Predicting Functional Dependence in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Differential Contributions of Memory and Executive Functions

Cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with cognitive performance in 80 + -year-olds: Detangling processing levels

Cardiorespiratory fitness is known to protect against cognitive decline in older adults. Specifically, it has been shown that physical activity and fitness are beneficial for executive functions that are crucial for independent living up to old age. In this study, 115 individuals aged 80 years and older underwent a cardiorespiratory fitness assessment using the two-minute step test and had their electroencephalogram recorded during a colored flanker task in order to measure executive function performance. Cardiorespiratory fitness was related to quicker responses during the flanker task. A mediation analysis was carried out to determine whether these positive effects were mediated through event-related potentials (N1, N2, or P3) or motor-related cortical potentials (MRCP). Cardiorespiratory fitness was related to better visual discriminative processing as indicated by larger occipital N1 amplitudes. In addition, fitness was associated with larger MRCP amplitudes, which are a correlate of the response generation process. Fitness was not found to have a significant effect on fronto-central N2 or parietal P3, which are thought to capture cognitive control processes such as conflict detection and response inhibition. Moreover, all effects reported were present in all three flanker trial conditions (congruent, neutral, and incongruent). Thus, these results indicate that the quicker response times in fitter people were related to visual processing and motor response generation rather than cognitive control.

Engineering Virtuous health habits using Emotion and Neurocognition: Flexibility for Lifestyle Optimization and Weight management (EVEN FLOW)

Interventions to preserve functional independence in older adults are critically needed to optimize 'successful aging' among the large and increasing population of older adults in the United States. For most aging adults, the management of chronic diseases is the most common and impactful risk factor for loss of functional independence. Chronic disease management inherently involves the learning and adaptation of new behaviors, such as adopting or modifying physical activity habits and managing weight. Despite the importance of chronic disease management in older adults, vanishingly few individuals optimally manage their health behavior in the service of chronic disease stabilization to preserve functional independence. Contemporary conceptual models of chronic disease management and health habit theory suggest that this lack of optimal management may result from an underappreciated distinction within the health behavior literature: the behavioral domains critical for initiation of new behaviors (Initiation Phase) are largely distinct from those that facilitate their maintenance (Maintenance Phase). Psychological factors, particularly experiential acceptance and trait levels of openness are critical to engagement with new health behaviors, willingness to make difficult lifestyle changes, and the ability to tolerate aversive affective responses in the process. Cognitive factors, particularly executive function, are critical to learning new skills, using them effectively across different areas of life and contextual demands, and updating of skills to facilitate behavioral maintenance. Emerging data therefore suggests that individuals with greater executive function are better able to sustain behavior changes, which in turn protects against cognitive decline. In addition, social and structural supports of behavior change serve a critical buffering role across phases of behavior change. The present review attempts to address these gaps by proposing a novel biobehavioral intervention framework that incorporates both individual-level and social support system-level variables for the purpose of treatment tailoring. Our intervention framework triangulates on the central importance of self-regulatory functioning, proposing that both cognitive and psychological mechanisms ultimately influence an individuals' ability to engage in different aspects of self-management (individual level) in the service of maintaining independence. Importantly, the proposed linkages of cognitive and affective functioning align with emerging individual difference frameworks, suggesting that lower levels of cognitive and/or psychological flexibility represent an intermediate phenotype of risk. Individuals exhibiting self-regulatory lapses either due to the inability to regulate their emotional responses or due to the presence of executive functioning impairments are therefore the most likely to require assistance to preserve functional independence. In addition, these vulnerabilities will be more easily observable for individuals requiring greater complexity of self-management behavioral demands (e.g. complexity of medication regimen) and/or with lesser social support. Our proposed framework also intuits several distinct intervention pathways based on the profile of self-regulatory behaviors: we propose that individuals with intact affect regulation and impaired executive function will preferentially respond to 'top-down' training approaches (e.g., strategy and process work). Individuals with intact executive function and impaired affect regulation will respond to 'bottom-up' approaches (e.g., graded exposure). And individuals with impairments in both may require treatments targeting caregiving or structural supports, particularly in the context of elevated behavioral demands.

Defining Dementia Subtypes Through Neuropsychiatric Symptom-Linked Brain Connectivity Patterns

BACKGROUND

Dementia is highly heterogeneous, with pronounced individual differences in neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and neuroimaging findings. Understanding the heterogeneity of NPS and associated brain abnormalities is essential for effective management and treatment of dementia.

METHODS

Using large-scale neuroimaging data from the Open Access Series of Imaging Studies (OASIS-3), we conducted a multivariate sparse canonical correlation analysis to identify functional connectivity-informed symptom dimensions. Subsequently, we performed a clustering analysis on the obtained latent connectivity profiles to reveal neurophysiological subtypes and examined differences in abnormal connectivity and phenotypic profiles between subtypes.

RESULTS

We identified two reliable neuropsychiatric subsyndromes - behavioral and anxiety in the connectivity-NPS linked latent space. The behavioral subsyndrome was characterized by the connections predominantly involving the default mode and somatomotor networks and neuropsychiatric symptoms involving nighttime behavior disturbance, agitation, and apathy. The anxiety subsyndrome was mainly contributed by connections involving the visual network and the anxiety neuropsychiatric symptom. By clustering individuals along these two subsyndromes-linked connectivity latent features, we uncovered three subtypes encompassing both dementia patients and healthy controls. Dementia in one subtype exhibited similar brain connectivity and cognitive-behavior patterns to healthy individuals. However, dementia in the other two subtypes showed different dysfunctional connectivity profiles involving the default mode, frontoparietal control, somatomotor, and ventral attention networks, compared to healthy individuals. These dysfunctional connectivity patterns were associated with differences in baseline dementia severity and longitudinal progression of cognitive impairment and behavioral dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings shed valuable insights into disentangling the neuropsychiatric and brain functional heterogeneity of dementia, offering a promising avenue to improve clinical management and facilitate the development of timely and targeted interventions for dementia patients.

Pilot validation of a verbal practical judgement assessment (VPJ) among community-dwelling older adults in Israel: the first step toward a national standard

Increased longevity and subsequent increase in older populations emphasize the importance of assisting older people to continue living in safe and residential situations for as long as possible. Judgement, an important aspect of cognition, and a predictor of function may become impaired and compromise safe living. Yet, judgement is difficult to assess, and few valid instruments are utilized in clinical settings that accurately evaluate judgement in older people.

Objectives

This pilot study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and initiate the validation of the Hebrew version of the verbal practical judgement (VPJ) assessment among community-dwelling older people.

Methods

A total of 50 older adults, aged over 65 years, living in the community in Israel, half of whom were independent (n=27, 54%), and the rest dependent participants in a day centre with some level of cognitive/functional decline, completed the VPJ evaluation and comparison assessments.

Results

Positive and significant (p<0.05) relationships between VPJ and standard assessments were found, demonstrating convergent validity. By comparing VPJ scores between independent and dependent older adults, results also supported discriminant validity. Finally, a multiple hierarchical regression demonstrated a positive relationship between instrumental activities of daily living and judgement.

Conclusions

This pilot study found the VPJ feasible, likely valid, and culturally adaptable to assess judgement in Israeli older adults. Assessing judgement will provide older adults and their families with essential information regarding function, cognition, and safety and will enable them to live/return home in accordance with their autonomy, safety, and well-being.

Longitudinal Changes in Dual Decline in Memory and Gait Speed Association with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living: Findings from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project

Objective: We investigated the association between dual decline (DD) (loss of memory and gait speed) and the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) degeneration in older adults. Methods: Data were drawn from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) reflecting changes over 5 years. This study used the NSHAP data set wave 2 (2010-2011, N = 3196) and wave 3 (2015-2016, N = 4377). Results: Data from 1640 participants were retrieved. There were 601 people with DD and 1039 people without-DD. The DD group had a 28.4% (95% CI = 1.013-1.626) greater risk of degrading in IADL than the without-DD group (odds ratio = 1.284, p < .05). Conclusion: Current research can be used when establishing intervention programs or policies that can prevent IADL degradation through simple memory training and walking activities for older adults living in the community.

Association of Regional Cortical Network Atrophy With Progression to Dementia in Patients With Primary Progressive Aphasia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Patients with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) have gradually progressive language deficits during the initial phase of the illness. As the underlying neurodegenerative disease progresses, patients with PPA start losing independent functioning due to the development of nonlanguage cognitive or behavioral symptoms. The timeline of this progression from the mild cognitive impairment stage to the dementia stage of PPA is variable across patients. In this study, in a sample of patients with PPA, we measured the magnitude of cortical atrophy within functional networks believed to subserve diverse cognitive and affective functions. The objective of the study was to evaluate the utility of this measure as a predictor of time to subsequent progression to dementia in PPA.

METHODS

Patients with PPA with largely independent daily function were recruited through the Massachusetts General Hospital Frontotemporal Disorders Unit. All patients underwent an MRI scan at baseline. Cortical atrophy was then estimated relative to a group of amyloid-negative cognitively normal control participants. For each patient, we measured the time between the baseline visit and the subsequent visit at which dementia progression was documented or last observation. Simple and multivariable Cox regression models were used to examine the relationship between cortical atrophy and the likelihood of progression to dementia.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients with PPA (mean age = 66.39 ± 8.36 years, 59.2% females) and 25 controls (mean age = 67.43 ± 4.84 years, 48% females) were included in the data analysis. Greater baseline atrophy in not only the left language network (hazard ratio = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.17-1.84) but also in the frontoparietal control (1.75, 1.25-2.44), salience (1.63, 1.25-2.13), default mode (1.55, 1.19-2.01), and ventral frontotemporal (1.41, 1.16-1.71) networks was associated with a higher risk of progression to dementia. A multivariable model identified contributions of the left frontoparietal control (1.94, 1.09-3.48) and ventral frontotemporal (1.61, 1.09-2.39) networks in predicting dementia progression, with no additional variance explained by the language network (0.75, 0.43-1.31).

DISCUSSION

These results suggest that baseline atrophy in cortical networks subserving nonlanguage cognitive and affective functions is an important predictor of progression to dementia in PPA. This measure should be included in precision medicine models of prognosis in PPA.

Psychometric Properties of the Subjective Cognitive Decline Questionnaire (SCD-Q) and Its Invariance across Age Groups

Considering that a good sense of subjective cognitive decline seems to be crucial to prevent decline before clinical impairment, the interest in examining tools on this front were raised in the last decade. The aim of the present study is to examine the psychometric properties of the Subjective Cognitive Decline Questionnaire (SCD-Q) across age in its Spanish adaptation. It should be noted that two constructs were proposed in this context: mnestic processes and executive function factors. For this reason, a sample of 750 individuals aged from 18 to 82 years participated in the study. They were divided into three different groups: young, middle, and older adults. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and invariance analysis were carried out. Moreover, a logistic regression was employed to address the role of age. The results support a good goodness of fit for both uni- and bifactorial models. The invariance analysis reached the structural covariances levels. Last, age did not predict the recognition of cognitive decline in the last two years, while the SCD-Q bifactorial model did. These results are of interest both on a theoretical level, to provide more information on models of cognitive impairment, and on a practical level, for screening.

The contribution of functional cognition screening during acute illness hospitalization of older adults in predicting participation in daily life after discharge

Background

Cognitive assessment in acutely hospitalized older adults is mainly limited to neuropsychological screening measures of global cognition. Performance-based assessments of functional cognition better indicate functioning in real-life situations. However, their predictive validity has been less studied in acute hospital settings. The aim of this study was to explore the unique contribution of functional cognition screening during acute illness hospitalization in predicting participation of older adults one and three months after discharge beyond traditional neuropsychological measures.

Methods

This prospective longitudinal study included 84 older adults ≥ 65 years hospitalized in internal medicine wards due to acute illness, followed by home visits at one month and telephone interviews at three months (n = 77). Participation in instrumental activities of daily living, social and leisure activities was measured by the Activity Card Sort. In-hospital factors included cognitive status (telephone version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, Color Trails Test), functional cognition screening (medication sorting task from the alternative Executive Function Performance Test), emotional status (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale), functional decline during hospitalization (modified Barthel index), length of hospital stay, the severity of the acute illness, symptoms severity and comorbidities.

Results

Functional cognition outperformed the neuropsychological measures in predicting participation declines in a sample of relatively high-functioning older adults. According to a hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis, the overall model explained 28.4% of the variance in participation after one month and 19.5% after three months. Age and gender explained 18.6% of the variance after one month and 13.5% after three months. The medication sorting task explained an additional 5.5% of the variance of participation after one month and 5.1% after three months, beyond age and gender. Length of stay and the Color Trails Test were not significant contributors to the change in participation.

Conclusions

By incorporating functional cognition into acute settings, healthcare professionals would be able to better detect older adults with mild executive dysfunctions who are at risk for participation declines. Early identification of executive dysfunctions can improve continuity of care and planning of tailored post-discharge rehabilitation services, especially for high-functioning older adults, a mostly overlooked population in acute settings. The results support the use of functional cognition screening measure of medication management ability in acute settings.

Determinants of Adherence to a “GRADIOR” Computer-Based Cognitive Training Program in People with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Mild Dementia

Background: Computer-based programs have been implemented from a psychosocial approach for the care of people with dementia (PwD). However, several factors may determine adherence of older PwD to this type of treatment. The aim of this paper was to identify the sociodemographic, cognitive, psychological, and physical-health determinants that helped predict adherence or not to a “GRADIOR” computerized cognitive training (CCT) program in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia. Method: This study was part of a randomized clinical trial (RCT) (ISRCTN: 15742788). However, this study will only focus on the experimental group (n = 43) included in the RCT. This group was divided into adherent people (compliance: ≥60% of the sessions and persistence in treatment up to 4 months) and non-adherent. The participants were 60–90 age and diagnosed with MCI and mild dementia. We selected from the evaluation protocol for the RCT, tests that evaluated cognitive aspects (memory and executive functioning), psychological and physical health. The CCT with GRADIOR consisted of attending 2–3 weekly sessions for 4 months with a duration of 30 min Data analysis: Phi and Biserial-point correlations, a multiple logical regression analysis was obtained to find the adherence model and U Mann–Whitney was used. Results: The adherence model was made up of the Digit Symbol and Arithmetic of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III) and Lexical Verbal Fluency (LVF) -R tests. This model had 90% sensitivity, 50% specificity and 75% precision. The goodness-of-fit p-value of the model was 0.02. Conclusions: good executive functioning in attention, working memory (WM), phonological verbal fluency and cognitive flexibility predicted a greater probability that a person would be adherent.

Three-year trajectories in functional limitations and cognitive decline among Dutch 75+ year olds, using nine-month intervals

Background

Using longitudinal panel data, we aimed to identify three-year trajectories in cognitive and physical functioning among Dutch older adults, and the characteristics associated with these trajectories.

Methods

We used Group-based Trajectory Modelling with mortality jointly estimated to identify trajectories, using a scale composed of 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADL) as a measure of physical functioning, and the short mini mental status examination (sMMSE) or the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) as a measure of cognitive functioning. Data came from 574 Dutch adults aged 75+, collected in five nine-month measurement waves (2015–2018) for the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam.

Results

For physical functioning five trajectories were identified: ‘high’, ‘moderate’, ‘steeply declining’, ‘gradually declining’, and ‘continuously low’; and for cognitive functioning: ‘high’, ‘moderate’, ‘declining’, and ‘low’. Living in an institution, and being lower educated increased the probability of the two continuously low functioning trajectories, whereas old age and multimorbidity increased the probability of low physical functioning, but multimorbidity decreased the probability of low cognitive functioning. Associations for steeply declining physical functioning were absent. Being older and having multimorbidity increased the probability of gradually declining physical functioning and declining cognitive functioning. A higher prevalence of lung- and heart disease, cancer, and rheumatic disease was found in the gradually declining physical functioning group; and a higher prevalence of diabetes, cerebrovascular accidents, and cancer was found in the declining cognitive functioning group. High and moderate physical functioning and high cognitive functioning were characterized by being younger, community-dwelling, and higher educated. Having multimorbidity negatively predicted high and moderate physical functioning, but was not associated with high and moderate cognitive functioning.

Conclusions

This study identified trajectories comparable to studies that used longer time intervals, showing the consistent presence of heterogeneity in both physical and cognitive trajectories. Co-modelling mortality resulted in bigger group sizes for the more adverse trajectories. The favourable trajectories, containing most of the participants, were mostly characterized by absence of disease. The prevalence of chronic diseases differed between the declining trajectories, suggesting that certain diseases tend to induce cognitive decline rather than physical decline, and vice versa.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-021-02720-x.

A Typical Week With Mild Cognitive Impairment

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Identifying the experience of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may help develop research agendas, interventions, and other supports to better match individuals' needs. The purpose of this study was to explore the subjective experience of a "typical week" living with MCI to document (a) important activities, (b) barriers to usual activities, and (c) facilitators and supports.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted remote individual photo-elicitation interviews with 11 community-dwelling adults aged 55 years or older with MCI. Participants each provided 5-10 photographs of daily life taken over 1 week to facilitate a semistructured qualitative interview. Interview transcriptions were coded in Dedoose software and analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Participants shared photos and narratives highlighting the important activities in a typical week, in which physical activity, social engagement, spiritual and religious practice, hobbies, and cognitive stimulation were central. Many also shared disruptions to former routines and reduction of activities alongside increased use of new strategies and environmental supports (e.g., calendars, smartphones). Finally, emergent themes centered on disclosure of their diagnosis and reflections about the future.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Participant-generated images aided data collection and facilitated discussion of sensitive topics with individuals with MCI. Such narratives may illustrate the needs and opportunities to promote well-being in individuals with MCI, including engagement in meaningful and health-promoting activities, assessing barriers to important daily activities, and considering supports that match the experience and needs of those with MCI.

Planning and optimising a digital intervention to protect older adults' cognitive health

BACKGROUND

By 2050, worldwide dementia prevalence is expected to triple. Affordable, scalable interventions are required to support protective behaviours such as physical activity, cognitive training and healthy eating. This paper outlines the theory-, evidence- and person-based development of 'Active Brains': a multi-domain digital behaviour change intervention to reduce cognitive decline amongst older adults.

METHODS

During the initial planning phase, scoping reviews, consultation with PPI contributors and expert co-investigators and behavioural analysis collated and recorded evidence that was triangulated to inform provisional 'guiding principles' and an intervention logic model. The following optimisation phase involved qualitative think aloud and semi-structured interviews with 52 older adults with higher and lower cognitive performance scores. Data were analysed thematically and informed changes and additions to guiding principles, the behavioural analysis and the logic model which, in turn, informed changes to intervention content.

RESULTS

Scoping reviews and qualitative interviews suggested that the same intervention content may be suitable for individuals with higher and lower cognitive performance. Qualitative findings revealed that maintaining independence and enjoyment motivated engagement in intervention-targeted behaviours, whereas managing ill health was a potential barrier. Social support for engaging in such activities could provide motivation, but was not desirable for all. These findings informed development of intervention content and functionality that appeared highly acceptable amongst a sample of target users.

CONCLUSIONS

A digitally delivered intervention with minimal support appears acceptable and potentially engaging to older adults with higher and lower levels of cognitive performance. As well as informing our own intervention development, insights obtained through this process may be useful for others working with, and developing interventions for, older adults and/or those with cognitive impairment.

Associations Between Self- and Informant-Reported Abilities of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and Cognitive Functions in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Objective

Older adults (OAs) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) show disabilities in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), which have been linked to compromised cognitive functioning. However, it is unclear which cognitive functions are primarily involved. The present study sought to identify the cognitive function(s) most strongly associated with the IADL limitations in MCI.

Method

OAs with MCI (N = 120) completed cognitive tasks measuring general cognitive processing speed, working memory (WM) maintenance and updating, inhibition, and shifting ability. IADL abilities were assessed through both self- and informant reports.

Results

Self-reported IADL abilities were positively associated with both cognitive processing speed and WM updating capacity. Informant-reported IADL abilities were also positively associated with processing speed and WM updating, in addition to cognitive shifting ability.

Conclusion

Both general processing speed and WM updating capacity were consistently predictive of IADL abilities. These results might inform the design of training programs aimed at maintaining or improving functional independence in individuals with MCI to focus more on these cognitive functions. However, the strength of the association between specific cognitive functions and IADL abilities in OAs with MCI depends on the source of the information about the IADL abilities, which highlights the need for gathering data from both the examinee and informants.

Functional Differences Found in the Elderly Living in the Community

Introduction: Successful aging lies in cognitive and functional maintenance, and in the optimal performance of daily tasks that keep the elderly free of disability and dependence. However, there is little evidence for functional differences for gender and age, and how cognitive and physical demands in past working lives can affect them, to design more personalized occupational therapy interventions to prevent functional and cognitive impairment. Method: This observational descriptive study evaluated 367 older adults living in a community with subjective memory complaints and scored between 24 and 35 with the Spanish version of the “Mini-Mental State Examination (MEC-35)”. Basic activities of daily living (BADL) were studied with the Barthel Index, while instrumental ADL (IADL) were examined with the Lawton–Brody scale. Functional differences for gender, age, and physico-mental occupation were examined. Results: The significant differences found for gender indicated that men did better in BADL (p = 0.026) and women better performed IADL (p < 0.001). Differences between age groups suggest that the younger group (aged 64–75) obtained better results for BADL (p = 0.001) and IADL (p < 0.001). For physico-mental occupation, statistically significant differences were found only in IADL for mental (p = 0.034) and physical occupation (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Gender, age, and the cognitive and physical demands of occupational stages, can be important predictors of cognitive and functional impairment. These results can be generalized to other health centers in the province and to other Spanish Autonomous Communities because their socio-demographic variables are similar. It would be interesting to carry out multimodal personalized interventions that consider the factors that might affect functional impairment to preserve personal autonomy.

Psychometric Evaluation and Workflow Integration Study of a Tablet-Based Tool to Detect Mild Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND

With the rapid aging of the global population, experts anticipate a surge in the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia worldwide. It is argued that developing more sensitive, easy to administer, and valid MCI screening tools for use in primary care settings may initiate timely clinical and personal care planning and treatment, enabling early access to programs and services. Including functional competence measures in screening tests makes them more ecologically valid and may help to identify cognitive deficits at an earlier stage.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to conduct a preliminary evaluative study comparing the sensitivity, specificity, and reliability of the BrainFx Screen (referred to as SCREEN hereafter), a novel digital tool designed to assess functional competence and detect early signs of cognitive impairment, with the Quick Mild Cognitive Impairment, a validated and highly sensitive tool that detects MCI in the older adult population. We will also investigate the perceived usefulness and integration of the SCREEN into primary care practice to identify demonstrable impacts on clinical workflow and health care providers' (HCP) perceptions of its success as a screening tool. Patients' perceptions of completing the SCREEN and its impact on their quality of life will also be explored.

METHODS

This study has a concurrent, mixed methods, prospective, and quasi-experimental design. Participants will be recruited from 5 primary care family health teams (FHTs; defined by multidisciplinary practice and capitated funding) across southwestern Ontario, Canada. Participants will include HCPs, patients, care partners, and FHT administrative executives. Patients 55 years and older with no history of diagnoses for MCI, dementia, or Alzheimer disease rostered in one of the FHTs participating in the study will be eligible to participate. Their care partners will help triangulate the qualitative data collected from patients. Participating FHTs will identify an occupational therapist from their site to participate in the study; this HCP will both administer the research protocol and participate in semistructured in-depth interviews and questionnaires. Principal component analysis will be conducted on the SCREEN data to understand the test components better. Tests comparing sensitivity, specificity, and test-retest reliability will assess the validity of SCREEN as a screening tool for MCI.

RESULTS

This paper describes the study protocol and its activities to date. Data collection was halted early because of COVID-19 restrictions on research activity, and data analysis is currently in progress.

CONCLUSIONS

At the end of the project, we anticipate having an initial comparative evaluation of the SCREEN as a tool for early detection of MCI in primary care older adult patient populations. Resource constraints on this research study limit our ability to conduct a randomized controlled trial; however, the results will assist developers of the SCREEN in determining whether rigorous controlled testing is warranted.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/25520.

Differences between episodic and semantic memory in predicting observation-based activities of daily living in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease

Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can often progress into Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Research suggests that decline in episodic memory and semantic memory, as well as functional abilities, can be sensitive in predicting disease progression. This study aimed to (a) investigate episodic and semantic memory performance differences between AD and MCI, (b) determine if memory performance predicts observation-based activities of daily living (ADLs), and (c) explore whether semantic memory mediates the relationship between episodic memory and ADLs. Fifty-eight AD, 53 MCI, and 72 healthy control participants were administered the Rey-O, California Verbal Learning Test, Animal Fluency Test, Boston Naming Test, and Direct Assessment of Functional Status (DAFS). The results revealed, first, that AD participants performed significantly lower than the MCI participants across semantic memory and episodic memory tasks, with the exception of the Boston Naming Test. Second, hierarchical-stepwise regression analyses found that semantic memory significantly predicted DAFS orientation, communication, and financial skills in AD, but episodic memory predicted shopping skills. Furthermore, semantic memory significantly predicted DAFS transportation skills in AD and MCI. Third, within the overall sample, semantic memory mediated the relationship between episodic memory and ADLs. Taken together, the findings suggest decline in semantic memory (as measured by confrontational naming and category fluency) and episodic memory (as measured by list and complex visual design learning and recall) may lead to decline in different and specific aspects of functional abilities in AD and MCI.

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) and Its Reliability and Validity

The Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) is a collateral-report measure of difficulties in activities of daily living. Despite its widespread use, psychometric analyses have been limited in scope, piecemeal across samples, and limited primarily to classical test theory. This article consolidated and expanded psychometric analyses using tools from generalizability and item response theories among 27,916 individuals from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center database who completed the FAQ. Reliability was evaluated with internal consistency, test-retest, and generalizability analyses. Validity was assessed via convergence with neurocognitive measures, classification accuracy with impairment stage, and confirmatory factor and item response theory analyses. Demographics did not impact scores and there was strong evidence for reliability (0.52-0.95), though coefficients were attenuated when restricted in range to diagnostic groups (e.g., normal cognition). There were strong correlations with neurocognitive measures (rs: -.30 to -.59), strong classification accuracy (areas under the curve: .81-.99), and a single-factor model had excellent fit. All items evidenced strong item response theory discrimination and provided significant information regarding functional disability, albeit within a relatively restricted range. The FAQ is a reliable and valid measure of activities of daily living concerns for use in clinical/research settings. It best assesses mild levels of functional difficulty, which is helpful in distinguishing normal cognition from mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

Neurocognitive impairment, employment, and social status in radiotherapy-treated adult survivors of childhood brain tumors

Background

Little is known of the cognitive functions, employment, and social status in adult survivors of childhood brain tumor (BT). We aimed to determine the long-term neurocognitive profile of radiotherapy-treated adult survivors of childhood BT and the relationship between cognitive functions and employment and social status.

Methods

Neurocognitive profiles of survivors were assessed in a Finnish national cohort of 71 radiotherapy-treated survivors of childhood BT (median follow-up time: 21 years [range: 5-33 years]) using a cross-sectional design. Neurocognitive outcomes were compared to control (n = 45) and normative values. Tumor- and treatment-related data were collected from the patient files. Information on employment and social status was gathered.

Results

Survivors’ (median age: 27 years [range: 16-43 years]) median verbal and performance intelligence quotient (IQ) was 90 (range: 49-121) and 87 (range: 43-119), respectively. The cognitive domains with the greatest impairment were executive functions (median z score, −3.5 SD [range: −25.0 to 1.3 SD]), and processing speed and attention (median z score, −2.5 SD [range: −24.9 to 0.5 SD]). Executive functions were associated with employment, educational level, living independently, having an intimate relationship, and having a driving license. Processing speed and attention were related to educational level, living independently, having an intimate relationship, and having a driving license. Performance IQ was associated with educational level and employment status. Working memory was associated with educational level and living independently.

Conclusions

Radiotherapy-treated adult survivors of childhood BT experience significant neurocognitive impairment, which is associated with difficulties related to employment and social status.

Regional White Matter Integrity Predicts Treatment Response to Escitalopram and Memantine in Geriatric Depression: A Pilot Study

Background: Geriatric depression with subjective memory complaints increases the risk for Alzheimer's Disease. Memantine, a neuroprotective drug, can improve depression and help prevent cognitive decline. In our 6-months clinical trial, escitalopram/memantine (ESC/MEM) improved mood and cognition compared to escitalopram/placebo treatment (ESC/PBO; NCT01902004). In this report, we investigated whether baseline brain white matter integrity in fronto-limbic-striatal tracts can predict clinical outcomes using fractional anisotropy (FA). Methods: Thirty-eight older depressed adults (mean age = 70.6, SD = 7.2) were randomized to ESC/MEM or ESC/PBO and underwent diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) at 3 Tesla at baseline. Mood was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), apathy using the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) and anxiety using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) at baseline and 6-months follow-up. FA was extracted from seven tracts of interest (six in each hemisphere and one commissural tract) associated with geriatric depression. Non-parametric General Linear Models were used to examine group differences in the association between FA and symptom improvement, controlling for age, sex, baseline symptom scores and scanner model, correcting for false discovery rate (FDR). Post-hoc tests further investigated group differences in axial, mean and radial diffusivity (AD, MD, and RD, respectively). Lastly, we performed an exploratory whole-brain model to test whether FA might be related to treatment response with memantine. Results: There were no differences in remission rates or HAMD change between groups. In bilateral anterior and posterior internal capsule tracts and bilateral inferior and right superior fronto-occipital (IFO and SFO) fasciculus, higher FA was associated with larger improvements in depressive symptoms for ESC/MEM, but not ESC/PBO, correcting for FDR. Lower MD in the left IFO and RD in the right anterior internal capsule were associated with improved treatment responses. We found no significant associations in the whole-brain analysis. Limitations: Included small sample size and high dropout. Conclusions: Higher baseline FA and lower RD and MD in hypothesized fronto-limbic-striatal tracts predicted greater improvement in mood and anxiety with ESC/MEM compared to ESC/PBO in geriatric depression. FA as a biomarker for white matter integrity may serve as a predictor of treatment response but requires confirmation in larger future studies.

Combined treatment with escitalopram and memantine increases gray matter volume and cortical thickness compared to escitalopram and placebo in a pilot study of geriatric depression

BACKGROUND

Geriatric depression with subjective cognitive complaints increases the risk of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Memantine is a cognitive enhancer used to treat AD. In a 6-month double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial of escitalopram and memantine (ESC/MEM), ESC/MEM improved cognition at 12 month in geriatric depression (NCT01902004). We now investigated structural neuroplastic changes at 3 months.

METHODS

Forty-one older depressed adults (mean age=70.43, SD=7.33, 26 female) were randomized to receive ESC/MEM or ESC/PBO. Mood scores (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, HAMD) and high-resolution structural T1-weighted images were acquired at baseline and 3 months. Freesurfer 6.0 for image processing and General Linear Models was used to examine group differences in symmetrized percent change gray matter volume (GMV) and cortical thickness, controlling for age and intracranial volume. Nonparametric tests were used to investigate group differences in mood and subcortical volume change.

RESULTS

Among 27 completers (ESC/MEM n = 13; ESC/PBO n = 14), 62% achieved remission (HAMD≤6) with ESC/MEM and 43% with ESC/PBO (Fisher's exact p=.45). Change in HAMD did not differ between groups (F(1,23)=0.14, p=.7). GMV and thickness increased more with ESC/MEM than with ESC/PBO in the left middle and inferior temporal lobe, right medial, and lateral orbito-frontal cortex (OFC).

LIMITATIONS

included small sample size, dropout, and the lack of cognitive data at 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Although significant group differences in mood improvement were not observed, ESC/MEM resulted in increased GMV and cortical thickness in several brain regions compared to placebo. Larger longitudinal clinical trials can further examine the neuroprotective effect of memantine in geriatric depression.

Effect of Process-Based Multi-Task Cognitive Training Program on Executive Function in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: Study Rationale and Protocol Design for a Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION

Recent research from both human and animal studies confirms that cognitive training gains a considerable effect on multiple cognitive domains in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Previous studies have yet paid scant attention to executive function training. Little is known about whether this specific benefit translates to maintaining long-term effectiveness and transfer effects are. This study is designed as an effort to address this issue.

OBJECTIVE

The program aimed to evaluate the effect of process-based multi-task cognitive training on executive function and further explore its long-term effects and transfer effects in older adults with MCI. Furthermore, we will explore the neural correlates latent the changed performances underlying the cognitive intervention.

METHODS

This program is a single-blinded, randomized, prospective clinical trial to test the effect of process-based multi-task cognitive training in older adults with MCI. Ninety participants with MCI will be recruited and randomly assigned to the cognitive training group (n=45) and the wait-list control group (n=45). The cognitive training group will receive 10 weeks of process-based multi-task cognitive training and health education twice a week, at 40~60 min per session. While the wait-list control group will only receive 10 weeks of health education during the research period. The effect is measured using the executive function, neuropsychological assessment performance and related brain activity assessed with electroencephalogram parameters (slowness and complexity of the EEG) at baseline, after 10 weeks of training, and a 3-month follow-up.

RESULTS

The study is currently ongoing. Recruitment began in March 2019 and will conclude at the end of 2020. Effects of the process-based multi-task cognitive training on executive function in older adults with MCI will be described in intention-to-treat analysis and protocol set principle. We will also explore the potential long-term effects and transfer effects.

DISCUSSION

If a process-based multi-task cognitive training program results in positive changes to executive function in older adults with MCI, this might provide a viable and potential approach to delay the cognitive decline. Clinical Trial Registration: ChiCTR1900020585. Registered on January 09, 2019. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=34664.

Development of a Combined Sensory-Cognitive Measure Based on the Common Cause Hypothesis: Heterogeneous Trajectories and Associated Risk Factors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

There is a link between sensory and cognitive functioning across old age. However, there are no integrative measures for assessing common determinants of sensory-cognitive functioning. This study aims to develop a combined measure of sensory-cognitive functioning, and to identify heterogeneous trajectories and associated risk factors.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Two thousand two hundred and fifty-five individuals aged 60 years and over selected from the first six waves (2002-2012) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing completed a set of five self-reported visual and hearing functioning items and four cognitive items. Several health-related outcomes were also collected.

RESULTS

The common cause model presented longitudinal factorial invariance (Tucker-Lewis index [TLI] = 0.989; Comparative Fit Index [CFI] = 0.991; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation [RMSEA] = 0.026). A common factor explained 32%, 36%, and 26% of the visual, hearing, and cognitive difficulties, respectively. The developed sensory-cognitive measure predicted incident dementia over 10 years (area under the curve = .80; 95% confidence interval [CI] = .75, .86). A three-trajectory model was proved to fit better, according to growth mixture modeling. Low levels of education and household wealth, disability, diabetes, high blood pressure, depressive symptoms, and low levels of physical activity were risk factors associated with the classes showing trajectories with a steeper increase of sensory-cognitive difficulties.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

A time-invariant factor explains both sensory and cognitive functioning over 8 years. The sensory-cognitive measure derived from this factor showed a good performance for predicting dementia 10 years later. Several easily identifiable socioeconomic and health-related risk factors could be used as early markers of subsequent sensory-cognitive decline. Therefore, the proposed latent measure could be useful as a cost-effective indicator of sensory-cognitive functioning.

Playing Mahjong for 12 Weeks Improved Executive Function in Elderly People With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Study of Implications for TBI-Induced Cognitive Deficits

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is common among elderly people. So far, effective treatment that can stabilize or reverse the cognitive decline associated with MCI is lacking. Recent studies suggest that playing mahjong may improve attention and memory in elderly people. However, its effect on executive function remains unknown.

Methods: 56 elderly people (74.3 ± 4.3 years of age) with MCI from the First Social Welfare the First Nursing Home of Nanchong were randomized into mahjong and control groups (N = 28, each group). Subjects in the mahjong group played mahjong three times a week for 12 weeks, while people in the control group assumed normal daily activity. Executive function was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment—Beijing (MoCA-B), the Shape Trail Test (STT), and the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) before the study and then at 6 and 12 weeks after mahjong administration.

Results: There were no baseline differences in MoCA-B, STT, and FAQ scoring between the two groups. The MoCA-B, STT, and FAQ scores, however, improved significantly in the mahjong group but not in the control group after the 12-week mahjong administration. Significant correlations were also found between STT and FAQ scores.

Conclusions: Playing Mahjong for 12 weeks improved the executive function of elderly people with MCI. Because Mahjong is a simple, low-cost entertainment activity, it could be widely applied to slow down or reverse the progression of cognitive decline in people with MCI, including those with traumatic brain injury.