Preliminary evidence for an increased likelihood of a stable trajectory in mild cognitive impairment in individuals with higher motivational abilities

Abstract

BackgroundMotivational abilities (MA), that describe skills in relation to goal-oriented behavior, have recently been found to be associated with neuropathological aging. Here we examine the impact of MA on the long-term course of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MethodsWe followed-up N = 64 individuals diagnosed with MCI (Mage = 73 years, 44% female) for 3 years. MA were assessed by long-term informants of the participants using two scales: motivation and decision regulation [Volitional Components Questionnaires, VCQ, (Kuhl and Fuhrmann, Decomposing self-regulation and self-control: the volitional components inventory, 1998)]. Cognitive abilities were assessed with the Mini Mental State Examination (J Psychiatr Res 12:189-98, 1975). Survival analyses and multilevel modeling (MLM) were applied to determine the predicting effect of informant-rated MA at baseline on the likelihood of MCI stability and on the trajectory of cognitive abilities.ResultsFifty percent (n = 32) of the MCI participants remained stable, while 32.8% (n = 21) and 17.2% (n = 11) converted to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or dropped-out, respectively. Survival analyses revealed that MCI cases with higher-rated MA at baseline were more likely to exert a stable course in MCI over 3 years (p = 0.036) when controlling for demographic characteristics and executive function. MLM analyses indicated that higher informant-rated MA at baseline were significantly related to higher cognitive abilities, even when controlling for MCI subtype (p = 0.030).ConclusionsThis study provides preliminary longitudinal evidence for a lower risk of conversion to AD and higher cognitive abilities by higher rated MA at an early stage of MCI.

Physical activity is associated with lower cerebral beta-amyloid and cognitive function benefits from lifetime experience–a study in exceptional aging

“…Especially participants with higher self-paced motivated extracurricular activities profit from better executive functions scores at later life [ 101 , 102 , 107 – 109 ]. Executive functioning is crucial for mastering everyday life: A recent study demonstrated in 452 MCI patients that executive function is crucial for progression of MCI to dementia [ 110 ].…”

Effects of functional tasks exercise on cognitive functions of older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled pilot trial

“…Interestingly, the waitlist control group demonstrated the highest compliance (100%) among the four groups and the group did not show significantly lower performance compared to the cognitive training group or the exercise training group in any outcome measures. Studies have shown motivational abilities of persons with MCI, which include the ability to decide to do a specific task and the ability to stay with the task, may have protective influence on their cognitive decline and are associated with the stability of MCI [28, 29]. Further studies including psychological outcomes such as motivational abilities might help better understand the potential contributing factors involved.…”

Associations and correlates of general versus specific successful ageing components

“…For instance, studies that applied diversely operationalised MR constructs found cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence for a protective influence of MR against abnormal cognitive decline (i.e. mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease) in later life (Forstmeier and Maercker 2008 , 2015 ; Forstmeier et al 2012 ; Thoma et al 2018 ). Regarding general motivational abilities (e.g.…”