Relationship between parental history of dementia, motor-cognitive and executive function performance in African American women

Abstract

People with parental history (PH) of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias (ADRD) are themselves at risk of developing dementia. ADRD are more prevalent in African Americans and women. A decline in executive function and motor-cognitive integration can cause an impaired performance of functional skills. The monitoring of cognitive and psychosocial function in individuals with a PH of ADRD is important for implementing interventions to delay or prevent ADRD diagnosis. This study compared 58 African American women (M age = 63.2 ± 7.2 years) with PH of ADRD (n = 34) versus without PH (NPH; n = 24) on the performance of motor-cognitive and executive function tasks, and mental and physical quality of life (QOL) using point biserial correlations and linear regression. Linear regression revealed no difference between participants with and without PH on motor-cognitive tests. However, compared to participants with NPH, participants with PH of ADRD performed significantly worse on the DKEFS (Delis Kaplan Executive Function System) Tower Test (PH: M = 9.9 ± 2.0; NPH: M = 11.5 ± 4.3; p = 0.046), had poorer mental QOL (PH: M = 46.8 ± 10.7; NPH: M = 52.8 ± 7.8 l; p = 0.007); and physical QOL (PH: M = 40.9 ± 9.3; NPH: M = 44.7 ± 8.6; p = 0.023). African American women at risk for ADRD may exhibit deficiencies in executive function and physical and mental quality of life before memory deficits meet the criterion for ADRD diagnosis. Motor-Cognitive tasks may be preserved. Executive function and mental and physical health-related QOL may be important targets for identifying individuals at increased risk for ADRD and developing appropriate rehabilitative interventions.