Association of Self-Reported Psychological Stress with Cognitive Decline: A Systematic Review

Franks, Katherine H.; Rowsthorn, Ella; Bransby, Lisa; Lim, Yen Ying; Chong, Trevor T.‐J.; Pase, Matthew P.

doi:10.1007/s11065-022-09567-y

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Prolonged and elevated cortisol levels have been linked to neurotoxic effects on these brain regions, contributing to cognitive impairments. Recent meta-analyses suggest that memory might be particularly vulnerable to high levels of neuroticism and perceived stress, but there is a research gap in areas like executive function that warrants attention in future studies [ 36 ]. An alternative explanation is that immune dysregulation associated with long-COVID contributes to the pathophysiology of long-COVID symptoms—a theory that has also garnered support in the context of ME/CFS, a clinical syndrome sharing numerous clinical similarities with long-COVID, including fatigue as the most prominent characteristic symptom [ 37 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Prospective Study on Neural Biomarkers in Patients with Long-COVID Symptoms

Vrettou,

Vassiliou,

Keskinidou

et al. 2024

JPM

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Background: this prospective observational study aims to assess serum levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), s100b, and total Tau in long-COVID patients, exploring correlations with symptoms, cognitive decline, mental health, and quality of life. Methods: Long-COVID patients visiting our outpatient clinic (February 2021–December 2022) were screened alongside age- and sex-matched controls. GFAP, s100b, and total Tau in serum were measured with ELISA. Cognitive function, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and quality of life were evaluated using MoCA, HADS (depression and anxiety), IES-R, and SF-36, respectively. Results: Sixty-five long-COVID patients and 20 controls were included. GFAP levels were significantly higher in long-COVID patients (p = 0.031), though not correlating with the presence of long-COVID symptoms. S100b and total Tau showed no significant differences between patients and controls. Nervous system-related symptoms were reported in 47% of patients. High rates of cognitive decline (65.9%), depression (32.2%), anxiety (47.5%), and post-traumatic stress disorder (44.1%) were observed. Over 80% of the study population scored below normative cutoffs for SF-36, indicating a significant impact on quality of life. Conclusions: in this long-COVID cohort with substantial psychological and cognitive symptoms, GFAP levels were elevated compared to controls, though not correlating with the presence of long-COVID symptoms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Prospective Study on Neural Biomarkers in Patients with Long-COVID Symptoms

Vrettou,

Vassiliou,

Keskinidou

et al. 2024

JPM

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“…Although previous research has shown an association between high levels of distress and greater cognitive decline among older adults [10], mixed findings have been reported [3]. This suggests that there may be individual factors that modulate the stress-cognition relationship.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While age is the greatest risk factor for cognitive decline, a substantial body of work suggests that modifiable risk factors account for a large proportion of the heterogeneity in cognitive aging trajectories [2]. Chronic stress is one such modifiable risk factor that is associated with poorer cognitive performance and an increased risk for cognitive decline, especially among older adults [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining a Healthy Lifestyle as a Moderator of the Relationship between Psychological Distress and Cognitive Decline among Older Adults in the NuAge Study

D'Amico,

Alter,

Laurin

et al. 2024

Gerontology

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Introduction: The objective of this study was to examine whether a healthy lifestyle composite score of social engagement, physical activity, and Mediterranean diet adherence moderates the association between psychological distress and global cognitive decline among cognitively healthy older adults (67+ years of age at baseline). Methods: A total of 1,272 cognitively intact older adults (Mage = 74.1±4.1 years, 51.9% female) in the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging (NuAge) completed a series of self-reported questionnaires to measure psychological distress and lifestyle behaviours, and the Modified Mini-Mental Examination (3MS) to assess cognitive performance at baseline and annually over 3 years. Results: Controlling for sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, greater psychological distress associated with steeper cognitive decline over time among males (B = -0.07, 95% CI [-0.12, -0.02]), but not females (B = 0.008, 95% CI [-0.03, 0.04]). Although a healthy lifestyle composite score did not statistically significantly moderate the distress-cognition relationship (B = -0.005, 95% CI [-0.02, 0.01]), there was an association between higher psychological distress and greater cognitive decline at low levels of social engagement (B = -0.05, 95% CI [-0.09, -0.006]), but not at high levels of social engagement (B = 0.02, 95% CI [-0.03, 0.07]). Conclusion: This study suggests that the potentially harmful impact of stress on cognitive function may be malleable through specific healthy lifestyle behaviours and emphasizes the importance of taking a sex-based approach to cognitive aging research.

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“…Understanding the interaction between modifiable risk and protective factors for age-related cognitive decline is an urgent public health priority from a dementia prevention perspective. Chronic stress is a well-known risk factor for poor physical and mental health outcomes in later life, including poor cognitive function and an increased risk of developing dementia in older adulthood (Franks et al, 2021(Franks et al, , 2022McManus et al, 2022). Recently, research on brain health and dementia prevention has emphasized the importance of taking a lifespan approach to understanding the factors that contribute to age-related cognitive decline (Livingston et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological Stress across the Lifespan and Cognitive Function among Older Adults: The Moderating Role of a Healthy Lifestyle

D’Amico,

Amestoy,

Fiocco

2024

Can. J. Aging

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This study aimed to (a) investigate the associations between indices of stress severity across the lifespan (early, middle, late life) and cognitive function among community-dwelling older adults, and (b) examine whether a healthy lifestyle composite score comprised of physical activity, healthy diet adherence, social engagement, sleep quality, and mindful relaxation moderates the associations between lifespan stress severity and cognitive function. Participants (n = 226, Mage = 68.2 ± 6.5, 68.1% female) completed questionnaires to measure stress and lifestyle behaviours, and three online neurocognitive tasks. No direct associations between stress severity and cognition were found. The healthy lifestyle composite score moderated the associations between early, midlife, and late-life stress severity and inhibitory control. Exploratory analyses suggest that this moderating effect may be sex-dependent. Despite study limitations and the need for additional research, findings provide preliminary support for the role of lifestyle behaviours in enhancing older adults’ resilience to the effects of stress on cognitive health in a sex-specific manner.

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Association of Self-Reported Psychological Stress with Cognitive Decline: A Systematic Review

Cited by 13 publications

References 53 publications

A Prospective Study on Neural Biomarkers in Patients with Long-COVID Symptoms

A Prospective Study on Neural Biomarkers in Patients with Long-COVID Symptoms

Examining a Healthy Lifestyle as a Moderator of the Relationship between Psychological Distress and Cognitive Decline among Older Adults in the NuAge Study

Psychological Stress across the Lifespan and Cognitive Function among Older Adults: The Moderating Role of a Healthy Lifestyle

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