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Mather MA, Ho EH, Bedjeti K, Karpouzian-Rogers T, Rogalski EJ, Gershon R, Weintraub S. Measuring Multidimensional Aspects of Health in the Oldest Old Using the NIH Toolbox: Results From the ARMADA Study. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2024:acad105. [PMID: 38216151 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acad105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The percentage of older adults living into their 80s and beyond is expanding rapidly. Characterization of typical cognitive performance in this population is complicated by a dearth of normative data for the oldest old. Additionally, little attention has been paid to other aspects of health, such as motor, sensory, and emotional functioning, that may interact with cognitive changes to predict quality of life and well-being. The current study used the NIH Toolbox (NIHTB) to determine age group differences between persons aged 65-84 and 85+ with normal cognition. METHOD Participants were recruited in two age bands (i.e., 65-84 and 85+). All participants completed the NIHTB Cognition, Motor, Sensation, and Emotion modules. Independent-samples t-tests determined age group differences with post-hoc adjustments using Bonferroni corrections. All subtest and composite scores were then regressed on age and other demographic covariates. RESULTS The 65-84 group obtained significantly higher scores than the 85+ group across all cognitive measures except oral reading, all motor measures except gait speed, and all sensation measures except pain interference. Age remained a significant predictor after controlling for covariates. Age was not significantly associated with differences in emotion scores. CONCLUSIONS Results support the use of the NIHTB in persons over 85 with normal cognition. As expected, fluid reasoning abilities and certain motor and sensory functions decreased with age in the oldest old. Inclusion of motor and sensation batteries is warranted when studying trajectories of aging in the oldest old to allow for multidimensional characterization of health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly A Mather
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Emily H Ho
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Katy Bedjeti
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tatiana Karpouzian-Rogers
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Emily J Rogalski
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Richard Gershon
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sandra Weintraub
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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Echevarria‐Cooper SL, Ho EH, Gershon RC, Weintraub S, Kahnt T. Evaluation of the NIH Toolbox Odor Identification Test across normal cognition, amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:288-300. [PMID: 37603693 PMCID: PMC10843554 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13426] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Olfactory decline is associated with cognitive decline in aging, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and amnestic dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease neuropathology (ADd). The National Institutes of Health Toolbox Odor Identification Test (NIHTB-OIT) may distinguish between these clinical categories. METHODS We compared NIHTB-OIT scores across normal cognition (NC), aMCI, and ADd participants (N = 389, ≥65 years) and between participants positive versus negative for AD biomarkers and the APOE ε4 allele. RESULTS NIHTB-OIT scores decreased with age (p < 0.001) and were lower for aMCI (p < 0.001) and ADd (p < 0.001) compared to NC participants, correcting for age and sex. The NIHTB-OIT detects aMCI (ADd) versus NC participants with 49.4% (56.5%) sensitivity and 88.8% (89.5%) specificity. NIHTB-OIT scores were lower for participants with positive AD biomarkers (p < 0.005), but did not differ based on the APOE ε4 allele (p > 0.05). DISCUSSION The NIHTB-OIT distinguishes clinically aMCI and ADd participants from NC participants. HIGHLIGHTS National Institutes of Health Toolbox Odor Identification Test (NIHTB-OIT) discriminated normal controls from mild cognitive impairment. NIHTB-OIT discriminated normal controls from Alzheimer's disease dementia. Rate of olfactory decline with age was similar across all diagnostic categories. NIHTB-OIT scores were lower in participants with positive Alzheimer's biomarker tests. NIHTB-OIT scores did not differ based on APOE genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily H. Ho
- Department of Medical Social SciencesNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Richard C. Gershon
- Department of Medical Social SciencesNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Sandra Weintraub
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's DiseaseNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Thorsten Kahnt
- Department of NeurologyNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Cellular and Neurocomputational Systems BranchNational Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research ProgramBaltimoreMarylandUSA
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Zhang M, Ho E, Nowinski CJ, Fox RS, Ayturk E, Karpouzian-Rogers T, Novack M, Dodge HH, Weintraub S, Gershon R. The Paradox in Positive and Negative Aspects of Emotional Functioning Among Older Adults with Early Stages of Cognitive Impairment. J Aging Health 2023:8982643231199806. [PMID: 37800686 DOI: 10.1177/08982643231199806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Emotional functioning in older adults is influenced by normal aging and cognitive impairment, likely heterogeneous across positive versus negative aspects of emotional functioning. Little is known about positive emotional experiences at the early stages of cognitive impairment. Methods: We assessed different aspects of emotional functioning among 448 participants aged 65+ (Normal Control (NC) = 276, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) = 103, and mild dementia of the Alzheimer type (mild DAT) = 69) and tested moderators. Results: Compared to NC, older adults with MCI and mild DAT have maintained many positive aspects of emotional functioning, despite higher levels of negative affect, sadness, and loneliness. Among the oldest-old, the mild DAT group experienced higher fear and lower self-efficacy. Discussion: Older adults at early stages of cognitive impairment can experience positive aspects of emotional functioning, such as positive affect, purpose, and life satisfaction, all of which are important buildable psychological resources for coping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manrui Zhang
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Emily Ho
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Cindy J Nowinski
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rina S Fox
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ, USA
| | - Ezgi Ayturk
- College of Social Sciences and Humanities, KOC Universitesi, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tatiana Karpouzian-Rogers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Miriam Novack
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hiroko H Dodge
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sandra Weintraub
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Richard Gershon
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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