Impairment In Older Adults Research Articles

The Emerging Importance of Sleep Regularity on Cardiovascular Health and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults: A Review of the Literature.

The regularity of sleep/wake patterns across multiple days is emerging as an important determinant of health. However, the association between sleep regularity and health outcomes in the aging population is not well understood. The current systematic review identified 22 publications that examined the relationship between sleep regularity and selected health outcomes: cardiovascular risk, cognitive impairment, and mortality. All studies were published after 2010, reflecting a growing research interest in daily sleep regularity. Low sleep regularity was consistently associated with higher cardiovascular risk and elevated risk of all-cause mortality. Results on cognitive impairment are mixed, with inconsistency likely attributed to small sample sizes and differences in sleep regularity assessment. Overall, regularity in sleep carries important information about health and should be included in future studies that collect daily sleep measures. Gaps in literature and methodological shortcomings are discussed.

Specific Microbiome Signature Dynamics Could Predict Aging Continuum and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults

The global population is aging, facing a substantial burden of age-related disorders, including cognitive impairment (CI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and related dementias (ADRD). The lack of effective strategies for preventing and treating these conditions can be attributed to our incomplete understanding of the biology of aging. Emerging evidence strongly suggests that the gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in aging and its association with cognitive decline and ADRD. Yet, the transformations occurring within the microbiome during the aging continuum remain insuffciently studied. We have addressed these significant knowledge gaps by analysing samples and data from 176 older adults participating in the multi-site Microbiome in Aging Gut and Brain (MiaGB) consortium. Whole-genome metagenomic analysis unveiled distinct microbiome profiles among three aging categories: (i) 60-69 (n=62), (ii) 70-79 (n=78), and (iii) 80+ (n=36), spanning from phyla to species-level phylogeny. Notably, in older adults, changes in the microbiome were observed with respect to the aging continuum and cognitive impairment (CI). The abundance of Lachnospiraceae, Eggerthellaceae, Dorea, Blautia, and Eggerthella decreased, while Veillonellaceae increased in the gut of older adults with CI but not within the aging continuum. Interestingly, only Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Candidatus melainabacteria, Coriobactericeae, Ruminococcaceae, Anerostipe hadrus, and Collinsella aerofaciens decreased, while Bacteroidetes, Bacteroidiceae, and Bacteroides uniformis increased within the aging continuum but were not impacted in CI sub-groups. However, both Ruminococcus torques and Streptococcus thermophilus decreased with aging continuum and CI. These results indicate unique microbiome changes specific to the aging continuum, as well as distinct changes with CI, independent of age. Thus, they not only hold promise as prognostic markers for assessing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults but also pave the way for designing precision microbiome interventions to mitigate the risks posed by these debilitating public health issues. We thank the Ed and Ethel Moore Alzheimer’s Disease Research Program, Florida Department of Health (22A17), National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Aging (R56AG069676, R56AG064075, RF1AG071762, R21AG072379, U01AG076928), and Department of Defense (W81XWH-18-PRARP AZ180098) for funding support. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Vision impairment and food insecurity in the national health and aging trends study

Vision impairment and food insecurity in the national health and aging trends study

Association of Family Support With Lower Modifiable Risk Factors for Dementia Among Cognitively Impaired Older Adults

ObjectivesCognitive impairment poses considerable challenges among older adults, with the role of family support becoming increasingly crucial. This study examines the association of children's residential proximity and spousal presence with key modifiable risk factors for dementia in cognitively impaired older adults. MethodsWe analyzed 14,600 individuals (35,165 observations) aged 50 and older with cognitive impairment from the Health and Retirement Study (1995–2018). Family support was categorized by spousal presence and children's residential proximity. Modifiable risk factors, including smoking, depressive symptoms, and social isolation, were assessed. Associations between family support and the modifiable risk factors were determined using mixed-effects logistic regressions. ResultsA significant proportion of older adults with cognitive impairment lacked access to family support, with either no spouse (46.9%) or all children living over 10 miles away (25.3%). Those with less available family support, characterized by distant-residing children and the absence of a spouse, had a significantly higher percentage of smoking, depressive symptoms, and social isolation. Moreover, we revealed a consistent gradient in the percentage of the risk factors by the degree of family support. Relative to older adults with a spouse and co-resident children, those without a spouse and with all children residing further than 10 miles displayed the highest percentage of the risk factors. These findings were robust to various sensitivity analyses. ConclusionsFamily support from spouses and nearby children serves as a protective factor against modifiable dementia risk factors in cognitively impaired older adults. Policies that strengthen family and social support may benefit this population.

Difficulties and Solutions in Caring for Cognitive Disorders in Elderly People with Dementia from the Perspective of Social-ecological System Theory

With the deepening of population aging, the increasing population of cognitively impaired older adults in China has put forward an urgent demand for professional cognitive care. In the context of long-term care insurance policy, this paper will take R agency as an example and construct an analysis framework based on the social-ecological system theory at three levels: micro-system, meso-system, and macro-system. It will analyze the physiology and psychology of dementia elderly from inside to outside, how the sentinel care agency collaborates with the sentinel assessment agency, family, and community, how the LTCI policy support and financial support affect the cognitive intervention for cognitively impaired elderly, to promote the healthy operation of the care ecosystem, analyze the dilemma, summarise and put forward the optimization strategy, and provide the experience of providing care services for other aged care service agencies.

Relationship between self-reported hearing and vision problems, cognitive decline, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction in older adults: a retrospective observational study

BackgroundSensory impairment in older adults is associated with cognitive decline, elevated depressive symptoms, and low levels of life satisfaction. However, these relationships are usually investigated separately and in pairs. This study examined these relationships comprehensively, for the first time.MethodsThe analysis included 5,658 community-dwelling older adults from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (aged 50 to 108 years, 52.1% male) who completed the Jorm Informant Questionnaire Cognitive Decline in the Elderly and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression-short form. A questionnaire was used to collect information on hearing, visual status, and life satisfaction. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the direct and indirect relationships between these variables.ResultsSelf-reported hearing and vision problems are directly associated with cognitive decline and elevated depressive symptoms. In addition, hearing and vision problems are indirectly related to cognitive decline through elevated depressive symptoms. Although hearing and vision problems had no direct effect on life satisfaction, they were indirectly associated with life satisfaction through cognitive decline and depressive symptoms.ConclusionsThis study provides the first epidemiological evidence of the comprehensive relationships between hearing and vision problems, cognitive decline, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction. When older adults report hearing and/or vision problems, clinicians and caregivers should be aware of the concurrence of declined cognition, elevated depressive symptoms, and compensated life satisfaction. Future studies should examine the causal relationships and potential mechanisms of these relationships.

Psychometric Evaluation of a Tablet-Based Tool to Detect Mild Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults: Mixed Methods Study.

With the rapid aging of the global population, the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia is anticipated to surge worldwide. MCI serves as an intermediary stage between normal aging and dementia, necessitating more sensitive and effective screening tools for early identification and intervention. The BrainFx SCREEN is a novel digital tool designed to assess cognitive impairment. This study evaluated its efficacy as a screening tool for MCI in primary care settings, particularly in the context of an aging population and the growing integration of digital health solutions. The primary objective was to assess the validity, reliability, and applicability of the BrainFx SCREEN (hereafter, the SCREEN) for MCI screening in a primary care context. We conducted an exploratory study comparing the SCREEN with an established screening tool, the Quick Mild Cognitive Impairment (Qmci) screen. A concurrent mixed methods, prospective study using a quasi-experimental design was conducted with 147 participants from 5 primary care Family Health Teams (FHTs; characterized by multidisciplinary practice and capitated funding) across southwestern Ontario, Canada. Participants included health care practitioners, patients, and FHT administrative executives. Individuals aged ≥55 years with no history of MCI or diagnosis of dementia rostered in a participating FHT were eligible to participate. Participants were screened using both the SCREEN and Qmci. The study also incorporated the Geriatric Anxiety Scale-10 to assess general anxiety levels at each cognitive screening. The SCREEN's scoring was compared against that of the Qmci and the clinical judgment of health care professionals. Statistical analyses included sensitivity, specificity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability assessments. The study found that the SCREEN's longer administration time and complex scoring algorithm, which is proprietary and unavailable for independent analysis, presented challenges. Its internal consistency, indicated by a Cronbach α of 0.63, was below the acceptable threshold. The test-retest reliability also showed limitations, with moderate intraclass correlation coefficient (0.54) and inadequate κ (0.15) values. Sensitivity and specificity were consistent (63.25% and 74.07%, respectively) between cross-tabulation and discrepant analysis. In addition, the study faced limitations due to its demographic skew (96/147, 65.3% female, well-educated participants), the absence of a comprehensive gold standard for MCI diagnosis, and financial constraints limiting the inclusion of confirmatory neuropsychological testing. The SCREEN, in its current form, does not meet the necessary criteria for an optimal MCI screening tool in primary care settings, primarily due to its longer administration time and lower reliability. As the number of digital health technologies increases and evolves, further testing and refinement of tools such as the SCREEN are essential to ensure their efficacy and reliability in real-world clinical settings. This study advocates for continued research in this rapidly advancing field to better serve the aging population. RR2-10.2196/25520.

Pain Management in Cognitively Impaired Older Adults.

Pain identification and management in cognitively impaired older adults, especially those with major neurocognitive disorder, are challenging because of communication barriers and health care providers who are unaccustomed to the patient's baseline behavioral and psychological conditions. Appropriately distinguishing pain-associated behaviors separate from dementia, utilizing effective assessment tools, and administering proper interventions and medications to treat pain promptly for this population need to be considered. Nurses play critical roles in implementing various evidence-based assessment tools to assess pain and choosing appropriate pain management interventions by training and supporting other nurses to use these assessment tools and develop their critical assessment skills to quickly identify pain and evaluate pain management interventions.

Benefits of Music Therapy in the Cognitive Impairments of Alzheimer's-Type Dementia: A Systematic Review.

Background/Objective: Alzheimer's disease is a condition that can cause memory, thinking, and behaviour impairments. This type of dementia affects approximately 50 million people globally. Currently, there is no remedy for this disease, but there are different treatment approaches, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, that try to alleviate the symptoms. The remarkable fact about Alzheimer's response to music is that musical abilities can be preserved even though language could be lost. The objective of this systematic review is to assess the benefits of music therapy on cognitive impairments in older adults with Alzheimer's disease. Methods: This is a systematic review carried out following the PRISMA guidelines. The literature searches were conducted in the following databases: PubMed, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, and Dialnet. The inclusion criteria established were as follows: randomised controlled studies and clinical trials published in English and Spanish from 2010 to 2024, patients diagnosed with dementia of the Alzheimer's type, aged 65 years or older, who had participated in music interventions and had cognitive changes. Results: Eleven studies were included in this review. They showed that music therapy interventions mainly improved memory, language, and orientation. The results of a methodological quality analysis showed that six of the articles had good methodological quality and four had excellent methodological quality. Conclusions: The results of this review suggest that treatment with music therapy improves cognitive impairments in patients with Alzheimer's disease. In addition, we can be sure that music creates a link between the patient and the specialist.

The association between cataract surgery and mental health in older adults: a review

Background: Although cataract surgery has been proposed as a potentially modifiable protective factor for enhancing emotional well-being in cataract patients, studies examining the relationship between anxiety or depression and cataract surgery have yielded inconsistent findings. This review summarizes existing evidence to establish whether cataract surgery is associated with depression and anxiety in older adults. Methods: A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and Embase databases. An initial screening by abstracts and titles was performed, followed by a review and assessment of the methodological quality of the relevant full papers, and final inclusion of 44 studies were deemed eligible for inclusion in this review. Results: Among 44 included studies, 36 studies (81.8%) were observational studies concerning the association of cataract surgery or cataracts with anxiety or depression, four studies (9.1%) were interventional studies, and four studies (9.1%) were reviews. Cataract surgery notably enhances the mental health of individuals with impaired vision. However, the multifaceted nature of psychological well-being, influenced by various factors, suggests that cataract surgery may not address all aspects comprehensively. Additionally, preoperative anxiety and depression significantly impact cataract surgery outcomes. Conclusion: Vision impairment in older adults is closely associated with increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. While surgical intervention for cataracts improves these symptoms, it might be less effective for mental disorders with multifactorial causes. Notably, anxiety or depression poses challenges to successful preoperative and intraoperative cataract surgeries.

Alzheimer's disease cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and kidney function in normal and cognitively impaired older adults.

Recent Alzheimer's disease (AD) clinical trials have used cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker levels for screening and enrollment. Preliminary evidence suggests that AD risk is related to impaired renal function. The impact of kidney function on commonly used AD biomarkers remains unknown. Participants in studies conducted at the Goizueta Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (N=973) had measurements of serum creatinine and CSF AD biomarkers. General linear models and individual data were used to assess the relationships between biomarkers and eGFR. Lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was associated with lower amyloid beta (Aβ)42/tau ratio (p<0.0001) and Aβ42 (p=0.002) and higher tau (p<0.0001) and p-tau (p=0.0002). The impact of eGFR on AD biomarker levels was more robust in individuals with cognitive impairment (all p-values were<0.005). The association between eGFR and CSF AD biomarkers has a significant impact that varies by cognitive status. Future studies exploring this impact on the pathogenesis of AD and related biomarkers are needed. There is a significant association between Alzheimer's disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers and both estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Kidney function influences CSF biomarker levels in individuals with normal cognitive function and those with MCI.The impact of kidney function on AD biomarker levels is more pronounced in individuals with cognitive impairment.The variation in CSF tau levels is independent of cardiovascular factors and is likely directly related to kidney function.Tau may have a possible role in both kidney and cognitive function.

Association between Multiple Trace Elements, Executive Function, and Cognitive Impairment with No Dementia in Older Adults.

Many studies suggest a significant association between individual essential trace elements (ETEs) and cognitive impairment in older adults, but evidence of the synchronized effect of multiple ETEs on cognitive function is lacking. We investigated the association between multiple ETEs, cognitive impairment with no dementia (CIND), and executive function in older Korean adults, using the Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model. Three hundred and thirty-six older adults were included as the study population and classified as the CIND and control groups. Blood manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and molybdenum (Mo) were measured as relevant ETEs. The frontal/executive tests included digit symbol coding (DSC), the Korean color word Stroop test (K-CWST), a controlled oral word association test (COWAT), and a trial-making test (TMT). Overall, the BKMR showed a negative association between multiple ETEs and the odds of CIND. Mn was designated as the most dominant element associated with the CIND (PIP = 0.6184), with a U-shaped relationship. Cu and Se levels were positively associated with the K-CWST percentiles (β = 31.78; 95% CI: 13.51, 50.06) and DSC percentiles (β = 25.10; 95% CI: 7.66, 42.53), respectively. Our results suggest that exposure to multiple ETEs may be linked to a protective mechanism against cognitive impairment in older adults.

The relationship between healthy lifestyles and cognitive function in Chinese older adults: the mediating effect of depressive symptoms

BackgroundPrevious studies have proven the positive relationship between healthy lifestyles and cognitive function in older adults. However, the specific impacts and mechanisms require further investigation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether healthy lifestyles and cognitive function were associated with Chinese older adults and whether depressive symptoms mediated their association.Methods8272 valid samples were included using the latest data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Pearson’s test was applied to investigate the relationship between the key variables. Regression models were employed to examine the mediating effects of healthy lifestyles, using Sobel’s test and the bootstrap method to confirm path effects.ResultsThere was a significant correlation between healthy lifestyles, depressive symptoms, and cognitive function (p < 0.01). Healthy lifestyles directly impact cognitive function (β = 0.162, p < 0.01). Healthy lifestyles had a significant effect on depressive symptoms (β=-0.301, p < 0.01), while depressive symptoms have a significant impact on cognitive function (β=-0.108, p < 0.01). Depressive symptoms partially mediated the effect of healthy lifestyles on cognitive function (β = 0.032, p < 0.01). The Sobel and bootstrap tests confirmed the robustness of the regression analysis results.ConclusionDepressive symptoms mediate the relationship between healthy lifestyles and cognitive function. Our findings suggest that prevention strategies for cognitive impairment in older adults should focus on healthy lifestyles and mental health.

Body Composition, Sarcopenic Obesity, and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: Findings From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2002 and 2011–2014

Objective Sarcopenic-obesity (SO) is characterized by the concomitant presence of low muscle mass and high adiposity. This study explores the association of body composition and SO phenotypes with cognitive function in older adults. Methods Cross-sectional data in older adults (≥60 years) from NHANES 1999–2002 and 2011–2014 were used. In the 1999–2002 cohort, phenotypes were derived from body mass index (BMI) and dual-X-ray-absorptiometry, and cognition was assessed the by Digit-Symbol-Substitution-Test (DSST). In the 2011–2014 cohort, phenotypes were derived from BMI, waist-circumference (WC), and hand-grip-strength (HGS). Cognition was assessed using four tests: DSST, Animal Fluency, the Consortium-to-Establish-a-Registry-for-Alzheimer’s-Disease-Delayed-Recall, and Word Learning. Mediation analysis was conducted to evaluate the contribution of inflammation (C-reactive-protein, CRP) and insulin resistance (Homeostatic-Model-Assessment-for-Insulin-Resistance, HOMA-IR) to the association between body composition and cognitive outcomes. Results The SO phenotype had the lowest DSST mean scores (p < 0.05) and was associated with a significant risk of cognitive impairment [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.9; 95%CI 1.0–3.7, p = 0.027] in the 1999–2002 cohort. A higher ratio of fat mass and fat free mass (FM/FFM) also showed a greater risk of cognitive impairment (OR = 2.0; 95%CI 1.3–3.1, p = 0.004). In the 2011–2014 cohort, the high WC-Low HGS group showed significantly lower scores on all four cognitive tests (p < 0.05) and a higher risk of cognitive impairment. CRP and HOMA-IR were significant partial mediators of the association between FM/FFM and DSST in the 1999–2002 cohort. Conclusions The SO phenotype was associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment in older adults. Insulin resistance and inflammation may represent key mechanisms linking SO to the development of cognitive impairment.

Psychometric evaluation of the Decision Support System (DSS) for municipal nurses encountering health deterioration among older adults

BackgroundA valid and reliable tool is crucial for municipal registered nurses (RNs) to make quick decisions in older adults who show rapid signs of health deterioration. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Decision Support System (DSS) among older adults in the municipal healthcare system.MethodsFirstly, we utilized the Rasch dichotomous model to analyze the DSS assessments (n=281) that were collected from municipal RNs working with older adults in the municipal healthcare system. We examined the properties of the DSS in terms of its unidimensionality, item fit, and separation indices. Secondly, to investigate inter-rater agreement in using the DSS, four experienced municipal RNs used the DSS to assess 60 health deterioration scenarios presented by one human patient simulators. The 60 DSS assessments were then analyzed using the ICC (2,1), percentage agreement, and Cohen κ statistics.ResultsThe sample of older adults had a mean age of 82.8 (SD 11.7). The DSS met the criteria for unidimensionality, although two items did not meet the item fit statistics when all the DSS items were analyzed together. The person separation index was 0.47, indicating a limited level of separation among the sample. The item separation index was 11.43, suggesting that the DSS has good ability to discriminate between and separate the items. At the overall DSS level, inter-rater agreements were good according to the ICC. At the individual DSS item level, the percentage agreements were 75% or above, while the Cohen κ statistics ranged from 0.46 to 1.00.ConclusionsThe Rasch analysis revealed that the psychometric properties of the instrument were acceptable, although further research with a larger sample size and more items is needed. The DSS has the potential to assist municipal RNs in making clinical decisions regarding health deterioration in older adults, thereby avoiding unnecessary emergency admission and helping to alleviate emergency department overcrowding.

Risk factors associated with cognitive performance and cognitive impairment in older adults with type 1 diabetes: Data from the Wireless Innovation for Seniors with Diabetes Mellitus (WISDM) study

BackgroundAdults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are considered at increased risk for cognitive impairment and accelerated brain aging. However, longitudinal data on cognitive impairment and dementia in this population are scarce. ObjectiveTo identify risk factors associated with cognitive performance and cognitive impairment in a longitudinal sample of older adults with T1D. MethodsWe analyzed data collected as part of the Wireless Innovation for Seniors with Diabetes Mellitus (WISDM) Study, in which 22 endocrinology practices participated. Randomized participants with T1D ≥60 years of age who completed at least one cognitive assessment were included in this study (n = 203). Cognitive impairment was classified using published recommendations. ResultsOlder age, male sex, non-private health insurance, worse daily functioning, diagnosis of neuropathy, and longer duration of diabetes were associated with worse cognitive performance, but not cognitive impairment. 49 % and 39 % of the sample met criteria for cognitive impairment at baseline and 52 weeks respectively. Of the participants that had data at both time points, 10 % were normal at baseline and impaired at 52 weeks and 22 % of participants (44 % of those classified with cognitive impairment at baseline) reverted to normal over 52 weeks. ConclusionThis study indicated that several demographic and clinical characteristics are associated with worse cognitive performance in older adults with T1D, but there were no associations between these characteristics and cognitive impairment defined by NIH Toolbox cognitive impairment criteria. Caution is warranted when assessing cognition in older adults with T1D, as a large percentage of those identified as having cognitive impairment at baseline reverted to normal after 52 weeks. There is need for future studies on the interrelationship of cognition and aging to better understand the effects of T1D on cognitive health, to improve clinical monitoring and help mitigate the risk of dementia in this population.

The Association between Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Degeneration: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), particularly its exudative form, is a primary cause of vision impairment in older adults. As diabetes becomes increasingly prevalent in aging, it is crucial to explore the potential relationship between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and AMD. This study aimed to assess the risk of developing overall, non-exudative, and exudative AMD in individuals with DR compared to those without retinopathy (non-DR) based on a nationwide population study in Taiwan. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database (NHIRD) (2000-2013). A total of 3413 patients were placed in the study group (DR) and 13,652 in the control group (non-DR) for analysis. Kaplan-Meier analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model were used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for the development of AMD, adjusting for confounding factors, such as age, sex, and comorbid conditions. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated a significantly higher cumulative incidence of AMD in the DR group compared to the non-DR group (log-rank test, p < 0.001). Adjusted analyses revealed that individuals with DR faced a greater risk of overall AMD, with an aHR of 3.50 (95% CI = 3.10-3.95). For senile (unspecified) AMD, the aHR was 3.45 (95% CI = 3.04-3.92); for non-exudative senile AMD, it was 2.92 (95% CI = 2.08-4.09); and for exudative AMD, the aHR was 3.92 (95% CI = 2.51-6.14). DR is a significant risk factor for both overall, senile, exudative, and non-exudative AMD, even after adjusting for demographic and comorbid conditions. DR patients tend to have a higher prevalence of vascular comorbidities; however, our findings indicate that the ocular pathologies inherent to DR might have a more significant impact on the progression to AMD. Early detection and appropriate treatment of AMD is critically important among DR patients.

The Mediating Role of Psychological Balance on the Effects of Dietary Behavior on Cognitive Impairment in Chinese Elderly.

Cognitive impairment, a significant problem in older adults, may be associated with diet. This study aims to examine the association between the dietary diversity score (DDS), dietary pattern (DP), and cognitive impairment in elderly Chinese. This research further explored the role of psychological balance (PB) as a mediator in the relationship between diet and cognitive impairment. A total of 14,318 older adults from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Study (CLHLS) in 2018 were included. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify patterns in seven food varieties. Binary logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with the DDS, DP, and cognitive impairment. The multiple mediation effect model was evaluated using model 6 in the PROCESS version 3.5 program. Among the participants, 4294 (29.99%) developed cognitive impairment. Compared to people in food variety group two or lower, people with a high dietary diversity score (DDS) had lower odds of cognitive impairment. Compared to DP1, DP2 (OR = 1.24, 95%CI = 1.09 to 1.40) was associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment, and DP4 (OR = 0.79, 95%CI = 0.69 to 0.89) was associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment. PB mediated the relationship between DDS, DP, and cognitive impairment, with a mediating effect of 27.24% and 41.00%. A DP that is rich in fruits, vegetables, red meat, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, and milk was related to a lower risk of cognitive impairment. PB has an indirect impact on cognitive impairment. Our findings underscore the importance of promoting a diverse diet, which may contribute to a lower risk of cognitive impairment in older adults. The PB of the elderly should also be taken into consideration.

Abstract MP33: Investigating the Link Between Glucose Patterns Assessed by Continuous Glucose Monitoring With Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults With Diabetes

Introduction: There are no studies in older adults with type 2 diabetes that examine the link between day-to-day glucose patterns and cognitive dysfunction. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is a minimally invasive technology that can assess glucose every 1-15 minutes and characterize nuanced patterns in glucose. Hypothesis: CGM can provide a comprehensive picture of glycemic variability in people with cognitive dysfunction. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of participants with diabetes in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study (Visit 9, 2021-2022). ARIC participants wore a CGM (Abbott Libre Pro) and underwent cognitive testing in three cognitive domains (memory, executive functioning, and language). Scores were standardized and averaged to give a global cognitive z-score. We compared HbA1c and clinically used CGM parameters (mean glucose, coefficient of variation, percent time in glucose range of 70-180 mg/dL, and percent time above 180 mg/dL) across quartiles of cognitive z-scores, adjusting for age and sex. We calculated p-values for trends from linear or quantile regression treating the median of cognitive Z-score in each quartile as a continuous variable. Results: We included 383 participants with diabetes (mean age, 83 years). Across categories of cognitive functioning, participants in the lowest cognitive functioning categories had significantly higher HbA1c, glucose variability, and less percent time spent with glucose in range (70-180 mg/dl) (Figure) . There was no clear trend in CGM mean glucose (p=0.15) (Figure, Panel B) . Conclusions: Cognitive dysfunction was associated with an increased burden of glycemic dysregulation assessed through CGM and HbA1c. Our results suggest CGM may be a useful complement to HbA1c for monitoring glycemic control in this population. Figure: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics across quartiles of cognitive Z-scores in older participants with diabetes in the ARIC Study (2021-2022)

Development of a new computer simulated environment to screen cognition: assessing the feasibility and acceptability of Leaf Café in younger and older adults

BackgroundExisting traditional cognitive screening tools for dementia have various limitations, including overreliance on tests assessing verbal memory and, to a lesser extent, on some aspects of executive functioning. Comprehensive neuropsychological assessment is sensitive to impairment but time-intensive and expensive. Virtual reality may provide a dynamic and unique understanding of cognitive performance and increase the ecological validity of cognitive assessment. The use of virtual reality in screening for cognitive function in older persons is promising, but evidence for its use remains sparse.ObjectiveOur primary aim was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a newly developed, virtual reality assessment module, ‘Leaf Café’, a computer-based program that assesses cognition in an engaging, efficient, and ecologically relevant way. The secondary aim was to assess the ability of the module to discriminate between performances of younger and older adults.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in Sydney, Australia, targeting adults aged 18 years and above. Participants completed a traditional cognitive screening tool (Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-Modified, TICS-M) and Leaf Café, a low-immersive virtual reality module designed to evaluate learning and memory, perceptual-motor function, and executive functioning. The total performance score for each participant, ranging from 0 to 180, was correlated with their cognitive performance assessed by TICS-M, using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Following module completion, participants were presented with an open and closed-question survey to capture their perceptions, attitudes, and feedback on the module, encompassing practicality, acceptability, and enjoyment. Both descriptive and content analyses were employed to interpret the obtained data.ResultsA sample of 131 participants (mean age 54.9 years, SD = 20.8, range 20–85) took part. The majority were female (71.8%) and born in an English-speaking country (75.8%). The mean amount of time spent in the module was 32.8 min (SD = 13.3) with a mean module score of 107.6 (SD = 38.7). Most participants completed the highest level (5; 80.5%). There was a significant correlation between Leaf Café total scores with TICS-M cognitive scores overall, and for both younger (aged 18–64 years) and older adult (aged 65 + years) groups. No significant difference was found on performance between age groups on TICS-M performance, however, younger adults had significantly better performance on the Leaf Café module than older adults (M = 124.1 vs 95.9; p < .001). Participants had similar response proportions regarding user experience with most agreeing that the module was easy to use (84%) and to navigate (85%). Compared with younger adults, older adults had lower rates of agreement on the module’s design (36.8% vs 64.3%; p = .020) and support experienced (20.5% vs 53.6%; p = .007). Participants highlighted the significance of practicality and the cognitive challenges presented by the module, in terms of memory strain and user interface concerns. Feedback encompassed different opinions on the usefulness of music, with suggestions for improvements centred around clearer instructions, varied game dynamics, and considerations for diverse user needs.ConclusionsLeaf Café is a feasible and acceptable tool to be used for screening for cognitive impairment in older adults and has real-world assessment value. Further verification on the game’s utility in detecting cognitive impairment is required.