Different Patterns Of Decline Research Articles

Motor learning and performance in schizophrenia and aging: two different patterns of decline

Psychomotor slowing has consistently been observed in schizophrenia, however research on motor learning in schizophrenia is limited. Additionally, motor learning in schizophrenia has never been compared with the waning of motor learning abilities in the elderly. Therefore, in an extensive study, 30 individuals with schizophrenia, 30 healthy age-matched controls and 30 elderly participants were compared on sensorimotor learning tasks including sequence learning and adaptation (both explicit and implicit), as well as tracking and aiming. This paper presents new findings on an explicit motor sequence learning task, an explicit verbal learning task and a simple aiming task and summarizes all previously published findings of this large investigation. Individuals with schizophrenia and elderly had slower Movement Time (MT)s compared with controls in all tasks, however both groups improved over time. Elderly participants learned slower on tracking and explicit sequence learning while individuals with schizophrenia adapted slower and to a lesser extent to movement perturbations in adaptation tasks and performed less well on cognitive tests including the verbal learning task. Results suggest that motor slowing is present in schizophrenia and the elderly, however both groups show significant but different motor skill learning. Cognitive deficits seem to interfere with motor learning and performance in schizophrenia while task complexity and decreased movement precision interferes with motor learning in the elderly, reflecting different underlying patterns of decline in these conditions. In addition, evidence for motor slowing together with impaired implicit adaptation supports the influence of cerebellum and the cerebello-thalamo-cortical-cerebellar (CTCC) circuits in schizophrenia, important for further understanding the pathophysiology of the disorder.

ADCOMS sensitivity versus baseline diagnosis and progression phenotypes.

The Alzheimer's Disease COMposite Score (ADCOMS) is more sensitive in clinical trials than conventional measures when assessing pre-dementia. This study compares ADCOMS trajectories using clustered progression characteristics to better understand different patterns of decline. Post-baseline ADCOMS values were analyzed for sensitivity using mean-to-standard deviation ratio (MSDR), partitioned by baseline diagnosis, comparing with the original scales upon which ADCOMS is based. Because baseline diagnosis was not a particularly reliable predictor of progression, individuals were also grouped into similar ADCOMS progression trajectories using clustering methods and the MSDR compared for each progression group. ADCOMS demonstrated increased sensitivity for clinically important progression groups. ADCOMS did not show statistically significant sensitivity or clinical relevance for the less-severe baseline diagnoses and marginal progression groups. This analysis complements and extends previous work validating the sensitivity of ADCOMS. The large data set permitted evaluation-in a novel approach-by the clustered progression group.

Brain Changes and Fast Cognitive and Motor Decline in Older Adults.

To identify brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signatures characterizing people with different patterns of decline in cognition and motor function. In the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen, Stockholm, 385 participants had available repeated brain MRI examinations, where markers of brain volumes and white matter integrity were assessed. The speed of cognitive and motor decline was estimated as the rate of a Mini-Mental State Examination and gait speed decline over 12 years (linear mixed models), and further dichotomized into the upper (25% fastest rate of decline) versus the lower quartiles. Participants were grouped in slow/no decliners (reference), isolated motor decliners, isolated cognitive decliners, and cognitive and motor decliners. We estimated the associations between changes in brain markers (linear mixed models) and baseline diffusion tensor imaging measures (linear regression model) and the 4 decline patterns. Individuals with concurrent cognitive and motor decline (n = 51) experienced the greatest loss in the total brain (β: -12.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -18.2; -6.38) and hippocampal (β: -0.25; 95% CI: -0.34; -0.16) volumes, the steepest accumulation of white matter hyperintensities (β: 1.61; 95% CI: 0.54; 2.68), and the greatest ventricular enlargement (β: 2.07; 95% CI: 0.67; 3.47). Compared to the reference, those only experiencing cognitive decline presented with steeper hippocampal volume loss, whereas those exhibiting only motor decline displayed a greater white matter hyperintensities burden. Lower microstructural white matter integrity was associated with concurrent cognitive and motor decline. Concurrent cognitive and motor decline is accompanied by rapidly evolving and complex brain pathology involving both gray and white matter. Isolated cognitive and motor declines seem to exhibit brain damage with different qualitative features.

Hyperlactatemia in diabetic ketoacidosis.

The study examined the prevalence and degree of lactate elevation in diabetic ketoacidosis, and explored which biochemical abnormalities predicted L-lactate levels. We reviewed episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis from 79 diabetes patients (one episode per patient). Separate univariate linear regression models were specified to predict lactate level from each of nine biochemical variables. Significant predictors from the univariate models were included in a final multivariate linear regression model to predict lactate levels. Mean (SD) lactate level was 3.05 (1.66) mmol/L; about 65% of patients had lactate levels >2mmol/L. In the final multivariate linear regression model (R2 =0.45), higher lactate levels were associated with greater hydrogen ion concentration (standardised β=.60, t=4.16, p<0.0001), higher blood glucose (standardised β=.28, t=2.67, p=0.009) and lower glomerular filtration rate estimated from creatinine (standardised β=-.23, t=2.29, p=0.025). Bicarbonate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, body mass index, mean arterial pressure and calculated osmolality were not significant predictors of lactate level. There were three distinct patterns of lactate levels with treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis: group 1=gradual decline, group 2=initial increase and then decline and group 3=initial decline followed by a transient peak and subsequent decline. Elevated lactate level is the norm in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis. Higher blood glucose levels and higher hydrogen ion concentrations are related to greater lactate. With treatment, there are different patterns of decline in lactate levels.

Joint trajectories of episodic memory and odor identification in older adults: patterns and predictors.

Emerging evidence suggests that olfactory function is closely linked to memory function. The aims of this study were to assess whether olfactory and episodic memory functions follow similar age-related decline trajectories, to identify different patterns of decline, as well as predictors of the patterns.1023 participants from the Memory and Aging Project were followed for up to 8 years with annual episodic memory and odor identification assessments. Trajectories were modelled using growth mixture models. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify pattern predictors.Three patterns of joint trajectories were identified; Class 1- stable average performance in both functions (n=690, 67.4%); Class 2- stable average episodic memory and declining odor identification (n=231, 22.6%); and Class 3- decline in both functions (n= 102, 10.0%). Class predictors included age, sex, APOE ε4 status, cognitive activity level and BMI. Participants in Class 3 were most likely to develop dementia.Episodic memory and olfactory function show similar trajectories in aging. Such classification can contribute to a better understanding of the factors related to cognitive decline and dementia.

Joint trajectories of episodic memory and odor identification in older adults: Patterns and determinants

AbstractBackgroundEmerging evidence suggests that olfactory function is closely linked to memory function. The aims of this study were to assess whether olfactory and episodic memory functions follow similar age‐related decline trajectories, to identify different patterns of decline, as well as determinants of the patterns.MethodsUsing data from the Rush Memory and Aging Project, 1023 dementia‐free participants were identified at baseline and followed for up to 8 years with annual assessments for episodic memory (composite of 7 tests) and odor identification (Brief Smell Identification Test). Data on demographics, medical conditions, social and lifestyle factors were collected by self‐report or medical examination. Trajectories of episodic memory and olfactory function were first modeled individually and then jointly over time using growth mixture models, to identify latent classes (patterns) of the joint trajectories. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of the patterns.ResultsBoth episodic memory and olfactory function showed similar trends over the follow‐up interval. Three distinct patterns of joint trajectories, across both functions, were identified; Class 1‐ stable average performance in both functions (n=690, 67.4%); Class 2‐ stable average episodic memory and declining odor identification (n=231, 22.6%); and Class 3‐ decline in both functions (n= 102, 10.0%). Compared to Class 1, people in Class 2 were more likely to be older and male. People in Class 3 were more likely to be older, apolipoprotein ε4 carriers, participate less in cognitive activity, and have lower BMI.ConclusionsEpisodic memory and olfactory function often show similar trajectories in aging, which can be jointly characterized as stable, olfactory decline only, and joint decline.

Longitudinal assessment of cognitive decline in the Amish

AbstractBackgroundThe Modified Mini‐Mental State (3MS) is a widely used measure of global cognition. The Old Order Amish are both genetically and environmentally homogeneous, with similar years of formal education across the population. Here, we investigated the longitudinal course of cognitive function as measured by the distribution of 3MS in the Mid‐Western Amish.MethodAfter extensive QC, the 919 subjects with both baseline 3MS and AD status were analyzed. The change from 1st to 2nd measurement was used as the main longitudinal trait of interest. Mean decline differences in 4 baseline age groups (&lt;70, 70‐80, 80‐90, &gt;=90) were assessed. The differences in the average longitudinal decline of 3MS between AD cases and controls was assessed using Kolmogorov‐Smirnov tests and ANCOVA adjusted for age at exam and sibship.ResultThe overall baseline mean 3MS score was 89.52 [42, 100] at the mean age of exam 75.52 [60, 99]. The overall annual rate of decline was ‐0.3 [‐5, 5] from 1st to 2nd measurement (n=242) and ‐0.6 [‐2.1, 1.3] from 2nd to 3rd measurement (n = 23). The annual rate of decline was ‐0.96 [‐4, 1.7] in AD cases (n=18), ‐0.01 [‐5, 5] in AD controls (n=180) and ‐1.08 [‐5, 0.7] in an ‘Unclear’ group (n = 44). The most rapid annual decline of the 3MS was in age 80 to 90 group and the decline rate was significant (p‐value=0.004) compared to the lowest age group (&lt;70) overall and in AD cases. In the Unclear group, the rate of decline was greatest in age 70 to 80. However, in the control group, cognition improved, with a 1.29 [‐1, 5] annual increase in age 80 to 90. The age and sibship adjusted differences in decline were significant (p‐value&lt;2e‐10) between AD cases vs. controls as well as between Unclear vs. controls.ConclusionWe explored the changes of 3MS scores over time and demonstrated different patterns of decline by age and AD status in the Amish. Our study is the first in this homogeneous Amish population, providing a better understanding and insight into the cognitive decline examining the change in 3MS over time.

Differential longitudinal changes in structural complexity and volumetric measures in community-dwelling older individuals

Fractal geometry provides a method of analyzing natural and especially biological morphologies. To investigate the relationship between the complexity measure, which is indexed as fractal dimensionality (FD), and the traditional Euclidean metrics, such as the volume and thickness, of the brain in older age, we analyzed 483 MRI scans of 161 community-dwelling, nondemented individuals aged 70–90 years at the baseline and their 2-year and 6-year follow-ups. We quantified changes in neuroimaging metrics in cortical lobes and subcortical structures and investigated the effects of age, sex, hemisphere, and education on FD. We also analyzed the mediating effects of these metrics for further investigation. FD showed significant age-related decline in all structures, and its trajectory was best modeled quadratically in the bilateral frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes, as well as in the bilateral caudate, putamen, hippocampus, amygdala, and accumbens. FD showed specific mediating effects on aging and cognitive decline in some regions. Our findings suggest that FD is reliable yet shows a different pattern of decline compared with volumetric measures.

Facets of identity disturbance reported by patients with borderline personality disorder and personality-disordered comparison subjects over 20 years of prospective follow-up

This study had two objectives. The first was to determine the levels of identity disturbance reported by 290 patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and 72 personality-disordered comparison subjects over 20 years of prospective follow-up. The second aim was to describe the levels of identity disturbance reported by 152 ever recovered vs. 138 never recovered borderline patients over 20 years of prospective follow-up. Participants were followed and re-assessed every two years for a total of 20 years of follow-up. Borderline patients reported levels of these states that were more than three times higher than personality-disordered comparison subjects, with both groups demonstrating significant declines in these states over time. For three of these inner states (“I feel like I am worthless,” “I feel like a complete failure,” and “I feel like I am evil”), recovered borderline patients had lower baseline scores and significantly different patterns of decline than non-recovered patients. For the fourth state, “I feel like I am a bad person,” recovered patients had lower scores over time, but the groups declined at the same rate. These results suggest that borderline patients report experiencing inner states related to having a negative identity less often over time. Additionally, recovery status is significantly associated with decreased time experiencing these states.

Trajectories of Limitations in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living in Frail Older Adults With Vision, Hearing, or Dual Sensory Loss.

This study investigated the trajectories of decline in individual instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) with aging and the effect of hearing loss, vision loss, or dual sensory loss on these trajectories in community-living frail older persons. This longitudinal population-based study was conducted in 9,319 community-living frail Dutch persons aged 60 years and older. Self-reported hearing loss, vision loss, or dual sensory loss and nine IADL were assessed in 15 studies of the Dutch National Care for the Elderly Program (The Older Persons and Informal Caregivers Survey Minimum Dataset). Probabilities of limitations in IADL, odds ratios (per 5 years) for binary, and rate ratios (per 5 years) for score outcomes were calculated using mixed logistic and negative binomial models with age as the underlying timescale, stratified by sensory loss, and corrected for confounders. At baseline, the number of IADL limitations was higher in dual sensory loss (2.00 [interquartile range 1.00-4.00]) and vision loss (2.00 [interquartile range 1.00-4.00]) compared to no sensory loss (1.00 [interquartile range 0.00-2.00]) or hearing loss (1.00 [interquartile range 0.00-3.00]). Trajectories of individual IADL showed an increase in limitations in all IADL with age. Household tasks, traveling, shopping, preparing a meal, and walking showed the most rapid decline. Handling finances, traveling, and walking followed a different pattern of decline based on sensory loss status. The age effect on limitations in IADL appears to be similar across all types of sensory loss, with the exception of handling finances, traveling, and walking. At baseline, persons with self-reported sensory loss had higher levels of self-reported functional limitations. Trajectories depict a decline in IADL competence with age.

Low Accuracy of Brief Cognitive Tests in Tracking Longitudinal Cognitive Decline in an Asian Elderly Cohort.

Researchers have questioned the utility of brief cognitive tests such as the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in serial administration and suggested that brief cognitive tests may not accurately track changes in Global Cognition. To examine the accuracy of longitudinal changes on brief cognitive tests in reflecting progression in Global Cognition measured using comprehensive neuropsychological assessments. Two hundred and seven participants were assessed with the MMSE, MoCA, and a validated comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Global z-scores on the battery were derived and used to assess overall and significant (≥0.5 standard deviation) decline on Global Cognition. Different patterns of decline on MMSE/MoCA were classified. Accuracy was examined using receiver operating characteristic curve, and sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values were reported. The overall ability of MMSE/MoCA change scores to discriminate participants who did and did not decline on Global Cognition was fair-to-moderate (AUC [95% CI] = 0.71 [0.64-0.78] & 0.73 [0.66-0.80] for overall decline; 0.78 [0.70-0.85] & 0.80 [0.73-0.86] for significant decline, respectively). Changes in MMSE/MoCA had low accuracy in identifying significant Global Cognitive Decline (PPV = 0.41 & 0.46, respectively) but high accuracy in ruling out significant decline and identifying cognitively stable participants (NPV = 0.89 & 0.88, respectively). There is limited utility in brief cognitive tests for tracking cognitive decline. Instead, they should be used for identifying participants who remain cognitively stable on follow up. These results accentuate the importance of acknowledging the limitations of brief cognitive tests when assessing cognitive change.

Declining amenable mortality: a reflection of health care systems?

BackgroundSome studies have analyzed the association of health care systems variables, such as health service resources or expenditures, with amenable mortality, but the association of types of health care systems with the decline of amenable mortality has yet to be studied. The present study examines whether specific health care system types are associated with different time trend declines in amenable mortality from 2000 to 2014 in 22 European OECD countries.MethodsA time trend analysis was performed. Using Nolte and McKee’s list, age-standardized amenable mortality rates (SDRs) were calculated as the annual number of deaths over the population aged 0–74 years per 100,000 inhabitants. We classified health care systems according to a deductively generated classification by Böhm. This classification identifies three dimensions that are not entirely independent of each other but follow a clear order: the regulation dimension is first, followed by the financing dimension and finally service provision. We performed a hierarchical semi-log polynomial regression analysis on the annual SDRs to determine whether specific health care systems were associated with different SDR trajectories over time.ResultsThe results showed a clear decline in SDRs in all 22 health care systems between 2000 and 2014 although at different annual changes (slopes). Regression analysis showed that there was a significant difference among the slopes according to provision dimension. Health care systems with a private provision exhibited a slowdown in the decline of amenable mortality over time. It therefore seems that ownership is the most relevant dimension in determining a different pattern of decline in mortality.ConclusionsAll countries experienced decreases in amenable mortality between 2000 and 2014; this decline seems to be partially a reflection of health care systems, especially when affected by the provision dimension. If the private ownership is maintained or promoted by health systems, these findings might be considered when thinking about regulation policies to control factors that might influence health care performance.

The influence of the physical education environment on children's well-being and physical activity across the transition from primary to secondary school.

The purpose of the study was to explore change in children's physical self-concept and self-reported physical activity over a school transition period, as well as motivational and interpersonal influences on these two outcomes. Data were collected from 545 children (mean age = 10.82, SD = 0.39, 51% female) at three time points before and after the United Kingdom secondary school transition. Multilevel modeling revealed that physical self-concept and physical activity showed different patterns of decline over the course of the study. Changes in the extent to which physical education teachers were perceived to provide psychological need support, peer focus on self-referenced learning and mastery, and changes in autonomous motives toward physical education classes were positively associated with these outcome variables. The present study provides novel insight into important motivational and interpersonal factors that may need to be targeted to prevent negative developmental patterns over a potentially challenging period for children.

Superior longitudinal fasciculus and language functioning in healthy aging

Structural deterioration of brain tissue in older adults is thought to be responsible for the majority of age-related cognitive decline. Disruption of widespread cortical networks due to a loss of axonal integrity may also play an important role. Research examining correlations between structural change and functional decline has focused heavily on working memory, processing speed, and executive processes while other aspects of cognition, such as language functioning, have received less attention. The current study aimed to determine whether age-related changes in the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), are responsible for the deterioration in language functioning associated with age. Subjects included 112 right-handed volunteers (ages 19–76). For each subject, the SLF of the left hemisphere was reconstructed from diffusion tensor images (DTI). Mean fractional anisotropy (FA) values were extracted from parietal (SLFp) and temporal (SLFt) bundles. Language functioning was measured using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT), Boston Naming Test (BNT), Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT), and Semantic Fluency Test (SFT). Regression analyses revealed that males and females showed a different pattern of decline in FA across adulthood. For males, greater SLFt FA was significantly associated with increased COWAT performance, and there was a positive relationship between both age and SLFp FA with BNT scores. In females, greater SLFp FA was related to lower COWAT performance. Taken together, the results suggest that white matter integrity of the SLF follows a different pattern of decline in adulthood for males and females, and this decline differentially affects language functioning.

Do Alzheimer's disease (AD) and subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD) progress differently?

Our study aimed to compare cognitive status and declines in AD with/without small vessel disease (SVD) and SIVD at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Patients with Alzheimer's disease without small vessel disease (AD(−)SVD) (n=148), Alzheimer's disease with small vessel disease (AD(+)SVD) (n=94) and SIVD (n=60) were recruited from database of multiple centers in Korea. Basic demographics and detailed neuropsychological results were compared. AD, regardless of SVD, showed worse memory and better executive function than SIVD at baseline. Mini-Mental State Examination scores and visual memory function declined more in AD than those in SIVD whereas Barthel Activities of Daily Living (B-ADL) scores declined more in SIVD. AD showed different patterns of cognitive impairment compared with SIVD. After 1 year, AD showed more rapid cognitive decline in some domains. Further investigations with longer follow-up duration may be needed to confirm the cumulative effects of SVD in AD and different patterns of decline between AD and SIVD.

Changes in interest and affect during a difficult reading task: Relationships with perceived difficulty and reading fluency

This study investigated changes in middle school students' interest and affect during a moderately difficult reading task. The aim was to explore how changes in interest (topic and situational) and affect were related to students' reading fluency throughout the task and perceived difficulty. Interest and affect were recorded at four time points: before reading, twice during reading, and after reading. Latent growth curve analysis showed that interest and affect had different patterns of decline during the task. The change in interest was predicted by perceived difficulty and reading fluency, whereas the change in affect was predicted only by perceived difficulty. Results of an autoregressive, cross-lagged path model indicated that reading fluency significantly predicted subsequent ratings of situational interest, and topic interest predicted fluency on the first section. These findings suggest that, in the context of moderate reading difficulty, perceived difficulty and reading fluency have divergent effects on different motivational outcomes.

Anterior and posterior cingulate cortex volume in healthy adults: Effects of aging and gender differences

The cingulate cortex frequently shows gray matter loss with age as well as gender differences in structure and function, but little is known about whether individual cingulate Brodmann areas show gender-specific patterns of age-related volume decline. This study examined age-related changes, gender differences, and the interaction of age and gender in the relative volume of cingulate gray matter in areas 25, 24, 31, 23, and 29, over seven decades of adulthood. Participants included healthy, age-matched men and women, aged 20–87 ( n = 70). Main findings were as follows: (1) The whole cingulate showed significant age-related volume declines (averaging 5.54% decline between decades, 20s–80s). Each of the five cingulate areas also showed a significant decline with age, and individual areas showed different patterns of decline across the decades: Smaller volume with age was most evident in area 31, followed by 25 and 24. (2) Women had relatively larger cingulate gray matter volume than men overall and in area 24. (3) Men and women showed different patterns of age-related volume decline in area 31, at midlife and late in life. By delineating normal gender differences and age-related morphometric changes in the cingulate cortex over seven decades of adulthood, this study improves the baseline for comparison with structural irregularities in the cingulate cortex associated with psychopathology. The Brodmann area-based approach also facilitates comparisons across studies that aim to draw inferences between age- and gender-related structural differences in the cingulate gyrus and corresponding differences in cingulate function.

Sex differences in grey matter atrophy patterns among AD and aMCI patients: Results from ADNI

We used longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data to determine whether there are any gender differences in grey matter atrophy patterns over time in 197 individuals with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 266 with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), compared with 224 healthy controls participating in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). While previous research has differentiated probable AD and aMCI groups from controls in brain atrophy, it is unclear whether and how sex plays a role in patterns of change over time. Using regional volumetric maps, we fit longitudinal models to the grey matter data collected at repeated occasions, seeking differences in patterns of volume change over time by sex and diagnostic group in a voxel-wise analysis. Additionally, using a region-of-interest approach, we fit longitudinal models to the global volumetric data of predetermined brain regions to determine whether this more conventional approach is sufficient for determining sex and group differences in atrophy. Our longitudinal analyses revealed that, of the various grey matter regions investigated, males and females in the AD group and the aMCI group showed different patterns of decline over time compared to controls in the bilateral precuneus, bilateral caudate nucleus, right entorhinal gyrus, bilateral thalamus, bilateral middle temporal gyrus, left insula, and right amygdala. As one of the first investigation to model more than two time points of structural MRI data over time, our findings add insight into how AD and aMCI males and females differ from controls and from each other over time.

Lifespan changes in hippocampal- and frontally-driven memory: trajectories of decline and their relationship to cortisol levels.

Event Abstract Back to Event Lifespan changes in hippocampal- and frontally-driven memory: trajectories of decline and their relationship to cortisol levels. Joanne Feeney1*, Sinead Mullally1, Gillian Cooke1, Lynn Ormond1 and Shane O-Mara1 1 Trinity College Dublin, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Ireland Background: Aging is associated with a marked deterioration of memory function in healthy, non-demented populations. Numerous studies have demonstrated structural and functional changes in the hippocampus of elderly individuals, in line with behavioural impairments. There is now evidence demonstrating that age-related mnemonic decline begins as early as young adulthood, with long-term memory and working memory seeming to decline at a similar rate. The factors influencing the course of this decline are not yet clear. Biological changes, such as increased production of glucocorticoids with age, may play a role in susceptibility to cognitive impairment, as elevated cortisol levels have been shown to adversely affect memory performance. Our aim here was to examine changes in memory performance in a cohort of young and middle aged individuals, and in relationship to cortisol levels. Methods:Healthy participants aged 18-64 performed hippocampal-associated memory tasks (e.g. Face-Name pairs task) and working memory tasks (e.g. N-back), in addition to completing mood questionnaires. Salivary cortisol was also sampled repeatedly over the course of the testing session. Results: We found significant impairments on both types of mnemonic task beginning in the 40s age group. Face-Name task performance showed a near significant drop again in the 50-64 age group (p=0.075), when compared with individuals in their 40s. In contrast, N-back performance did not show the same continued deterioration, with no differences emerging between the 40s and 50-64 age groups (p=0.830). Conclusions: These results suggest the possibility of different patterns of decline for hippocampal- and frontally- driven memory. Relationship to cortisol levels will also be discussed. Acknowledgements: This project was funded by the Health Research Board. Conference: 41st European Brain and Behaviour Society Meeting, Rhodes Island, Greece, 13 Sep - 18 Sep, 2009. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Poster presentations Citation: Feeney J, Mullally S, Cooke G, Ormond L and O-Mara S (2009). Lifespan changes in hippocampal- and frontally-driven memory: trajectories of decline and their relationship to cortisol levels.. Conference Abstract: 41st European Brain and Behaviour Society Meeting. doi: 10.3389/conf.neuro.08.2009.09.146 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 09 Jun 2009; Published Online: 09 Jun 2009. * Correspondence: Joanne Feeney, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Dublin, Ireland, shane.omara@tcd.ie Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Joanne Feeney Sinead Mullally Gillian Cooke Lynn Ormond Shane O-Mara Google Joanne Feeney Sinead Mullally Gillian Cooke Lynn Ormond Shane O-Mara Google Scholar Joanne Feeney Sinead Mullally Gillian Cooke Lynn Ormond Shane O-Mara PubMed Joanne Feeney Sinead Mullally Gillian Cooke Lynn Ormond Shane O-Mara Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

The Sex Specificity of Navigational Strategies in Alzheimer Disease

Alzheimer disease (AD) is associated with navigational impairments that limit functional independence. We have now examined the role of cognitive and perceptual mechanisms in the navigational impairment of AD to test the hypothesis that men and women with AD may focus on different navigational cues. We conducted navigational, neuropsychologic, and psychophysical testing in men and women from 3 groups: older normal controls, patients with mild cognitive impairment, and patients with AD. Men and women showed parallel declines in navigational capacities from the older normal control, to the mild cognitive impairment, to the AD groups with men and women making similar numbers of errors but different types of errors. There were small sex differences in neuropsychologic and psychophysical performance but large sex differences in how those measures related to navigational capacity: men showed strong links between visual motion processing and navigation. Women showed strong links between verbal capacities and navigation. The findings of these cross-sectional comparisons suggest that there may be sex differences in the progressive navigational decline of AD: men and women who are impaired to the same degree may suffer somewhat different patterns of decline with men relying more on visuospatial processing and women relying more on verbal mediation.