Frequent Sexual Activity Predicts Specific Cognitive Abilities in Older Adults

Wright, Hayley; Jenks, Rebecca; Demeyere, Nele

doi:10.1093/geronb/gbx065

Cited by 27 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 22 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Prolactin and sexual activity both have links to cognitive function. Prolactin is positively associated with neurogenesis and cognitive function [74] and frequent sexual activity is cross-sectionally associated with better performance on executive function tasks including fluency and visuo-spatial abilities [75]. Together, these findings support the inclusion of sexual activity in the set of cognitive health-promoting behaviors, along with exercise and sleep health.…”

Section: Pathways For Swa Enhancement and Corresponding Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Slow-Wave Activity Enhancement to Improve Cognition

Wilckens

Ferrarelli

Walker

et al. 2018

Trends in Neurosciences

101

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Slow-wave activity (SWA), and its coupling with other sleep features, reorganizes cortical circuitry, supporting cognition. This raises the question: can cognition be improved through SWA enhancement? SWA enhancement techniques range from behavioral interventions (such as exercise), which have high feasibility but low specificity, to laboratory-based techniques (such as transcranial stimulation), which have high specificity but are less feasible for widespread use. In this review we describe the pathways through which SWA is enhanced. Pathways encompass enhanced neural activity, increased energy metabolism, and endocrine signaling during wakefulness; also direct enhancement during sleep. We evaluate the robustness and practicality of SWA-enhancement techniques, discuss approaches for determining a causal role of SWA on cognition, and present questions to clarify the mechanisms of SWA-dependent cognitive improvements.

show abstract

Section: Pathways For Swa Enhancement and Corresponding Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Slow-Wave Activity Enhancement to Improve Cognition

Wilckens

Ferrarelli

Walker

et al. 2018

Trends in Neurosciences

101

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Several studies have demonstrated that cognitive dysfunction in this population is associated with hormonal disorders, including those arising as a result of hormonal therapy 33–35. In older adults from the non-PC population, better scores for cognitive functioning have been associated with sexual satisfaction and the frequency of sexual intercourse 36,37. To our knowledge, no study to date has investigated the relationship between sexual function and cognitive status in men undergoing radical prostatectomy for PC.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

<p>Cognitive function, depression, and anxiety in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy with and without adjuvant treatment</p>

Jarzemski¹,

Brzoszczyk²,

Popiołek³

et al. 2019

NDT

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in developed countries. Both PC and treatment for PC have an adverse impact on physical and mental well-being, and are associated with decreased quality of life. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between neuropsychological symptoms and clinical course in PC patients undergoing radical prostatectomy with or without adjunct therapy. Methods The cohort comprised 100 patients aged 50–77 years who underwent radical, laparoscopic prostatectomy for PC. Twenty-three patients with a more advanced clinical stage also received adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy and hormonotherapy). Clinical evaluation included self-report assessment, physical examination, and biochemical tests (testosterone and prostate-specific antigen). In addition, the presence and intensity of sexual dysfunction, urinary dysfunction, anxiety-depressive symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction were assessed. Results The group of patients undergoing complex therapy was characterized by a significantly worse result of deferred memory ( p =0.04). A significant correlation was found between post-surgery erectile function and scores for the visual working memory test (correct answers; VWMT-C; p =0.006) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression ( p =0.045) and anxiety scores ( p =0.02). A trend toward significance was also observed for simple reaction time (correct answers; p =0.09). A significant correlation was found between results for the delayed verbal memory test and all physical symptoms (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-total, p =0.02; International Index of Erectile Function-5, p =0.006). Similarly, a significant correlation was found between the VWMT-C and score for sexual dysfunction ( p =0.003). Conclusion Patients undergoing both surgical and adjunct therapy for PC are at risk for psychological burden and cognitive disorders. In the present cohort, physical complications of therapy were associated with depression, anxiety, and delayed memory dysfunction. Furthermore, this study has proven that fewer complications after surgery are associated with better psychological and cognitive functioning. Appropriate neuropsychological and psychiatric care can improve compliance and quality of life among patients after prostatectomy.

show abstract

“…For this reason, the study of sexuality in older adults requires multidisciplinary approaches that involve sexual attitudes and mental and physical fitness. Studies reported that elderly people with cognitive decline and dementia had fewer sexual activities than cognitively intact and nondemented persons [14, 15]. Moreover, scientific evidence [16] showed that there is a strict relationship between active sexuality, preserved cognitive function, thyroid function, and appropriate physical fitness in elderly subjects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of the Effects of a Six-Month Dancing as Approach for Successful Aging

Vaccaro

Izzo

Ilacqua

et al. 2019

International Journal of Endocrinology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Aging is accompanied by a decline in multiple domains. Positive effects of dance practice on several health issues have been evaluated in young adults, while the effects of regular social dance practice on physical fitness, sexual health, and cognitive functions have not been studied yet in older experienced dancers. Thus, the aim of this study has been to investigate whether a 6-month social dance practice might influence fitness performance, sexual health, and specific cognitive functions and/or mood characteristics in older experienced dancers. Thirty experienced dancers (age: 71.2±5.1 years, 18 females/12 males) were enrolled from the dance school “NonSoloLiscio” of Catanzaro. Body composition, physical fitness, sexual health, and cognitive functions were assessed before (T0) and after (T6) intervention. After 6 months of dance practice, percent of fat mass (%FM) significantly decreased (p<0.01), while fat-free mass (FFM) significantly increased (p<0.01) in both genders. Moreover, significant main effects of time on physical fitness tests, such as chair stand test (CST) (p<0.01), gait speed (p<0.05), and timed up and go (p<0.05), were found. Sexual health was significantly higher in males than in females at T0 and no significant effects of dance on subjects’ sexual health were found. Interestingly, trait of anxiety significant decreased (p<0.05) and perception of retrospective memory significantly increased (p=0.05) after training independently of gender. Our preliminary results suggest that, even in older intermediate-level dancer, the practice of social dance might positively influence body composition and also increase fitness performance, memory functions, and anxiety. In contrast, no effects on sexual health were observed after 6 months of dancing.

show abstract

Frequent Sexual Activity Predicts Specific Cognitive Abilities in Older Adults

Cited by 27 publications

References 22 publications

Slow-Wave Activity Enhancement to Improve Cognition

Slow-Wave Activity Enhancement to Improve Cognition

<p>Cognitive function, depression, and anxiety in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy with and without adjuvant treatment</p>

Characterization of the Effects of a Six-Month Dancing as Approach for Successful Aging

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About