Aging/Alzheimer's Disease
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12503/21751
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Browsing Aging/Alzheimer's Disease by Author "Johnson, Leigh A."
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Item THE LINK BETWEEN METABOLIC RISK FACTORS AND COGNITIVE AND AFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING(2014-03) Cao, Linda M.; Edwards, Melissa L.; O' Bryant, Sid; Johnson, Leigh A.Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of risk factors that collectively affects cardiovascular functioning. Some research studies have shown a negative association between metabolic risk factors and cognitive and affective functioning. Currently, there is a limited amount of literature examining the implication of MetS on affective and cognitive functioning. The current study sought to address this gap in the literature and specifically explore the relationship between MetS and affective status as well as the MetS –cognition link. Purpose (a): Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of risk factors that collectively affects cardiovascular functioning. Some research studies have shown a negative association between metabolic risk factors and cognitive and affective functioning. There is a limited amount of literature examining the implication of MetS on affective and cognitive functioning. The current study sought to address this gap in the literature and specifically explore the relationship between MetS and affective status as well as the MetS –cognition link. Methods (b): Data were analyzed on 431 participants (With MetS n=366; without MetS n=165) from Project FRONTIER (Facing Rural Obstacles Now to health Through Intervention, Education, and Research). Metabolic syndrome was determined based on if participants met three of the five risk factors (yes/no). Risk factors for MetS include abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia (elevated serum triglycerides, low HDL), elevated fasting glucose, and elevated blood pressure. Cognitive functioning was measured utilizing the RBANS (Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status), MMSE (Mini Mental Status Exam), Executive Interview 25-iteMetS (EXIT25) and affective status using the GDS (Geriatric Depression Scale) and BAI (Beck Anxiety Inventory). Independent sample T-tests were utilized to explore the relationship between MetS and affective functioning as well as examine the MetS-cognition link. Results (c): The analyses revealed significant mean group differences between those who meet criteria for MetS compared to those who do not. Conclusions (d): The result of this study suggests that the metabolic risk factors are related to cognitive and affective symptoms. It is important to investigate the relationship between factors related to cardiovascular disease and cognition as well as affective functioning in an effort to enhance a physician’s clinical diagnosis and enable better treatment of patients with chronic diseases.Item VIGOROUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER SCORES ON THE MMSE IN AN OLDER HISPANIC MEXICAN AMERICAN POPULATION: A HEALTH & AGING BRAIN AMONG LATINO ELDERS (HABLE) STUDY(2014-03) Schwarzkopf, Heinz; Edwards, Melissa; Johnson, Leigh A.Background: Physical activity has been shown to delay the onset and effects of cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in the elderly. Few studies have evaluated the effects of physical activity among Hispanic Mexican Americans, a minority segment of the population, which has been shown to be less active when compared to non-Hispanic Whites. This study serves to evaluate the relationship between physical activity and cognition among Hispanic Mexican American, adults and elders Methods: Preliminary data was analyzed on 19 Hispanic Mexican Americans enrolled in the Health and Aging Brain Study among Latino Elders (HABLE), a recently developed community-based study of factors related to aging. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was utilized to assess physical activity and global cognitive functioning was evaluated with the Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE). Separate linear regressions were conducted to analyze the relationship between hours spent engaging in either vigorous, moderate, or walking forms of physical activity and global cognitive functioning. Covariates included age, gender, education and language of test administration. Results: The results indicated that level of physical activity among Hispanic Mexican Americans differentially impacted cognitive functioning. Among those in the sample who engaged in vigorous activity, there was a significant relationship on global cognition such that increased hours of vigorous activity was positively related to global cognition (p=0.04). There was no significant association found between hours of moderate (p=0.74) or walking (p=0.70) physical activity and cognition. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the impact of level of physical activity on cognitive functioning among Hispanic Mexican Americans. . Vigorous physical activity was significantly related to better cognition among Hispanic Mexican Americans and more research is needed to further explore this relationship.