Logo image
Longitudinal trajectories in cortical thickness and volume atrophy: Superior cognitive performance does not protect against brain atrophy in older adults
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Longitudinal trajectories in cortical thickness and volume atrophy: Superior cognitive performance does not protect against brain atrophy in older adults

S.L. Gardener, M. Weinborn, H.R. Sohrabi, J.D. Doecke, P. Bourgeat, S.R. Rainey-Smith, K-K Shen, J. Fripp, K. Taddei, P. Maruff, …
Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD, Vol.81(3), pp.1039-1052
2021
pdf
brain atrophy.pdfDownloadView
Published (Version of Record) Open Access
url
Free to Read *No subscription requiredView

Abstract

Background: Previous research has identified a small subgroup of older adults that maintain a high level of cognitive functioning well into advanced age. Investigation of those with superior cognitive performance (SCP) for their age is important, as age-related decline has previously been thought to be inevitable. Objective: Preservation of cortical thickness and volume was evaluated in 76 older adults with SCP and 100 typical older adults (TOAs) assessed up to five times over six years. Methods: Regions of interest (ROIs) found to have been associated with super-aging status (a construct similar to SCP status) in previous literature were investigated, followed by a discovery phase analyses of additional regions. SCPs were aged 70 + at baseline, scoring at/above normative memory (CVLT-II) levels for demographically similar individuals aged 30–44 years old, and in the unimpaired range for all other cognitive domains over the course of the study. Results: In linear mixed models, following adjustment for multiple comparisons, there were no significant differences between rates of thinning or volume atrophy between SCPs and TOAs in previously identified ROIs, or the discovery phase analyses. With only amyloid-β negative individuals in the analyses, again there were no significant differences between SCPs and TOAs. Conclusion: The increased methodological rigor in classifying groups, together with the influence of cognitive reserve, are discussed as potential factors accounting for our findings as compared to the extant literature on those with superior cognitive performance for their age.

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

Metrics

40 File views/ downloads
39 Record Views

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types
Industry collaboration
Domestic collaboration
Citation topics
1 Clinical & Life Sciences
1.52 Neurodegenerative Diseases
1.52.60 Dementia
Web Of Science research areas
Neurosciences
ESI research areas
Neuroscience & Behavior
Logo image