Cognitive Function In Midlife Research Articles

Associations between skeletal growth in childhood and cognitive function in mid-life in a 53-year prospective birth cohort study.

BackgroundSeveral studies have found that shorter stature (height and limb length) in late life is associated with dementia and cognitive impairment. The extent to which childhood environment and early life cognitive function accounts for these associations is not clear.MethodsWe investigated associations of adult trunk height and leg length with cognitive function in middle age, analysing data from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development: a cohort followed from birth to age 53, 1677 of whom had data on all covariates. The four cognitive tests measured verbal ability, word list memory, verbal fluency and speed/concentration. Early life environmental measures included parental education, poverty, parental divorce, physical health, cognitive ability at age 15, own education and own adult social class.ResultsAfter adjusting for gender, shorter trunk length was associated with lower cognitive function on all four tests and shorter leg length with lower verbal intelligence and word list memory. These associations were only partially attenuated following adjustment for childhood adversity/health but were substantially accounted for by cognitive ability at age 15.ConclusionsShorter stature was associated with lower cognitive function at age 53, the majority of this association being accounted for by cognitive function at age 15. Reduced cognitive reserve may well account for later associations between anthropometric measures and dementia.

Nocturnal Blood Pressure in Young Adults and Cognitive Function in Midlife: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study.

Nocturnal blood pressure (BP) is associated with risk for cardiovascular events. However, the relationship between nocturnal BP in young adults and cognitive function in midlife remains unclear. We used data from the ambulatory BP monitoring substudy of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study, including 224 participants (mean age 30 years, 45% men, 63% African Americans). At the 20-year follow-up, the Stroop test (executive function), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (psychomotor speed), and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (verbal memory) were assessed. Baseline mean office, daytime, and nocturnal BP were 109/73, 120/74, and 107/59 mm Hg, respectively. Nocturnal BP dipping, calculated as (nocturnal systolic BP [SBP]--daytime SBP) × 100/daytime SBP, was divided into quartiles (Q1: -39.3% to -16.9%; Q2: -16.8% to -13.2%, Q3 [reference]: -13.1% to -7.8%, and Q4: -7.7% to +56.4%). In multiple regression analyses, the least nocturnal SBP dipping (Q4 vs. reference) and higher nocturnal diastolic BP level were associated with worse Stroop scores, with adjustments for demographic and clinical characteristics, and cumulative exposure to office BP during follow-up (β [standard error]: 0.37 [0.18] and 0.19 [0.07], respectively; all P < 0.05). Digit Symbol Substitution Test and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test were not significantly associated with nocturnal SBP dipping or nocturnal SBP/diastolic BP levels. Among healthy young adults, less nocturnal SBP dipping and higher nocturnal diastolic BP levels were associated with lower executive function in midlife, independent of multiple measures of office BP during long-term follow-up.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and cognitive function in midlife: neuroprotection or neuroselection?

A study was undertaken to determine whether better cognitive functioning at midlife among more physically fit individuals reflects neuroprotection, by which fitness protects against age-related cognitive decline, or neuroselection, by which children with higher cognitive functioning select more active lifestyles. Children in the Dunedin Longitudinal Study (N = 1,037) completed the Wechsler Intelligence Scales and the Trail Making, Rey Delayed Recall, and Grooved Pegboard tasks as children and again at midlife (age = 38 years). Adult cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using a submaximal exercise test to estimate maximum oxygen consumption adjusted for body weight in milliliters/minute/kilogram. We tested whether more fit individuals had better cognitive functioning than their less fit counterparts (which could be consistent with neuroprotection), and whether better childhood cognitive functioning predisposed to better adult cardiorespiratory fitness (neuroselection). Finally, we examined possible mechanisms of neuroselection. Participants with better cardiorespiratory fitness had higher cognitive test scores at midlife. However, fitness-associated advantages in cognitive functioning were already present in childhood. After accounting for childhood baseline performance on the same cognitive tests, there was no association between cardiorespiratory fitness and midlife cognitive functioning. Socioeconomic and health advantages in childhood and healthier lifestyles during young adulthood explained most of the association between childhood cognitive functioning and adult cardiorespiratory fitness. We found no evidence for a neuroprotective effect of cardiorespiratory fitness as of midlife. Instead, children with better cognitive functioning are selecting healthier lives. Fitness interventions may enhance cognitive functioning. However, observational and experimental studies testing neuroprotective effects of physical fitness should consider confounding by neuroselection.

Nocturnal Blood Pressure in Young Adults and Cognitive Function in Midlife: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

Nocturnal Blood Pressure in Young Adults and Cognitive Function in Midlife: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

Abstract 11968: Nocturnal Blood Pressure in Young Adults and Cognitive Function in Midlife: The CARDIA Study

Nocturnal blood pressure (BP) is associated with risk for cardiovascular events. However, the effect of nocturnal BP in young adults on cognitive function in midlife remains unclear. We used data from the ambulatory BP monitoring substudy of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study, including 224 participants (mean age 30 years, 45% men, 63% African Americans) followed for 20 years (6 visits). At the 20-year follow-up, the Stroop test (higher score indicates worse executive function), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST, lower score indicates worse psychomotor speed), and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT, lower score indicates worse verbal memory) were assessed. Baseline mean office, daytime, and nocturnal BP were 109/73mmHg, 120/74mmHg, and 107/59mmHg, respectively. Nocturnal BP dipping, calculated as (nocturnal systolic BP [SBP]-daytime SBP)х100/daytime SBP, was divided into quartiles (Q1;-39.3% to -16.9%, Q2;-16.8% to -13.2%, Q3 [reference];-13.1% to -7.8%, and Q4;-7.7% to +56.4%). Cognitive function score according to the quartile of nocturnal SBP dipping is shown in Figure. In linear regression models, the least nocturnal SBP dipping (Q4 vs. reference) and higher nocturnal diastolic BP (DBP) level were associated with worse Stroop scores, with adjustments for demographic and clinical characteristics, and cumulative exposure of BP during follow-up (β [standard error]: 0.37[0.18] and 0.19[0.07] respectively; all P&lt;0.05). Neither DSST nor RALVT was associated with either nocturnal BP dipping or nocturnal SBP/DBP levels. Among healthy young adults, less nocturnal SBP dipping and higher nocturnal DBP levels were associated with lower executive function in midlife, independent of long-term office BP levels. Nocturnal BP measures in young adults could be potentially useful to identify those who may be at risk for developing lower cognitive function in midlife.

Long-term blood pressure variability throughout young adulthood and cognitive function in midlife: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study.

Whether long-term blood pressure (BP) variability throughout young adulthood is associated with cognitive function in midlife remains uncertain. Using data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA), which recruited healthy young adults aged 18 to 30 years (mean age, 25 years) at baseline (Y(0)), we assessed BP variability by SD and average real variability (ARV) for 25 years (8 visits). Cognitive function was assessed with the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (psychomotor speed test), the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (verbal memory test), and the modified Stroop test (executive function test) at follow-up (Y(25)). At the Y(25) examination, participants (n=2326) had a mean age of 50.4 years, 43% were men, and 40% were black. In multivariable-adjusted linear regression models, higher ARV(SBP), ARV(DBP), and SD(DBP) were significantly associated with lower scores of Digit Symbol Substitution Test (β [SE]: -0.025 [0.006], -0.029 [0.007], and -0.029 [0.007], respectively; all P<0.001) and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (β [SE]: -0.016 [0.006], -0.021 [0.007], and -0.019 [0.007], respectively; all P<0.05) after adjustment for demographic and clinical characteristics and with cumulative exposure to BP through Y(0) to Y(25). Neither SDBP nor ARV(BP) was associated with the Stroop score. The associations between ARV(BP) or SD(BP) and each cognitive function test were similar between blacks and whites except for 1 significant interaction between race and SDS(BP) on the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (P<0.05). Long-term BP variability for 25 years beginning in young adulthood was associated with worse psychomotor speed and verbal memory tests in midlife, independent of cumulative exposure to BP during follow-up.

Cognitive function in midlife and beyond: physical and cognitive activity related to episodic memory and executive functions.

This study seeks to examine the relationships between physical activity (PA), cognitive activity, and cognitive function for the purpose of developing future brain-fitness programs. A sample of 2,305 participants (age = 50-84, mean age: 63.1 years) was selected from the Midlife in the United States longitudinal study for analysis. The strength of the associations between the dependent variables (episodic memory and executive functions) and independent variables (three domains of PA and cognitive activity) were determined by hierarchical regression. Episodic memory regressed positively on leisure-time PA (LPA) and cognitive activity. Executive functions regressed positively on LPA and Cognitive activity, but negatively on job-related PA (JPA). The interaction effect (JPA × Cognitive activity) was nonsignificant. Community-dwelling participants are encouraged to engage in more LPA and cognitive activity to increase brain fitness. Further research may explore the distinctive effects of JPA.

Overall and abdominal adiposity in midlife and subsequent cognitive function.

The scientific literature supports a link between midlife adiposity and cognitive function or decline but most studies to-date have investigated only overall adiposity, often omitting important confounders from the analyses. We investigated in a cross-time design the relationships between two different midlife adiposity markers and subsequent cognitive function, testing midlife dietary patterns as a potential confounder of the associations. The study was based on the «Supplémentation en Vitamines et Minéraux Antioxydants» randomized trial (SU.VI.MAX, 1994-2002) and the SU.VI.MAX 2 observational follow-up study (2007-2009). A general-population cohort in France. N=2,817 individuals (1,493 men and 1,324 women) included in both the SU.VI.MAX and SU.VI.MAX 2 studies. The cognitive performance of 2,817 middle-aged adults participating in the SU.VI.MAX (Supplémentation en Vitamines et Minéraux Antioxydant) study was assessed in 2007-2009 using 6 neuropsychological tests. Principal component analysis was used to derive specific cognitive scores. A composite cognitive score was also computed. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were measured 13 years earlier (1994). Associations between midlife adiposity and cognitive functioning were estimated through covariance analyses. After adjustment for obesity-related cardio-metabolic parameters, higher BMI and larger WC at midlife predicted lower executive function. For example, the adjusted mean difference (95% confidence interval) for 1 SD increase in WC was -0.48 (-0.97, 0.00). Obese participants in midlife showed an adjusted mean difference (95% confidence interval) of -1.68 (-3.15, -0.22) compared with non-obese. Further adjustment for midlife dietary patterns slightly attenuated these associations. No relationships were observed with verbal memory or global cognitive function. Midlife overall and abdominal adiposity were similarly associated with lower executive functioning scores. Dietary patterns may partly explain such a relationship, arguing for the importance of controlling for lifestyle confounders in future studies.

Abstract 26: Long-term Blood Pressure Variability though Young Adulthood and Cognitive Function in Midlife; The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA)Study

Background: Blood pressure variability (BPV) consists of short-term BPV (e.g., diurnal BPV) and long-term BPV (e.g., visit-to-visit BPV). The prospective association of long-term BPV though young adulthood with cognition in midlife is unknown. Methods: CARDIA is a multicenter community-based study that included participants (ppts) aged 18 to 30 years at baseline (Year 0: Y 0 ) in 1985-86 with follow-up examinations at Y 2 , Y 5 , Y 7 , Y 10 , Y 15 , Y 20 , and Y 25 . BP was measured at each exam, and visit-to-visit BPV was assessed by standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), maximum minus minimum BP difference (MMD), and average real variability (ARV) across 7 visits (Y 0-20 ). Cognitive function was assessed at Y 25 by the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST, a measure of psychomotor speed; n=2,318), the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT, a measure of short-term verbal memory; n=2,321), and the modified Stroop test (executive function; n=2,307). We performed separate multivariable-adjusted linear regression models, and also adjusted for baseline BP (Y 0 ), change of BP (Y 20 -Y 0 ), or cumulative BP from Y 0 to Y 20 (mmHg х year) to determine whether BPV is associated with cognition independent of long-term BP level. Results: At the Y 25 examination, included ppts had a mean age of 50 years, 57% were women and 43% were black. BPV measured by higher SD and ARV in both systolic and diastolic BP was significantly associated with lower DSST and lower RAVLT. SD and ARV remained significant even after further adjustment for baseline BP, change of BP, or cumulative BP (Table). Measures of BPV were not associated with the Stroop test. Associations between the CV and MMD measures of BPV with cognitive function were similar to those of SD (not shown). Conclusions: Long-term BPV over 20-years through young adulthood is associated with worse psychomotor speed and verbal memory in midlife, independent of BP levels. These results may have implications for understanding the pathogenesis of cognitive dysfunction in older adults.

Lifetime affect and midlife cognitive function: prospective birth cohort study

BackgroundRecurrent affective problems are predictive of cognitive impairment, but the timing and directionality, and the nature of the cognitive impairment, are unclear.AimsTo test prospective associations between life-course affective symptoms and cognitive function in late middle age.MethodA total of 1668 men and women were drawn from the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development (the British 1946 birth cohort). Longitudinal affective symptoms spanning age 13-53 years served as predictors; outcomes consisted of self-reported memory problems at 60-64 years and decline in memory and information processing from age 53 to 60-64 years.ResultsRegression analyses revealed no clear pattern of association between longitudinal affective symptoms and decline in cognitive test scores, after adjusting for gender, childhood cognitive ability, education and midlife socioeconomic status. In contrast, affective symptoms were strongly, diffusely and independently associated with self-reported memory problems.ConclusionsAffective symptoms are more clearly associated with self-reported memory problems in late midlife than with objectively measured cognitive performance.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and cognition in midlife, post-menopausal women

The association between serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and cognition was assessed in 218 healthy, midlife, post-menopausal women, aged 55–65 years. In cross-sectional analyses, DHEAS level was not significantly associated with a standardized score of global cognition or with individual test scores from a comprehensive neuropsychological battery (all p-values >0.05). In longitudinal analyses of 176 women, DHEAS level was unassociated with cognition 2 years later or with 2-year change in cognition. These findings fail to support the view that DHEAS is substantially related to cognitive function in midlife, post-menopausal women.

Carotenoid-rich dietary patterns during midlife and subsequent cognitive function

Carotenoids may help to prevent the ageing of the brain. Previous findings regarding β-carotene alone are not consistent. In the present study, we evaluated the cross-time association between a carotenoid-rich dietary pattern (CDP) and subsequent cognitive performance using a sample of 2983 middle-aged adults participating in the SU.VI.MAX (Supplémentation en Vitamines et Minéraux Antioxydants) study. Cognitive performance was assessed in 2007-9 using six neuropsychological tests, and a composite cognitive score was computed. The cognitive data were related to dietary data obtained by repeated 24 h dietary records (1994-6) and to measurements of baseline plasma concentrations of carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, α-carotene, trans-β-carotene and cis-β-carotene). DP were extracted using the reduced rank regression method for 381 participants and then extrapolated to the whole sample using plasma carotenoid concentrations as response variables. Associations between a CDP and cognitive function measured 13 years later were estimated with ANCOVA providing mean difference values and 95 % CI across the tertiles of CDP. A correlation between CDP and consumption of orange- and green-coloured fruits and vegetables, vegetable oils and soup was observed. CDP was found to be associated with a higher composite cognitive score (mean difference 1·04, 95 % CI 0·20, 1·87, P for trend 0·02), after adjustment for sociodemographic, lifestyle and health factors. Similar findings were obtained for scores obtained in the cued recall task, backward digit span task, trail making test and semantic fluency task (all P for trend < 0·05). Further studies ought to confirm whether a diet providing sufficient quantity and variety of coloured fruits and vegetables may contribute to the preservation of cognitive function during ageing.

Aerobic fitness and cognitive function in midlife: an association mediated by plasma insulin

Insulin resistance in midlife increases the risk of dementia in late-life. In contrast, habitual aerobic exercise is an established strategy to ameliorate insulin resistance which may translate into better cognitive outcome. To determine the role of plasma insulin in mediating the relation between cardiorespiratory fitness and cognitive function, fifty-eight adults completed assessments of plasma insulin levels, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and neuropsychological test performance. Endurance-trained subjects demonstrated better cognitive outcome (total composite z-score: 0.21 ± 0.08 versus -0.26 ± 0.10, P = 0.001) and lower concentrations of plasma insulin (12.6 ± 0.6 versus 21.3 ± 1.5 ulU/mL, P < 0.001) than sedentary subjects. Greater VO2max was significantly associated with higher memory performance (β = 0.37, P = 0.01) and lower plasma insulin levels (β = -0.68, P < 0.001). The significant association between VO2max and memory performance was abolished when the indirect effect of plasma insulin was statistically removed (β = 0.24, P = 0.19). Fitness-related cognitive enhancement may be mediated, at least in part, by plasma insulin levels.

Cardiopulmonary Fitness and Cognitive Function in Midlife: Associations with Central Elastic Arterial Stiffness and Regional Cerebral Perfusion

Central elastic arterial stiffness is associated with accelerated brain aging and cognitive decline. By contrast, habitual aerobic exercise reduces central arterial stiffness and is related to lower risk of dementia in late life.PurposeTo determine the associations among cardiopulmonary fitness, central arterial stiffness, cognitive function, and regional cerebral perfusion in sedentary and endurance‐trained middle‐aged adults.MethodsMaximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), neuropsychological assessment, central arterial stiffness, and regional cerebral perfusion were measured in 27 healthy sedentary (53±1 years) and 32 endurance‐trained (52±1 years) adults.ResultsThe endurance‐trained subjects exhibited greater levels of VO2max, cognitive functions in total composite, memory, and attention‐executive function, and occipito‐parietal blood flow and lower central arterial stiffness than in sedentary subjects (all P&lt;0.05). Carotid distensibility was significantly associated with both VO2max (r=0.28, P=0.046) and total cognitive composite score (r=0.30, P&lt;0.05). Furthermore, central artery stiffness was negatively correlated with occipito‐parietal blood flow (r=−0.41–0.44, P&lt;0.05).ConclusionsLower central arterial stiffness in endurance‐trained adults is associated with greater cognitive function and occipito‐parietal perfusion.

Cardiovascular health through young adulthood and cognitive functioning in midlife

A study was undertaken to examine the association between overall cardiovascular health as recently defined by the American Heart Association in young adulthood to middle age and cognitive function in midlife. Overall ideal cardiovascular health incorporates 7 metrics, including the avoidance of overweight or obesity, a healthful diet, nonsmoking, and physical activity, total cholesterol, blood pressure, and fasting glucose at goal levels. This analysis of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study, a multicenter community-based study with 25 years of follow-up, included 2,932 participants aged 18 to 30 years at baseline (year 0) who attended follow-up examinations at years 7 and 25. Cardiovascular health metrics were measured at each examination. The Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), modified Stroop test, and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) were completed at year 25. A greater number of ideal cardiovascular metrics in young adulthood and middle age were independently associated with better cognitive function in midlife (p for trend < 0.01, for all). Specifically, each additional ideal metric was associated with 1.32 more symbols on the DSST (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.93 - 1.71), a 0.77-point lower interference score on the Stroop test (95% CI=-1.03 to -0.45), and 0.12 more words on the RAVLT (95% CI = 0.04 to 0.20). Participants who had ≥5 ideal metrics at a greater number of the 3 examinations over the 25-year period exhibited better performance on each cognitive test in middle age (p for trend < 0.01, for all). Ideal cardiovascular health in young adulthood and its maintenance to middle age is associated with better psychomotor speed, executive function, and verbal memory in midlife.

Editorial: Epidemiologic Reviews 2013--Special Issue on the Epidemiology of Aging

The papers in this volume (1–13 )r eflect substantial and diverse epidemiologic research activity on some of the major health problems of older people. When the call for papers was announced, no particular themes within this vast field of the epidemiology of aging were suggested or encouraged. This led to a series of reviews covering a breadth of modern and important topics. These topics touch many disciplines that dovetail with the science of aging, including evaluating putative social and biological risk factors for age-related change and survivorship, identifying biological processes and modern biomarkers of aging, and exploring aging outcomes in older populations, such as the issue of multimorbidity among older Americans and military veterans in Canada and other countries. Several papers review risk factors for altered cognitive function and dementia-related illnesses. Although firm conclusions are not always possible given the state of the science, important directions for moving forward are offered. The preventive potential of these works is always close to the surface. The papers also encompass some of the general themes and challenges of population aging research. The importance of life-course concepts in the epidemiology of aging is present in several reports. For example, the report by Dahl and Hassing (2) finds an association of midlife obesity and late-life cognitive function. Other reports also address the problem of accurately identifying early life exposures that predict late-life age-related changes. The incorporation of modern biological indicators of aging and survivorship, such as genetic and genomic factors (13) and telomere length (9), reflects the importance of molecular approaches to the long-standing quest for biomarkers of the progression of age-related change, biomarkers that are precise and robust across populations. As these biomarkers are validated, they will take their places as useful prognostic factors for personalized medicine. However, to be useful, such biomarkers need to be generally independent of untoward environmental exposures and the variety of diseases that are prevalent in older populations, a common problem noted in the report by Salive (6). Other reports in this volume denote the great variation in health and function among older populations, highlighting the challenges for defining preventive approaches for older persons that can reach large segments of this very heterogeneous group. Although new methodological approaches are always welcome, collectively this collection of review papers bespeaks the active international activity in population aging and points to directions in understanding aging mechanisms; defining potential biological, clinical, and social intervention studies to enhance successful aging; and providing more targeted, efficient, and effective approaches to delivering health services to older persons. The epidemiology of aging is alive and well!

No association between gain in body mass index across the life course and midlife cognitive function and cognitive reserve—The 1946 British birth cohort study

BackgroundThe association between lifelong body mass index (BMI) and cognitive function has not been comprehensively studied.MethodsIn more than 2000 men and women born in 1946, we tested associations between BMI gain at 15, 20, 26, 36, 43, and 53 years with respect to the previous measure (gain at age 15 years with respect to BMI at age 11 years), and semantic fluency (animal naming) and cognitive reserve (the National Adult Reading Test) at age 53 years, and verbal memory (word list recall) and speed/concentration (letter cancellation) at ages 43 and 53 years. Measures of BMI gain were adjusted in stages for childhood intelligence, education, socioeconomic position (SEP), lifestyle, and vascular risk factors.ResultsIndependent of childhood intelligence, BMI gain between ages 26 and 36 years was associated with lower memory scores (β per SD increase in BMI in men = −0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.19, −0.02), verbal fluency (β in women = −0.11; 95% CI: −0.20, −0.02), and lower National Adult Reading Test score (β in women = −0.08; 95% CI: −0.15, −0.01), but not with speed/concentration (β in men = 0.02; 95% CI: −0.11, 0.07). Associations were largely explained by educational attainment and SEP (P ≥ .10). However, BMI gain at 53 years in men was independently associated with better memory (β = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.22), and both underweight (β = −1.54; 95% CI: −2.52, −0.57) and obese (β = −0.30; 95% CI: −2.52, −0.57) women at 53 years had significantly lower memory scores.ConclusionThe adverse effect of higher BMI gain on midlife cognitive function and cognitive reserve is independent of childhood intelligence but not of education and SEP. The independent association between greater BMI gain in midlife and better cognitive function deserves further investigation.

Apolipoprotein E Genotype Modifies the Association between Midlife Lung Function and Cognitive Function in Old Age

Background/Aims: Because poor lung function may be a risk factor for cognitive decline, we aimed to test the association of respiratory function with cognitive function and dementia later in life, as well as potential effect modification by APOE ε4 carrier status. Methods: In a prospective population-based cohort study, forced vital capacity and forced expiratory flow were measured around 1965 in 857 men aged 45–64 years (394 from Finland, 208 from The Netherlands, and 255 from Italy). The Mini-Mental State Examination scores around 1990, 1995 and 2000 were analyzed using multilevel regression models and the Clinical Dementia Rating score around 1990 using multinomial logistic regression analyses. Results: Midlife lung function was positively associated with cognitive function in old age in APOE ε4 non-carriers, but not in carriers (p < 0.05 for interaction). In Finland and Italy, 18.6% had questionable to mild dementia and 2.8% moderate to severe dementia after 25 years of follow-up. Dementia was inversely related to midlife lung function in APOE ε4 non-carriers, but not in carriers (p < 0.05 for interaction). Conclusions: Small lung volumes were prospectively associated with an increased risk for poor cognitive function and dementia in non-carriers of the APOE ε4 gene.

Neuroticism in Adolescence and Cognitive Function in Midlife in the British 1946 Birth Cohort: The HALCyon Program

We examined whether higher levels of neuroticism in adolescence were associated with poorer cognitive function in midlife in 2,071 members of the British 1946 birth cohort. Higher neuroticism at age 13 was associated with poorer performance on tests of verbal ability, verbal fluency, and verbal memory at age 53 in sex-adjusted analyses. However, higher neuroticism was also associated with poorer cognitive performance at age 8. After adjustment for childhood cognition or educational attainment, the associations between neuroticism at age 13 and midlife cognition ceased to be statistically significant. The link between neuroticism and subsequent cognitive ability may be a reflection of a long-standing correlation between the stable aspects of these traits since childhood, but further measurements of both traits are needed to confirm this.

Physical and cognitive function in midlife: reciprocal effects? A 5-year follow-up of the Whitehall II study

Background:Cognitive and physical functions are closely linked in old age, but less is known about this association in midlife. Whether cognitive function predicts physical function and whether physical function predicts...