bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuroanatomical Moderators of the Impact of Mild Behavioral Impairment on Cognition
Authors: Rouse Hillary , Small Brent 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Older adults with mild behavioral impairment (MBI), or the presence of late-life neuropsychiatric symptoms, have a unique cognitive phenotype. However, the neural correlates associated with MBI-related cognitive changes is not well understood. The goal of this study is to examine if specific regions of the brain moderate the relationship between the presence of MBI and performance on tasks of cognition. Data from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center was utilized for this study. Participants (N=1,451) were included in our analyses if they were cognitively healthy or had mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Multiple domains of cognitive performance were evaluated. The neuroanatomical regions included hippocampus, caudal anterior cingulate (ACC), rostral ACC, entorhinal, and parahippocampal gray matter volume; and caudal ACC, rostral ACC, entorhinal, and parahippocampal mean cortical thickness. Hippocampal, entorhinal, and parahippocampal cortical gray matter volume moderated the relationship between MBI and performance on tasks of episodic memory. Left rostral ACC cortical gray matter volume and entorhinal and parahippocampal mean cortical thickness moderated the relationship between MBI and performance on language tasks. Hippocampi cortical gray matter volume also moderated the relationship between MBI and performance on processing speed tasks. Persons with smaller brain sizes in these areas were more negatively affected in these cognitive domains if they had MBI. These results suggest that the association between smaller brain volumes and cognition was stronger among persons with MBI. These findings suggest that older adults with MBI may perform worse on these tasks due to neurodegeneration that is present.
Technology Supporting Cognitively Impaired Older Adults: A Scoping Review for the ENHANCE Center
Authors: Sanders Edie , Stuart Robin , Exum Alexander , Boot Walter 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Cognitive impairments (CIs) result in difficulties with a wide range of daily activities. Older adults are especially at risk for CIs, and as the older adult population increases, so does the importance of understanding and supporting the needs of those with CIs. The Enhancing Neurocognitive Health, Abilities, Networks, and Community Engagement (ENHANCE) Center was established with a focus on developing technology-based support for socialization, transportation, and prospective memory needs of older adults with CIs due to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and stroke. The extent to which relevant literature in these domains existed was unknown. We conducted a scoping review to identify existing research meeting the following criteria: participants aged 50+ years classified as having a CI due to MCI, TBI, or stroke; and a focus on technology-based support for socialization, transportation, and/or prospective memory needs. Using PRISMA guidelines, we searched three electronic databases, and reviewers screened citations for inclusion and completed data charting. Following screening, only 11 studies met our inclusion criteria. Qualitative and quantitative data are reported for each study. In addition to few studies available, it was common for studies to include 20 or fewer participants. Most assessed technology interactions at one time and few studies examined longitudinal use and benefits. While each paper examined one aspect of user-centered design, no technologies were reported that underwent all stages of the user-centered design process, from needs assessment to iterative design and usability testing, to efficacy trial. Such gaps highlight the important role ENHANCE can play.
Voice Biomarkers as Possible Indicators of Cognitive Aging
Authors: Mahon Elizabeth , Lachman Margie 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
There is emerging evidence that measures of voice prosody are related to diagnoses of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders. The goal of this study was to examine whether voice prosody measures (pitch, pulse, voice breaks, jitter, shimmer, and amplitude) are also related to individual differences in normal cognitive aging. Data are from the Midlife in the United States Wave 2 (M2) and Wave 3 (M3) for 2693 participants (ages 42-92 at M3) who completed the M2 and M3 Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone (BTACT) and had M3 voice recordings. Voice variables were measured from cognitive interviews using three cognitive tests and averaged to create a composite for each voice variable. Voice prosody was related to age, sex, education, and health, which were included as covariates. Older adults, men, and those with more health conditions had higher jitter and shimmer. Older adults, women, and those with higher education and better health had more voice breaks. Hierarchical regression models, controlling for the covariates, examined the voice composites as predictors of each cognitive measure at M3 and change over 9 years from M2 to M3. As hypothesized, higher jitter predicted lower performance and greater decline on memory, category fluency, and attention. Contrary to predictions, a lower number of voice breaks predicted worse performance and greater declines on all cognitive tests. The results suggest that voice biomarkers are related to cognitive performance and decline, and they may offer a promising approach for identifying early signs of cognitive impairment or dementia.
Association Between Diet And Cognitive Performance In Adults Aged 60 And Over: NHANES, 2011–2014
Authors: Alam Md Towfiqul , Vasquez Elizabeth , Echeverria Sandra 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
There is limited evidence examining associations between diet and cognitive performance (CP) in older adults. We used the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to determine if meeting dietary recommendations was associated with CP in adults 60+ years of age. Diet was based on the healthy eating index (HEI) 2015 and categorized into quintiles (higher quintiles indicating healthier diet). CP was based on word list learning, animal naming, and digit symbol substitution test, with scores above 25th percentile indicating adequate performance. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was conducted and adjusted for potential cofounders. A total of 3,068 participants completed the CP tests. A slightly higher percentage of participants were female (54.0%), predominantly White (80.5%) and the largest percentage (54.7%) was 60 to 69 years of age. The mean HEI-2015 score (0-100) was 54.89 (SE = 0.56). High CP scores increased with healthier dietary quintiles. However, results were only significant (p for trend &lt;0.05) for digit symbol substitution test when comparing those in the highest quintile (82.53%) to those in the lowest (70.23%). Compared with participants in the lowest quintile of HEI-2015, participants in the highest quintile had a two-fold increased odds of better digit symbol substitution test scores, after adjusting for confounders (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.96, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.28-3.01). Results showed that meeting healthy diet recommendations is associated with improved digit symbol substitution test, a marker of attention, processing speed and executive function. Future research should consider the role of diet in older adults to improve cognitive performance.
Education Differences in Older Adults' Performance on Online Assessments of Inductive Reasoning and Verbal Memory
Authors: Caskie Grace , Voelkner Abigail 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Paper-and-pencil measures of inductive reasoning and verbal memory administered in-person are well-established methods for measuring cognitive ability in adults. However, given recent increases in the use of online surveys, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person research with older adults became difficult, we investigated whether these cognitive measures could be administered effectively online and whether older adults’ performance on these measures of inductive reasoning and verbal memory might differ by education level. Data were collected online between mid-May and mid-June of 2020 from 292 individuals aged 66-90 years (M=69.1, SD=3.3). The sample was primarily White (91%) and had more women (62%) than men; 83 participants had a graduate-level education (master’s/doctoral degree), 101 had an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, and 108 had less than an associate’s degree. Three measures of inductive reasoning (Number Series, Letter Sets, and Word Series) and two measures of verbal memory (Immediate Recall and Delayed Recall of a list of 20 words) were completed by participants on an online platform. One-way MANOVA found a significant main effect for education group on the inductive reasoning measures (Wilks’ lambda=.93, p=.001). However, follow-up univariate ANOVAs indicated significant differences by education group only for Number Series, with Tukey post hoc tests showing that the graduate-level and college-degree groups performed significantly better than the group with less than an associate’s degree. Factorial repeated-measures ANOVA found a significant decline between immediate and delayed recall (p&lt;.001) and that this difference varied by education group (p=.003). Implications of these findings will be discussed.
Modifiable Lifestyle Factors Associated with Cognitive Recovery from MCI: A 12-Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Li Bingyu 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Introduction: Many studies have investigated the risk factors associated with progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to cognitive impairment, while it is unclear which lifestyle factors are associated with cognitive recovery among those who have mild cognitive impairment. Methods: The study includes 7,422 participants above 65 years old with MCI from The Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Cox regression analysis was adopted to investigate the association between cognitive recovery and selected lifestyle factors. LASSO was applied to select the variables. Results: Daily consumption of fresh fruits is associated with higher possibility of cognitive recovery (HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.15-1.42) while daily consumption of meat show opposite influence (HR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.80-0.99). Smoking (HR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98-1.00) and alcohol consumption (HR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.99-1.00) are both negatively associated with cognitive recovery. Daily engagement in reading (HR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.00-1.54), housework (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.08-1.35) as well as mahjong and other card games (HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.08-1.39) are associated with higher possibility of cognitive recovery. Conclusion: This study has identified important modifiable lifestyle factors associated with natural cognitive recovery from MCI. The findings have considerable implications for dementia prevention.
Racial and Ethnic Diversities in Cognitive Health Appraisals: Findings from the HCAP
Authors: Jang Yuri , Choi Eunyoung , Franco Yujin , Park Nan Sook , Chiriboga David , Kim Miyong T 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The aims of the study were: (1) to investigate the relationship between cognitive performance and cognitive health appraisals across non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic older adults in the United States and (2) to explore within-group variations by examining interactions between cognitive performance and background and health variables. The sample (N = 3,099) included 2,260 non-Hispanic White, 498 non-Hispanic Black, and 341 Hispanic adults aged 65 or older, from the 2016–2017 Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol. Regression models of cognitive health appraisals, indicated by self-rated cognitive health, were examined in the entire sample and in racial and ethnic subgroups to test direct and interactive effects of cognitive performance, indicated by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The regression model for the entire sample showed direct effects of cognitive performance and race/ethnicity on cognitive health appraisals, as well as a significant interaction between cognitive performance and being non-Hispanic Black. Cognitive performance and cognitive health appraisals were positively associated in non-Hispanic Whites but not significantly associated in non-Hispanic Blacks. Our subsequent analysis within each racial/ethnic group showed that the effect of cognitive performance in non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics became either reversed or nonsignificant when background and health variables were considered. Modification by age or chronic medical conditions in each racial and ethnic group was also observed. Overall, these findings suggest that perceptions and appraisals of cognitive health vary by race and ethnicity and hold implications for how these differences should be considered in research and practice with diverse groups of older adults.
The Effect of Childhood Emotional Adversity and Later Life Friend Solidarity on Cognition
Authors: Odd Kaleena , Boron Julie Blaskewicz , Turiano Nicholas , Santo Jonathan 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Early life experiences can influence later life outcomes such as physical, mental, and cognitive health. Previous research investigated the effect of childhood socioeconomic status in relation to mid-to-later life cognition (Liu & Lachman, 2019); however, the effects of childhood emotional adversity on cognition have not been examined. Controlling for age, education, sex, and race, the current study investigated the influence of childhood emotional adversity and later life friend solidarity on change in later life episodic memory, executive functioning, and subjective memory (i.e., perceived memory compared to others same age). Utilizing the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) database, we studied 2,752 participants (50-75 years, M=60.09, SD=6.97, 53% female, 84% White) with completed measures on MIDUS 1 retrospective childhood adversity, MIDUS 2 friend solidarity, and MIDUS 2/3 cognition. Multilevel modeling (Mplus) was used. Higher friend solidarity was associated with higher executive functioning (b=0.122, p&lt;.01) and higher subjective memory (b=0.267, p&lt;.001), suggesting the positive impact of supportive friendships. Higher childhood emotional adversity was associated with lower perceived subjective memory (b=-0.037, p&lt;.05). There was no significant friend solidarity by emotional adversity interaction. Together, these findings suggest that later life friend solidarity may be important for objective and subjective cognition; whereas, childhood emotional adversity may play a role in subjective cognition. Given the associations in prior research between lower perceptions of memory and lower mental well-being and quality of daily life, experiencing childhood emotional adversity may increase risk of lower perceptions of well-being, including cognitive functioning.
Employers ’ Response to Workers With Progressive Cognitive Impairment: A Review of Policy in Canada
Authors: McMurray Josephine , Kokorelias Kristina , Levy AnneMarie , James Krista , Reis Logan , Boger Jennifer , Astell Arlene 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Longer lifespans, the gig economy, eligibility for government pensions, and more testing for age-related cognitive changes, increase the potential for workers developing mild cognitive impairment and/or early onset dementia (MCI|EOD) “on the job”. This critical analysis assesses Canada’s policy environment for employers when employees are diagnosed with MCI|EOD. Our search for policy literature included: a scoping review of academic literature involving Canadian-focused articles, and countries where novel or innovative policy had been evaluated and published; a search for Canadian court judgements and tribunal decisions; and a grey literature search in both Canadian and international sources, as innovation will often happen “at the margin” and updated policy may take years to be enacted and formalized. We used participatory research to obtain feedback from a broad group of stakeholders including employers, industry, professional organizations, and government, as well as people living with MCI/dementia, to ensure outputs were reflective of current policy. We found that: 1) Canadian federally-regulated employers are governed by similar Acts & Codes as the provinces and territories, with some notable exceptions, 2) Disability discrimination and accommodation case law in Canada is settled, however there are few cognitive impairment cases to provide specific guidance, 3) Scant empirical research in the scientific literature addresses policy that incents employers to build workspaces for employees with MCI|EOD that help them stay on the job longer. We conclude that engaging with employers to better understand their needs will help policy-makers to support them build workspaces that encourage productive engagement of all workers.
The Role of Socioeconomic Inequalities In Transitioning to Neurocognitive Disorders in English Population
Authors: Gireesh Aswathikutty , Sacker Amanda , McMunn Anne , Cadar Dorina 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The association between socioeconomic position (SEP) and dementia is well studied. However, scant attention has been given to the relationship with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), often considered a transient state between normal cognition and dementia. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of various SEP markers such as education and wealth on transitioning to MCI and dementia over a four-year period using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, a national representative sample of the English population aged 50+. We ascertained MCI and dementia over four years, using a validated algorithm based on physician diagnosis and lower cognitive performance (1 standard deviation below the mean) on multiple standardised tests adjusted for age and education. A Multistate Markov survival model was utilised to investigate whether different SEP markers increased the risk of specific transitions between normal cognitive performance and MCI or dementia, with the latter being considered an absorbing state. During the study period, a quarter of participants progressed to MCI from the normal state. Being in the lowest quintile of wealth was associated with a lower probability of transitioning back to a normal cognitive state from MCI, compared with those in the highest quintile. Greater wealth was weakly associated with a lower risk of transitioning from normal cognitive state to MCI and from MCI to dementia. The overall results imply that socioeconomic advantage might be protective against rapid progression from mild to more severe neurocognitive disorders such as dementia in later life.
Shifting Information-Seeking Behaviors of Rural Older Americans During the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Lund Brady 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
This session reports findings on how older rural adults in the Midwest United States adapted their information seeking behaviors in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. A series of nearly three-dozen interviews conducted during late-summer 2020 capture the experiences of members of this population in their own words. Findings indicate that the experiences of the rural older American during this period were often unique to each individual and cannot be easily explained by a single social or demographic factor. Those participants with greater educational attainment were more likely to use a variety of digital technologies (smartphones, tablets, at-home personal computers) prior to the pandemic and thus experienced fewer challenges finding reliable information when the pandemic began. Those who were married felt less socially-isolated, but were often more reliant on others to find information for them. Women were more likely than people with other gender identities to use social media to connect and find information, which helped abate feelings of isolation but also made them feel more susceptible to misinformation and information overload. All participants expressed some level of fear or concern that motivated them to seek health information, while many expressed the same motivation in seeking political and economic information. These findings suggest that the information seeking behaviors of rural older adults were dramatically altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, with most becoming more reliant on digital technology to find information, and all being motivated by fear, concern, and/or curiosity to find information about the pandemic.
Personality and change in perceived control across the first four months of the coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Sesker Amanda , Lee Ji Hyun , Luchetti Martina , Aschwanden Damaris , Stephan Yannick , Terracciano Antonio , Sutin Angelina 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Objective. This study examined change in perceived control (PC) across the first four months of the global coronavirus pandemic and whether change varied significantly by age and personality traits during the first four months of the pandemic. Methods. Personality was assessed prior to the pandemic in a large national sample of 2,455 American adults (18-100 years) from a preregistered online survey (https://osf.io/q8cpd), first conducted between January 31, 2020 and February 10, 2020. Three additional follow-up waves were conducted: mid-March 2020 (following the World Health Organization declaration of the coronavirus a pandemic), late April 2020 (toward the end of the White House’s 30 Days to Slow the Spread guidance), and late July 2020 (when patient deaths in the U.S. reached 132,918). PC was assessed in Waves 2-4. Results. There were age differences in the trajectory of PC such that PC increase for middle-aged and older adults, whereas younger adults had lower PC and did not increase over the follow-ups. All personality traits but Openness were associated with PC at the first assessment. Conscientiousness, Extraversion, and Agreeableness positively predicted PC change over time. The association between Conscientiousness and Extraversion and increased PC over time was stronger at older ages. Conclusion. Pre-pandemic personality predicted PC and PC change during the first four months of the pandemic, with middle-aged and older adults showing better adaption than younger adults. This study provides new evidence for PC change and associations between personality and PC during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Physical Activity, Social Support, and Mood in Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Inman Morgan , Murphy Clare , Strong Jessica 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Research shows that increased physical activity is associated with improved mood and reduced symptoms of depression in older adults. Prior research has also found that loneliness and social isolation have a significant impact on the mental and physical well-being of older adults, with higher amounts of social connectedness and social activity associated with more frequent positive mood states. Overall social isolation is increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic and this could have a large impact on the physical and mental health of older adults. A group of 36 community dwelling older adults (Mean age = 70.5) completed questionnaires measuring physical activity, social activity, and social support, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyses found that perceived social support and average social network size significantly predicted positive mood states (F(2,33)=3.32, p&lt;0.05) accounting for 16.7% of the variance, with a large effect. After adding average number of hours of sedentary activity the model was not significant. Perceived social support was more predictive of positive mood (β=0.32) compared to network size (β=0.17). There was a trend for the same three variables to predict negative mood (F(3,32)=2.76, p=0.06) accounting for 22% of the variance. Sedentary behaviour was the most predictive (t=2.68, p&lt;0.05, β= 0.49). This suggests that perceived social support is most predictive of positive mood, and sedentary behaviour is predictive of negative mood during the COVID-19 pandemic.