Purpose in life promotes resilience to age-related brain burden in middle-aged adults

Abstract

Background Disease-modifying agents to counteract cognitive impairment in older age remain elusive. Hence, identifying modifiable factors promoting resilience, as the capacity of the brain to maintain cognition and function with aging and disease, is paramount. In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), education and occupation are typical cognitive reserve proxies. However, the importance of psychological factors is being increasingly recognized, as their operating biological mechanisms are elucidated. Purpose in life (PiL), one of the pillars of psychological well-being, has previously been found to reduce the deleterious effects of AD-related pathological changes on cognition. However, whether PiL operates as a resilience factor in middle-aged individuals and what are the underlying neural mechanisms remain unknown. Methods Data was obtained from 624 middle-aged adults (mean age 53.71 ± 6.9; 303 women) from the Barcelona Brain Health Initiative cohort. Individuals with lower (LP; N = 146) and higher (HP; N = 100) PiL rates, according to the division of this variable into quintiles, were compared in terms of cognitive status, a measure reflecting brain burden (white matter lesions; WMLs), and resting-state functional connectivity, examining system segregation (SyS) parameters using 14 common brain circuits. Results Neuropsychological status and WMLs burden did not differ between the PiL groups. However, in the LP group, greater WMLs entailed a negative impact on executive functions. Subjects in the HP group showed lower SyS of the dorsal default-mode network (dDMN), indicating lesser segregation of this network from other brain circuits. Specifically, HP individuals had greater inter-network connectivity between specific dDMN nodes, including the frontal cortex, the hippocampal formation, the midcingulate region, and the rest of the brain. Greater functional connectivity in some of these nodes positively correlated with cognitive performance. Conclusion Expanding previous findings on AD pathology and advanced age, the present results suggest that higher rates of PiL may promote resilience against brain changes already observable in middle age. Furthermore, having a purposeful life implies larger functional integration of the dDMN, which may potentially reflect greater brain reserve associated to better cognitive function.

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“…Thus, the best way to fight poverty is through the creation of local jobs, improvement in the quality of technical program training, access to education from elementary to college levels, and the retention of students at school. Purpose in life promotes resilience against brain changes already observable in middle age [ 219 ]. The work of Abellaneda-Pérez and colleagues [ 219 ] is highly recommended and emphasizes the fact that “having a purposeful life implies larger functional integration” of the dorsal default-mode network “dDMN, which may potentially reflect greater brain reserve associated with better cognitive function”.…”

“… Purpose in life promotes resilience against brain changes already observable in middle age [ 219 ]. The work of Abellaneda-Pérez and colleagues [ 219 ] is highly recommended and emphasizes the fact that “having a purposeful life implies larger functional integration” of the dorsal default-mode network “dDMN, which may potentially reflect greater brain reserve associated with better cognitive function”. Parents and teachers could help children and teens to find purpose in their lives using a combination of experiences, education, social needs, and values.…”

Risk Polymorphisms of FNDC5, BDNF, and NTRK2 and Poor Education Interact and Aggravate Age-Related Cognitive Decline

“…Furthermore, high cognitive reserve capacity throughout life attenuates the impacts of smaller hippocampal volumes and reinforces the compensatory effect of high cognitive reserve in neurodegenerative diseases [66]. Purpose in life promotes a reduction in the neuropathological effects observed in middle-aged individuals and, therefore, a positive impact on brain reserve and cognitive function [67]. In addition, physical activity associated with cognitive stimulation during leisure time contributes to the maintenance of cognitive reserve and has a protective impact on brain health [65].…”

Technology as an Ally: Renewed Resilience and Spirituality Through the Impact of Augmented Reality (AR) in the Context of Dementia and Cognitive Impairment

“…Cognitive resilience refers to a person's ability to maintain optimal cognitive functioning despite the presence of risk factors for cognitive decline such as aging, illness, and stress (Abellaneda-Pérez et al 2023). Cognitive resilience has been linked to improved quality of life and reduced risk of dementia and cognitive decline in older adults (Kivipelto et al 2018).…”