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Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
Women who maintain optimal cognitive function into old age.
Deborah E Barnes1, Jane A Cauley, Li-Yung Lui
1Department of Psychiatry, University of California at San Francisco, Scan Francisco, California, USA. deborah.barnes@ucsf.edu
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|February 17, 2007
Summary
Nearly 10% of older women maintained optimal cognitive function, avoiding decline. Key factors included managing diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and maintaining social connections for better cognitive health.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Cognitive decline is a common concern in aging populations.
- Understanding factors that preserve cognitive function is crucial for healthy aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify characteristics distinguishing older women who maintain optimal cognitive function from those experiencing typical age-related cognitive decline.
- To determine predictors of cognitive maintenance versus minor decline in older women.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving 9,704 older women from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures.
- Cognitive function assessed using a modified Mini-Mental State Examination (mMMSE) over 15 years.
- Random-effects and stepwise logistic regression models used to classify cognitive trajectories and identify predictive factors.
Main Results:
- 9% of women maintained optimal cognitive function, 58% showed minor decline, and 33% experienced major decline.
- Factors associated with maintaining cognitive function included absence of diabetes mellitus (OR=1.9), hypertension (OR=1.2), and smoking (OR=1.7).
- Moderate alcohol consumption (OR=1.2), lack of difficulty with daily activities (OR=1.4), and adequate social networks (OR=1.2) also predicted cognitive maintenance.
Conclusions:
- Approximately 10% of older women exhibit remarkable cognitive resilience into old age.
- Cognitive maintainers were characterized by fewer comorbid medical conditions, better functional status, and healthier lifestyle choices compared to those with minor cognitive decline.
- These findings highlight the importance of managing chronic diseases and promoting healthy behaviors for cognitive preservation in aging women.
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