Different risk and protective factors predict change of planning ability in middle versus older age.

Josef M Unterrainer, Julia Petersen, Peter Schmidt, Mareike Ernst, Markus A Wirtz, Anna C Reinwarth, Felix Wicke, Jasmin Ghaemi Kerahrodi, Matthias Michal, Thomas Münzel, Jochem König, Karl J Lackner, Norbert Pfeiffer, Oliver Tüscher, Peter R Galle, Manfred Beutel, Philipp S Wild

Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hebelstraße 29, Freiburg, 79104, Germany. [email protected] of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hebelstraße 29, Freiburg, 79104, Germany. [email protected]. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

Age-related cognitive decline has become an increasingly relevant public health issue. However, risk and protective factors of cognitive decline have yet to be investigated prospectively taking into account genetic, lifestyle, physical and mental health factors. Population-based data from middle-aged (40 to 59 years; N = 2,764) and older individuals (60 to 80 years; N = 1,254) were drawn from a prospective community cohort study using the Tower of London (TOL) planning task. Assessments were repeated at a 5-year interval to investigate age-related changes in planning performance and to determine the impact of risk and protective factors. Planning performance improved in middle-aged, but declined in older participants over 5 years. SNPs affecting the dopamine system (COMT, DRD2) and APOE polymorphisms differentially predicted cognitive performance in older vs. middle-aged individuals. For older individuals, high alcohol consumption, antidepressant medication and living without a partner had additional negative predictive power on cognition. In contrast, undiagnosed hypertension, no obstructive lung disease, and fewer years of education predicted cognitive decline in the middle-aged group. The results inform screening for individuals particularly vulnerable to cognitive decline and interventions (e.g., focusing on lifestyle factors) to help maintain cognitive performance into old age.

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Research summary

The paper investigates cognitive decline, a significant aspect of aging, by identifying risk and protective factors that influence planning ability in different age groups. While it contributes to understanding cognitive changes with age, the findings are primarily observational and do not address the root causes of aging or propose interventions that could significantly alter the aging process. Thus, while relevant, the impact is limited.

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