Physical and Cognitive Aging Study in Older Adults

Hispanic Americans are the fastest growing older adult group in the United States, disproportionally increasing the risk of an Alzheimer's disease and related dementias diagnosis. Efforts to reduce this risk and mitigate the related cognitive/physical declines are critical. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of enrolling older adults into an aging trajectory cohort, while generating preliminary data on associations of physical and cognitive aging trajectories. Our secondary objective is to generate preliminary data on the association of standard measures of physical activity and physical function with cognitive status. This study fits within our longitudinal research goal to reduce dementia incidence by understanding the mechanisms that drive the cognitive-physical aging trajectory.

Overview: This study aims to assess the feasibility of recruiting and retaining 50 Hispanic American (HA) and 50 non-Hispanic American (non-HA) adults, aged 55-85, into a longitudinal aging cohort. We will evaluate differences in physical activity, physical function, and cognitive performance over time.

Design and Outcomes: Adults will be consented at the beginning of visit 1. Those potentially eligible will complete MoCA, questions about previous and current medical history, and general cognitive function (visit 1). Eligibility will be confirmed at the end of visit 1. Physical fitness, and physical activity behaviors will be assessed during visit 2. Once both visits are completed, the study team will ask about attendance availability in the future. The study team will reach out following one year (or up to 3 months after the one-year mark). The participants will be asked to repeat the same procedures as visits 1 and 2 (1 year follow-up = visits 3 and 4).

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 55-85 years, at least 8th grade education, community dwelling
* No evidence of dementia or mild cognitive impairment based on cognitive screening \[i.e., Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) administered during Visit 1; ≥26 among non-Hispanic White, ≥25 among Hispanics, ≥24 among non-Hispanic Blacks (Milani et al., 2018)\]
* Self-identify as Hispanic American
* Spanish as the primary language

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to provide informed consent
* Artificial joint or severe disability that would make it impossible or contraindicated performing the isokinetic test
* Sensory loss (vision, hearing) or motor deficits that would preclude participation in the experimental tasks or neuropsychological assessment
* Previous major strokes or other known significant brain abnormalities or diseases affecting the brain and/or cognition (e.g., Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, seizure disorder, brain surgery, moderate TBI, REM Behavior Sleep Disorder, untreated sleep apnea, etc.)
* Unstable and uncontrolled medical conditions (metastatic cancer, HIV, moderate-severe kidney disease, uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, severe cardiac disease, etc.). No current cancer diagnosis.
* Current or past history of major psychiatric disturbance including schizophrenia, or active psychosis, bipolar disorder, current major depressive episode, current alcohol or substance abuse or history thereof within the past six months
* Use of antipsychotics, sedatives, or other medications with significant anticholinergic properties (due to potential influence on memory)
* Use of prescribed 'memory enhancing' medications, such as Aricept or Namenda
* Previous participation in a cognitive or physical activity training study within the last 6 months or current involvement in another study involving cognitive, physical or other intervention at the time of enrollment