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Vujic A, Mowszowski L, Meares S, Batchelor J, Naismith SL. Not all mentally stimulating activities are alike: insights from a 4-factor model and implications for late-life cognition. NEUROPSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENT, AND COGNITION. SECTION B, AGING, NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2023; 30:822-836. [PMID: 35775824 DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2022.2094878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
It is not yet known which specific qualities of cognitively stimulating activities are most likely to enhance cognitive reserve in older adults. Taking an inductive approach to this problem, we asked 504 older adults with subjective and/or cognitive impairment to complete the Cognitively Stimulating Activities Questionnaire (CSA-Q). Exploratory factor analysis identified a 4-factor structure within a split-half sample, after which confirmatory factor analysis cross-validated the model. Retaining 12 CSA-Q items, the 4 factors were dubbed CSA-Processing, CSA-Challenging, CSA-Connecting and CSA-Socializing. Resulting factor weights were analyzed relative to cognitive reserve proxies and neuropsychological domains. All factors except CSA-Challenging were positively linked to cognitive reserve. Neuropsychologically, CSA-Challenging was modestly and positively correlated with processing speed and executive function, while CSA-Processing was positively correlated with executive function. CSA-Socializing had a small positive correlation with processing speed. Our findings offer new insights into late-life stimulating activities, laying the groundwork for longitudinal and intervention studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Vujic
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Healthy Brain Ageing Program, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Loren Mowszowski
- Healthy Brain Ageing Program, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Susanne Meares
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jennifer Batchelor
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sharon L Naismith
- Healthy Brain Ageing Program, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Iizuka A, Murayama H, Machida M, Amagasa S, Inoue S, Fujiwara T, Shobugawa Y. Leisure Activity Variety and Brain Volume Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Analysis of the Neuron to Environmental Impact Across Generations Study Data. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:758562. [PMID: 34916923 PMCID: PMC8669795 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.758562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Recent findings indicate that leisure activity (LA) delays cognitive decline and reduces the risk of dementia. However, the association between LA and brain volume remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between LA variety and brain volume with a focus on the hippocampus and gray matter. Methods: Data were obtained from the baseline survey of the Neuron to Environmental Impact across Generations study, which had targeted community-dwelling older adults living in Niigata, Japan. We divided LAs into 10 categories, and counted the number of categories of activities in which the participants engaged. We classified them as follows: 0 (i.e., no activity), 1, 2, or ≥ 3 types. Brain volume was assessed through magnetic resonance imaging, and hippocampal and gray matter volumes were ascertained. Results: The sample size was 482. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that hippocampal and gray matter volumes were significantly greater among participants with ≥ 3 types of LAs than among their no-activity counterparts. Hippocampal volume was significantly greater among those who engaged in one type of LA than among those who engaged in no such activity. Sex-stratified analysis revealed that hippocampal volumes were significantly greater among males who engaged in ≥ 3 types of LAs and one type of LA. However, no such association was found among females. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that engaging in a wide range of LAs is related to hippocampal and gray matter volumes. Furthermore, there was a sex difference in the association between LA variety and brain volume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai Iizuka
- Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Murayama
- Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Machida
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiho Amagasa
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeru Inoue
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeo Fujiwara
- Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yugo Shobugawa
- Department of Active Ageing, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
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