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Contributors To Processing Speed Deficit In Old Age: A Focus On History Of Obesity And Medical Conditions, Melissa E. Pulcini

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Obesity has been associated with impairment in most cognitive domains, but the nature of this relationship is unclear. Most studies have examined the relationship between cognitive impairment and current obesity and/or history of obesity-related medical conditions. However, a number of “lower-level” obesity factors (e.g., increased adipokines, low grade inflammation, chronic mild hypoventilation) are present even among the otherwise healthy obese population, and it is possible that many of these factors have differential impact on cognition according to magnitude and duration of exposure. Knowledge of a person’s weight history, which may serve as a proxy for a number of lower-level obesity …