Change in Engagement in Cognitive Activity and Risk for Mild Cognitive Impairment in a Cohort of Older Adults

Abstract

Engagement in cognitively stimulating activities is gaining prominence as a potential strategy to maintain cognitive functioning in old age. In a population-based cohort of individuals aged 65+ years, we examined patterns of change in frequency of engagement in total cognitive activity (TCA), higher cognitive activity (HCA), and frequent cognitive activity (FCA) based on the Florida Cognitive Activities Scale over an average of 3.62 years, and whether these patterns were associated with incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI) during this same period. Among 867 cognitively normal participants, 129 (15%) progressed to MCI. Latent class trajectory modeling identified high and stable, slowly, and quickly declining patterns for TCA; high and stable, slowly declining, and slowing increasing patterns for FCA; and high and stable, and slowly declining patterns for HCA. Separate, adjusted Cox proportional hazard models, revealed that compared with the high, stable pattern, both slow decline [hazard ratio (HR), 2.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.5-4.0] and quick decline (HR, 11.0; 95% CI, 6.3-19.2) in TCA, and slow decline in the FCA (HR, 8.7; 95% CI, 5.3-14.3) and HCA (HR, 3.4; 95% CI, 2.0-5.6) subscales increased risk for incident MCI. Maintaining engagement in cognitive activities may be protective against progression to MCI, alternatively, declining engagement may be a marker for impending cognitive impairment.

Do I lose cognitive function as fast as my twin partner? Analyses based on classes of MMSE trajectories of twins aged 80 and older

“…For instance, nonsmokers have been shown to decline at a slower rate in specific and global cognitive functions compared with smokers (6,7). Similarly, it has been shown that individuals who engage in cognitively stimulating activities decline at a slower rate than individuals who do not stimulate their brains (8)(9)(10). They also have a lower risk of subsequent cognitive impairment and dementia (10)(11)(12)(13).…”

“…Similarly, it has been shown that individuals who engage in cognitively stimulating activities decline at a slower rate than individuals who do not stimulate their brains (8)(9)(10). They also have a lower risk of subsequent cognitive impairment and dementia (10)(11)(12)(13). Furthermore, individuals with a physically active lifestyle decline at a slower rate than more sedentary individuals (14,15).…”