoretical perspectives: the cognitive reserve theory and the stress hypothesis. METHODS Data were obtained from a total of 10,532 survey samples from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) databases wave 3 (2014) and wave 5 (2018). Cognitive function was measured using vocabulary tests, and Internet use was categorized into five aspects: study, work, social, entertainment, and business. Associations between diversity, frequency, and type of Internet use and cognitive decline were estimated by controlling for demographic variables and health status risk factors through fixed-effects models. RESULTS Using the Internet at least once a week for study, work, and entertainment purposes, and for social purposes less than once a week were all associated with better cognitive function. Using the Internet less than once a week for business activity was associated with poorer cognitive function. Using more than one type of Internet at least once a week was associated with better cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that breadth and depth of Internet use is positively associated with cognitive function, and that different types of Internet use have different roles in cognitive decline. The importance of the Internet as a non-pharmacological intervention pathway for cognitive decline is emphasized. It is instructive for the development of relevant policies. Future research could explore specific mechanisms of influence.

scholarly journals The age-related effect on cognitive performance in cognitively healthy elderly is mainly caused by underlying AD pathology or cerebrovascular lesions: implications for cutoffs regarding cognitive impairment

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Borland ◽  
Erik Stomrud ◽  
Danielle van Westen ◽  
Oskar Hansson ◽  
Sebastian Palmqvist
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Cognitive Tests ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Cerebrovascular Lesions ◽  
Cerebrovascular Pathology ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Age Related

Abstract Background As research in treatments for neurocognitive diseases progresses, there is an increasing need to identify cognitive decline in the earliest stages of disease for initiation of treatment in addition to determining the efficacy of treatment. For early identification, accurate cognitive tests cutoff values for cognitive impairment are essential. Methods We conducted a study on 297 cognitively healthy elderly people from the BioFINDER study and created subgroups excluding people with signs of underlying neuropathology, i.e., abnormal cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] β-amyloid or phosphorylated tau, CSF neurofilament light (neurodegeneration), or cerebrovascular pathology. We compared cognitive test results between groups and examined the age effect on cognitive test results. Results In our subcohort without any measurable pathology (n = 120), participants achieved better test scores and significantly stricter cutoffs for cognitive impairment for almost all the examined tests. The age effect in this subcohort disappeared for all cognitive tests, apart from some attention/executive tests, predominantly explained by the exclusion of cerebrovascular pathology. Conclusion Our study illustrates a new approach to establish normative data that could be useful to identify earlier cognitive changes in preclinical dementias. Future studies need to investigate if there is a genuine effect of healthy aging on cognitive tests or if this age effect is a proxy for higher prevalence of preclinical neurodegenerative diseases.

scholarly journals The Association Between the Changes in General, Family, and Financial Aspects of Quality of Life and Their Effects on Cognitive Function in an Elderly Population: The Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, 2008–2016

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 1106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wonjeong Chae ◽  
Eun-Cheol Park ◽  
Sung-In Jang
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Korean Elderly

Background The growing aging population is a global phenomenon and a major public health challenge. Among Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, Korea is the fastest aging country. We aimed to investigate the relationship between changes in quality of life (QOL) and cognitive function in older adults. Method: Data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging collected from 2008 to 2016 were used. In 3453 participants (men: 1943; women: 1541), QOL was measured by three aspects: general, financial, and familial. Changes in QOL status were assessed by four categories: remained poor, worsened, improved, and remained good. The level of cognitive function was measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination score (MMSE, normal range cut-off value: 24 or above). For the statistical analysis, the generalized equation model (GEE) was performed. Results: For all three aspects of QOL measured, participants whose QOL score remained poor were associated with cognitive decline that their odds ratios (OR) were statistically significant (general: OR = 1.33; familial: OR = 1.39; financial: OR = 1.40). For subgroup analysis by gender, the highest OR in men was the financial aspect of QOL (OR = 1.45); in women, the highest OR was the familial aspect of QOL (OR = 1.75). Conclusion: This study showed an association between QOL and cognitive function in a Korean elderly population. Our findings suggest that QOL measurements with a gender-specific approach can be used as a tool to detect cognitive changes in older adults and help prevent or delay cognitive decline.

scholarly journals The Role of Inflammatory Diet and Vitamin D on the Link between Periodontitis and Cognitive Function: A Mediation Analysis in Older Adults

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 924
Author(s):  
João Botelho ◽  
Yago Leira ◽  
João Viana ◽  
Vanessa Machado ◽  
Patrícia Lyra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Dysfunction ◽  
Mediation Analysis ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Digit Symbol Substitution Test ◽  
Cognitive Tests ◽  
Serum Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Levels

Patients suffering from periodontitis are at a higher risk of developing cognitive dysfunction. However, the mediation effect of an inflammatory diet and serum vitamin D levels in this link is unclear. In total, 2062 participants aged 60 years or older with complete periodontal diagnosis and cognitive tests from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 were enrolled. The Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s disease (CERAD) word learning subtest (WLT) and CERAD delayed recall test (DRT), the animal fluency test (AFT) and the digit symbol substitution test (DSST) was used. Dietary inflammatory index (DII) was computed via nutrition datasets. Mediation analysis tested the effects of DII and vitamin D levels in the association of mean probing depth (PD) and attachment loss (AL) in all four cognitive tests. Periodontitis patients obtained worse cognitive test scores than periodontally healthy individuals. DII was negatively associated with CERAD-WLT, CERAD-DRT, AFT and DSST, and was estimated to mediate between 9.2% and 36.4% of the total association between periodontitis with cognitive dysfunction (p < 0.05). Vitamin D showed a weak association between CERAD-DRT, AFT and DSST and was estimated to between 8.1% and 73.2% of the association between periodontitis and cognitive dysfunction (p < 0.05). The association between periodontitis and impaired cognitive function seems to be mediated both by a proinflammatory dietary load and vitamin D deficiency. Future studies should further explore these mediators in the periodontitis-cognitive decline link.

scholarly journals Blood pressure variability is related to faster cognitive decline in ischemic stroke patients: PICASSO subanalysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yerim Kim ◽  
Jae-Sung Lim ◽  
Mi Sun Oh ◽  
Kyung-Ho Yu ◽  
Ji Sung Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Blood Pressure Variability ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Multiple Variables ◽  
Over Time

AbstractBlood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with higher cardiovascular morbidity risks; however, its association with cognitive decline remains unclear. We investigated whether higher BPV is associated with faster declines in cognitive function in ischemic stroke (IS) patients. Cognitive function was evaluated between April 2010 and August 2015 using the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment in 1,240 Korean PICASSO participants. Patients for whom baseline and follow-up cognitive test results and at least five valid BP readings were available were included. A restricted maximum likelihood–based Mixed Model for Repeated Measures was used to compare changes in cognitive function over time. Among a total of 746 participants (64.6 ± 10.8 years; 35.9% female). Baseline mean-MMSE score was 24.9 ± 4.7. The median number of BP readings was 11. During a mean follow-up of 2.6 years, mean baseline and last follow-up MMSE scores were 25.4 ± 4.8 vs. 27.8 ± 4.4 (the lowest BPV group) and 23.9 ± 5.2 vs. 23.2 ± 5.9 (the highest BPV group). After adjusting for multiple variables, higher BPV was independently associated with faster cognitive decline over time. However, no significant intergroup difference in cognitive changes associated with mean systolic BP was observed. Further research is needed to elucidate how BPV might affect cognitive function.

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