bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HEALTH PERSONALITY, HEALTH ACTIVATION, AND GENERAL HEALTH
Authors: Cone Nicholas , Jasper Angelica , Martin Peter
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this investigation was to examine associations between health personality and health activation as predictors of general health. Participants from the study included 3907 individuals 65 years of age and older from AARP® Medicare Supplement Plans insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company. The participants completed a survey including the Health Personality Assessment, the Consumer Health Activation Index, and a single-item assessment of self-rated health. Structural equation modeling determined how health personality predicted health activation, and health activation in turn predicted general health. The hypothesized model fit without direct paths from health personality to general health was not optimal. In a second step, we added direct paths from health openness, health neuroticism, and health conscientiousness to general health. The final model fit was then excellent, x2 (df=2) = 18.26, p < .01, RMSEA = .05, CFI = .99. Health neuroticism and health openness were negatively related to health activation, which indicated participants with high health neuroticism and health openness scores were less health activated. Conversely, higher health agreeableness and conscientiousness were associated with more activation. Pathways from health personality via health activation to general health were tested for mediation. Health activation significantly mediated relationships between health neuroticism, health openness, health agreeableness and health conscientiousness to general health. These findings support health activation accounting for some of the associations between health personality and general health. Health neuroticism, health openness, health agreeableness, and health conscientiousness were more closely connected to health activation than health extraversion.
HYPERTENSION DOES NOT CONTRIBUTE TO MICROBLEEDS ONSET IN FEMALE EFAD MICE
Authors: Cacciottolo Mafalda , Morgan Todd E , Finch Caleb E
Published: November 2019

Cerebral microbleeds (MBs) contribute to pre-clinical cognitive decline and are an additional clinical burden in Alzheimer Disease (AD). Hypertension is associated with MBs, with nearly 2-fold higher likelihood for MBs per SD increment in blood pressure (BP). We investigated the possible role of age-related hypertension in the EFAD mouse model (transgenic for carrying familial AD mutations and targeted replacement of human APO-E3 or -E4). MBs were detected by Prussian Blue histochemistry. We extended prior findings with observations that MBs arise early in life, by 2 months, and confirmed female excess for ApoE3 and-E4 carriers. Wildtype C57BL/6J mice also accumulated MBs, and a 10-fold lower level and more slowly up to 21mo of age. BP was measured by the tail-cuff method. All mice had BP in the normotensive range, <150 mm Hg, systolic. Longitudinal measurements of blood pressure at ages 2, 4, and 6 months showed few age changes, except for E3FAD females at 6 months (systolic, +20%, p<0.05; diastolic, +33%, p<0.05). A possible decrease in blood pressure was observed in EFAD mice (-33%, p<0.01) compared to C57BL/6J mice. A not statistical trend of increase was observed in older C57BL/6J mice up to 18 mo of age, consistent with previous reports. Older ages are required for complete negation of role of hypertension in the MB model. Ongoing studies will examine mice older than 6 months for potential relations of blood pressure and MB, and in relation to brain amyloid deposits which surrounded MBs in our prior study.
AFFECTIVE NEUROPSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS MAY BE EARLY SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE IN NON-DEMENTED OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Jang Jung Y , Nation Daniel A
Published: November 2019

The current study sought to investigate the association between affective neuropsychiatric symptoms (aNPS: depression, anxiety, apathy, irritability), Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers profiles, and the risk of progression to dementia in non-demented older adults. Participants consisted of 763 individuals with normal cognition (CN) (mean age = 73.73 ± 6.68) and 617 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (mean age = 73.19 ± 7.40) at baseline, who were enrolled in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Latent class analyses (LCA) identified three subgroups of older adults within CN and MCI, respectively, showing distinct patterns of the neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) domains. Results indicated that the subgroup with higher probabilities of aNPS had elevated risk of progression to dementia (HR = 3.18, 95% CI [1.70, 5.94] in CN, HR = 1.79, 95% CI [1.01, 3.16] in MCI), adjusting for age, sex, and Apolipoprotein E e4 (APOE4) carrier status. Subgroups did not differ in their profiles of AD CSF biomarkers. Findings suggest that aNPS might be symptoms of secondary disease processes in the brain, lowering the threshold for AD pathophysiology to manifest clinically in CN and MCI. The current study highlights the importance of assessment and interventions for emotional and behavioral symptoms in non-demented older adults.
RECRUITING COMMUNITY-DWELLING LIVE-ALONE PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA: AN EXPLORATION OF FIVE GATEKEEPER DOMAINS
Authors: Girling Laura , Medeiros Kate de
Published: November 2019

Although recruiting persons with dementia into research is challenging enough, finding those who live-alone in the community is even more difficult. Consequently, live-alone persons with dementia are often overlooked and/or deliberately excluded from inquiry despite calls for more inclusive approaches to dementia research. Based on enrollment strategies from an interview-based protocol recruiting 120 live-alone persons with dementia, our National Institute on Aging- funded study identified five domains of gatekeepers imperative to gaining access to community-dwelling, live-alone persons with dementia: 1) housing (e.g., service coordinators), 2) data proprietors (e.g., regulatory specialists), 3) institutional (e.g., review boards), 4) kin (including fictive kin), 5) clinical (e.g., medical providers, clinician practices). In addition, gatekeeper domains are multilayered and serve distinct roles in both facilitating and hindering access to and enrollment of this under-researched vulnerable population. Analysis of our recruitment efforts contribute significant insights into how the dementia research community may engage the various domains of community gatekeepers, providing direction for current and future social science research.
AGE DIFFERENCES IN THE CHARACTERISTICS AND HABITS OF 2019 BIKE WEEK ATTENDEES IN DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA
Authors: Wheaton Felicia V , Brown Desmond
Published: November 2019

Older adults are an important demographic group in the tourism sector, particularly in Florida. This study assessed age-group differences in the characteristics and habits of 2019 Daytona Bike Week attendees, as evidence indicates the average age of bike week visitors is rising. Aging Studies and Hospitality undergraduate students at Bethune-Cookman University interviewed 335 participants using Google Forms on their mobile phones. Results from chi-square tests indicate that there were significant differences between younger (20-39 years), middle-aged (40-59 years) and older adults (60+ years) in terms of gender and income, expenditures on accommodations, type of accommodations, nights spent, and first-time attendance. A greater percentage of older bike week attendees were male and higher income, and were less likely to be first-time attendees. Older adults also tended to spend more on accommodation and stayed longer, and were more likely to stay in Air BnBs, rental homes or a second home/condo compared with younger and middle-aged adults, but were less likely to stay in a hotel/motel or with friends/family. No significant differences were found in expenditures on food, alcohol, gas, entertainment or shopping. Findings suggest that older bike week attendees are important contributors to bike week tourism, particularly with respect to accommodations.
THE EFFECT OF LANGUAGE ON PREPARATION FOR OLD AGE: EVIDENCE FROM CROSS-CULTURAL SURVEY AND TWITTER DATA
Authors: Chen Amber Xuqian , Fung Helene H
Published: November 2019

We aimed to further investigate the linguistic-savings hypothesis (Chen, 2013) in the field of aging, which maintains that when languages grammatically divide the future and the present (e.g. English and Czech), speakers tend to behave less future-oriented than those speaking languages that do not mark future tense (e.g. German and Chinese). In the 2018 wave of Aging as Future Project, 2,042 participants from the United States, Germany, Czech Republic, Hong Kong and Taiwan (18-93 year, Mean age= 55.47, 55.61% female) completed online questionnaires. The results supported the hypothesis that people speaking future-less languages tended to perceive the timing of preparation for old age closer to the present in terms of finance, living arrangement, nursing care, and loneliness, they also took action earlier and performed more relevant activities. Furthermore, the association between language and preparation timing was more salient in older adults than younger counterparts. And path analysis revealed that time discounting was a significant predictor (P=0.049) for the future-oriented behavior. Hence, speakers of futureless languages will view the future as temporally closer to the present, causing them to discount the future less and prepare for old age actively. Using LIWC 2017, we then analyzed community-level of future orientation with 80 million Tweets across countries and replicated our principal result through that usage of future-oriented languages partly predicted prevalence of health behaviors. The findings indicate that language not only shape people's own future-oriented outcomes, through decreasing time discounting, but also influence population health as a whole.
THE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN PERSONAL EVENTS AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION: DOES GENDER MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Authors: Hua Yingxiao , Dong Gabriella
Published: November 2019

Recent studies suggested stressful personal events were associated with lower cognitive function and that men and women have different responses to stressful events. There is additionally ample evidence supported gender difference in cognitive function in later age. However, research regarding whether gender would moderate the relationship between personal events and cognitive function are limited. Our data were retrieved from 3,126 US Chinese older adults in Chicago between 2017 to 2019. Personal events were measured by a composite score (range 0-28) of all lifetime events including fire, physical assault, rob, sexual assault, divorce, death, cancer, homeless, imprisonment, false accuse, miscarriage and abortion. Global cognition was constructed by mean of z scores from five cognition tests, covering episodic memory, working memory, executive function and C-MMSE test. Stepwise linear regressions were performed to test the association. After adjusting for social demographic confounders, personal events score was positively associated with global cognition (b=0.018, SE=0.007, p=0.013), and significant interaction term of gender and global cognition was found (b=0.019, SE=0.009, p=0.041). The study found the protective effect of undergoing personal events on cognitive function in an aging population, and it was stronger among women. The findings highlighted the important role of gender in the relationship. Identifying mechanisms underlying this may provide gender-specific information for prevention of cognition decline among older adults. Future studies could explore gender difference in short-term and chronic stressful personal events, respectively, to improve understandings of how traumatic personal events impact cognitive function.
BIOLOGICAL MARKERS OF AGING: CHRONIC STRESS AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN RESPONDERS FROM THE WORLD TRADE CENTER
Authors: Diminich Erica D , Clouston Sean , Scott Stacey B , Palekar Nikhil , santiago Erica D , Bromet Evelyn , Luft Benjamin
Published: November 2019

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a stress related syndrome. Chronic PTSD has increasingly been associated with poor health outcomes, neurodegeneration and risk for cognitive impairment (CI). However, the biological mechanisms underlying the development and maintenance of symptoms and potential associations in accelerating aging are not well understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether specific biomarkers influence functional limitations and cognitive impairment in rescue and recovery workers (i.e. responders) from the attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York. Plasma biomarkers were collected during annual health and wellness visits at the WTC responder clinic between 2012 and 2014. Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and clinical data were examined with prospective PTSD symptom scores collected during participant’s initial enrollment into the parent study as early as 2002. We examined the relationship between cardiovascular (Diastolic Blood Pressure, Systolic Blood Pressure, pulse rate), metabolic (Total Cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, Triglycerides, Glucose, Body Mass Index) and inflammation markers (Albumin, White Blood Count) with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), cognitive functioning (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) and frailty (Short Physical Performance Battery) in responders from the World Trade Center (WTC). We first examined correlations between biomarkers, PTSD symptom severity, PTSD dimensions, cognitive functioning and frailty. We then conducted multivariate regression analyses. In models adjusted for potential confounders, among N=1,045 responders, elevated PTSD was strongly associated with increased frailty, cardiovascular dysregulation and mild cognitive impairment. Current work is ongoing to identify trajectories of change in cognition with frailty and biological factors.
WHAT FAMILY CAREGIVERS THINK AND FEEL WHEN PROXY ASSESSING FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
Authors: Egan Patricia
Published: November 2019

Dementia family caregivers are routinely enlisted as proxy assessors of care recipient quality of life (QOL). Proxy assessment is not ideal because proxy assessments differ systematically from self-assessments and the assessment process can elicit negative affect from family caregivers. Prompting adoption of the care recipient’s perspective can enhance assessment congruence and may improve the emotional experience for assessors. This study explored family caregivers’ cognitive and affective experiences during QOL proxy assessments made from both their own and care recipients’ perspectives. Thirty-six dementia family caregivers were recruited from senior service agencies. Subjects completed the Quality of Life-Alzheimer Disease (QOL-AD), Caregiver Version using standard instructions to assess QOL across thirteen domains of their care recipient’s life without specifying the perspective to be used. Subjects were next asked to repeat the QOL-AD with instructions to adopt the perspective of their care recipient, as they imagined it to be. Subjects were then interviewed about what they thought and felt during each proxy assessment experience. Content analysis indicated that spontaneous perspective shifts and response shifts frequently occurred. Most subjects (91.7%) reported changed thinking for one or more QOL-AD domains when they were prompted to switch perspectives. Over half (61.12%) reported changed affect when switching perspectives and 90.9% of those experiencing changed affect reported affective improvement. Little or no affective change was reported by 38.89%. Findings suggest awareness of perspective can enhance clinical interpretation of proxy assessed QOL and can inform clinical response to dementia family caregivers who experience negative emotions while proxy reporting QOL.
OASIS STUDY: ACTIVITY PATTERNS OF OLDER ADULTS LIVING IN FIVE AGING IN PLACE COMMUNITIES
Authors: DePaul Vincent , Donnelly Catherine , Parniak Simone , Collaborative Oasis Study
Published: November 2019

Background: The Oasis program is a model of aging-in-place that targets social connectedness, physical activity and nutritional wellness through member-driven programming. Oasis, first established in an apartment building in Kingston Ontario, has recently been expanded to 6 new communities across Ontario in a participatory action research study. The purpose of this poster is to describe the physical activity patterns of five unique Oasis communities (Original and 4 new) and explore the impact of personal, environmental, and Oasis program characteristics on these patterns. Methods: Participants were recruited from Oasis communities in 3 market-priced apartiments, 1 subsidized apartment, and 1 mobile-home park. Participants wore the ActivPAL3 activity monitor for 7 days. Mobility was measured using the Timed Up and Go. Programming was described by type (e.g. social, exercise, nutrition), frequency, and timing of programming. Results: Participants included 70 older adults aged 79.8(min 62, max 97), community mean age ranged from 66.2 – 83.5 years. TUG score 11.6(SD 4.9) (community range 10.5 to 13.7 s). Average daily step count was 5800(SD 2835) steps, with communities ranging from 4685 to 6472 steps/day. An average of 604(community range 236 – 1056) of steps were taken at a healthy pace(100 steps/min). Only 27% of participants took the recommended 7000 steps/day (with community rates ranging from 9.5% to 37.5%). Conclusions: Older adults within these aging in place communities demonstrated low to moderate levels of physical activity, with activity patterns differing across communities. Impact of community make up and characteristics on activity patterns will be presented.
PERCEIVED SOCIAL ISOLATION AND HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN HEAD AND NECK CANCER
Authors: VanCleave Janet H , Fall-Dickson Jane M
Published: November 2019

Patients treated for head and neck cancer may experience impaired eating and talking that may affect their ability to undergo social activities. We conducted a secondary data analysis to explore: 1) prevalence of perceived social isolation, and 2) association between perceived social isolation and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with head and neck cancer. Data were collected during a clinical usefulness study of the Electronic Patient Visit Assessment (ePVA), a valid, reliable web-based patient-reported symptom measure for head and neck cancer. The study population consisted of 56 patients recruited during or after treatment for head and neck cancer. Perceived social isolation data were collected using the ePVA. HRQoL data were collected using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30, a valid measure frequently used in the head and neck cancer population. Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics and Student’s T-Test. The study population consisted primarily of persons > 60 years (mean age = 61.5 + 12), male (68%), White (77%), and receiving surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or combination of these treatments (70%). Among participants, 36% reported that their current health situation negatively affected their social activities. Reasons for perceived social isolation included fatigue, feeling ill. Statistical analysis found that perceived social isolation was significantly associated with deceased HRQoL (t=5.3, p<.001). We conclude that participants in this sample treated for head and neck cancer were at risk for perceived social isolation, which has previously been reported to negatively influence cancer treatment outcomes.
TARGETING THE NLRP3 INFLAMMASOME IN MECHANISMS OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION-INDUCED NEUROINFLAMMATION
Authors: Smith Chad , Trageser Kyle , Pasinetti Giulio M
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study was to determine if inhibitors of innate immunity in microglia could attenuate sleep deprivation (SD)-induced psychological impairment, which involve the assembly and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. In the study, CD-1 mice were immune-primed with chronic corticosterone treatment (20 mg/kg IP) for two weeks and were subsequently subjected to one bout of 6 hr SD. Mice were sacrificed immediately afterward to measure cytokine concentrations and caspase-1 activity. We found a significant upregulation of caspase-1 activity in the brain of both mice primed with corticosterone then subjected to sleep deprivation as well as mice only subjected to sleep deprivation (p < 0.01). Increased caspase-1 was NLRP3-dependent as treatment with MCC950 (20 mg/kg IP), an inhibitor of NLRP3 inflammasome assembly, completely attenuated SD-induced caspase-1 activity (p < 0.01). Additionally, in SD mice we observed increased microglia reactivity as quantified by IBA+ cells and an increased number of microglia that had reactive amoeboid morphologies, as measured through immunohistochemistry. The administration of the NLRP3 specific inhibitor MCC950 similarly prevented SD-induced changes in microglia morphology. The study established that consequential effects of SD- induced inflammasome activation and microglia activation could be prevented by a selective NLRP3 inhibitor. Given the preliminary beneficial effects of targeting NLRP3 in SD, future investigations will establish the clinical efficacy of microbiome-derived polyphenolic compounds, which we have shown provide protection against neuroinflammation in models of stress induced psychological impairment, to attenuate SD neuroinflammation by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome.
PROLONGATION OF HUMAN LIFESPAN BY IMMATURE PEAR EXTRACT MEDIATED SIRTUIN-RELATED GENE EXPRESSION
Authors: Ogita Akira , Murata Wakae , Hasegawa Marina , Yamauchi Ken , Sakai Akiko , Yamaguchi Yoshihiro , Tanaka Toshio , Fujita Ken-ichi
Published: November 2019

Demographics of the world are changing rapidly with older populations growing at an unprecedented rate. Cellular senescence, a decline of cellular function due to aging, causes gradual loss of physiological functions. Several cellular senescence-related chronic diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, and hypertension, negatively affect the quality of human life. Intervention in the cellular senescence process may reduce these incidences and slow the progression of age-related diseases, while contributing to the longevity of healthy human lifespans. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the budding yeast, is a simple model system that can provide significant insights into the human genetics and molecular biology of senescence and is considered suitable as a cellular model for research on mammalian cells. The aim of our study was to investigate the anti-aging effects of immature pear fruit extract (IPE) on yeast cells and its possible application to extend healthy lifespan in humans. Anti-aging effects of IPE were investigated using a chronological lifespan assay on S. cerevisiae cells. The chronological lifespan of the yeast treated with IPE at 1% (v/v) was significantly extended than that of untreated cells (p < 0.05). The expression of sirtuin-related genes, which regulate cellular senescence, was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and found to be significantly increased following IPE treatment. These results suggest that sirtuin-related genes have important roles in IPE-regulated lifespan extension, which provides a mechanism by which IPE could affect mammalian cells and potentially extend healthy human lifespans.
THE EFFECTS OF INDY ON FLY HEALTH
Authors: Rogina Blanka , Patel Pooja , Macro Jacob , Li Michael , Rogers Ryan
Published: November 2019

Indy (I’m not dead yet) gene encodes a plasma membrane transporter of Krebs’ cycle intermediates with highest affinity for citrate. Indy is the fly homolog of a mammalian mIndy (SLC13A5), which has the same physiological function. Reduced expression of the Indy gene extends longevity in fruit flies and worms. Genetic and pharmacological INDY reduction affects metabolism in flies, worms, mice, rats and non-human primates by affecting the levels of cytoplasmic citrate. In flies, INDY is predominantly expressed in the midgut, fat body and oenocytes, all tissues with a key role in metabolism. Our first goal was to examine our working hypothesis that INDY reduction in the midgut regulates citrate levels leading to metabolic changes that preserve intestinal stem cell (ISCs) homeostasis and slows aging by modifying Insulin/Insulin-like signaling (IIS). ISC homeostasis is vital for midgut homeostasis and contributes to health and longevity. We found that reduction of Indy preserves ISC homeostasis and intestinal integrity. The IIS is a key nutrient sensing pathway, which regulates growth, metabolism and longevity. Indy reduction is associated with decreased IIS activity. Our second goal was to examine the role of IIS in Indy mediated changes in ISC homeostasis and health. We found that at least some of INDY’s beneficial effects on fly health are mediated by the IIS.
INDICES OF RESILIENCY IN CELLS FROM UM-HET3 MICE MAY CORRELATE WITH INDIVIDUAL FUTURE HEALTH OUTCOMES
Authors: Mdaki Kennedy S , Liu Yuhong , Salmon Adam B
Published: November 2019

The ability of an organism to respond to physical stresses and return to homeostasis (i.e. resilience) has been suggested to correlate with longevity. Here, we investigated whether this extends to resilience at a cellular level using primary fibroblasts isolated from tail skin of genetically heterogeneous young adult UM-HET3 mice. Cells isolated from each individual mouse (cell line) were tested in their response to concentrations of agents or conditions predicted to induce a cellular challenge, including paraquat, hydrogen peroxide, antimycin a, cadmium chloride, mdivi-1, thapsigargin, and nutrient starvation. Cell viability was monitored in real-time using an incucyte S3 live cell analysis system and we addressed the response following challenge as a marker of resilience. Cellular uptake of ethidium homodimer-1 was used to determine the loss of viability. Cellular bioenergetics were assessed using a seahorse XF24. We found that cell lines that were resistant to paraquat were also resistant to antimycin a, and hydrogen peroxide. Cell lines that were resistant to nutrient starvation were also resistant to mdivi-1. Indices of cellular bioenergetics status including ATP production rate and cell respiratory control ratio, revealed potential relationships with resiliency. Taken together, our data indicate that skin fibroblasts retain individual physiological programs that may in part explain the patterns of resiliency or sensitivity to a stressor at the organismal level. Since the cell lines tested in this study were obtained from living mice, future work will investigate whether these patterns of resiliency change with age and elucidate their utility in predicting future health outcome.
THE ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM PROTEIN QUALITY CONTROL ADAPTATION IN A LONG-LIVED C. ELEGANS PROTEASOMAL MUTANT
Authors: Chinchankar Meghna N , Rodriguez Karl , Fisher Alfred
Published: November 2019

Protein degradation mechanisms are integral to protein homeostasis. Their reduced efficiency during aging leads to accumulation of misfolded and aggregated proteins which potentiate proteotoxic disorders. Paradoxically, our lab reported that the Caenorhabditis elegans rpn-10(ok1865) proteasome mutant possesses enhanced proteostasis and extended lifespan. RPN-10/PSMD4 is a ubiquitin receptor of the 26S proteasome that targets polyubiquitinated substrates to its catalytic core for degradation. Proteasome dysfunction of the rpn-10 mutant is characterized by reduced, not inhibited, ubiquitin fusion degradation. We ascertained that upregulated autophagy and SKN-1/Nrf-mediated responses partially contribute to the robust rpn-10 mutant phenotype. Further investigation of its underlying mechanism revealed that several ERQC genes are transcriptionally upregulated in the rpn-10 mutant. Thus, we hypothesized that the rpn-10 mutant exhibits improved ER proteostasis which mediates its elevated cellular stress resistance. Accordingly, the rpn-10 mutant shows increased ER stress resistance and altered ER homeostasis. Complementarily, attenuated expression of the aggregation-prone α-1 antitrypsin (ATZ) reporter proves that ER proteostasis is ameliorated in the rpn-10 mutant. Via a genetic screen for suppressors of decreased ATZ aggregation in the rpn-10 mutant, we identified novel player H04D03.3, which is a homolog of the proteasome adaptor ECM29. This suggests that assembly of the rpn-10 mutant proteasome itself critically regulates its ER proteostasis. Moreover, we observed that cytosolic proteostasis and longevity depend on ER master chaperone hsp-3/-4(BiP) and ER ATPase cdc-48.2(p97/VCP), further highlighting ERQC significance in the rpn-10 mutant. Altogether, it appears that mild proteasomal dysfunction induces ERQC adaptation that underlies proteostasis and longevity benefits of the rpn-10 mutant.
PHYSICAL FRAILTY AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH COGNITION: THE PREDICTIVE VALUE OF A SYNDROME BEYOND ITS COMPONENT PARTS
Authors: Chu Nadia M , Bandeen-Roche Karen , Sharrett A Richey , Carlson Michelle C , Xue Qianli , Gross Alden
Published: November 2019

The extent to which frailty (PFP) affects cognitive performance and change beyond that expected from its component parts is uncertain. Leveraging NHATS, a nationally-representative cohort of U.S. Medicare beneficiaries, we quantified associations between each PFP criterion and global and domain-specific cognitive level and change (memory: immediate/delayed word-list test, executive function: clock drawing test (CDT), orientation: date, time, president-vice-resident naming), using adjusted mixed effects models with random slopes (time) and intercepts (person). We tested whether presence of frailty was associated with excess cognitive vulnerability (synergistic/excess effects, Cohen’s d) above and beyond those found for its criteria by adding an interaction term between each PFP criterion and frailty. Among 7,439 community-dwelling older adults (mean age=75.2 years) followed for a weighted mean of 3.2 years (SE= 0.03), 14.1% were frail. The most prevalent PFP criteria were low activity (30.5%) and exhaustion (29.8%). Associations were strongest for executive function, where frailty added predictive value beyond its criteria (excess effects of cognitive vulnerability ranging from -0.38SD (SE-0.05) for slowness to -0.47SD (SE=0.06) for shrinking). Slowness was a strong predictor of cognitive change in both frail and non-frail participants, especially for executive function (frail: Cohen’s d per year=-0.16, SE= 0.02; non-frail: Cohen’s d per year=-0.15, SE= 0.02). PFP is an important measure of frailty that adds predictive value beyond its criteria, especially for cognitive levels. Additionally, gait speed remains an important predictor of change in executive function. These results suggest that frailty’s contribution to cognitive performance amounts to more than the sum of its component parts.
INTERVENTION WITH RAPAMYCIN TO IMPROVE HEALTHY AGING AND LONGEVITY IN A NON-HUMAN PRIMATE
Authors: Salmon Adam B
Published: November 2019

Interventions to extend lifespan and improve health with increasing age will have significant impact on a growing aged population. Several pharmaceutical interventions extend lifespan in laboratory rodent models with rapamycin, an inhibitor of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) being the most well studied. Bridging towards translation, we have an ongoing long-term study testing whether rapamycin treatment can extend lifespan and delay the progression of age-related disease in a short-lived non-human primate species, the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). We show that daily oral dosing of slow-releasing, encapsulated rapamycin will result in clinically effective concentrations of rapamycin in the blood and inhibit mTOR signaling. This treatment is well tolerated and does not dramatically promote known side effects of this drug, including altering clinical hematology, immune cell subsets, or promoting metabolic dysfunction including glucose intolerance in comparison to control aging marmosets. Unlike previous reports in rodents, rapamycin does not have clear effects on aging cardiovascular function in marmosets. However, in our oldest cohorts daily rapamycin treatment tends to prevent age-associated changes in body mass and composition and prevent decline in kidney function. Now more than three years after beginning treatment, we are now starting to assess the effects of rapamycin on marmoset longevity. When complete, this study will describe for the first time the potential for pharmaceutical intervention to extend longevity of a primate species with the ultimate goal of significant translational impact to human aging.
TRAJECTORIES AND CORRELATES OF POST-LOSS DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN FORMER DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS
Authors: Corey Kristin L , Hirschman Karen , Starr Lauren T , Meghani Salimah H
Published: November 2019

Approximately 30-40% of family caregivers of relatives living with dementia report depression, compared to 9.5% of the general adult population. Studies suggest that depressive symptoms persist for many years following the care recipient’s death, despite resolution of caregiving responsibilities. However, long-term patterns of post-loss depressive symptoms remain poorly understood. The aim of this integrative review was to examine longitudinal trajectories and correlates of depressive symptoms in dementia caregivers following the care recipient’s death. A literature search was conducted using CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases. Studies met the eligibility criteria if they were peer-reviewed, primary sources and reported research exploring correlates and/or longitudinal patterns of post-loss depressive symptoms in dementia caregivers. Data quality was evaluated using the widely-used quality appraisal tool developed by Hawker and colleagues (2002). Data were extracted, displayed in matrix format, and synthesized into themes. Fourteen studies met the eligibility criteria and were rated as high quality. Overall, depressive symptom severity trended down during the first year post-loss but did not reduce to levels reported by non-caregiving controls. Symptom trajectories varied among unique caregiver subgroups and included persistent-distressing symptoms, persistent-mild symptoms, and asymptomatic. Greater severity of post-loss depressive symptoms was associated with female gender, lower income, less social support, pre-loss depression, neurotic and optimistic personality traits, and avoidant coping style. The findings indicate that many caregivers could benefit from mental health screening and psychosocial support during the first year post-loss and underscore the need for longitudinal studies that explore depressive symptom trajectories beyond the first 1-2 years post-loss.
RESTING STATE NETWORK AND MINDFULNESS IN MOTION PLUS DASH DIET IN AFRICAN AMERICANS WITH MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
Authors: Wright Kathy D , Maryanna Klatt , Adams Ingrid , Block Cady , Monroe Todd , Lu Zhong-Lin , Scharre Doug , Mion Lorraine
Published: November 2019

The resting state network (RSN) is a target of interest in neurodegenerative research, with evidence linking functional connectivity of its constituent nodes with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Given the emerging linkage between Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia disorders (ADRD) and hypertension (HTN), non-pharmacological interventions that promote RSN connectivity and blood pressure are needed. The purpose of this pilot study protocol is to deliver a novel intervention, combining mindfulness and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), to improve RSN connectivity and blood pressure in African American (AA) older adults with MCI and HTN. Thirty-six AAs aged 65 and older will be randomized to mindfulness plus DASH, attention control (non-health related education), or a control group. The Mindfulness in Motion (MIM) plus DASH intervention is delivered in 8-weekly group sessions of 6-10 participants. MIM includes mindful movements from chair/standing, breathing exercises and guided meditation. The DASH intervention uses a critical thinking approach that involves problem solving, goal setting, reflection, and developing self-efficacy. Both components are culturally tailored for older African Americans. Cognitive examination, diet and mindfulness practice surveys, blood pressure, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (RSN) data are collected at baseline and 3 months. Forty-eight AAs were screened and 17 were enrolled (women= 13; men= 4) to date. Of the 17 enrolled, 7 were eligible for neuroimaging. Findings from this pilot study may provide the preliminary evidence that MIM plus DASH may improve RSN connectivity and blood pressure in this population at risk for ADRD.
PATTERNS OF SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AMONG OLDER ADULTS WITH MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
Authors: Amano Takashi , Morrow-Howell Nancy , Park Sojung
Published: November 2019

Promoting engagement in social activities may be an intervention that prevents or delays cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, little is known about social engagement among people with mild cognitive impairment. We aim to examine patterns of social engagement among people with mild cognitive impairment and to assess whether factors under four domains of the WHO's ICF model (personal factors, environmental factors, body functions and structures, and health condition) are associated with patterns. Data were drawn from the 2010 Health and Retirement Study. The final sample comprised 1,227 people with Cognitive Impairment No Dementia (CIND). Latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression were utilized. Three patterns of social engagement were identified: informal social engagement only, formal and informal social engagement, and low social engagement. At least one factor from each domain was associated with the probability of class membership. Our findings suggest that social engagement is heterogeneous among people with CIND and that some groups of people with CIND have possibilities of engaging in more social activities, especially in formal social activities. Results also indicate that providing informal social resources may be essential for social programs designed specifically for people with CIND to promote their formal social engagement. Future study is needed to examine possible differences in outcomes across groups with similar patterns of social engagement.
EFFECTS OF A STRENGTHS-BASED DYADIC PROGRAM ON THE HEALTH OF PERSONS WITH MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND THEIR FAMILY
Authors: Yu Doris , Cheng Sheung-Tak , Li Polly , Zhang Fan
Published: November 2019

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is characterized by cognitive impairment cognition, neuro-psychiatric symptoms particularly depressed mood, and compromised self-image. This RCT evaluated the effects of a strength-based dyadic program, which supported MCI care dyads for effective symptom and disease management and active social engagement, on the dyadic health outcomes. From Dec 2017-Jan 2019, 103 care dyads were recruited in an elderly community center. By adopting the strength-based and person-centered approach, this 14-week program worked out a dyadic biographies for care dyads to increase identification and recognition of their own strengths. Then, six interactive educative-counseling sessions focusing on cognitive and behavioral symptom management, social interaction and gauge capability were delivered, with four sessions for the MCI clients in small groups and two sessions for the care dyads in their home environment. The control group received usual care. Dyadic health outcomes were measured at baseline, upon program completion and three months thereafter. The results of Generalized Estimating Equations showed that the strength-based dyadic program significantly improved the objective memory (post-test: β=-0.179, p=0.001), and subjective memory (post-test: β=7.542. p=0.007; 3-month: β=7.842. p=0.012), neuro-psychiatric symptoms (post-test: β=2.822, p=0.001; 3-month: β=3.038. p=0.007), and depression (post-test: β=2.665, p=0.017; 3-month: β=3.556. p=0.007). It also improved the caregiver stress in symptom management at post-test (β=2.822. p=0.001) and depression at the 3-month endpoint (β=1.510. p=0.015). Identifying and mobilizing the strengths of the clients with MCI and their family caregivers not only promote a more assertive coping experience and positive self-image for the care dyads, but also improve their health outcomes.
ENGAGEMENT MATTERS TO OPTIMIZE COGNITIVE BENEFITS OF COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED PEOPLE IN COGNITIVE STIMULATION THERAPY
Authors: Zhang Yan, Anna , Wong Gloria H Y , Lum Terry
Published: November 2019

Background Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST), a 14-session themed groupwork for people with cognitive impairment, shows effectiveness in maintaining cognitive functioning, quality of life and communication. However, its mechanism of optimizing individual cognitive benefits is little known. Engagement, a state of being occupied by meaningful external stimuli, may be an overlooked link. Individual constructive engagement is defined as the verbal or motor individual behavior exhibited for the meaningful purposed activities. Objective To investigate the individual experience of engagement in CST and its effect on cognitive benefits. Methods A total of 108 participants were recruited from 8 community centers, 2 daycare centers and 2 residential care units in Hong Kong. Trained assessors not involved in CST delivery conducted the pre-and-post assessments using Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog). Trained raters observed each participant’s engagement under six 5-minute observation windows in total during CST sessions by time sampling using the adapted Myers Institute Engagement Scale. Results Paired t-test shows significant improvement in ADAS-Cog (Pretest: M=22.71, SD=12.63; Posttest: M=19.06, SD=10.93; MD=3.65, SD=7.38, t=5.138, p<.000). Individual constructive engagement was exhibited 23.3% of activity time averagely. It correlated with the change in ADAS-Cog positively(r=.292, p<.002). Greater individual constructive engagement predicted lower post-intervention ADAS-Cog score (B=-14.98, β=-.192, p<.001), indicating a better cognitive functioning, after controlling baseline ADAS-Cog score (B=.707, β=.816, p<.000) in the multiple linear regression analysis (R2 = .698, F (2,105) =121.38, p<.000). Conclusion Engagement is the potential mechanism to maximize individual cognitive benefits. Future studies can investigate contributing factors of engagement to improve intervention effectiveness
PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AND THE ONSET OF COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AMONG CHINESE OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Zhang Jiaan
Published: November 2019

Previous research has shown the beneficial effects of positive psychological assets on health, but more research is needed to confirm the prospective effects on cognitive function. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between psychological well-being and the earliest onset of cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults. Data came from 2000 to 2014 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Study sample consisted of 6,225 older adults who were free from cognitive impairment in 2000. Psychological well-being was measured based on seven items that assessed optimism, conscientiousness, self-determination, happiness, self-esteem, pessimism, and loneliness, with responses ranging from “always (1)” to never (5)”. Negative feelings items were reverse coded. Higher score indicated more positive psychological well-being. Cognitive impairment was measured by a Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Respondents scored at or above 24 were regarded as having no cognitive impairment. A multi-category time-varying variable was used to capture four potential outcomes: (1) persistently free of cognitive impairment between waves, (2) onset of cognitive impairment, (3) death between waves, and (4) attrition. Socio-demographics, chronical diseases conditions, functional health status were served as controls. Multilevel multinomial logistic regression models that account for clustering of observations within a subject over time were employed for the study. Results show that more positive psychological well-being is significantly associated with reduced risk of cognitive impairment onset and death over time. Results suggest that developing more psychological resilience-based intervention programs among older adults may help them delay the onset of cognitive impairment.
PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF LIFETIME EXPERIENCES ON FUNCTIONAL STATUS IN YOUNG-ONSET DEMENTIA
Authors: Pham Tram N , Massimo Lauren , Cousins Katheryn A
Published: November 2019

Patients with Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), a common form of young-onset dementia, experience decline in cognitive, social and daily functioning as the disease progresses. Research shows that lifestyle factors may be an important modifiable risk factor for dementia, but this has not been well studied in FTD. In this study, we test the hypothesis that lifetime experiences, including education, occupation, and leisure activities, are associated with better functional status in individuals with FTD. We also evaluated the relationship between timing of experiences (early, mid-life, and late-life) and functional status. Thirty-five patients (mean age 61.6±8.7; 74% male; mean disease duration 3.4 ± 2.6; mean MMSE 24.0 ± 5.5) completed the Lifetime of Experiences Questionnaire (LEQ), a comprehensive assessment of lifelong cognitive lifestyle, and the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR), which was used to assess functional status. Linear regression tested the relationship between cognitive lifestyle and functional status, with age and disease duration included as covariates. Higher total LEQ score was associated with better functional status (lower score on CDR) (β = -0.047, p = 0.009). While Young Adulthood LEQ score was not significantly associated with total CDR (β = -0.047, p = 0.176), both Mid-life (β = -0.117, p = 0.011) and Late-life (β = -0.133, p = 0.013) LEQ score significantly contributed to functional status. Our results indicate that functional status is mediated in part by cognitive lifestyle and that experiences accumulated in mid-life and late-life have a greater effect on functional status at time of diagnosis.
LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO AIR POLLUTION AND THE RISK OF DEMENTIA: THE ROLE OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
Authors: Rizzuto Debora , Grande Giulia , Ljungman Petter , Bellander Tom
Published: November 2019

Aim: We aimed to investigate the association between long-term air pollution and cognitive decline and dementia, and to clarify the role of CVD on the studied association. Methods: We examined 3150 dementia-free 60+ year-olds in the Swedish National study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen, Stockholm for up to 13 years, during which 363 persons developed dementia. Outdoor air pollution levels at the home address were assessed yearly for all participants, using a dispersion model for nitrogen oxides (NOX), mainly emitted from road traffic. Mixed-effect linear regression models were used to quantify the association between air pollution and cognitive decline (with the Mini Mental State Examination). The risk of dementia, in keeping with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV edition, was estimated using competing-risks models, considering death as competing event, and considering an exposure window 0-5 years before a year at risk. Stratified analyses by CVD were also performed. Results: Higher levels of traffic-related residential air pollution were associated with steeper cognitive decline over the follow-up period. After controlling for potential confounders, higher levels of air pollution were associated with increased risk of dementia (HR: 1.13, 95%CI: 1.05-1.22, for an µg/m3 unit increase NOX). The stratified analyses showed that the presence of CVD enhanced the effect of air pollution on dementia risk. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution was associated with a higher risk of dementia. Cardiovascular disease might have played a role in this association.