Longitudinal Association Between Multimorbidity, Participating Activity, and Cognitive Function: Cross-lagged...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Previous research suggests a link between multimorbidity and cognitive function, but the direction and mechanisms are not fully understood.
• Older adults are particularly vulnerable to the interplay between multiple chronic conditions and cognitive decline.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the bidirectional relationship between multimorbidity and cognitive function in older adults.
• To examine the mediating roles of physical activity and leisure activity in this association.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 5,546 dementia-free Americans aged 60+ from the Health and Retirement Study (2008-2016).
• Assessed multimorbidity using the multimorbidity weight index and cognitive function via the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status.
• Employed cross-lagged panel models to analyze the associations and mediation effects.

Main Results:

• A significant bidirectional association was found between multimorbidity and cognitive function.
• Higher multimorbidity predicted lower cognitive function (β = -0.064), and lower cognitive function predicted higher multimorbidity (β = -0.024).
• Physical and leisure activities significantly mediated these associations, with the effect being more pronounced from multimorbidity to cognitive function.

Conclusions:

• A negative bidirectional association exists between multimorbidity and cognitive function in older adults.
• Physical and leisure activities play a crucial role in mediating this relationship.
• The bidirectional association was only evident in individuals who were not carriers of the APOE ε4 gene variant.