bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implications of Biological Rates of Aging on Healthcare Expenditures and Morbidity
Authors: Santos Alix Jean , Asuncion Xavier Eugenio , Rivero-Co Camille , Ventura Maria Eloisa , Geronia Reynaldo , Bangerter Lauren , Sheils Natalie
Published: December 2021

Understanding biological aging, which entails impeding the progressive decline of biological systems, is important in enabling older adults to live independently. However, the differences in how individuals evolve as they age suggest that aging is a process that does not progress on a single-dimensional trajectory. Moreover, longitudinal studies of aging that follow a cohort of individuals over the course of several years are commonly limited by cost, attrition, and subsequently small sample size. In this study, we used a variational autoencoder to estimate multidimensional rates of aging from cross-sectional routine laboratory data of 1.4 million Americans of at least 40 years of age, collected from 2016 to 2019. We uncovered four aging dimensions that represent the following bodily functions: 1) kidney, 2) thyroid, 3) white blood cells, and 4) liver and heart. We found that fast agers along these dimensions are more likely to develop chronic diseases that are related to these bodily functions. They also had higher health care expenditures compared to the slow agers. K-means clustering of individuals based on the different aging rates revealed that clusters with higher odds of developing morbidity had the highest cost across all types of health care services. Results suggest that cross-sectional laboratory data can be leveraged as an alternative methodology to understand rates of aging along different dimensions, and analysis of their relationships with future costs can aid in the development of interventions to delay disease progression.
Older adults show biomarker evidence of PICS after sepsis
Authors: Mankowski Robert , Anton Stephen , Ghita Gabriela , Leeuwenburgh Christiaan , Moldawer Lyle , Efron Philip , Brakenridge Scott , Moore Frederick
Published: December 2021

Background: Hospital deaths after sepsis have decreased substantially and most young adult survivors rapidly recover (RAP). However, many older survivors develop chronic critical illness (CCI) with poor long-term outcomes. The etiology of CCI is multifactorial and the relative importance remains unclear. Sepsis is caused by a dysregulated immune response and biomarkers reflecting a persistent inflammation, immunosuppression and catabolism syndrome (PICS) have been observed in CCI after sepsis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare serial PICS biomarkers in a) older (versus young) adults and b) older CCI (versus older RAP) patients to gain insight into underlying pathobiology of CCI in older adults. Methods: Prospective longitudinal study with young (≤ 45 years) and older (≥ 65 years) septic adults who were characterized by a) baseline predisposition, b) hospital outcomes, c) serial SOFA organ dysfunction scores over 14 days, d) Zubrod Performance status at three, six and 12-month follow-up and e) mortality over 12 months. Serial blood samples over 14 days were analyzed for selected biomarkers reflecting PICS. Results: Compared to the young, more older adults developed CCI (20% vs 42%) and had markedly worse serial SOFA scores, performance status and mortality over 12 months. Additionally, older (versus young) and older CCI (versus older RAP) patients had more persistent aberrations in biomarkers reflecting inflammation, immunosuppression, stress metabolism, lack of anabolism and anti-angiogenesis over 14 days after sepsis. Conclusion: Older (versus young) and older CCI (versus older RAP) patient subgroups demonstrate early biomarker evidence of the underlying pathobiology of PICS.
Immune Cell and Adipose Gene Expression Reprogramming in Juvenile Monkeys Born to Health and Weight-Diverse Mothers
Authors: Ruggiero Alistaire , Block Masha , Vemuri Ravichandra , DeStephanis Darla , Das Swapan , Kavanagh Kylie
Published: December 2021

Over 93 million Americans are obese and 66 million suffer from metabolic disease. Roughly 40% of obese people do not have metabolic abnormalities (metabolically health obese [MHO]), while approximately 15% of lean do (metabolically unhealthy lean [MUL]). African green monkeys (AGMs) demonstrate naturally occurring obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) without diet manipulation, and MetS criteria are heritable. Age-matched maternal AGMs were classified by adjusted MetS criteria ([n=44]; waist >40cm, fasting glucose (FG) >100 mg/dL, SBP/DBP >135/85mmHg, and HDL-c <50mg/dL) and classified as metabolically healthy lean (MHL), MHO, MUL or metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). Age, weight and sex-matched pre-pubertal juvenile offspring from these mothers were additionally selected (n=9-11/group; ages=1.1-3.4years) for evaluation. We assessed monocyte subtypes by flow cytometry, and subcutaneous adipose gene expression patterns by RNAseq. Non-classical monocytes were increased in obese and unhealthy mothers (MHO p=0.02, MUL p=0.003, MUO p=0.00002) compared to MHL. MUL and MUO juvenile offspring also had more non-classical monocytes compared to MHL (p=0.05 and p=0.07). Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP)-1 was measured in plasma and found to be elevated in MUO juveniles (p=0.02). Patterns of increased cytokine and extracellular matrix gene expression were seen in MUL and MUO juveniles’ adipose (6-7/group), mirroring obese and unhealthy mothers’ adipose gene expression patterns. Maternal health and obesity influence offspring immune cells and adipose gene expression prior to weight gain and metabolic disease onset. Our data underscore maternal monocyte and adipose profiles as inherited phenotypes that present prior to adipose expansion and may be targets to improve intergenerational health trajectories.
3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid Administration Did Not Prevent Age Related Bone Loss
Authors: Isales Carlos , Ding Ke-Hong , Bollag Wendy , McGee-Lawrence Meghan , Hill William , Shi Xing-ming , Fulzele Sadanand , Hamrick Mark
Published: December 2021

Aging is associated with accumulation of various tryptophan degradation products that may having either bone anabolic or catabolic effects. In epidemiologic studies, elevated levels of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA) are associated with a higher bone mineral density (BMD). We have previously shown that the C57BL/6 mouse loses bone mass with age. Thus, we hypothesized that administering 3-HAA via a daily intraperitoneal (IP) injection would result in preserved or increased BMD. In an IACUC-approved protocol, we injected 26-month-old C57BL/6 mice with either a low dose (0.5 mg) or high dose (5 mg) of 3-HAA IP five days a week for eight weeks. At the end of this time mice were sacrificed and body composition and bone mineral density measured by DigiMus. BMD was significantly lower in the high dose 3-HAA group: 0.0570 + 0.004 vs 0.0473 + 0.006 vs 0.0432 + 0.0075 gm/cm2, (means+SD, Control vs 0.5 mg 3HAA vs 5 mg 3HAA, p=0.004, 0 vs 5.0 mg, n=6-9/group). 3-HAA had no significant impact on body composition (lean body mass: 86.7 + 1.7% vs 86.2 + 2.7% vs 86.1 + 2.0%, Control vs 0.5 mg vs 5.0 mg 3-HAA, p=ns; and fat mass 12.6 + 2.0% vs 13.8 + 2.7% vs 13.9 + 2.0% vs 0.2%, Control vs 0.5 vs 5 mg 3-HAA, p=ns). Thus, 3-HAA did not prevent bone loss in older mice but instead significantly worsened bone loss. 3-HAA is known to have both pro- and anti- oxidant effects depending on the environment. These data would suggest that at the higher concentrations 3-HAA is acting predominantly as a pro-oxidant molecule accelerating age-related bone loss.
Both Vitamin D Supplementation and HIIT Boost Muscle VDR Expression, Which May Underlie Benefits for Frailty
Authors: Seldeen Ken , Thiyagarajan Ramkumar , Leiker Merced , Berman Reem , Redae Yonas , Weiss Carleara , Chaves Lee , Troen Bruce
Published: December 2021

Frailty is a condition of poor response to stressors that increases susceptibility to adverse outcomes - including disability and death. Declining physical function is an important hallmark of frailty, and we previously published that long term vitamin D insufficiency from young to middle-age leads to declines in endurance and gait disturbances. Furthermore, we report that aged mice (24-months) made vitamin D insufficient for 4 months exhibit increased frailty, whereas those made hyper-sufficient do not. Exercise, including short session high intensity interval training (HIIT - 10 minutes/3x-week), also reverses frailty in aged mice. Here we investigate the impacts of aging, vitamin D, and exercise on underlying muscle quality and muscle stem cell activity. Our preliminary data reveal muscle vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression is lower in aged mice (24-28 months) relative to young mice (6 months). Yet HIIT, either one hour after a single session or following 6 weeks, increases VDR expression. HIIT also increases myonuclear accretion in muscle fibers – an indicator of in vivo stem cell activity – and stimulates progenitor cells proliferation ex vivo. Likewise, we observe that vitamin D hyper supplementation alone also increases muscle VDR expression and the number of satellite cells. These data indicate that both vitamin D supplementation and HIIT independently enhance VDR expression in skeletal muscle with associated greater satellite and muscle progenitor cell activity. These data critically link vitamin D physiology and HIIT in muscle, and thus provide a mechanistic basis for their benefits for muscle quality, function, and health during aging.
Chronic Exposure to Youthful Circulation Leads to Epigenetic Reprogramming and Lifespan Extension
Authors: Zhang Bohan , Lee David , Tyshkovskiy Alexander , Bareja Akshay , Kerepesi Csaba , Horvath Steve , Gladyshev Vadim , White James
Published: December 2021

Heterochronic parabiosis is a powerful rejuvenation model in aging research. Due to limitations in the duration of blood sharing and/or physical attachment, it is currently unclear if parabiosis retards the molecular signatures of aging or affects healthspan/lifespan in the mouse. Here, we describe a long-term heterochronic parabiosis model, which appears to slow down the aging process. We observed a “deceleration” of biological age based on molecular aging biomarkers estimated with DNA methylation clock and RNA-seq signature analysis. The slowing of biological aging was accompanied by systemic amelioration of aging phenotypes. Consistent with these findings, we found that aged mice, which underwent heterochronic parabiosis, had an increased healthspan and lifespan. Overall, our study re-introduces a prolonged parabiosis and detachment model as a novel rejuvenation therapy, suggesting that a systemic reset of biological age in old organisms can be achieved through the exposure to young environment.
Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Willingness of Providing Care for Older Adults With Dementia as Their Future Work
Authors: Liu Wenlin , Wang Jing
Published: December 2021

This study examines how undergraduate nursing students’ knowledge of dementia care are associated with their willingness of providing care for older adults with dementia across care settings as nurses in urban China, controlling for factors such as their socio-demographic characteristics, willingness of being a nurse, and years of studying nursing. We surveyed 320 undergraduate students from Shanghai, China and found that students with a better knowledge of dementia care, a longer year of nursing study, have no experience of being cared for by grandparents during childhood, and being the only child at home tended to be less willing to provide care for older adults with dementia in their future work. In order to prepare high-quality future dementia care workforce, nursing educators not only need to disseminate knowledge of dementia care, they should also tailor teaching to students’ characteristics and motivate students to take the leadership in dementia care across settings.
Moderate Calorie Restriction Enhances Hepatic Glucagon Sensitivity in Aged Mice
Authors: Marx Tyler , Safayan Luke , Stern Jennifer
Published: December 2021

Chronic calorie restriction (CR) without malnutrition delays the onset of aging, extends lifespan, and improves metabolic function in many species. These CR-induced benefits have largely concentrated on the role of insulin signaling, while ignoring its counter-regulatory hormone, glucagon. Like insulin, hyperglucagonemia and decreased glucagon sensitivity are associated with impaired glucose homeostasis and decreased longevity. Conversely, activation of target molecules downstream of glucagon signaling such as AMPK and FGF21 are known to ameliorate these age-related impairments in metabolic function. To investigate the potential role of glucagon receptor signaling in CR-induced improvements in aging, we have implemented a moderate 15% CR in the mouse. Our studies show that a 15% calorie restriction initiated at 4 months of age enhances hypoglycemia-stimulated glucagon secretion (P <.01) and decreases basal serum glucagon (P <.01), while having no effect on glucagon receptor expression at the liver in 26-month-old mice. Consistent with enhanced hepatic glucagon sensitivity, CR increases glucagon-stimulated hepatic cyclic AMP production (P <.05). Glucagon is a primary regulator of AMPK activation and FGF21 release, both of which have been proposed as key molecules to account for CR-induced benefits to aging. CR increases both hepatic AMPK activation (P <.05) and FGF21 mRNA expression (P <.05). Additionally, CR reduces hepatic lipid accumulation (P <.05), and decreases fasting respiratory quotient (P <.001), indicating an increase in lipid oxidation. Our studies demonstrate that a moderate (15%) CR regimen enhances glucagon sensitivity and decreases hepatic lipid accumulation in aged mice. Thus, we propose glucagon signaling as a mediator of CR-induced improvements in aging.
Memory Aging Phenotypes Among Older Cancer Survivors: A Latent Growth Analysis of the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Westrick Ashly , Langa Kenneth , Kobayashi Lindsay
Published: December 2021

While cancer survivors experience many long-term health effects, there is limited evidence on the potentially heterogeneous memory aging of older cancer survivors. We identified memory aging phenotypes of older US cancer survivors, and determined sociodemographic and health-related predictors of membership. Data were from 2,755 survivors aged ≥50 in the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (1998 – 2016). Self-reported first incident cancer diagnosis (except non-melanoma skin cancer) and memory (composite immediate and delayed word-list recall score, combined with proxy-reported cognition) were assessed at biennial interviews. Memory aging phenotypes were identified using latent growth curve (LGC) models, with baseline being time of cancer diagnosis. Logistic regression evaluated predictors of group membership. 5 distinct memory aging groups were identified: low memory (n=165, 6.16%); medium-low memory (n=459, 17.1%); medium-high memory (n=733, 27.4%); high memory (n=750, 28.0%); and very high memory (n=571, 21.3%). The low memory group received less chemotherapy compared to the other groups (20.0% vs. 25.5%, 31.7%, 36.8%, 41.5%%, respectively), and had the shortest mean survival time after diagnosis (1.08 vs 2.10, 2.76, 3.37, 4.31 years, respectively). Older age at diagnosis (OR: 1.71, 95%CI: 1.61-1.82), being male (OR: 4.10, 95%CI: 2.82-6.51), having a history of stroke (OR: 4.62, 95%CI: 2.57-8.30) and depression prior to diagnosis (OR: 1.19, 95%CI: 1.05-1.34) were independently associated with being in the low memory group vs. the medium-high memory group. We identified distinct memory aging phenotypes among older cancer survivors. Further research should evaluate the influence of pre-cancer memory and how these phenotypes differ from the general population.
World-Wide FINGERS: An International Network of Linked Multidomain Trials
Authors: Mangialasche Francesca , Solomon Alina , Ngandu Tiia , Kivipelto Miia
Published: December 2021

Risk reduction and prevention of dementia in older adults is a growing research area. In the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER randomized controlled trial) a 2-year multidomain intervention -dietary counseling, exercise, cognitive training, vascular and metabolic risk monitoring- improved cognition in older adults from the general population who had increased dementia risk. The intervention was associated also with improvement of other clinical outcomes (e.g., multimorbidity, functional status). The FINGER model is being adapted and tested in different populations and settings through the World-Wide FINGERS, the first global network of multidomain prevention trials, including over thirty countries. The network goal is to identify effective and feasible solution for dementia risk reduction across the spectrum of cognitive decline - from at-risk asymptomatic states to early-symptomatic stages. Through the World-Wide FINGERS-SARS-CoV-2 initiative, the network aims to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults.
The Mediating Effect of Social Support of Older Korean Adults’ Volunteering on the Relational and Life Satisfaction
Authors: Kim Meeryoung
Published: December 2021

For older adults wanting to maintain good health and stay active after retirement, volunteering is an important activity. Social capital is important factor for volunteering. Social support as a social capital, is a contributing factor that is important and needed by older adults who volunteer. Also as a result from volunteering, older adults can increase their social support through volunteering. This study examined whether emotional and instrumental social support mediate volunteering on both relational and life satisfaction. This study used the 6th additional wave of the Korean Retirement and Income Study (2016). Subjects for this study are over 60 years old and the sample size is 280. For data analysis Baron and Kenny's triangular regression analysis and the Sobel test were used for data analysis. Demographic variables were controlled. Volunteer variables such as volunteering asked by others or self-motivated, whether only one type of volunteering or more, professional volunteering, and volunteer hours were used as independent variables. Emotional and instrumental social support were used as mediators. Relationship satisfaction and life satisfaction variables were used as dependent variables. Emotional and instrumental support partially mediate volunteering asked by others to influence relational and life satisfaction. In addition, emotional support and instrumental support mediate “more than one kind of volunteering” to influence relationship satisfaction. As such, emotional and instrumental support through volunteering has a mediating effect on relationship satisfaction and life satisfaction.
An Innovative Transitions Model of Care for Delirium: “DDEFY Delirium” A Pilot Feasibility Randomized Trial
Authors: Khan Ariba , Klumph Marianne , Schwank Alexander , Hubatch Sandy , Tejada Jonny Macias , Galambos Colleen , Simpson Michelle , Malone Michael
Published: December 2021

In current standard practice, without a structured process for delirium follow up, older individuals and their family caregivers seemed to be lost, as they transitioned from hospital to home. The aim of this study was to pilot test a theoretical post-hospital model of care (DDEFY delirium) to mitigate the complications in patients who had hospital delirium. This is a pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial for patients with hospital delirium. The intervention was carried out by a delirium transitions nurse with personalized interdisciplinary team recommendations. DDEFY delirium intervention encompasses: Diagnose cognitive disorder; review Drugs; Educate patient/family; assess Function; Your health goals. During COVID-19 pandemic a virtual intervention group was created. Thus, three groups were analyzed: control, intervention, and virtual intervention. Among the 35 participants (mean age 80 years (SD10), 40% Black, 46% female), 40% had a diagnosis of dementia, mean Charles Deyo score was 6.4, mean number of medications 11.4 (3.2), and a mean anticholinergic medication burden was 2.4. The intervention group and virtual intervention group rates were: recruitment: 44.6 %vs8.8%, feasibility: 97%vs97%, fidelity:100%vs100%, 30-day readmission 28.6%vs0%, and 30-day ED visits: 0 vs.1. There were no differences in 30-day readmission rates between control vs intervention (p=1.0), control vs virtual intervention (p=.53), nor comparing all 3 groups (p=.49). The results of this pilot study determined that delivering DDEFY intervention to patients with delirium is feasible. Lessons learned from conducting this study will help us design a larger trial with modifications for older patients with delirium who transition from hospital to home.
Higher Serum BDNF Levels are Associated with Lower Risk of Cognitive Decline in Older Adults :The Otassha Study
Authors: Fujiwara Yoshinori , Ihara Kazushige , Hachisu Mitsugu , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Kawai Hisashi , Hashizume Masahiro , Hirano Hirohiko , Obuchi Shuichi
Published: December 2021

Introduction: There has been growing interest in the use of circulating levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the blood as a biomarker in the context of patients with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. Prospective data on cognitive decline in the broad older population, however, remain limited. We assessed the relationship of serum BDNF levels with short-term decline in cognitive functioning of community-dwelling older adults. Methods. Prospective study of 405 adults 65-84 years old without dementia in Tokyo, Japan. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Japanese version (MoCA-J) and its subscales were used. Linear regression assessed standardized differences in test score differences between baseline (2011) and follow-up (2013) visits, according to baseline serum BDNF quartiles, with adjustment for baseline demographics, disease indicators, and cognitive scores. Results: Among participants who performed on the MoCA-J at baseline (scores in bottom quartile), cognitive decline was .65 (95% CI: .08 - 1.2; p=.025) standard deviations (SD) more pronounced in those with lowest than highest BDNF levels. Decline in executive function, but not in other subdomains, was also most pronounced in those with lowest baseline serum BDNF levels (difference: .32 SD; 95%CI: .08-.55; p=.007) Conclusion: Lower serum BDNF levels were associated with greater 2-year cognitive decline in community-dwelling older Japanese adults. Decline varied among cognitive subdomains, and baseline cognition. Research seeking to evaluate the added-value of serum BDNF for screening and/or health promotion initiatives involving physical activity, which has been linked to increment in BDNF levels, is warranted.
How Older Adults Redefine Items on the PROMIS-57 Profile Patient-Reported Outcome Measure
Authors: Gruber-Baldini Ann , Unick G Jay , Fallon Veronica , Heiser Philip , Bambarger Kimberly , Shulman Lisa
Published: December 2021

PROMIS® measures provide valid assessment of patient-reported outcomes, but have not been validated in older adults (especially aged 80+), including those with cognitive impairment. The objective of this project was to study how age-related role change effected the understanding of items on the PROMIS-57 Profile using cognitive interviews. Cognitive interviews were conducted with 38 adults, age 65+ with MoCA scores 10-30. Preliminary codes were created and then codes were added or modified as needed. Each interview was coded independently by two coders with differences resolved by consensus. The sample was 47% age 80+, 45% female, 18% African American, and 32% had a MoCA score between 10-17 (cognitively impaired). Thematic analysis of codes indicated that participants endorsed little or no impairment when they adapt to physical or cognitive disabilities by using economic means, instrumental support, physical aids, or by reducing activities. One respondent using grocery delivery services described no difficulty running errands or shopping. Another respondent reported no difficulty walking 15 minutes because they use a cane. Some reported no difficulty engaging in social roles when they restricted their activities due to disability or lack of appropriate social activities. Age-related changes effected responses on PROMIS-57 items. Findings suggest that age-related changes bias individuals to indicate less physical and cognitive impairment than their actual level of function. Physical functioning items show more bias for individuals with financial or instrument support, and social role items show more bias for those with restricted social networks.
Predicting quality of life with physical and cognitive functioning among older adults with cognitive impairment
Authors: Song Rhayun , Park Moonkyoung , Seo Jisu , Xing Fan , Li Yuelin , Ryu Ahyun
Published: December 2021

Purpose: Older adults experience abnormal declines in physical and cognitive functioning that increase their risk of dependence, subsequently quality of life. This study aims to explore the relationship between physical and cognitive functioning, and to predict quality of life among older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Methods: Survey was conducted with older adults registered at dementia support centers. Seventy-four older adults signed the consent form and participated in the study. physical functioning consisted of grip strength, balance (OLS), Timed up and go, and activities of daily living. Cognitive functioning was measured by K-MOCA. SF-12 was used to assess quality of life. Results: The participants was 76 years old on average, more women (75.4%), and mostly elementary or less education level (60.9%). Physical functioning explained 22.1% of variance in cognitive functioning after controlling for age and gender (F change=4.789, p=.002). Balance (OLS: t=2.304, p=.024) and grip strength (t=2.207, p=.031) was significant predictors. Physical and cognitive functioning explained 36.7% of variance in quality of life after controlling for age and gender (F =5.466, p<.001). Indicators of physical functioning, TUG (t=-3.252) and grip strength (t=-2.633), were the most significant predictors of quality of life, while cognitive function explained additional 3.1% of variance in quality of life (F=3.216, p=.078). Conclusion: Physical functioning were significant predictors of cognitive functioning, subsequently to quality of life among older adults with cognitive impairment. Health promoting strategies should focus on improving physical functioning of this population to maintain or prevent cognitive declining, and to promote quality of life.
Age-Related Decline in Pragmatic Reasoning of Older Adults
Authors: Yow W Quin , Lee Jia Wen , Li Xiaoqian
Published: December 2021

As speech is often ambiguous, pragmatic reasoning—the process of integrating multiple sources of information including semantics, ostensive cues and contextual information (Bohn & Frank, 2019)—is essential to understanding a speaker’s intentions. Despite current literature suggesting that certain social cognitive processes such as gaze-processing (Slessor et al., 2014) appear to be impaired in late adulthood, it is not well understood if pragmatic reasoning decline with age. Here, we examined young adults’ (aged 19-25; n=41) and older adults’ (aged 60-79; n=41) ability to engage in pragmatic reasoning in a cue integration task. In Experiment 1, participants had to integrate contextual (participants and speaker knew there were two novel objects but the latter could only see one), semantic (“There’s the [novel-label]” or “Where’s the [novel-label]”), and gaze (speaker looked at the mutually-visible object) cues to identify the referent (Nurmsoo & Bloom, 2008). In Experiment 2, participants received contextual and semantic cues less gaze cue. In both experiments, the target referent object for “There” and “Where” trials was the mutually-visible object and the object the speaker could not see respectively. Overall, young adults outperformed older adults, even in the simpler two-cue Experiment 2 (ps<.006). While older adults were significantly above chance in “There” trials for both experiments as well as “Where” trials in Experiment 2 (ps<.05), they had specific difficulty in integrating three cues in “Where” trials, where a more sophisticated interpretation of the multiple cues was required (p=.42). Our findings provide important insights into an age-related decline of pragmatic reasoning in older adults.
High Cognitive Load Situations With Different Conversation Topics Affect Walking Speed and Cognitive Complexity
Authors: Kim Hyeon Jung , Yentes Jennifer , Venema Dawn , Boron Julie Blaskewicz
Published: December 2021

Walking and talking on the phone are common high-cognitive-load-situations (HCLS; e.g. dual-tasks), requiring extra attentional allocation and increasing perceived stress. We explored whether two load types, 1) single-task (ST) walking or talking on a phone and 2) HCLS walking while talking on a phone, influenced walking and/or cognitive performance among young (n=7; age=23.00±2.08yrs), middle-aged (n=14; age=44.79±7.42yrs), and older (n=15; age=74.47±3.91yrs) adults while controlling for perceived stress. Participants completed 3-minute trials of single-task walking (ST-W), single-task phone conversations with common (e.g., weather; ST-C) and uncommon topics (e.g., life experience; ST-U), and walking while talking on a phone (HCLS-C and HCLS-U). Walking speed was analyzed with 3(ST-W;HCLS-C;HCLS-U) x 3(Age) ANCOVA. HCLS resulted in slower walking speed (p<.001). Older adults exhibited slower speed across conditions compared to young (p=.015). Cognitive complexity (i.e., conversational tone and words greater than six letters (SIXLTR)) on the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) were analyzed with 2(Cvs.U) x 2(STvs.HCLS) x 3(Age) ANCOVAs. Older age was associated with less cognitive complexity; positive tone (p=.014) and SIXLTR (p=.016), respectively in conversations. Uncommon topics reduced positive tone (p=.022) and SIXLTR (p=.003). Effects of HCLS on tone (p=.040) and SIXLTR (p=.005) varied with age. HCLS with different conversation topics resulted in reduced walking and cognitive complexity while controlling for perceived stress. The analysis of cognitive complexity using common/uncommon conversation topics is a novel method to assess the impact of HCLS. This research will disrupt the transformation of aging leading to a better understanding of attentional allocation and its effects on function.
Is Susceptibility to Default Effects Associated with Age?
Authors: Nolte Julia , Loeckenhoff Corinna
Published: December 2021

Older adults are more likely to avoid making decisions than younger adults are. Because the underlying reasons are poorly understood, the present study investigated the potential role of age differences in susceptibility to default effects. Defaults facilitate decision avoidance because decision makers are more likely to passively accept than to actively reject pre-selected default options. A representative lifespan sample (N = 500, Mage = 49.90, SDage = 19.34, 51% female, 67% non-Hispanic White) responded to a pre-registered online study. Participants completed one default effect task comprising two scenarios, one requiring opt-out and one requiring opt-in decisions (i.e., 15 vs. 0 pre-selected features each). Susceptibility to defaults was assessed through the discrepancy between scenarios. In addition, we collected data on known determinants of default effect compliance (i.e., perceived endowment, endorsement, ease, importance of the choice, and experience making similar choices) as well as post-decisional affect. Finally, participants responded to assessments of demographic background, personality, socioemotional and health status, and cognitive ability. Susceptibility to default effects was evident both at the individual and the group level (i.e., across and within scenarios). Unlike hypothesized, older age did not predict greater susceptibility, and older adults were less rather than more likely to endorse determinants of default effect compliance. Of the covariates assessed, only identifying as non-Hispanic White, greater perceived endorsement, and greater perceived ease predicted decision makers’ susceptibility to default effects. Thus, results did not support our assumption that age differences in decision avoidance might reflect age-related increments in the acceptance of decision defaults.
Integrating Humanities and Arts Into Gerontology and Geriatrics Curricula
Authors: O'Neill Desmond , Bradley Dana , Powers James
Published: December 2021

Humanities, Arts and Cultural Gerontology (HACG) has been an integral element of GSA for over 4 decades, and is included as a notable feature of AGHE guidelines on curricula for gerontology and geriatrics. However, as with many interdisciplinary areas, the degree to which HACG has been successfully inserted into curricula, the extent to which this has involved engagement of faculty in arts and humanities, and the facilitators and barriers of such deeper joint working are unknown. The HACG Advisory Panel and AGHE would like to convene a round-table/symposium at the 2021 Phoenix GSA Meeting to consider the range of experiences of educators of programs in gerontology/geriatrics, from those who can relate success stories in integrating HACG into their curricula, to those who can give insights into challenges and opportunities in attempts to develop such elements in their curricula. Co-convened by Des O'Neill, Chair HACG AP and Dana Burr Bradley AGHE Program Chair, we invite lively discussion which we consider will aid in the development of a road map towards substantive and rewarding initiatives in incorporating scholarship and education in HACG in gerontology and geriatrics educational program
Race-Discordant School Attendance and Cognitive Function in Later Life
Authors: Carr Dawn , Reynolds John
Published: December 2021

Early schooling plays an important role in shaping cognitive development, both due to the level of academic rigor and the social environment of primary and secondary schools. This is reflected in current racial disparities in cognitive function in later life. Older minorities who attended predominantly White schools with more resources experienced significant cognitive benefits. This study explores whether there are benefits to cognitive functioning in later life from having attended socially diverse schools in early life. We examine the effects of having attended schools composed primarily of different race peers—race discordant schools (RDS)—among Black, Hispanic, and White older adults. Using retrospective and prospective data from the Health and Retirement Study, we examine the association between RDS exposure and four measures of cognitive function (working memory, episodic memory, mental status, overall cognitive function). We assess function at age 55 and 70, and examine change in functioning between age 55 and 70. We find that RDS exposed Blacks and Hispanics experience significant benefits in cognitive function at age 55, but only Blacks experience benefits at age 70. RDS exposed Whites reported higher overall working memory at age 70 relative to Whites in non-RDS schools, suggesting a cognitive benefit from diversity. Results suggest that exposure to more racially diverse school environments have potentially beneficial effects on cognitive function over the life course. Our findings suggest that the cultivation of diversity in schools could be an important long-term public health investment.
Transcranial Brain Stimulation Improves Cognition in Older Adults With Depression and Anxiety
Authors: Figeys Mathieu , Kim Esther , Leung Ada , Raso Jim , Kammerer Hubert , Rawani David ,   Glenrose Geriatric Research Team (Alberta Health Services)
Published: December 2021

Older adults admitted to hospital for rehabilitation often have some degree of concomitant cognitive impairment, which may be a barrier to optimizing rehabilitation approaches. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a type of non-invasive brain stimulation, delivers a low electrical current across the brain. The neuromodulatory effects of tDCS can be of therapeutic benefit and has been shown to augment cognitive functions in both healthy and clinical populations. This study investigated the effects of tDCS on cognition in older adult inpatients with depression or anxiety. It was hypothesized that anodal tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex would increase cognitive performance compared to a placebo group. Twenty adults between 65 to 86 years of age admitted to the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital with underlying depression or anxiety were recruited. Anodal (n=10) or sham (n=10) tDCS stimulation was administered at 1.5mA over 20 minutes, for 10-15 sessions based on participant availability. Cognitive assessments were administered before and after the tDCS protocol. Anodal tDCS stimulation resulted in significant gains on the Symbol Digit Modality Test, Trail Making Test Part A, and Forward Digit Span. This study demonstrated a tDCS-invoked cognitive enhancement in the domains of attention, information processing speed, and short-term memory processes. With the rapidly ageing population, tDCS may be a potential therapeutic option for cognitive enhancement and may be beneficial in ageing-related cognitive-disorders including mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
Educational Mobility Through Marriage and Risk of Cognitive Impairment in Late Life
Authors: Fu Rong
Published: December 2021

Objectives: Marriage represents a long-term intimate relationship involving high levels of interaction and shared resources. Education, as an inter-individual resource, may influence the health status of an individual and his/her spouse. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of educational mobility through marriage on the risk of cognitive impairment in older adults. Methods: Data were derived from the 2014 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. The final sample included 1,396 married men and 671 married women aged 65 years and older. Cognitive impairment was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE). The gender-specific effect of educational mobility on the risk of cognitive impairment was tested by logistic regression analyses. Results: Older men who experienced downward educational mobility through marriage had a higher risk of cognitive impairment, when compared to their upwardly mobile counterparts. This association was not observed in women. Having more years of schooling protected both men and women from being cognitive impaired in late life. Discussion: These findings provide further evidence that downward socioeconomic mobility through marriage is associated with adverse health outcomes. Yet, the impact of spousal education on health must be understood through the lens of gender. Potential mechanisms that may link spousal education to cognition over the life course were discussed, including health literacy, health behaviors, and household resources.
Evidence for a Specific Association Between Sustained Attention and Gait Speed in Middle-to-Older-Aged Adults
Authors: Aul Courtney , Park Hannah , DeGutis Joseph , Lo On-Yee , Poole Victoria , Bean Jonathan , Leritz Elizabeth , Esterman Michael
Published: December 2021

Although cognitive decline has previously been associated with mobility limitations and frailty, the relationship between sustained attention and gait speed is incompletely characterized. To better quantify the specificity of the sustained attention and gait speed association, we examined the extent to which this relationship is unique rather than accounted for by executive functioning and physical health characteristics. 58 middle-to-older-aged community-dwelling adults without overt illness or diseases (45-90 years old, 21 females) participated in the study. Each participant completed a 4-meter gait speed assessment and validated neuropsychological tests to examine various domains of executive functions including working memory (i.e., Digit Span), inhibitory control (i.e., Stroop Color Word Test), and task switching (i.e., Trail Making Test). Multiple physical and vascular risk factors were also evaluated. Sustained attention was assessed using the gradual onset continuous performance task (gradCPT), a well validated go/no-go sustained attention task. A series of linear regression models were created to examine how different aspects of cognition, including sustained attention and traditional measures of executive functioning, related to gait speed while controlling for a variety of physical and vascular risk factors. Among all predictors, gradCPT accuracy explained the most variance in gait speed (R2 = 0.21, p < 0.001) and was the only significant predictor (β = 0.36, p = 0.01) when accounting for executive functioning and other physical and vascular risk factors. The present results indicate that sustained attention may be uniquely sensitive and mechanistically linked to mobility limitations in middle-to-older adults.
Change in Stress and Positive Experiences among Older Oregonians during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kurth Maria , Lee Hye Soo , Choun Soyoung , Lee Dylan , Aldwin Carolyn
Published: December 2021

Several cross-sectional studies have examined stressors and positive events among older adults during COVID-19. We extend these studies by examining changes across time in perceptions of stress and positive experiences. Older adults in Oregon (Mage = 71.1, SD = 7.3, range = 51-95) completed weekly surveys from April 28 to June 23, responding to an adaptation of the Daily Stress Inventory (DISE; Almeida et al., 2002). DISE examines stressors and positive experiences across six domains (health, spouse/partner, other relationships, work/volunteer, finances, and retirement) on a 7-point scale (1 = not at all to 7 = extremely). At baseline, those who felt more stressed were younger, female, and reported more chronic health conditions, while younger adults, especially males, reported more positive events. Positive and stress intensity scores were not correlated. Multilevel models found that for both positive, Blinear = -2.54, SE = 0.52, p < .001; Bquadratic = 0.21, p < .05, and stress, Blinear = -0.79, p < .001; Bquadratic = 0.07, p <.01, intensity showed decelerated decreases across time; residuals for both models were significant. Older adults had lower stress levels, while women and those with chronic health conditions had higher stress levels. Women also reported lower levels of positive events. In both models, neither age, gender, nor chronic health conditions predicted change. These results highlight the evolving experiences during COVID-19, as perceptions of stress and positive events decreased. Future studies should examine how the changing circumstances during COVID-19 affect adaptation, including perceived stress and positive events.
Emergency Preparedness in 2010 and Concerns About COVID-19: Evidence from the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Killian Timothy , Garrison Betsy , McNeill Charleen
Published: December 2021

Emergency preparations are particularly important for older persons as age-related vulnerabilities increase risk of morbidity and mortality associated with disasters. The novel COVID-19 virus combined with the ongoing efforts of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) has provided researchers with the opportunity to examine how emergency preparedness was related to responses to the COVID-19 disaster approximately 10years later. The data for this study were generated from participants in the HRS.. This study only examined data from participants in both the disaster preparedness sub-sample of 2010 and COVID-19 sub-sample in 2020 resulting in data from 249 participants. In 2020, participants were asked how concerned they were about COVID-19 and whether or not they had been tested for the virus. This study found that disaster preparations in 2010 predicted lower levels of concern about COVID-19 in 2020. The differences in the means for all items, however, was not large enough to reach statistical significance with one exception, participating in an educational program about disaster preparedness (Wilcoxon-Z = -1.88, p < .05). Disaster preparations were associated with an increased likelihood of getting tested for COVID-19 for four of the six items. Statistical significance, however, was only achieved for a single item. Participants who had supplies for a three-day emergency in 2010 had higher rates of getting tested in 2020 (24.84%) as compared to those who did not have supplies for a three-day emergency (14.13%; χ2 = 4.03, p < .05). If accepted for presentation, implications for an array of audiences will be developed.
Online Leisure Activities for Sustained Mental Health Well-being in Older Adults with COVID-19 Mitigation
Authors: Rivera-Torres Solymar , Mpofu Elias , Keller M Jean , Ingman Stan
Published: December 2021

Older adults (OA) experience psychosocial distress from the COVID-19 pandemic mitigations. While their participation in leisure and recreation activities (LRA) would be ameliorating, we do not know how LRA OA engages for their mental health (MH) well-being with COVID-19 mitigation. This scoping review aimed to trend the evidence on the types of LRA OA engage for their MH well-being across the young-old continuum (60-69 years) through to older-old (80 years and above) in the COVID-19 pandemic. We searched the following electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, JBI-ES, and Epistemonicos for LRA studies by OA with COVID-19 mitigation. To be included, we considered empirical articles published in English on LRA of OA 55+ years-old. Another criterion required articles describing those activities' qualities and the impact of LRA on MH and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. We resulted in seven empirical studies, two of which implemented in the USA and one from the USA and Canada, Spain, Israel, and Japan. Findings following narrative synthesis revealed trending evidence on OA to engage in online LRA for social, cognitive /intellectual, and emotional health. Leisure-time physical activity reduced negative MH symptoms as anxiety and depression in OA under COVID-19 threat. In conclusion, the present review's trending evidence suggests that OA engagement in social, physical, mental, and cognitive LRA enhanced their MH and overall well-being. Activities delivered by way of the Internet and television provided a cluster of beneficial opportunities for the OA mental health needs under the COVID-19 pandemic.