Preventing cognitive decline in healthy older adults

Abstract

G iven the increase in the aging population, the prevention of cognitive decline in healthy older adults deserves close attention. Mild cognitive impairment affects 10%-25% of people over the age of 70 years.1 Mild cognitive impairment involves cognitive decline beyond that normally expected in a person of the same age with preservation of function. Dementia is defined as cognitive decline in one of several cognitive domains, along with difficulty in functional abilities. The annual rate of conversion from mild cognitive impairment to dementia is about 10%. 2Given this rate, in combination with the aging population, it is estimated that the prevalence of dementia will double to more than 1 million Canadians over the next 25 years.

Funcionamiento cognitivo en adultos mayores: rol de la reserva cognitiva, apoyo social y depresión

“…En este estudio se consideraron dos covariables (edad y renta), ya que diferentes investigaciones de envejecimiento y cognición reportan que la edad tiene un influjo en el rendimiento cognitivo [42][43][44][45] , especialmente en la memoria, la función ejecutiva, la velocidad del procesamiento de información y el pensamiento. En la medida que aumenta la edad, los sujetos disminuyen su rendimiento cognitivo, pues la inserción de esta variable suprime los efectos que la depresión tiene en el funcionamiento cognitivo.…”

Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly

“…Nevertheless, Naqvi et al, in conclusions from their review, present the opinion that “The evidence for physical activity in preventing cognitive decline is weak” [1]. …”

“…It is in fact a normal, physiological process [1] and must be discerned from some pathological syndromes.…”

“…The annual rate of conversion from mild cognitive impairment to dementia is about 10% [1,19,20]. Dementia is defined as cognitive decline in 1 of several cognitive domains, along with difficulty in functional abilities.…”

Exercise is medicine, for the body and the brain

“…Adding fuel to the fire are publications such as a 2013 systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) ( prior to 31 October 2011) reporting 'weak' evidence for the effects of exercise on cognition. 4 We must highlight that the search strategy used in that systematic review failed to capture many pertinent papers providing evidence from RCTs that exercise promotes cognitive and brain plasticity not only in healthy older adults but also in those with cognitive impairment. Furthermore, there are a number of animal studies that provide insight into the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which exercise promotes neuroplasticity.…”