Association of Pulmonary Function with Cognitive Performance in Early, Middle and Late Adulthood

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary function has been associated with some measures of cognitive performance, mostly in late adulthood. This study investigated whether this association is present for a range of cognitive measures, at three stages of adulthood, and whether it remains after controlling for demographic, health and lifestyle factors. Method: The relationship between forced expiratory volume at 1 s (FEV₁), a measure of pulmonary function, and cognitive test performance was examined in three cohorts aged 20–24, 40–44 and 60–64. Results: After controlling for demographic variables, smoking, physical activity, and respiratory disease, significant associations between FEV₁ and cognitive test performance were evident in each age group for most cognitive measures. The association between FEV₁ and measures of speed increased with age. Conclusion: FEV₁ has a small but reliable positive association with cognitive test performance throughout adulthood, possibly reflecting a common physiological factor.

Effects of Cranial Radiation on Structural and Functional Brain Development in Pediatric Brain Tumors

“…The results suggest that cardiorespiratory fitness may moderate executive functioning in survivors of pediatric brain tumors. This finding has been corroborated in studies across the lifespan (Antsey et al 2004). …”

Association Between Mortality and Cognitive Change Over 7 Years in a Large Representative Sample of UK Residents

“…The covariates were chosen on the basis that each makes an independent contribution to mortality risk (39,40) and cognitive ability (41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48). Two models were fitted for each outcome: a) a demographic model including the corresponding HALS1 cognitive measure, age, and gender; b) a fully adjusted model controlling for the corresponding HALS1 cognitive measure, age, gender, social class, education, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and three measures of health status (BMI, BP, and FEV).…”

Opportunities and Challenges for Interdisciplinary Research

“…Chronic health conditions reflect serious limitations that may inhibit normal activities that promote the maintenance of cognitive function. Cognitive change has been linked to a number of chronic disease conditions, including cardiovascular disease (Geroldi et al, 2003;Hassing et al, 2002;Pavlik, Hyman, & Doody, 2005), pulmonary function (Anstey, Windsor, Jorm, Christensen, & Rodgers, 2003), type 2 diabetes (Cosway, Strachan, Dougall, Frier, & Deary, 2001;Crooks, Buckwalter, & Petitti, 2003;Hassing, Grant, et al, 2004;, stroke (Ostir, Raji, Ottenbacher, Markides, & Goodwin, 2003), and depressive symptoms (Wilson, Mendes de Leon, Bennett, Bienias, & Evans, 2004). Longitudinal data clearly are needed to assess the extent to which change in health conditions and disability status are linked to cognitive age-related change.…”