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Published on: February 14, 2014
The Association Between Subjective Age and Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome: Results From a Population-Based Cohort
Yannick Stephan1, Angelina R Sutin2, Brice Canada3
1Euromov, University of Montpelier, Montpelier, France.
Objectives:
The motoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome, characterized by cognitive complaints and slower gait speed, is a predementia syndrome associated with dementia and mortality risk. The present study examined whether subjective age, that is, how old or young individuals feel relative to their chronological age, is related to concurrent and incident MCR syndrome. A relation between subjective age and MCR will inform knowledge on psychological factors related to dementia risk, identify who is at greater risk, and suggest a potential target of intervention.
Methods:
The study sample was composed of 6,341 individuals aged 65-107 years without dementia from the Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal study of adults aged 50 years and older. Participants completed measures of subjective age, cognitive complaints, and gait speed and provided information on demographic factors, cognition, physical activity, depressive symptoms, and body mass index (BMI) at baseline in 2008/2010. Incident MCR was assessed 4 and 8 years later.
Results:
Controlling for demographic factors, an older subjective age was related to more than 60% higher likelihood of MCR at baseline and to around 50% higher risk of incident MCR over time. These associations remained significant when cognition, physical inactivity, depressive symptoms, and BMI were included in the analytic models.
Discussion:
This study provides evidence that how old individuals feel is related to concurrent and incident MCR beyond the effect of chronological age, other demographic factors, physical inactivity, depressive symptoms, BMI, and cognitive functioning.
Insights
Feeling older is linked to a higher risk of motoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome, a predementia condition. This finding highlights subjective age as a potential indicator for dementia risk.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Motoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome, marked by cognitive complaints and slow gait, is a precursor to dementia and mortality.
- Understanding psychological factors associated with MCR is crucial for dementia risk assessment and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between subjective age and the presence and development of MCR syndrome.
- To determine if feeling older predicts MCR independently of other risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 6,341 adults aged 65-107 without dementia from the Health and Retirement Study.
- Assessment of subjective age, cognitive complaints, gait speed, and covariates at baseline, with MCR incidence tracked over 4 and 8 years.
Main Results:
- An older subjective age was associated with a >60% increased likelihood of baseline MCR.
- Older subjective age predicted a ~50% higher risk of incident MCR over time, even after controlling for multiple confounders.
Conclusions:
- Subjective age is a significant predictor of MCR syndrome, both concurrently and prospectively.
- Feeling older may serve as an early indicator for individuals at increased risk for dementia.
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