Citations 22
Leisure‐time physical activity sustained since midlife and preservation of cognitive function: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study
Palta, Priya, Sharrett, A. Richey, Evenson, Kelly R. , Gabriel, Kelley Pettee , Folsom, Aaron R. , Gross, Alden L. , Windham, B. Gwen , Heiss, Gerardo , Deal, Jennifer A. , Knopman, David S. , Mosley, Thomas H.
Alzheimer's & Dementia | October 12, 2018 | Volume: 15 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 273-281
Abstract Introduction We tested the hypotheses that higher levels of and persistence of midlife leisure‐time physical activity (LTPA) are associated long‐term with lower cognitive decline and less incident dementia. Methods A total of 10,705 participants (mean age: 60 years) had LTPA (no, low, middle, or high) measured in 1987‐1989 and 1993‐1995. LTPA was assessed in relation to incident dementia and 14‐year change in general cognitive performance. Results Over a median follow‐up of 17.4 years, 1063 dementia cases were observed. Compared with no LTPA, high LTPA in midlife was associated with lower incidence of dementia (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.71 [0.61, 0.86]) and lower declines in general cognitive performance (−0.07 standard deviation difference [−0.12 to −0.04]). These associations were stronger when measured against persistence of midlife LTPA over 6 years. Discussion LTPA is a readily modifiable factor associated inversely with long‐term dementia incidence and cognitive decline.
Olfactory function and neurocognitive outcomes in old age: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study
Palta, Priya, Chen, Honglei , Sharrett, A. Richey, Gross, Alden L. , Griswold, Michael , Heiss, Gerardo , Deal, Jennifer A. , Knopman, David S. , Mosley, Thomas H.
Alzheimer's & Dementia | March 30, 2018 | Volume: 14 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 1015-1021
AbstractIntroductionWe tested the hypothesis that poor sense of smell is associated with lower cognitive function and higher mild cognitive impairment (MCI) prevalence.MethodsOlfaction, measured by the Sniffin' Sticks test, was categorized as olfactory impairment (OI) (score ≤6) or no OI (score >6). MCI was adjudicated based on review of a neuropsychological examination. Linear regression estimated the mean difference in cognitive factor scores, and log‐binomial regression quantified MCI prevalence among participants with versus without OI.ResultsParticipants with OI had lower mean factor scores (memory: −0.27 standard deviation [SD], 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.35 to −0.19; language: −0.24 SD, 95% CI: −0.30 to −0.17; executive function/processing speed: −0.09 SD, 95% CI: −0.12 to −0.06; and general cognitive performance: −0.25 SD, 95% CI: −0.30 to −0.20). OI was also associated with MCI (n = 204; prevalence ratio = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.37, 1.78).DiscussionAn impaired sense of smell may serve as a readily accessible early marker of neurodegeneration and improve upon the prevailing delayed diagnoses and underascertainment of MCI/dementia.