Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Cortical Iron Disrupts Functional Connectivity Networks Supporting Working Memory Performance In Older Adults, Valentinos Zachariou, Christopher E. Bauer, Elayna R. Seago, Flavius D. Raslau, David K. Powell, Brian T. Gold

Neuroscience Faculty Publications

Excessive brain iron negatively affects working memory and related processes but the impact of cortical iron on task-relevant, cortical brain networks is unknown. We hypothesized that high cortical iron concentration may disrupt functional circuitry within cortical networks supporting working memory performance. Fifty-five healthy older adults completed an N-Back working memory paradigm while functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed. Participants also underwent quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) imaging for assessment of non-heme brain iron concentration. Additionally, pseudo continuous arterial spin labeling scans were obtained to control for potential contributions of cerebral blood volume and structural brain images were used to control …

Cardiorespiratory Fitness Diminishes The Effects Of Age On White Matter Hyperintensity Volume, Nathan F. Johnson, Ahmed A. Bahrani, David K. Powell, Gregory A. Jicha, Brian T. Gold

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are among the most commonly observed marker of cerebrovascular disease. Age is a key risk factor for WMH development. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with increased vessel compliance, but it remains unknown if high CRF affects WMH volume. This study explored the effects of CRF on WMH volume in community-dwelling older adults. We further tested the possibility of an interaction between CRF and age on WMH volume. Participants were 76 adults between the ages of 59 and 77 (mean age = 65.36 years, SD = 3.92) who underwent a maximal graded exercise test and structural brain …

Feasibility Of Dual-Task Gait To Estimate Alzheimer's Related Cognitive Decline In Down Syndrome, Kathryn L. Van Pelt, Lisa Mason Koehl, Allison M. Caban-Holt, Amelia J. Anderson-Mooney, Elizabeth Head, Frederick A. Schmitt

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Introduction: The striatum and frontal lobes have been shown to have early Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology and are critical for motor and cognitive function. We hypothesized gait would be associated with early-stage dementia in Down syndrome (DS), a cohort at risk for AD.

Methods: Twenty-eight participants with DS were enrolled in the study. Participants walked at their self-selected pace and while completing a dual task (counting, obstacle, or counting+obstacle).

Results: All participants were able to complete the self-paced condition and 78.57-96.42% completed the dual-task conditions. There was a trend for greater dual-task effects on gait velocity based on dementia diagnosis. …

Brain Structure Changes Over Time In Normal And Mildly Impaired Aged Persons, Charles D. Smith, Linda J. Van Eldik, Gregory A. Jicha, Frederick A. Schmitt, Peter T. Nelson, Erin L. Abner, Richard J. Kryscio, Richard R. Murphy, Anders H. Andersen

Neurology Faculty Publications

Structural brain changes in aging are known to occur even in the absence of dementia, but the magnitudes and regions involved vary between studies. To further characterize these changes, we analyzed paired MRI images acquired with identical protocols and scanner over a median 5.8-year interval. The normal study group comprised 78 elders (25M 53F, baseline age range 70-78 years) who underwent an annual standardized expert assessment of cognition and health and who maintained normal cognition for the duration of the study. We found a longitudinal grey matter (GM) loss rate of 2.56 ± 0.07 ml/year (0.20 ± 0.04%/year) and a …

The Coronavirus And The Risks To The Elderly In Long-Term Care, William Gardner, David States, Nicholas Bagley

Articles

The elderly in long-term care (LTC) and their caregiving staff are at elevated risk from COVID-19. Outbreaks in LTC facilities can threaten the health care system. COVID-19 suppression should focus on testing and infection control at LTC facilities. Policies should also be developed to ensure that LTC facilities remain adequately staffed and that infection control protocols are closely followed. Family will not be able to visit LTC facilities, increasing isolation and vulnerability to abuse and neglect. To protect residents and staff, supervision of LTC facilities should remain a priority during the pandemic.

Sleeping Time Is Associated With Functional Limitations In A National Sample Of Older Americans, Brenda M. Vincent, Nathaniel Johnson, Grant R. Tomkinson, Ryan Mcgrath, Brian C. Clark, Bong-Jin Choi

Education, Health & Behavior Studies Faculty Publications

Background: Engaging in healthy behaviors may help to preserve function during aging; however, it is not well understood how sleeping time is associated with functional capacity in older adults.

Aims: We sought to determine the association of sleeping time on functional limitation in a national sample of older Americans.

Methods: The analytical sample included 6,020 adults aged at least 65 years who participated in the 2007-2016 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Respondents indicated their hours of sleep/week night and were categorized as <5, 5-6.5, 7-8, 8.5-9, and >9 hours of sleep/week night. Ability to complete 19 functional tasks …

The Health Empowerment Program: A Primary Care – Area Agency On Aging Partnership, Daniel Bluestein, Brad Lazernick, Britt Gnilka

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Appreciate the benefits of a primary care-area agency on aging collaboration.

2. Identify strategies for enhancing this cross-organizational partnership.