Social Activity and Cognitive Functioning Over Time: A Coordinated Analysis of Four Longitudinal Studies

Brown, Cassandra L.; Gibbons, Laura E.; Kennison, Robert F.; Robitaille, Annie; Lindwall, Magnus; Mitchell, Meghan B.; Shirk, Steven D.; Atri, Alireza; Cimino, Cynthia R; Benitez, Andreana; MacDonald, Stuart W. S.; Zelinski, Elizabeth M.; Willis, Sherry L.; Schaie, K. Warner; Johansson, Boo; Dixon, Roger A.; Mungas, Dan M; Hofer, Scott M.; Piccinin, Andrea M.

doi:10.1155/2012/287438

Cited by 56 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…However, the evidence of positive effects of cognitive engagement on cognitive change is inconsistent (Jak, 2012; Lövdén, Xu, & Wang, 2013). Greater cognitive activity and higher educational attainment, while being associated with better concurrent cognitive test scores, does not slow declines in cognitive performance (Brown et al, 2012; Vaughan et al, 2014; Zahodne et al,2011). Moreover, the benefits of cognitive and social engagement may be attenuated in healthy persons with high education (Vemuri et al, 2014), such as the participants of our study, and are quite modest even in an unselected community sample (Haslam, Cruwys, & Haslam, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Regional brain shrinkage and change in cognitive performance over two years: The bidirectional influences of the brain and cognitive reserve factors

et al. 2016

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We examined relationships between regional brain shrinkage and changes in cognitive performance, while taking into account the influence of age, vascular risk, Apolipoprotein E variant and socioeconomic status. Regional brain volumes and cognitive performance were assessed in 167 healthy adults (age 19-79 at baseline), 90 of whom returned for the follow-up after two years. Brain volumes were measured in six regions of interest (ROIs): lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC), prefrontal white matter (PFw), hippocampus (Hc), parahippocampal gyrus (PhG), cerebellar hemispheres (CbH), and primary visual cortex (VC), and cognitive performance was evaluated in three domains: episodic memory (EM), fluid intelligence (Gf), and vocabulary (V). Average volume loss was observed in Hc, PhG and CbH, but reliable individual differences were noted in all examined ROIs. Average positive change was observed in EM and V performance but not in Gf scores, yet only the last evidenced individual differences in change. We observed reciprocal influences among neuroanatomical and cognitive variables. Larger brain volumes at baseline predicted greater individual gains in Gf, but differences in LPFC volume change were in part explained by baseline level of cognitive performance. In one region (PFw), individual change in volume was coupled with change in Gf. Larger initial brain volumes did not predict slower shrinkage. The results underscore the complex role of brain maintenance and cognitive reserve in adult development.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Regional brain shrinkage and change in cognitive performance over two years: The bidirectional influences of the brain and cognitive reserve factors

et al. 2016

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“…Some individual studies have shown that social activities, larger social networks, and a history of social contact are associated with better cognitive function and reduced risk for cognitive decline [92][93][94][95][96][97][98][99][100][101]. However, an independent coordinated analysis of four longitudinal studies found no effect on cognitive functioning [102]. Looking at the totality of the evidence, most studies in this area are small, are combined with cognitive training and/or physical activities (making it difficult to disaggregate the potential benefits solely of social engagement), and/or are too dissimilar in types of social engagement to draw any conclusions.…”

Section: Social Engagementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Summary of the evidence on modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia: A population‐based perspective

Baumgart

Snyder

Carrillo

et al. 2015

Alzheimer's & Dementia

1,350

1,079

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An estimated 47 million people worldwide are living with dementia in 2015, and this number is projected to triple by 2050. In the absence of a disease-modifying treatment or cure, reducing the risk of developing dementia takes on added importance. In 2014, the World Dementia Council (WDC) requested the Alzheimer's Association evaluate and report on the state of the evidence on modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia. This report is a summary of the Association's evaluation, which was presented at the October 2014 WDC meeting. The Association believes there is sufficient evidence to support the link between several modifiable risk factors and a reduced risk for cognitive decline, and sufficient evidence to suggest that some modifiable risk factors may be associated with reduced risk of dementia. Specifically, the Association believes there is sufficiently strong evidence, from a population-based perspective, to conclude that regular physical activity and management of cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, obesity, smoking, and hypertension) reduce the risk of cognitive decline and may reduce the risk of dementia. The Association also believes there is sufficiently strong evidence to conclude that a healthy diet and lifelong learning/cognitive training may also reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

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“…18–22 There is a concern that positive associations have been observed previously because early cognitive decline may lead to social isolation (reverse causation). 23 Therefore, it may be important to use sensitive measures of cognition at study baseline in order to exclude participants with subtle cognitive impairments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Relationships and Risk of Incident Mild Cognitive Impairment in US Alzheimer’s Disease Centers

Brenowitz¹,

Kukull²,

Beresford

et al. 2014

Alzheimer Disease &Amp; Associated Disorders

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Social relationships are hypothesized to prevent or slow cognitive decline. We sought to evaluate associations between social relationships and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Participants from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center database who were cognitively normal, aged 55 and older at baseline, and had at least two in-person visits (n=5,335) were included. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models evaluated the association between four social relationships at baseline (marital status, living situation, having children, and having siblings) and risk of developing MCI (based on clinician diagnosis following established criteria). Primary models were adjusted for baseline demographics. Participants were followed, on average, for 3.2 years; 15.2% were diagnosed with MCI. Compared to married participants, risk of MCI was significantly lower for widowed participants (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76, 0.99) but not for divorced/separated or never married participants. Compared to living with a spouse/partner, risk of MCI was significantly higher for living with others (HR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.77) but not for living alone. Risk of MCI was not associated with having children or having siblings. These results did not consistently identify social relationships as a strong risk factor for, or independent clinical predictor of, MCI.

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Social Activity and Cognitive Functioning Over Time: A Coordinated Analysis of Four Longitudinal Studies

Cited by 56 publications

References 51 publications

Regional brain shrinkage and change in cognitive performance over two years: The bidirectional influences of the brain and cognitive reserve factors

Regional brain shrinkage and change in cognitive performance over two years: The bidirectional influences of the brain and cognitive reserve factors

Summary of the evidence on modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia: A population‐based perspective

Social Relationships and Risk of Incident Mild Cognitive Impairment in US Alzheimer’s Disease Centers

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