Related Experiment Videos
Aging, Practice Effects, and Genetic Risk in the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention
Erin M Jonaitis1, Rebecca L Koscik, Asenath La Rue
1a Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute , University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health , Madison , WI , US.
The Clinical Neuropsychologist
|May 28, 2015
Summary
Reduced practice effects in cognitive tests may signal preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) in cognitively intact adults. This finding suggests potential early detection for Alzheimer's disease interventions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) may begin years before cognitive decline.
- Focus is shifting to preclinical AD detection for targeted treatments.
- Subtle cognitive changes, like reduced practice benefits, may indicate preclinical AD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore cognitive aging trajectories in clinically intact, late middle-aged adults.
- To investigate cognitive changes as potential preclinical markers for Alzheimer's disease.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of longitudinal cognitive data from 594 participants.
- Use of mixed models to examine cognitive trajectories.
- Adjustment for dementia risk factors: APOE-ε4 status and family history of AD.
Main Results:
- Practice effects were observed across multiple cognitive domains.
- Attenuated practice effects were noted for Working Memory and Speed & Flexibility in subjects with a family history of AD (FH+).
Conclusions:
- Reduced practice effects, previously seen in clinical AD groups, were also observed in middle-aged adults with a family history of AD.
- These findings suggest that diminished practice effects may indicate preclinical changes associated with Alzheimer's disease.
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