Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet Protects from Cognitive Decline in the Invecchiare in Chianti Study of Aging

Following a Mediterranean diet high in plant-based foods and fish, low in meat and dairy foods, and with moderate alcohol intake has been shown to promote healthy aging. Therefore, we examined the association between a Mediterranean diet and trajectories of cognitive performance in the InCHIANTI study. Subjects (N = 832) were examined every 2–3 years up to 18 years with an average follow-up period of 10.1 years. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) at every visit. Dietary habits were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire and adherence to Mediterranean diet was computed on a scale of 0-9 and categorized into three groups of low (≤3), medium (4–5), and high (≥6). Those in the highest adherence group (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.29–0.79) and medium adherence group (OR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.41–0.99) were less likely to experience cognitive decline. The annual average decline in MMSE scores was 0.4 units, for those in the high and medium adherence group this decline was attenuated by 0.34 units (p < 0.001) and 0.16 units (p = 0.03), respectively. Our findings suggest that adherence to a Mediterranean diet can have long-lasting protective effects on cognitive decline and may be an effective strategy for the prevent or delay dementia.

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Integrative Functional Network Interactions Underlie the Association between Physical Activity and Cognition in Neurodegenerative Diseases

10.1101/542936 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Chia-Hao Shih ◽

Miriam Sklerov ◽

Nina Browner ◽

Eran Dayan

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Large Scale ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Brain Networks ◽

Neural Substrates ◽

Functional Interactions ◽

False Discovery

Physical activity (PA) has preventive and possibly restorative effects in aging-related cognitive decline, which relate to intrinsic functional interactions (functional connectivity, FC) in large-scale brain networks. Preventive and ameliorative effects of PA on cognitive decline have also been documented in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the neural substrates that mediate the association between PA and cognitive performance under such neurological conditions remain unknown. Here we set out to examine if the association between PA and cognitive performance in PD is mediated by FC in large-scale sensorimotor and association brain networks. Data from 51 PD patients were analyzed. Connectome-level analysis based on a whole-brain parcellation showed that self-reported levels of PA were associated with increased FC between, but not within the default mode (DMN) and salience networks (SAL) (p < .05, false discovery rate corrected). Additionally, multiple parallel mediation analysis further demonstrated that FC between left lateral parietal nodes in the DMN and rostral prefrontal nodes in the SAL mediated the association between PA and executive function performance. These findings are in line with previous studies linking FC in large-scale association networks with the effects of PA on cognition in healthy aging. Our results extend these previous results by demonstrating that the association between PA and cognitive performance in neurodegenerative diseases such as PD is mediated by integrative functional interactions in large-scale association networks.

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Aspirin using was associated with slower cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0252969 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. e0252969

Author(s):

Jinyan Weng ◽

Guanan Zhao ◽

Liyan Weng ◽

Jingjing Guan ◽

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Cognitive Outcome ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sectional Analysis ◽

State Examination ◽

Normal Cognition ◽

Over Time

We aimed to examine whether the use of aspirin is associated with change in cognitive performance over time, and whether this association is modified by the cognitive stages. This study included a total of 1866 subjects, including 509 subjects with normal cognition (NC), 985 subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 372 patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In each group, we further categorized our subjects into two groups based on their aspirin using conditions: Aspirin users and non-aspirin users. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was the cognitive outcome. Linear mixed models were conducted to examine the longitudinal relationship between the use of aspirin and cognitive performance in each diagnostic group. In the cross-sectional analysis, there were no significant differences in MMSE scores between non-aspirin users and aspirin users in subjects with NC, subjects with MCI or patients with AD. In the longitudinal analysis, we detected an association of the baseline use of aspirin with cognitive decline (MMSE) over time in patients with AD, but not in the NC group or MCI group. Specifically, in AD patients, the use of aspirin at baseline was associated with slower cognitive decline over time. Our data may support an association between the use of aspirin and slower cognitive decline, while this association may be dependent on the clinical stages.

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Characteristics of Healthy Older Adults that Influence Self-rated Cognitive Function

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617717000613 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 57-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Bryce P. Mulligan ◽

Colette M. Smart ◽

Sidney J. Segalowitz ◽

Stuart W.S. MacDonald

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Short Term ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Subjective Cognitive Function

AbstractObjectives: We sought to clarify the nature of self-reported cognitive function among healthy older adults by considering the short-term, within-person association (coupling) of subjective cognitive function with objective cognitive performance. We expected this within-person coupling to differ between persons as a function of self-perceived global cognitive decline and depression, anxiety, or neuroticism. Methods: This was an intensive measurement (short-term longitudinal) study of 29 older adult volunteers between the ages of 65 and 80 years without an existing diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment. Baseline assessment included neuropsychological testing and self-reported depression, anxiety, and neuroticism, as well as self- and informant-reported cognitive decline (relative to 10 years previously). Intensive within-person measurement occasions included subjective ratings of cognitive function paired with performance on a computerized working memory (n-back) task; each participant attended four or five assessments separated by intervals of at least one day. Statistical analysis was comprised of multilevel linear regression. Results: Comparison of models suggested that both neuroticism and self-rated cognitive decline explained unique variance in the within-person, across-occasion coupling of subjective cognitive function with objective working memory performance. Conclusions: Self-ratings of cognition may accurately reflect day-to-day variations in objective cognitive performance among older adults, especially for individuals lower in neuroticism and higher in self-reported cognitive decline. Clinicians should consider these individual differences when determining the validity of complaints about perceived cognitive declines in the context of otherwise healthy aging. (JINS, 2018, 24, 57–66)

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The effect of telemedicine on cognitive decline in patients with dementia

Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare ◽

10.1177/1357633x15615049 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 149-154 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Heeseok Kim ◽

Jin Hyeong Jhoo ◽

Jae-Won Jang

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Clinical Dementia Rating ◽

Cognitive Changes ◽

Face To Face ◽

The Face ◽

Changes Over Time ◽

State Examination ◽

Clinic Group

Introduction Telemedicine has the advantage of providing medical resources in rural areas, but few studies have been conducted to investigate its efficacy in dementia care, compared to face-to-face care. This study evaluated the effectiveness of telemedicine in relation to cognitive changes in patients with dementia. Methods We evaluated cognitive changes over time, according to care modality, in 188 patients with dementia who were registered at our university-based dementia clinic. We followed 98 patients using telemedicine services and 90 patients who attended the dementia clinic in person. Patients in the telemedicine group also visited a public health center located in a rural area about 50 km from the dementia clinic. Results Changes in the mean annualized Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score were not significantly different between the telemedicine group and the face-to-face dementia clinic group ( p = 0.291), with changes of 0.60 and 1.03 points, respectively. However, cognitive decline was significantly lower in the telemedicine group for the less severe initial cognitive performance subgroup than more severe cognitive performance subgroup ( p = 0.049), with changes of 0.62 and 1.59 points, respectively. Higher initial Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scores, MMSE scores, and age were found to be independent predictive factors of subsequent cognitive changes, as indicated by mean annualized MMSE scores. Discussion These findings suggest that telemedicine may be a useful alternative to face-to-face clinical visits for management of dementia in patients who are located in rural areas.

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Dietary patterns and cognitive function risk in the elderly in a county of Guangxi: a cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-944450/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ruoyu Gou ◽

You Li ◽

Weiyi Pang ◽

Chunbao Mo ◽

Jiansheng Cai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Protective Effect ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Dietary Patterns ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

The Elderly ◽

Confounding Factors ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Objective: To explore the effects of changes in dietary patterns on the cognitive functions of elderly people aged 60 and above in Gongcheng County. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to study the health status of the elderly population in Gongcheng County, Guangxi. A quantitative food frequency table was used in obtaining information about eating habits, and the Chinese version of the Simple Mental State Examination Scale was used in obtaining the cognitive function score. Three main dietary patterns were obtained through factor analysis, and the significance of the main dietary structure and cognitive function was analyzed through logistic regression. Results: This study covered 1246 elderly patients, of which 221 had cognitive impairments, accounting for 17.7%. Three dietary patterns were extracted. The cereal and potato dietary model and oil tea-type dietary model had no protective effects on cognitive function (P > 0.05), whereas the vegetable and fruit-based diet pattern exerted a protective effect on cognition before and after the adjustment of potential confounding factors. This protective effect alleviated decline in cognitive function (before adjustment for confounding factors: odds ratio [OR] = 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.34–3.15; P < 0.05; after adjustment, OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.34–3.33, and P < 0.05). Conclusion: Traditional dietary patterns: (grain and potato dietary models and oil-tea-type dietary patterns) cannot alleviate cognitive decline. This study suggests that a specific structure of dietary habits (vegetable and fruit-based dietary patterns) can protect the elderly against cognitive decline.

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Dietary patterns and cognitive function risk in the elderly in a county of Guangxi: a cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-944450/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ruoyu Gou ◽

You Li ◽

Weiyi Pang ◽

Chunbao Mo ◽

Jiansheng Cai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Protective Effect ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Dietary Patterns ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

The Elderly ◽

Confounding Factors ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

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BMI1 is associated with CS8F amyloid-β and rates of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer s Research & Therapy ◽

10.1186/s13195-021-00906-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jun Pyo Kim ◽

Bo-Hyun Kim ◽

Paula J. Bice ◽

Sang Won Seo ◽

David A. Bennett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Association Analysis ◽

Amyloid Β ◽

Minor Allele ◽

Protective Mechanism ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Minor Alleles

Abstract Background Accumulating evidence suggests that BMI1 confers protective effects against Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the mechanism remains elusive. Based on recent pathophysiological evidence, we sought for the first time to identify genetic variants in BMI1 as associated with AD biomarkers, including amyloid-β. Methods We used genetic, longitudinal cognition, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker data from participants in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort (N = 1565). First, we performed a gene-based association analysis of common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (minor allele frequency (MAF) > 5%) located within ± 20 kb of the gene boundary of BMI1, an optimal width for including potential regulatory SNPs in the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTR) of BMI1, with CSF Aβ1-42 levels. Second, we performed cross-sectional and longitudinal association analyses of SNPs in BMI1 with cognitive performance using linear and mixed-effects models. We replicated association of SNPs in BMI1 with cognitive performance in an independent cohort (N=1084), Religious Orders Study and the Rush Memory and Aging Project (ROS/MAP). Results Gene-based genetic association analysis showed that BMI1 was significantly associated with CSF Aβ1-42 levels after adjusting for multiple testing using permutation (permutation-corrected p value=0.005). rs17415557 in BMI1 showed the most significant association with CSF Aβ1-42 levels. Participants with minor alleles of rs17415557 have increased CSF Aβ1-42 levels compared to those with no minor alleles. Further analysis identified and replicated the minor allele of rs17415557 as being significantly associated with slower cognitive decline rates in AD. Conclusions Our findings provide fundamental evidence that BMI1 rs17415557 may serve as a protective mechanism related to AD pathogenesis, which supports the results of previous studies linking BMI1 to protection against AD.

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Accelerated epigenetic age and cognitive decline among urban-dwelling adults

Neurology ◽

10.1212/wnl.0000000000008756 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 94 (6) ◽

pp. e613-e625 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

May A. Beydoun ◽

Danielle Shaked ◽

Salman M. Tajuddin ◽

Jordan Weiss ◽

Michele K. Evans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Visual Memory ◽

Multiple Testing ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Cognitive Change ◽

Longitudinal Change ◽

Cell Aging ◽

Epigenetic Age

ObjectivesEpigenetic modifications are closely linked with aging, but their relationship with cognition remains equivocal. Given known sex differences in epigenetic aging, we explored sex-specific associations of 3 DNA methylation (DNAm)–based measures of epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) with baseline and longitudinal change in cognitive performance among middle-aged urban adults.MethodsWe used exploratory data from a subgroup of participants in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study with complete DNA samples and whose baseline ages were >50.0 years (2004–2009) to estimate 3 DNAm EAA measures: (1) universal EAA (AgeAccel); (2) intrinsic EAA (IEAA); and (3) extrinsic EAA (EEAA). Cognitive performance was measured at baseline visit (2004–2009) and first follow-up (2009–2013) with 11 test scores covering global mental status and specific domains such as learning/memory, attention, visuospatial, psychomotor speed, language/verbal, and executive function. A series of mixed-effects regression models were conducted adjusting for covariates and multiple testing (n = 147–156, ∼51% men, k = 1.7–1.9 observations/participant, mean follow-up time ∼4.7 years).ResultsEEAA, a measure of both biological age and immunosenescence, was consistently associated with greater cognitive decline among men on tests of visual memory/visuoconstructive ability (Benton Visual Retention Test: γ11 = 0.0512 ± 0.0176, p = 0.004) and attention/processing speed (Trail-Making Test, part A: γ11 = 0.219 ± 0.080, p = 0.007). AgeAccel and IEAA were not associated with cognitive change in this sample.ConclusionsEEAA capturing immune system cell aging was associated with faster decline among men in domains of attention and visual memory. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to replicate our findings.

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High Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Is Associated with a Reduced Risk of Obesity among Adults in Gulf Countries

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13030995 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 995

Author(s):

Israa M. Shatwan ◽

Eiman A. Alhinai ◽

Balqees Alawadhi ◽

Shelini Surendran ◽

Najlaa M. Aljefree ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Total Sample ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Hip Circumference ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Gulf Countries ◽

The Mean ◽

The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is considered as a good example of a healthy dietary pattern that has protective effects on obesity. The aim of the present study was to assess the adherence of adults from three Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait) to the MedDiet and its association with obesity risk. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 961 men and women (75.7%) aged 20–55 years old. Waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) were measured waist/hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. A validated 14-item Questionnaire was used to measure adherence to MedDiet. The mean of the adherence to MedDiet score was 5.9 ± 2.03 for the total sample. An inverse association was observed between the adherence to MedDiet and BMI after adjusting for potential confounders (p = 0.0003 in total participants, and p = 0.001 in women only). A protective effect was seen with a higher adherence to the MedDiet on HC, suggesting that a greater adherence to the MedDiet was associated with a decreased HC (p = 0.04 in total participants, and p = 0.01 in women only). In conclusion, low adherence to the MedDiet among participants from three gulf countries was associated with increased obesity indicators, BMI, and HC.

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Cognitive decline in patients with prostate cancer: study protocol of a prospective cohort, NEON-PC

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043844 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e043844

Author(s):

Natalia Araujo ◽

Samantha Morais ◽

Ana Rute Costa ◽

Raquel Braga ◽

Ana Filipa Carneiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Androgen Deprivation Therapy ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Cardiovascular Complications ◽

Androgen Deprivation ◽

High Survival ◽

The Impact

IntroductionProstate cancer is the most prevalent oncological disease among men in industrialised countries. Despite the high survival rates, treatments are often associated with adverse effects, including metabolic and cardiovascular complications, sexual dysfunction and, to a lesser extent, cognitive decline. This study was primarily designed to evaluate the trajectories of cognitive performance in patients with prostate cancer, and to quantify the impact of the disease and its treatments on the occurrence of cognitive decline.MethodsParticipants will be recruited from two main hospitals providing care to approximately half of the patients with prostate cancer in Northern Portugal (Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto and São João Hospital Centre), and will comprise a cohort of recently diagnosed patients with prostate cancer proposed for different treatment plans, including: (1) radical prostatectomy; (2) brachytherapy and/or radiotherapy; (3) radiotherapy in combination with androgen deprivation therapy and (4) androgen deprivation therapy (with or without chemotherapy). Recruitment began in February 2018 and is expected to continue until the first semester of 2021. Follow-up evaluations will be conducted at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years. Sociodemographic, behavioural and clinical characteristics, anxiety and depression, health literacy, health status, quality of life, and sleep quality will be assessed. Blood pressure and anthropometrics will be measured, and a fasting blood sample will be collected. Participants’ cognitive performance will be evaluated before treatments and throughout follow-up (Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Cube Test as well as Brain on Track for remote monitoring). All participants suspected of cognitive impairment will undergo neuropsychological tests and clinical observation by a neurologist.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the hospitals involved. All participants will provide written informed consent, and study procedures will be developed to ensure data protection and confidentiality. Results will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation in scientific meetings.

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