A Bidirectional Relationship between Executive Function and Health Behavior: Evidence, Implications, and Future Directions

Allan, Julia; McMinn, David; Daly, Michael

doi:10.3389/fnins.2016.00386

Cited by 147 publications

(123 citation statements)

References 152 publications

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“…Association of the profile with lesser metabolic risk and better performance on executive functions suggests that modulation of the DMN by vMTL activity may be important in mitigating decline in typical age-sensitive cognitive domains (Yuan and Raz, 2014) and resisting negative influence of metabolic risk on cognition (Dahle et al, 2009). Both are aspects of aging that are increasingly viewed as mutually related determinants of late-life development (Allan et al, 2016). This is in accord with the extant reports that age-related DMN alterations at rest may be related to age-sensitive cognitive skills (Andrews-Hanna et al, 2007; Damoiseaux et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations between dynamic functional connectivity and age, metabolic risk, and cognitive performance

Viviano

Raz

Peng

et al. 2017

Neurobiology of Aging

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Advanced age is associated with reduced within-network functional connectivity, particularly within the default mode network. Most studies to date have examined age differences in functional connectivity via static indices that are computed over the entire blood-oxygen level dependent time-series. Little is known about the effects of age on short-term temporal dynamics of functional connectivity. Here we examined age differences in dynamic connectivity as well as associations between connectivity, metabolic risk, and cognitive performance in healthy adults (N=168; age 18 to 83). A sliding-window k-means clustering approach was used to assess dynamic connectivity from resting-state fMRI data. Three out of eight dynamic connectivity profiles were associated with age. Furthermore, metabolic risk was associated with the relative amount of time allocated to two of these profiles. Finally, the relative amount of time allocated to a dynamic connectivity profile marked by heightened connectivity between default mode and medial temporal regions was positively associated with executive functions. Thus, dynamic connectivity analyses can enrich understanding of age-related differences beyond what is revealed by static analyses.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations between dynamic functional connectivity and age, metabolic risk, and cognitive performance

Viviano

Raz

Peng

et al. 2017

Neurobiology of Aging

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“…There is a wealth of evidence on the bi-directional relationship between health behaviors and cognitive functioning (see Allan, McMinn, & Daly, 2016). Poor diet, low engagement in other health behaviors (i.e., exercise), and excess weight may decrease executive functioning, while high engagement in health behaviors and weight loss produces measurable increases in executive functioning (Allan, McMinn, & Daly, 2016; Francis & Stevenson, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Executive functioning and dietary intake: Neurocognitive correlates of fruit, vegetable, and saturated fat intake in adults with obesity

et al. 2017

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Obesity is a significant public health issue, and is associated with poor diet. Evidence suggests that eating behavior is related to individual differences in executive functioning. Poor executive functioning is associated with poorer diet (few fruits and vegetables and high saturated fat) in normal weight samples; however, the relationship between these specific dietary behaviors and executive functioning have not been investigated in adults with obesity. The current study examined the association between executive functioning and intake of saturated fat, fruits, and vegetables in an overweight/obese sample using behavioral measures of executive function and dietary recall. One-hundred-ninety overweight and obese adults completed neuropsychological assessments measuring intelligence, planning ability, and inhibitory control followed by three dietary recall assessments within a month prior to beginning a behavioral weight loss treatment program. Inhibitory control and two of the three indices of planning each independently significantly predicted fruit and vegetable consumption such that those with better inhibition and planning ability consumed more fruits and vegetables. No relationship was found between executive functioning and saturated fat intake. Results increase understanding of how executive functioning influences eating behavior in overweight and obese adults, and suggest the importance of including executive functioning training components in dietary interventions for those with obesity. Further research is needed to determine causality as diet and executive functioning may bidirectionally influence each other.

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“…The cognitive domains relevant to executive function include working memory, attention, and response inhibition, all of which are vulnerable to ageing effects [35] . The association between cognitive decline according to the IQCODE and follow-up levels of physical and social activity engagement indicate that decline in higher-order executive function may underpin the changes in everyday cognition captured by the IQCODE.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Informant-Reported Cognitive Decline and Activity Engagement across Four Years in a Community Sample

et al. 2017

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Background: Subtle age-related cognitive decline may be associated with the capacity to remain engaged in mental, physical, and social activities. Informant reports of cognitive decline potentially provide additional information to psychometric tests on change in everyday cognitive function relevant to activity engagement. Objective: To investigate relations between decline in everyday cognitive function as assessed by informant report and activity engagement in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A sample of cognitively normal older adults was drawn from the 2 latest waves of the PATH Through Life Study (n = 1,391; mean age 74.5 ± 1.5, 48.4% female). PATH is a 16-year longitudinal cohort study set in the Canberra/Queanbeyan district, Australia. Assessments were carried out at baseline, and at 3 subsequent time-points 4 years apart. At wave-4, the IQCODE, an informant measure of 4-year cognitive decline was provided by a spouse, family member, or friend of each participant. Activity engagement was assessed by the abbreviated RIASEC Mental Activity List, self-reported frequency and duration of physical activity (Whitehall Questionnaire) and the Lubben Social Network Scale that assessed interaction with family/friends. Participants provided demographic information, self-reported health status (SF-12), and responses to the Goldberg Depression Scale. The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) were used to measure objective 4-year cognitive change. Those with MMSE score of ≤27 were excluded. Results: IQCODE score predicted disengagement from mental activities over 4 years in cognitively healthy adults (β = -0.056, standard error [SE] = 0.019, p = 0.004). This association was robust to covariate control and change on the SDMT which was also significantly related to mental activity disengagement. In models adjusted for change scores on the SDMT and the CVLT, the IQCODE was associated with less physical (β = -0.692, SE = 0.24, p = 0.004) and social engagement (β -0.046, SE = 0.021, p = 0.032), but relationships were attenuated with the inclusion of covariates. Conclusion: Informant-reported cognitive decline in a non-clinical sample was linked to activities that support cognitive health. Associations were robust to adjustment for cognitive change scores. Utilising informant reports prior to the manifestation of clinically relevant decline may identify those who would benefit most from personalised activity interventions.

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A Bidirectional Relationship between Executive Function and Health Behavior: Evidence, Implications, and Future Directions

Cited by 147 publications

References 152 publications

Associations between dynamic functional connectivity and age, metabolic risk, and cognitive performance

Associations between dynamic functional connectivity and age, metabolic risk, and cognitive performance

Executive functioning and dietary intake: Neurocognitive correlates of fruit, vegetable, and saturated fat intake in adults with obesity

Informant-Reported Cognitive Decline and Activity Engagement across Four Years in a Community Sample

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