Adult Age Span Research Articles

Associations between systemic pro-inflammatory markers, cognitive function and cognitive complaints in a population-based sample of working adults

BackgroundThe knowledge is limited regarding the relation between systemic inflammatory biomarkers and subjective and objective cognitive functioning in population-based samples of healthy adults across the adult age-span. Thus, the aim of this study was to study a selection of four pro-inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, MCP-1, TNF-α, CRP) in relation to executive cognitive functioning, episodic memory and subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) in a population-based sample of 215 working adults (age 25–67). ResultsHigher levels of MCP-1 were associated with poorer executive cognitive functioning, even after adjustments for demographical factors, health status/conditions, SCC and depressive symptoms. IL-6 and CRP were associated with poorer executive cognitive functioning, but these associations covaried with age especially and were not present after adjustment for demographical factors.MCP-1 was associated with poorer episodic memory, but this association also covaried with age especially and was not present after adjustment for demographical factors, and CRP was associated with episodic memory only among participants without reported health conditions. Higher MCP-1 levels were also associated with more SCC and this association covaried with depressive symptoms, while higher levels of TNF-α were associated with less SCC. ConclusionLow grade inflammatory processes in terms of higher systemic levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers (MCP-1, IL-6 & CRP) were associated with poorer executive functioning in this sample of working adults, and MCP-1 was so after extensive adjustments. Support for associations between these biomarkers and episodic memory and SCC were more limited. Future research should address the causality of associations between low grade inflammatory processes and cognitive functioning.

Quantifying effects of age on balance and gait with inertial sensors in community-dwelling healthy adults

Although balance and gait deteriorate as a person ages, it is unknown if all balance and gait measures change similarly across the adult age span. We developed the Instrumented Stand and Walk test (ISAW) to provide a quick quantification of key components of balance and walking: postural sway, anticipatory postural adjustments during step initiation, gait, and turning using body-worn, inertial sensors. Our aims were to characterize how different balance and gait measures change with age and to identify key age-related measures of mobility, in a wide age range of healthy, community-dwelling adults. A total of 135 healthy, community-dwelling subjects of age range 21–89years with no history of falls were enrolled. Subjects wore inertial sensors on the wrists, ankles, sternum and lumbar area; 37 reliable and valid measures of postural sway, step initiation, gait and turning were computed. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to examine how the measures changed with age. Several distinct correlation patterns between age and ISAW measures were observed: linear deterioration, deterioration after plateau, and subtle, or no, worsening. Spatial, but not temporal, measures of gait were age-related. The strongest age correlation was found for centroidal frequency of mediolateral postural sway (r=−0.50, p≤0.001). A hierarchical regression model revealed that age was the most important predictor of mediolateral centroidal frequency, with lower sway frequencies associated with older age, independent of gender, weight, and height. Our results showed that balance and gait represent independent control systems for mobility and not all balance and gait measures deteriorate the same way with age. Postural sway during stance was more strongly related to age than any gait, gait initiation or turning measure.

Relationship between APOE Genotype and Structural MRI Measures throughout Adulthood in the Study of Health in Pomerania Population-Based Cohort.

The presence of the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele is the strongest sporadic Alzheimer disease genetic risk factor. We hypothesized that apolipoprotein E ε4 carriers and noncarriers may already differ in imaging patterns in midlife. We therefore sought to identify the effect of apolipoprotein E genotype on brain atrophy across almost the entire adult age span by using advanced MR imaging-based pattern analysis. We analyzed MR imaging scans of 1472 participants from the Study of Health in Pomerania (22-90 years of age). We studied the association among age, apolipoprotein E ε4 carrier status, and brain atrophy, which was quantified by using 2 MR imaging-based indices: Spatial Pattern of Atrophy for Recognition of Brain Aging (summarizing age-related brain atrophy) and Spatial Pattern of Abnormality for Recognition of Early Alzheimer Disease (summarizing Alzheimer disease-like brain atrophy patterns), as well as the gray matter volumes in several Alzheimer disease- and apolipoprotein E-related ROIs (lateral frontal, lateral temporal, medial frontal, and hippocampus). No significant association was found between apolipoprotein E ε4 carrier status and the studied ROIs or the MR imaging-based indices in linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, and education, including an interaction term between apolipoprotein E and age. Our study indicates that measurable apolipoprotein E-related brain atrophy does not occur in early adulthood and midlife and suggests that such atrophy may only occur more proximal to the onset of clinical symptoms of dementia.

Why are there race/ethnic differences in adult body mass index-adiposity relationships? A quantitative critical review.

Body mass index (BMI) is now the most widely used measure of adiposity on a global scale. Nevertheless, intense discussion centers on the appropriateness of BMI as a phenotypic marker of adiposity across populations differing in race and ethnicity. BMI-adiposity relations appear to vary significantly across race/ethnic groups, but a collective critical analysis of these effects establishing their magnitude and underlying body shape/composition basis is lacking. Accordingly, we systematically review the magnitude of these race-ethnic differences across non-Hispanic (NH) white, NH black and Mexican American adults, their anatomic body composition basis and potential biologically linked mechanisms, using both earlier publications and new analyses from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Our collective observations provide a new framework for critically evaluating the quantitative relations between BMI and adiposity across groups differing in race and ethnicity; reveal new insights into BMI as a measure of adiposity across the adult age-span; identify knowledge gaps that can form the basis of future research and create a quantitative foundation for developing BMI-related public health recommendations.

Replication study of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) genotype association with skeletal muscle traits and sarcopenia

Polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene are some of the most studied in relation to skeletal muscle traits and significant associations have been observed by multiple groups. One such paper by our group provided the first evidence of a genetic association with sarcopenia in men, but that finding has yet to be replicated in an independent cohort. In the present study, we examined multiple VDR polymorphisms in relation to skeletal muscle traits and sarcopenia in 864 men and women across the adult age span. In addition to VDR genotypes and haplotypes, measurements of skeletal muscle strength and fat-free mass (FFM) were determined in all subjects and a measure of sarcopenia was calculated. We observed significant associations between Fok1 and Bsm1 genotypes and skeletal muscle strength in men and women, though these associations were modest and no significant associations were observed for these polymorphisms and muscle mass traits nor for Bsm1-Taq1 haplotype with muscle strength. Fok1 FF genotype was associated with an increased the risk of sarcopenia in older women compared to f-allele carriers (1.3-fold higher risk). These results support previous findings that VDR genetic variation appears to impact skeletal muscle strength and risk for sarcopenia but the influence is modest.

Muscle mass and muscle function over the adult life span: A cross-sectional study in Flemish adults

BackgroundAging is accompanied with a progressive deterioration of skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and muscle function, also termed sarcopenia. MethodsThe aim was to describe SMM (based on bioelectrical impedance) and muscle function of the leg extensors over the adult age span in 819 men and 578 women, aged 18–78 years. The distribution of skeletal muscle index (SMI; SMM/height2) groups was described and muscle force–velocity characteristics were examined between SMI-groups over the adult life span. Subjects were divided into age categories and SMI groups to compare their muscle strength characteristics. Isometric and isokinetic strength, ballistic movement speed and muscular endurance of the knee extensors were evaluated on a Biodex dynamometer. ResultsAge by gender interaction effects were found significant (P<0.01) for all strength tests. In general, the overall drop in slow and faster knee extension strength was larger than the isometric component, with women showing larger losses by the age of 60–70 years compared to men. Regression analysis revealed significant (P<0.01) age-related reductions, with the largest explained variance for the muscular endurance parameter (24%). No age by SMI-group interaction effect was observed for muscle function, but main effects of age and SMI were significant (P<0.01). ConclusionThe age-related decline in muscle function was stronger in women. Furthermore, a low SMI results in a weaker muscle function compared to a normal SMI in each age-category, pointing out that its relationship with physical disability should therefore be further examined over the adult life-span.

A variable number of tandem repeats in the 3'-untranslated region of the dopamine transporter modulates striatal function during working memory updating across the adult age span.

Dopamine modulation of striatal function is critical for executive functions such as working memory (WM) updating. The dopamine transporter (DAT) regulates striatal dopamine signaling via synaptic reuptake. A variable number of tandem repeats in the 3'-untranslated region of SLC6A3 (DAT1-3'-UTR-VNTR) is associated with DAT expression, such that 9-repeat allele carriers tend to express lower levels (associated with higher extracellular dopamine concentrations) than 10-repeat homozygotes. Aging is also associated with decline of the dopamine system. The goal of the present study was to investigate the effects of aging and DAT1-3'-UTR-VNTR on the neural activity and functional connectivity of the striatum during WM updating. Our results showed both an age-related decrease in striatal activity and an effect of DAT1-3'-UTR-VNTR. Ten-repeat homozygotes showed reduced striatal activity and increased striatal-hippocampal connectivity during WM updating relative to the 9-repeat carriers. There was no age by DAT1-3'-UTR-VNTR interaction. These results suggest that, whereas striatal function during WM updating is modulated by both age and genetically determined DAT levels, the rate of the age-related decline in striatal function is similar across both DAT1-3'-UTR-VNTR genotype groups. They further suggest that, because of the baseline difference in striatal function based on DAT1-3'-UTR-VNTR polymorphism, 10-repeat homozygotes, who have lower levels of striatal function throughout the adult life span, may reach a threshold of decreased striatal function and manifest impairments in cognitive processes mediated by the striatum earlier in life than the 9-repeat carriers. Our data suggest that age and DAT1-3'-UTR-VNTR polymorphism independently modulate striatal function.

Development of the Combat Distress Scale of the Combat Experiences Questionnaire (CEQ)

BackgroundMilitary combat exposure can be perceived as a great threat to the integrity of soldiers. However, no available assessment tools evaluate the degree of emotional distress that results from the exposure to various combat scenarios. This paper presents the second independent section of the Combat Exposure Questionnaire, the Combat Distress Scale (CEQ B). This questionnaire assesses Veterans׳ subjective emotional distress that is due to objective and typical military combat scenarios during war. MethodsA sample of 708 Portuguese Overseas War Veterans participated. The scale structure of the CEQ B was analyzed with a Rasch Model, and the internal consistency and convergent validity of the scale were studied. The temporal reliability was calculated in a subgroup of 112 participants. Two samples of war Veterans with and without war-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (N=40 and N=47, respectively) were used to explore the scale׳s discriminant validity. ResultsOverall, the CEQ B showed an acceptable fit to the data, excellent internal consistency, high temporal stability, adequate convergent validity and suitable discriminant validity. LimitationsThis study used a population of male war Veterans that did not equally represent genders or the full adult age span, which may hinder the generalization of the results. ConclusionThe findings indicated that the CEQ B is valid, reliable and supported by convergent and discriminant data. This lends confidence in the use of the measure as an assessment of the subjective emotional distress resulting from exposure to military combat scenarios in clinical and research settings.

Shear wave elastography of passive skeletal muscle stiffness: Influences of sex and age throughout adulthood

BackgroundNumerous structural and compositional changes – related not only to age, but also activity level and sex – may affect skeletal muscle stiffness across the adult age-span. Measurement techniques available thus far have largely limited passive stiffness evaluations to those of entire joints and muscle–tendon units. Shear wave elastography is an increasingly popular ultrasound technique for evaluating the mechanical properties of skeletal muscle tissue. The purpose of this study was to quantify the passive stiffness, or shear modulus, of the biceps brachii throughout adulthood in flexed and extended elbow positions. We hypothesized that shear modulus would be higher in males relative to females, and with advanced age in both sexes. MethodsShear wave elastography quantified biceps brachii stiffness at 90° elbow flexion and full extension in a large sample of adults between 21 and 94years old (n=133; 47 males). FindingsRegression analysis found sex and age were significant parameters for older adults (>60years) in full extension. As expected, shear modulus values increased with advancing age; however, shear modulus values for females tended to be higher than those for males. InterpretationThis study begins to establish normative trends for skeletal muscle shear modulus throughout adulthood. Specifically, this work establishes for the first time that the higher passive joint torque often found in males relative to females likely relates to parameters other than muscle shear modulus. Indeed, perhaps increases in skeletal muscle passive stiffness, though potentially altering the length–tension curve, serve a protective role — maintaining the tendon–muscle–tendon length–tension curve within a functional range.

Impact of age and gender on the haemodynamic determinants of blood pressure across the adult age-span

s 127 BCL11B gene expression levels among those with different genotypes. In addition, rs1461587G>T and rs17773233G>T polymorphisms influence aortic stiffness measured ex vivo, confirming previous observations. Further functional studies are required to elucidate the role of this locus on aortic stiffness.

Factor structure, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Health Battery (NIHTB-CHB) in adults.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the construct validity of the NIH Neurobehavioral Toolbox Cognitive Health Battery (NIHTB-CHB) in adults. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the dimensional structure underlying the NIHTB-CHB and Gold Standard tests chosen to serve as concurrent validity criteria for the NIHTB-CHB. These results were used to evaluate the convergent and discriminant validity of the NIHTB-CHB in adults ranging from 20 to 85 years of age. Five dimensions were found to explain the correlations among NIHTB-CHB and Gold Standard tests: Vocabulary, Reading, Episodic Memory, Working Memory and Executive Function/Processing Speed. NIHTB-CHB measures and their Gold Standard analogues defined factors in a pattern that broadly supported the convergent and discriminant validity of the NIHTB-CHB tests. This 5-factor structure was found to be invariant across 20-60 year old (N=159) and 65-85 year old (N=109) age groups that were included in the current validity study. Second order Crystallized Abilities (Vocabulary and Reading) and Fluid Abilities (Episodic Memory, Working Memory, Executive/Speed) factors parsimoniously explained correlations among the five first order factors. These results suggest that the NIHTB-CHB will provide both fine-grained and broad characterization of cognition across the adult age span.

Variability in self-reported normal sleep across the adult age span.

Illustrate the importance of examining within- and between-person differences in sleep across the adult age span. Two weeks of sleep diary data were analyzed for 592 normal sleepers ranging in age from 20 to 96 years. Variability in total sleep time (TST), number of nighttime awakenings (NWAK), sleep-onset latency (SOL), and wake-time after sleep onset (WASO) were examined overall and by age, sex, and race utilizing multilevel models and multiple regression. Night-to-night differences in sleep within the same individual generally exceeded differences between individuals for TST, SOL, and WASO. The amount of intraindividual variability in TST and NWAK decreased with older age. Further, the degree of reduction in variability in TST associated with age depended on sex and race, with young black females showing the greatest variability. In general, females tended to have more intraindividual variability in SOL and NWAK than males, while race differences were complicated by high variability between blacks. To truly assess and understand individual differences in the sleep of older adults, future research needs to take into account night-to-night variability (including what makes sleep vary from one night to the next), in addition to average sleep.

Time to flourish: the relationship of temporal perspective to well-being and wisdom across adulthood

Objectives: Despite the centrality of time to the aging process, the well-being consequences of different temporal orientations for optimal aging are poorly understood. We investigate one underexamined area of temporal orientation, namely a balanced time perspective, in a large, lifespan sample from the Netherlands.Method: Participants consisted of 512 Dutch adults ranging in age from 17 to 92 years (Mage = 46.46, SD = 21.37), including 186 male and 326 females. Participants completed a measure of balanced time perspective, mental health, and wisdom.Results: Results indicated that a balanced time perspective uniquely predicted both mental health and wisdom even after controlling for demographic, physical health, and personality variables. Younger adults tended to be more future-oriented relative to older adults while older adults tended to be more past-oriented relative to younger adults. Further, both midlife and younger adults were more likely to have a balanced time perspective relative to older adults.Conclusion: A balanced time perspective is associated with higher well-being and wisdom across the adult age span.

Are subjective cognitive complaints related to memory functioning in the working population?

Cognitive functioning is important for managing work and life in general. Some experience problems with cognitive functioning, often referred to as subjective cognitive complaints (SCC). These problems are rather prevalent in the working population and can be coupled with both lowered well-being and work ability. However, the relation between SCC and memory functioning across the adult age-span, and in the work force, is not clear as few population-based studies have been conducted on non-elderly adults. Thus, the present study aimed to test the relation between SCC and actual declarative memory functioning in a population-based sample of employees. Participants were 233 employees with either high (cases) or low (controls) levels of SCC. Group differences in neuropsychological tests of semantic and episodic memory, as well as episodic memory performance during higher executive demands (divided attention) were analysed through a set of analyses of covariance tests. Significantly poorer episodic memory performance during divided attention (i.e. high executive demands) was found in the group with high SCC compared to controls with little SCC, while no group differences were found in semantic memory. No group differences were found in immediate or delayed episodic memory during focused attention conditions. Furthermore, depressive symptoms, chronic stress symptoms and sleeping problems were found to play a role in the relation between SCC and episodic memory during divided attention. This study contributes to an increased understanding of what characterizes SCC in the work force and suggests a relation to poorer executive cognitive functioning.

Subjective Cognitive Complaints and the Role of Executive Cognitive Functioning in the Working Population: A Case-Control Study

BackgroundCognitive functioning is important for managing work and life in general. However, subjective cognitive complaints (SCC), involving perceived difficulties with concentration, memory, decision making, and clear thinking are common in the general and working population and can be coupled with both lowered well-being and work ability. However, the relation between SCC and cognitive functioning across the adult age-span, and in the work force, is not clear as few population-based studies have been conducted on non-elderly adults. Thus, the present study aimed to test the relation between SCC and executive cognitive functioning in a population-based sample of employees.MethodsParticipants were 233 employees with either high (cases) or low (controls) levels of SCC. Group differences in neuropsychological test performance on three common executive cognitive tests were analysed through a set of analyses of covariance tests, including relevant covariates.Results & ConclusionsIn line with the a priori hypotheses, a high level of SCC was associated with significantly poorer executive cognitive performance on all three executive cognitive tests used, compared to controls with little SCC. Additionally, symptoms of depression, chronic stress and sleeping problems were found to play a role in the relations between SCC and executive cognitive functioning. No significant associations remained after adjusting for all these factors. The current findings contribute to an increased understanding of what characterizes SCC in the work force and may be used at different levels of prevention of- and intervention for SCC and related problems with executive cognitive functioning.

Body composition in 18‐ to 88‐year‐old adults—comparison of multifrequency bioimpedance and dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry

This study compared bioimpedance analysis (BIA) in the assessment of body composition with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 18- to 88-year-old adults. Body composition of 882 adults was estimated by eight-polar BIA and DXA. In addition, estimates of lean mass, fat mass, and percentage of fat were investigated across a range of age and leisure time physical activity (LTPA) groups. Compared to DXA, larger lean masses (mean difference 2.9 and 1.6 kg) and smaller fat masses (3.1 and 2.6 kg) were estimated by BIA in both women and men, respectively. Differences between the methods' mean values were evident in all age and LTPA groups, except in the oldest men (over 70 years). Age, waist circumference, grip strength, and LTPA explained 21% or less of the variance observed in the differences between methods. Compared to DXA, BIA provided systematically different body composition estimates throughout the adult age span with considerable amount of intraindividual variation. The differences between estimates may be related to the BIAs' algorithm or body geometry or composition of the population used in this study. Knowledge about the methodological limitations and device comparability is essential for researchers, clinicians, and persons working in rehabilitation and sport centers.

The Association Between Frequency of Physical Activity and Mortality Risk Across the Adult Age Span

To determine if the association between frequency of leisure-time physical activity and mortality risk differs across adulthood. 9,249 adults from the NHANES III (1988-1994) were categorized as middle-aged (40-64 years), old (65-79 years) or very old (≥80 years), and as inactive (0 bouts of physical activity/week), lightly active (1-2 bouts/week), moderately active (3-4 bouts/week) or very active (5+ bouts/week). In all age categories, lightly, moderately, and very active adults had a lower mortality risk compared to inactive adults (p < .001). In very old adults only, being very active was associated with a lower mortality risk compared to being lightly active (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.64-0.98; p = .03) and moderately active (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.65-0.98; (p = .03). The association between physical activity frequency and mortality risk is strongest in very old adults. All adults and particularly very old adults may benefit from participating in physical activity five or more times a week.

Cerebrospinal fluid norepinephrine and cognition in subjects across the adult age span

Adequate central nervous system noradrenergic activity enhances cognition, but excessive noradrenergic activity may have adverse effects on cognition. Previous studies have also demonstrated that noradrenergic activity is higher in older than younger adults. We aimed to determine relationships between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) norepinephrine (NE) concentration and cognitive performance by using data from a CSF bank that includes samples from 258 cognitively normal participants aged 21–100 years. After adjusting for age, gender, education, and ethnicity, higher CSF NE levels (units of 100 pg/mL) are associated with poorer performance on tests of attention, processing speed, and executive function (Trail Making A: regression coefficient 1.5, standard error [SE] 0.77, p = 0.046; Trail Making B: regression coefficient 5.0, SE 2.2, p = 0.024; Stroop Word-Color Interference task: regression coefficient 6.1, SE 2.0, p = 0.003). Findings are consistent with the earlier literature relating excess noradrenergic activity with cognitive impairment.

Stretch‐shortening cycle muscle power in women and men aged 18–81 years: Influence of age and gender

This study explored the age-related deterioration in stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) muscle power and concurrent force-velocity properties in women and men across the adult life span. A total of 315 participants (women: n = 188; men: n = 127) aged 18-81 years performed maximal countermovement jumps on an instrumented force plate. Maximal SSC leg extension power expressed per kg body mass (Ppeak) was greater in men than in women across the adult age span (P < 0.001); however, this gender difference was progressively reduced with increasing age, because men showed an ∼50% faster rate of decline in SSC power than women (P < 0.001). Velocity at peak power (VPpeak) was greater in men than in women (P < 0.001) but declined at a greater rate in men than in women (P = 0.002). Vertical ground reaction force at peak power (FPpeak) was higher in men than in women in younger adults only (P < 0.001) and the age-related decline was steeper in men than in women (P < 0.001). Men demonstrated a steeper rate of decline in Ppeak than women with progressive aging. This novel finding emerged as a result of greater age-related losses in men for both force and velocity. Consequently, maximal SSC power production was observed to converge between genders when approaching old age.

Prognosis of patients with ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis (GN) presenting with severe renal failure

The knowledge is limited regarding the relation between systemic inflammatory biomarkers and subjective and objective cognitive functioning in population-based samples of healthy adults across the adult age-span. Thus, the aim of this study was to study a selection of four pro-inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, MCP-1, TNF-α, CRP) in relation to executive cognitive functioning, episodic memory and subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) in a population-based sample of 215 working adults (age 25–67).Higher levels of MCP-1 were associated with poorer executive cognitive functioning, even after adjustments for demographical factors, health status/conditions, SCC and depressive symptoms. IL-6 and CRP were associated with poorer executive cognitive functioning, but these associations covaried with age especially and were not present after adjustment for demographical factors.MCP-1 was associated with poorer episodic memory, but this association also covaried with age especially and was not present after adjustment for demographical factors, and CRP was associated with episodic memory only among participants without reported health conditions. Higher MCP-1 levels were also associated with more SCC and this association covaried with depressive symptoms, while higher levels of TNF-α were associated with less SCC.Low grade inflammatory processes in terms of higher systemic levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers (MCP-1, IL-6 & CRP) were associated with poorer executive functioning in this sample of working adults, and MCP-1 was so after extensive adjustments. Support for associations between these biomarkers and episodic memory and SCC were more limited. Future research should address the causality of associations between low grade inflammatory processes and cognitive functioning.