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Social support during childhood lays the foundation for social relationships throughout the life course and has been shown to predict a wide range of mental and physical health outcomes. Social support measured in late life is prospectively associated with better cognitive aging, but few studies have evaluated social support received earlier in the life course. We quantified the effects of childhood social support, reported retrospectively, on later-life cognitive trajectories and investigated biopsychosocial mechanisms underlying these associations. Latent growth curve models estimated 10-year cognitive trajectories in 8,538 participants (baseline ages 45-93; Mage = 63) in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) project. Independent of sociodemographics, childhood socioeconomic status, and household size, greater retrospective childhood social support was associated with better initial episodic memory, but not verbal fluency or cognitive change, in later adulthood. Associations with initial memory level were mediated by sociodemographic and psychosocial variables; specifically, those who reported greater childhood social support reported higher educational attainment and had better physical and emotional health in adulthood, which were each associated with better memory. These results provide support for broad and enduring effects of childhood social support on mental, physical, and cognitive health decades later. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

ObjectiveWe studied the relation of early-life (mean age 25 years) and mid-life (mean age 50 years) cognitive function to early measures of hostile attitudes and effortful coping.MethodsIn 3,126 black and white men and women (born in 1955-1968) from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (CARDIA), we used linear regression to examine the association of hostile attitudes (Cook-Medley questionnaire) and effortful coping assessed at baseline (1985-1986) to cognitive ability measured in 1987 and to a composite cognitive Z score of tests of verbal memory, psychomotor speed, and executive function ascertained in midlife (2010-2011).ResultsBaseline hostility and effortful coping were prospectively associated with lower cognitive function 25 years later, controlling for age, sex, race, education, long-term exposure to depression, discrimination, negative life events, and baseline cognitive ability. Compared to the lowest quartile, those in the highest quartile of hostility performed 0.21 SD units lower (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.39, -0.02). Those in the highest quartile of effortful coping performed 0.30 SD units lower (95% CI -0.48, -0.12) compared to those in the lowest quartile. Further adjustment for cumulative exposure to cardiovascular risk factors attenuated the association with the cognitive composite Z score for hostility.ConclusionsWorse cognition in midlife was independently associated with 2 psychological characteristics measured in young adulthood. This suggests that interventions that promote positive social interactions may have a role in reducing risk of late-age cognitive impairment.

Speed of processing (SOP) cognitive training may improve indicators of the quality of life (QoL) in people living with HIV. In this 2-year, longitudinal, randomized, controlled trial, 216 participants ages 40 years and older with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder or borderline HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder were assigned to one of three groups: (a) 10 hr of SOP training (n=70); (b) 20 hr of SOP training (n = 73), or (c) 10 hr of internet navigation control training (a contact control group; n = 73). Participants completed several QoL measures at baseline, posttest, and Year 1 and Year 2 follow-ups. Using linear mixed-effect models, no strong pattern of training effects across QoL outcomes was apparent, with small-magnitude, nonsignificant, between-group differences in depression, locus of control, and Medical Outcomes Study-HIV scales. In conclusion, despite prior work showing some transfer of SOP cognitive training improving QoL, that was not observed. Implications for research and practice are posited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Adiposity may have a role in the risk of dementia. Fewer studies have focused on the relationship between change in adiposity and cognitive decline. Our study aimed to explore the association between the change in adiposity and cognitive function in Black and White older adults. Methods The participants were 12,204 older adults without cognitive impairment (62.8 ± 8.0 years) in the United States. The percent body mass index change (%BMI change) and percent waist circumference change (%WC change) were measured at 2 in-home visits (first: 2003–2007, second: 2013–2016). Cognitive status was assessed by the Six-Item Screener annually. Memory and executive function were measured by word list learning, MOCA recall and orientation, and letter and animal fluency every 2 years. Logistic regression or linear regression models were used to estimate the relationship between percent change in adiposity and cognitive function. Results After 12.7 ± 1.7 years, a greater decrease in %BMI change or %WC change was significantly associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment. Compared to older adults with −5% ≤ change ≤ 5% from baseline, a significantly higher risk of cognitive impairment and greater loss in memory and executive function were found among those who experienced more than a 10% decline in %BMI change or %WC change. Older adults who experienced a 5%–10% decrease in %BMI change had a higher risk of cognitive impairment and greater loss of memory compared to those with −5% ≤ change ≤ 5%. Discussion A greater decrease in %BMI (>5%) and %WC (>10%) change was associated with greater cognitive loss observed over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Life-space mobility, which measures the distance, frequency, and independence achieved as individuals move through their community, is one of the most important contributors to healthy aging. The University of Alabama at Birmingham Life-Space Assessment (LSA) is the most commonly used measure of life-space mobility in older adults, yet U.S. national norms for LSA have not previously been reported. This study reports such norms based on age and sex among community-dwelling older adults. Methods A cross-sectional analysis using data from the national REasons for Geographic and Racial Disparities in Stroke cohort study. LSA data were available for 10 118 Black and White participants over age 50, which were grouped by age (in 5-year increments) and sex, weighted for the U.S. national population. Correlations were calculated between LSA and measures of functional and cognitive impairment and physical performance. Results The weighted mean LSA ranged from 102.9 for 50–54-year-old males to 69.5 for males aged 85 and older, and from 102.1 for 50–54-year-old females to 60.1 for females aged 85 and older. LSA was strongly correlated with measures of timed walking, activities of daily living, cognition, depressive symptoms, and quality of life (all p <.001). Conclusions We report U.S. national norms for LSA among community-dwelling Black and White older adults. These norms can serve as a reference tool for determining if clinical and research samples have greater or lesser life-space mobility than typical older adults in the United States for their age and sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: As people with HIV (PWH) age, they are at-risk of developing cognitive impairments compared to their seronegative counterparts. Although speed of processing (SOP) training may help improve this cognitive ability, less work has examined transfer to other cognitive domains. This study examined the effect of SOP training has on secondary cognitive domains in PWH aged 40+ years. Method: In this 3-group 2-year longitudinal study, 216 PWH with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) or borderline HAND were randomized to either: (1) 10 h of SOP training (n = 70); (2) 20 h of SOP training (n = 73); or (3) 10 h of an active control training (n = 73). Participants completed a comprehensive cognitive battery at baseline, immediately after training, and at 1 and 2 years. This battery yielded global and domain specific T-scores as well as a cognitive impairment variable. Generalized linear mixed-effect models were fitted to estimate between-group mean differences at the follow-up time-points adjusted for baseline. Results: No clinically or statistically significant improvements in any of the cognitive outcomes were observed. A sensitivity analysis was conducted; conclusions replicated those of the main analysis, with two exceptions: Global Function T and Psychomotor Speed T showed relevant training improvements among the intervention groups over the control group at the immediate post time point. Conclusions: Although SOP training has been shown to improve cognitive abilities that correspond to driving and mobility, such training has limited therapeutic utility in improving cognition in other domains in PWH with HAND. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivesTo evaluate the association between six nondisease-specific problems (problems that cross multiple domains of health) and mortality in middle-aged and older adults.DesignProspective, observational cohort.SettingU.S. population sample.ParticipantsParticipants included 23,669 black and white U.S. adults aged 45 and older enrolled in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study.MeasurementsNondisease-specific problems included cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms, exhaustion, falls, impaired mobility, and polypharmacy. Age-stratified (

ObjectiveTo assess whether there are differences in the strength of association with incident stroke for specific periods of life in the Stroke Belt (SB).MethodsThe risk of stroke was studied in 24,544 black and white stroke-free participants, aged 45+, in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study, a national population-based cohort enrolled 2003-2007. Incident stroke was defined as first occurrence of stroke over an average 5.8 years of follow-up. Residential histories (city/state) were obtained by questionnaire. SB exposure was quantified by combinations of SB birthplace and current residence and proportion of years in SB during discrete age categories (0-12, 13-18, 19-30, 31-45, last 20 years) and entire life. Proportional hazards models were used to establish association of incident stroke with indices of exposure to SB, adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic (SES), and stroke risk factors.ResultsIn the demographic and SES models, risk of stroke was significantly associated with proportion of life in the SB and with all other exposure periods except birth, ages 31-45, and current residence. The strongest association was for the proportion of the entire life in SB. After adjustment for risk factors, the risk of stroke remained significantly associated only with proportion of residence in SB in adolescence (hazard ratio 1.17, 95% confidence interval 1.00-1.37).ConclusionsChildhood emerged as the most important period of vulnerability to SB residence as a predictor of future stroke. Improvement in childhood health circumstances should be considered as part of long-term health improvement strategies in the SB.

Objective: To evaluate the construct validity of the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery (NIH TB-CB) in the healthy oldest-old (85+ years old). Method: Our sample from the McKnight Brain Aging Registry consists of 179 individuals, 85 to 99 years of age, screened for memory, neurological, and psychiatric disorders. Using previous research methods on a sample of 85 + y/o adults, we conducted confirmatory factor analyses on models of NIH TB-CB and same domain standard neuropsychological measures. We hypothesized the five-factor model (Reading, Vocabulary, Memory, Working Memory, and Executive/Speed) would have the best fit, consistent with younger populations. We assessed confirmatory and discriminant validity. We also evaluated demographic and computer use predictors of NIH TB-CB composite scores. Results: Findings suggest the six-factor model (Vocabulary, Reading, Memory, Working Memory, Executive, and Speed) had a better fit than alternative models. NIH TB-CB tests had good convergent and discriminant validity, though tests in the executive functioning domain had high inter-correlations with other cognitive domains. Computer use was strongly associated with higher NIH TB-CB overall and fluid cognition composite scores. Conclusion: The NIH TB-CB is a valid assessment for the oldest-old samples, with relatively weak validity in the domain of executive functioning. Computer use's impact on composite scores could be due to the executive demands of learning to use a tablet. Strong relationships of executive function with other cognitive domains could be due to cognitive dedifferentiation. Overall, the NIH TB-CB could be useful for testing cognition in the oldest-old and the impact of aging on cognition in older populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Informal family caregivers are increasingly recognized as critical for meeting the needs of individuals with chronic diseases associated with aging. This study examined race and gender differences in perceived informal caregiver availability for participants aged 45 and older in a large national epidemiological study. Design and Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected in structured telephone interviews from 32,999 participants from the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. Participants were asked if they believed that someone was available to provide care for them in the event of a serious illness or disability and, if so, to describe that person. Results: More than 80% of the participants reported having an available caregiver. Variables associated with lower perceived caregiver availability from a multivariable logistic regression analysis included being female, White, or unmarried; living alone; being older than 85; and having worse self-rated health. Spouses were the most likely caregivers for all racial and gender groups except for African American women, who identified daughters as the most likely caregivers. African American women also showed the smallest differential in perceived caregiver availability between married and unmarried (82.8% vs 75.7%), whereas White men showed the largest differential (90.9% vs 60.4%). Implications: Most individuals believe they have an informal caregiver available to them, but certain factors increase the risk of reporting no available caregiver. Increased efforts are needed to anticipate future caregiving needs, particularly for individuals who perceive a lack of available informal caregivers and may require more formal care services. (Contains 4 footnotes, 3 tables, and 1 figure.)