Search

Aim: The purposes of this pilot randomized controlled trial were to establish feasibility of participant recruitment and engagement in the exercise intervention., Methods: A total of 50 participants with type 2 diabetes were recruited from the study and randomly assigned to an aerobic exercise group or an attention control group., Results: Our study demonstrated the feasibility of the exercise program, achieving a recruitment rate of 2.94 persons per month, a 76% retention rate, and an 80.56% attendance rate. The adherence rates were 79.54% and 76.48% for the aerobic exercise and attention control groups, respectively. However, we were not able to detect any statistically significant difference between the two groups., Conclusions: This pilot study established the feasibility of recruiting and engaging middle-aged older adults with type 2 diabetes in aerobic exercise. Based on these findings, a large-scale study assessing the effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive function in this population is needed., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest There is no financial/personal interest or belief that could affect their objectivity., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Previous studies evaluating the association between leisure activities and cognitive function produced conflicting results. Different types of leisure activities may have different effects on cognition, and very few studies have explored their bidirectional associations. Our study aimed to explore whether intellectual and social activities had bidirectional associations with cognitive function among the middle-aged and elderly adults in China., Methods: Data was derived from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. The data in this study were based on 11,549 participants aged 45 or older whose intellectual and social activities and cognitive function were assessed at baseline. Cross-lagged panel model was used to examine the temporal relationship of intellectual and social activities with cognitive function., Results: Totally, 5624 participants completed the third follow-up in 2018. The results showed that the better the cognitive function they had at baseline, the more intellectual activities they were engage in (β = 0.044, P < 0.001) and vice versa (β = 0.042, P = 0.001). Additionally, better cognitive function at baseline was significantly associated with more engagement in social activities (β = 0.028, P = 0.030); in contrast, higher engagement in social activities at baseline was not related to better cognitive function (β = -0.008, P = 0.523)., Limitations: Engagement in social and intellectual activities was assessed via questionnaire., Conclusions: Our findings indicated that there was a bidirectional relationship between intellectual activities and cognitive function. However, participation in social activities did not slow down the decline in cognitive function. Participating in intellectual activities, compared to social activities, is especially beneficial for cognitive function., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Diabetes is associated with cognitive dysfunction that comes with substantial lifetime consequences, such as interference with diabetes self-management and reduced quality of life. Although regular physical activity has been consistently shown to enhance cognitive function among healthy subjects, significant interpersonal differences in exercise-induced cognitive outcomes have been reported among brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val/Val vs. Met carriers. However, the evidence on how the BDNF Val66Met variant influences the relationship between regular physical activity and cognition among individuals with diabetes is currently lacking., Methods: A total of 3,040 individuals with diabetes were included in this analysis using data from the Health and Retirement Study. Associations among moderate and vigorous physical activities (MVPA) and measures of cognitive function were evaluated using multivariable linear regression models within each stratum of the Val66Met genotypes., Results: MVPA was more strongly associated with total cognitive score, mental status, and words recall among Met/Met carriers, compared to Val/Val and Val/Met carriers., Conclusions: This study provided preliminary findings on how BDNF variants may modulate the exercise-induced cognitive benefits among mid-aged and older adults with diabetes. Given the limitations of the current study, it is necessary for randomized controlled trials to stratify by BDNF genotypes to more conclusively determine whether Met carriers benefit more from increased physical activity. In addition, future research is needed to examine how the interplay of BDNF Val66Met variants, DNA methylation, and physical activity may have an impact on cognitive function among adults with diabetes.

Objectives: We aimed to estimate the association of sleep, sedentary activity and physical activity with cognitive function among older adults, with consideration of the competing nature between variables of activity status., Design: Cross-sectional study., Methods: A total of 3086 older adults (60 years or older) in the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to measure self-reported time for sedentary activity, walking/bicycling and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Cognitive function was examined using the CERAD Word Learning subtest (memory), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (executive function/processing speed), and Animal Fluency Test (language). Sleep duration was obtained via interview. Isotemporal substitution models using multivariable linear regression were applied to examine the associations of replacing sleep, sedentary activity, walking/bicycling, MVPA with each other and cognitive function, stratified by sleep duration per night (≤7h, >7h)., Results: Among participants with sleep duration ≤7h/night, replacing 30min/day of sedentary activity with 30min/day of MVPA or 30min/day was associated with better cognition. Among participants with sleep duration >7h/night, replacing 30min/day of sleep with 30min/day of sedentary activity, walking/bicycling, or MVPA was associated with better cognition., Conclusions: Replacing sedentary activities with MVPA was associated with favorable cognitive function among older adults sleeping no longer than 7h/night, and replacing excessive sleep with sedentary or physical activities was associated with favorable cognition. Future research is expected to examine the associations of replacing different activity status on long-term cognitive outcomes in longitudinal studies., (Copyright © 2020 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Associations between the frequency of social and intellectual activities and cognitive trajectories are understudied in Chinese middle-aged and older adults. We aimed to examine this association in a nationally representative longitudinal study., Methods: The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) is a nationally representative sample of Chinese middle-aged and older participants. The frequency of social and intellectual activities was measured at baseline. Interview-based cognitive assessments of orientation and attention, episodic memory, and visuospatial skills and the calculation of combined global scores were assessed every 2 years from 2011 to 2016. Cognitive aging trajectories over time were analyzed using group-based trajectory modeling, and the associations of the trajectory memberships with social and intellectual activities were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported., Results: Among 8204 participants aged 50-75 years at baseline, trajectory analysis identified three longitudinal patterns of cognitive function based on the global cognitive scores: "persistently low trajectory" (n = 1550, 18.9%), "persistently moderate trajectory" (n = 3194, 38.9%), and "persistently high trajectory" (n = 3460, 42.2%). After adjustment for sociodemographic variables, lifestyles, geriatric symptoms, and health conditions, more frequent intellectual activities (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.38-0.77) and social activities (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.65-0.95) were both associated with a lower likelihood of being in the "persistently low trajectory" for global cognitive function., Conclusions: These findings suggested that more frequent social and intellectual activities were associated with more favorable cognitive aging trajectories.

The purpose of this study was to synthesize research evidence from studies on the relationships among the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, regular exercise, and cognition in human subjects. PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched systematically. Search limiters applied in these databases included humans, English language, time limits from 2009 to 2019, and peer-reviewed journal articles. Eight studies were included in the current review. While there was some evidence to tentatively suggest that greater levels of exercise were associated with certain forms of memory in Val/Val homozygotes than Met carriers, more research is needed to corroborate these findings. Regarding attention/information processing speed, executive function as well as global cognition, the evidence is either inconsistent or sparse and does not allow for tentative conclusions. Compelling evidence from high-quality clinical trials is needed to re-examine the relationship between the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, exercise, and cognition.

Background: Smoking is prevalent among people in China. In this study, we examined the association between smoking and cognitive function in a representative sample of adults aged 45 years and older in China., Methods: We analyzed the baseline data of 16,892 participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. We measured smoking based on smoking status (never, former, and current smokers) and pack years (one pack year equals 20 cigarettes per day for 1 year). We assessed cognitive function for visuospatial ability, episodic memory, orientation/attention, and overall cognitive function. Multivariate linear and logistic regressions were used to examine the independent association between smoking and cognitive function, controlling for sociodemographic factors, domestic partner status, physical health status, and depressive symptoms., Results: The study participants were, on average, 60 years old. The prevalence of former and current smoking in this population was 8.4% and 28.8%, respectively. Compared with nonsmokers, former and current smokers had better cognitive function (p < .0001). After controlling for covariates, only former smokers, compared with nonsmokers, have better orientation and attention (p = .04) and overall cognitive function (p = .01). Moreover, pack years are positively associated with orientation, attention (p = .04), and overall cognitive function among all participants (p = .02)., Conclusions: This study identified that, among middle-aged and older Chinese adults, former smokers had the highest cognitive function, especially attention and orientation, followed by never smokers and current smokers. When screening for cognition impairment among Chinese middle-aged and older adults, we should encourage them to quit smoking.

Background: Metabolomics study provides an opportunity to identify novel molecular determinants of altered cognitive function., Methods: During 2013 to 2016 Bogalusa Heart Study (BHS) visit, 1,177 participants underwent untargeted, ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy metabolomics profiling. Global cognition and five cognition domains were also assessed. The cross-sectional associations of single metabolites with cognition were tested using multiple linear regression models. Weighted correlation network analysis was used to examine the covariable-adjusted correlations of modules of co-abundant metabolites with cognition. Analyses were conducted in the overall sample and according to both ethnicity and sex., Results: Five known metabolites and two metabolite modules robustly associated with cognition across overall and stratified analyses. Two metabolites were from lipid sub-pathways including fatty acid metabolism [9-hydroxystearate; minimum P-value (min-P)=1.11×10 -5 ], and primary bile acid metabolism (glyco-alpha-muricholate; min-P=4.10×10 -5 ). One metabolite from the glycogen metabolism sub-pathway (maltose; min-P=9.77×10 -6 ), one from the polyamine metabolism sub-pathway (N-acetyl-isoputreanine; min-P=1.03×10 -5 ), and one from the purine metabolism sub-pathway (7-methylguanine; min-P=1.19×10 -5 ) were also identified. Two metabolite modules reflecting bile acid metabolism and androgenic steroids correlated with cognition (min-P=5.00×10 -4 and 3.00×10 -3 , respectively)., Conclusion: The novel associations of 5 known metabolites and 2 metabolite modules with cognition provide insights into the physiological mechanisms regulating cognitive function.

Background: Alcohol use and its associated problems are on the rise in China. In this study, we examined the associations between alcohol use and cognitive functioning in a representative sample of adults aged 45 years and older in China., Methods: Baseline data for 16,328 participants of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were analyzed. Alcohol use was measured by drinking status (never, former, moderate, and at-risk drinkers), number of standard drinks per week, and years of drinking. Cognitive functioning was assessed for visuospatial ability, episodic memory, orientation/attention, and overall cognitive functioning. Multivariate linear and logistic regressions were used to examine the independent association between alcohol use and cognitive functioning controlling for age, gender, education, domestic partner status, and depressive symptoms., Results: The study participants were, on average, 66 years old (median 59, range 45 to 102). The prevalence of ever drinking during lifetime and current at-risk drinking (>14 drinks per week) in this population was 34.6 and 6.7%, respectively. Drinking was more common among men with 48.8% being ever drinkers and 14.4% current at-risk drinkers, respectively. At-risk drinkers, compared to people who never drank alcohol, had worse episodic memory (β = -0.11, p = 0.048). Moreover, number of standard drinks per week was associated with worse episodic memory (β = -0.001, p = 0.02). None of the other measures of alcohol use was associated with the overall or domain-specific cognitive functioning., Conclusions: At-risk drinking status was associated with worse episodic memory. Clinicians should incorporate alcohol use assessment into routine care for middle-aged and older adults in China and provide them with resources and strategies to effectively manage their alcohol use. This may help preserve episodic memory in this population., (© 2018 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.)

Introduction: Aging is associated with subtle cognitive decline in attention, memory, executive function, processing speed, and reasoning. Although lower brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been linked to cognitive decline among older adults, it is not known if the association differs among individuals with various BDNF Val66Met (rs6265) genotypes. In addition, it is not clear whether these associations vary by hand grip strength or physical activity (PA). Methods: A total of 2904 older adults were included in this study using data from the Health and Retirement Study. Associations between serum BDNF and measures of cognitive function were evaluated using multivariable linear regression models stratified by Met allele status. PA and hand grip strength were added to the model to evaluate whether including these variables altered associations between serum BDNF and cognition. Results: Mean age was 71.4 years old, and mean body mass index was 28.3 kg/m2. Serum BDNF levels were positively associated with higher total cognitive score (beta = 0.34, p =.07), mental status (beta = 0.16, p =.07), and word recall (beta = 0.22, p =.04) among Met carriers, while serum BDNF levels were negatively associated with mental status (beta = −0.09, p =.07) among non-Met carriers. Furthermore, associations changed when hand grip strength was added to the model but not when PA was added to the model. Conclusions: The BDNF Val66Met variant may moderate the association between serum BDNF levels and cognitive function in older adults. Furthermore, such associations differ according to hand grip strength but not PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Advanced Nursing (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.) is the property of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)