Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, Jan 25, 2022
Participation in leisure activities and extensive social network have been associated with lower ... more Participation in leisure activities and extensive social network have been associated with lower risk of cognitive impairment (CI) and dementia. We examined whether leisure activities (cognitive solitary, cognitive group, social, physical, or creative activities) and social involvement are associated with less incidence of CI or dementia. Analyses were performed from data of 2933 cognitively intact individuals at baseline included in the AGES-REYKJAVIK study. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for incident CI and dementia in relation to cognitive individual, cognitive group, social, physical, and creative leisure activities as well as social networks. Models were adjusted for a number of known risk factors for cognitive decline. In 5 years, 12% of the cohort were diagnosed with CI or dementia. All leisure activities were associated with reduced likelihood of cognitive decline in the raw model, but in adjusted models, cognitive solitary [OR 0.49 (Confidence Interval (CI) 0.38–0.64)], cognitive group [OR 0.50 (CI 0.30–0.82)], and creative activities [OR 0.53 (CI 0.35–0.83)] were significantly associated with less cognitive decline. Analyses examining creative leisure activities independently, controlling for all other activities, suggested individuals participating in creative activities exhibited less CI [OR 0.64 (CI 0.41–0.98)]. Among social networks variables, frequency of meeting with friends and relatives was associated with reduced likelihood of CI [OR 0.49 (CI 0.31–0.75)]. Cognitive and creative leisure activities and frequent gatherings with friends and relatives are associated with reduced incidence of CI in this older cohort. Creative leisure activities might have special benefit for cognitive ability.
BackgroundFrailty is often associated with multimorbidity and disability.ObjectivesWe investigate... more BackgroundFrailty is often associated with multimorbidity and disability.ObjectivesWe investigated heterogeneity in the frail older population by characterizing five subpopulations according to quantitative biological markers, multimorbidity and disability, and examined their association with mortality and nursing home admission.DesignObservational study.ParticipantsParticipants (n=4,414) were from the population-based Age Gene/Environment Susceptibility Reykjavik Study.MeasurementsFrailty was defined by ≥ 3 of five characteristics: weight loss, weakness, reduced energy levels, slowness and physical inactivity. Multimorbidity was assessed using a simple disease count, based on 13 prevalent conditions. Disability was assessed by five activities of daily living; participants who had difficulty with one or more tasks were considered disabled. Differences among frail subpopulations were based on the co-presence of multimorbidity and disability. Differences among the following subpopulations were examined: 1) Non-frail (reference group); 2) Frail only; 3) Frail with disability; 4) Frailty with multimorbidity; 5) Frail with disability and multimorbidity.ResultsFrailty was present in 10.7% (n=473). Frailty was associated with increased risk for mortality (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.15–1.69) and nursing home admission (OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.16–1.93); risks differed by subpopulations. Compared to the non-frail, the frail only group had poorer cognition and increased inflammation levels but did not have increased risk for mortality (OR 1.40; 95% CI 0.84–2.33) or nursing home admission (OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.46–2.21). Compared to the non-frail, the other frail subpopulations had significantly poorer cognition, increased inflammation levels, more white matter lesions, higher levels of calcium, glucose and red cell distribution width and increased risk for mortality and nursing home admission.ConclusionsThe adverse health risks associated with frailty in the general older adult population may primarily be driven by increased disease burden and disability.
Caramazza and Miceli's (1990) theory of the organization of the graphemic buffer in writi... more Caramazza and Miceli's (1990) theory of the organization of the graphemic buffer in writing is assessed by comparing the performance of an English language graphemic buffer patient, AS, with their Italian language patient, LB. In many qualitative and quantitative aspects the writing of the two patients is remarkably similar. However, there is no trace in the writing of AS of the relative preservation in writing words with simple-CV structures over ones with complex-CV structures found in LB, which was the basis for Caramazza and Miceli's hypothesis of an orthographic syllable tier in the organization of the graphemic buffer. Possible differences in the relative salience of syllables between Italian and English and of differences in regularity of the sound-to-spelling transformations in the two languages are considered. It is argued, however, that the fundamental difference may arise through a greater reliance on phonological mediation by LB, with the relatively preserved syllabic level organization in his writing being phonologically rather than orthographically based.
No studies are available on the lay knowledge about dementia in Nordic countries. A survey was se... more No studies are available on the lay knowledge about dementia in Nordic countries. A survey was sent to 829 Icelanders aged 25 to 65 (61.2% female). 60.8% resided in the capital area of Reykjavik. About 90% or more recognized eight of eleven dementia symptoms, with females recognizing them proportionally more often than males. About 50% believed that an individual’s risk of developing dementia could be modified. For individual risk factors, agreement ranged from 4% (hearing loss) to 75.1% (history of brain injury). Knowledge about cardiovascular risk factors ranged from 24.8% (obese) to 43.6% (high blood pressure). Participants acknowledged the importance of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle, but only 8% identified a low education level as a risk factor. Public health campaigns and educational efforts about dementia should focus on the whole lifespan targeting all risk and protective factors operating throughout the lifespan.
Participation in leisure activities and extensive social network have been associated with lower ... more Participation in leisure activities and extensive social network have been associated with lower risk of cognitive impairment (CI) and dementia. We examined whether leisure activities (cognitive solitary, cognitive group, social, physical, or creative activities) and social involvement are associated with less incidence of CI or dementia. Analyses were performed from data of 2933 cognitively intact individuals at baseline included in the AGES-REYKJAVIK study. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for incident CI and dementia in relation to cognitive individual, cognitive group, social, physical, and creative leisure activities as well as social networks. Models were adjusted for a number of known risk factors for cognitive decline. In 5 years, 12% of the cohort were diagnosed with CI or dementia. All leisure activities were associated with reduced likelihood of cognitive decline in the raw model, but in adjusted models, cognitive solitary [OR 0.49 (Confidence Interval (CI) 0.38–0.64)], cognitive group [OR 0.50 (CI 0.30–0.82)], and creative activities [OR 0.53 (CI 0.35–0.83)] were significantly associated with less cognitive decline. Analyses examining creative leisure activities independently, controlling for all other activities, suggested individuals participating in creative activities exhibited less CI [OR 0.64 (CI 0.41–0.98)]. Among social networks variables, frequency of meeting with friends and relatives was associated with reduced likelihood of CI [OR 0.49 (CI 0.31–0.75)]. Cognitive and creative leisure activities and frequent gatherings with friends and relatives are associated with reduced incidence of CI in this older cohort. Creative leisure activities might have special benefit for cognitive ability.
This study analyzed aspects of the work of clinical neuropsychologists across Europe. There are n... more This study analyzed aspects of the work of clinical neuropsychologists across Europe. There are no published comparisons between European countries regarding the nature of clinical neuropsychologists’ work. Forty-one national psychological and neuropsychological societies were approached, of which 31 (76%) responded. Data from seven countries with less than 10 neuropsychologists were excluded. A license is required to practice clinical neuropsychology in 50% of the countries. Clinical neuropsychologists work independently in 62.5%. Diagnostic/assessment work is the most frequently reported activity (54%). Most neuropsychologists work in public hospitals, followed by health centers. Adult neuropsychology was the most frequent area of activity. Services in public institutions are covered by public entities (45.8%), or by a combination of patient funds and public entities (29.2%) and only 4.2% by the patient; whereas services in private institutions are covered by the patient (26.1%) a...
This work aimed to review main competency requirements from training models in countries with wel... more This work aimed to review main competency requirements from training models in countries with well-established specialties in clinical neuropsychology and to extract core competencies that likely will apply to clinical neuropsychologists regardless of regional and cultural context. We reviewed standards for post-graduate training in clinical neuropsychology from countries in Europe, Australia, and North America based on existing literature, presentations at international conferences, and from description of the training models from national psychological or neuropsychological associations. Despite differences, the reviewed models share similar core competencies considered necessary for a specialty in clinical neuropsychology: (1) In-depth knowledge of general psychology including clinical psychology (post-graduate level), ethical, and legal standards. (2) Expert knowledge about clinically relevant brain-behavioral relationships. (3) Comprehensive knowledge about, and skills in, rela...
Caramazza and Miceli's (1990) theory of the organization of the graphemic buffer in writi... more Caramazza and Miceli's (1990) theory of the organization of the graphemic buffer in writing is assessed by comparing the performance of an English language graphemic buffer patient, AS, with their Italian language patient, LB. In many qualitative and quantitative aspects the writing of the two patients is remarkably similar. However, there is no trace in the writing of AS of the relative preservation in writing words with simple-CV structures over ones with complex-CV structures found in LB, which was the basis for Caramazza and Miceli's hypothesis of an orthographic syllable tier in the organization of the graphemic buffer. Possible differences in the relative salience of syllables between Italian and English and of differences in regularity of the sound-to-spelling transformations in the two languages are considered. It is argued, however, that the fundamental difference may arise through a greater reliance on phonological mediation by LB, with the relatively preserved syllabic level organization in his writing being phonologically rather than orthographically based.
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, Jan 25, 2022
Participation in leisure activities and extensive social network have been associated with lower ... more Participation in leisure activities and extensive social network have been associated with lower risk of cognitive impairment (CI) and dementia. We examined whether leisure activities (cognitive solitary, cognitive group, social, physical, or creative activities) and social involvement are associated with less incidence of CI or dementia. Analyses were performed from data of 2933 cognitively intact individuals at baseline included in the AGES-REYKJAVIK study. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for incident CI and dementia in relation to cognitive individual, cognitive group, social, physical, and creative leisure activities as well as social networks. Models were adjusted for a number of known risk factors for cognitive decline. In 5 years, 12% of the cohort were diagnosed with CI or dementia. All leisure activities were associated with reduced likelihood of cognitive decline in the raw model, but in adjusted models, cognitive solitary [OR 0.49 (Confidence Interval (CI) 0.38–0.64)], cognitive group [OR 0.50 (CI 0.30–0.82)], and creative activities [OR 0.53 (CI 0.35–0.83)] were significantly associated with less cognitive decline. Analyses examining creative leisure activities independently, controlling for all other activities, suggested individuals participating in creative activities exhibited less CI [OR 0.64 (CI 0.41–0.98)]. Among social networks variables, frequency of meeting with friends and relatives was associated with reduced likelihood of CI [OR 0.49 (CI 0.31–0.75)]. Cognitive and creative leisure activities and frequent gatherings with friends and relatives are associated with reduced incidence of CI in this older cohort. Creative leisure activities might have special benefit for cognitive ability.
BackgroundFrailty is often associated with multimorbidity and disability.ObjectivesWe investigate... more BackgroundFrailty is often associated with multimorbidity and disability.ObjectivesWe investigated heterogeneity in the frail older population by characterizing five subpopulations according to quantitative biological markers, multimorbidity and disability, and examined their association with mortality and nursing home admission.DesignObservational study.ParticipantsParticipants (n=4,414) were from the population-based Age Gene/Environment Susceptibility Reykjavik Study.MeasurementsFrailty was defined by ≥ 3 of five characteristics: weight loss, weakness, reduced energy levels, slowness and physical inactivity. Multimorbidity was assessed using a simple disease count, based on 13 prevalent conditions. Disability was assessed by five activities of daily living; participants who had difficulty with one or more tasks were considered disabled. Differences among frail subpopulations were based on the co-presence of multimorbidity and disability. Differences among the following subpopulations were examined: 1) Non-frail (reference group); 2) Frail only; 3) Frail with disability; 4) Frailty with multimorbidity; 5) Frail with disability and multimorbidity.ResultsFrailty was present in 10.7% (n=473). Frailty was associated with increased risk for mortality (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.15–1.69) and nursing home admission (OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.16–1.93); risks differed by subpopulations. Compared to the non-frail, the frail only group had poorer cognition and increased inflammation levels but did not have increased risk for mortality (OR 1.40; 95% CI 0.84–2.33) or nursing home admission (OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.46–2.21). Compared to the non-frail, the other frail subpopulations had significantly poorer cognition, increased inflammation levels, more white matter lesions, higher levels of calcium, glucose and red cell distribution width and increased risk for mortality and nursing home admission.ConclusionsThe adverse health risks associated with frailty in the general older adult population may primarily be driven by increased disease burden and disability.
Caramazza and Miceli's (1990) theory of the organization of the graphemic buffer in writi... more Caramazza and Miceli's (1990) theory of the organization of the graphemic buffer in writing is assessed by comparing the performance of an English language graphemic buffer patient, AS, with their Italian language patient, LB. In many qualitative and quantitative aspects the writing of the two patients is remarkably similar. However, there is no trace in the writing of AS of the relative preservation in writing words with simple-CV structures over ones with complex-CV structures found in LB, which was the basis for Caramazza and Miceli's hypothesis of an orthographic syllable tier in the organization of the graphemic buffer. Possible differences in the relative salience of syllables between Italian and English and of differences in regularity of the sound-to-spelling transformations in the two languages are considered. It is argued, however, that the fundamental difference may arise through a greater reliance on phonological mediation by LB, with the relatively preserved syllabic level organization in his writing being phonologically rather than orthographically based.
No studies are available on the lay knowledge about dementia in Nordic countries. A survey was se... more No studies are available on the lay knowledge about dementia in Nordic countries. A survey was sent to 829 Icelanders aged 25 to 65 (61.2% female). 60.8% resided in the capital area of Reykjavik. About 90% or more recognized eight of eleven dementia symptoms, with females recognizing them proportionally more often than males. About 50% believed that an individual’s risk of developing dementia could be modified. For individual risk factors, agreement ranged from 4% (hearing loss) to 75.1% (history of brain injury). Knowledge about cardiovascular risk factors ranged from 24.8% (obese) to 43.6% (high blood pressure). Participants acknowledged the importance of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle, but only 8% identified a low education level as a risk factor. Public health campaigns and educational efforts about dementia should focus on the whole lifespan targeting all risk and protective factors operating throughout the lifespan.
Participation in leisure activities and extensive social network have been associated with lower ... more Participation in leisure activities and extensive social network have been associated with lower risk of cognitive impairment (CI) and dementia. We examined whether leisure activities (cognitive solitary, cognitive group, social, physical, or creative activities) and social involvement are associated with less incidence of CI or dementia. Analyses were performed from data of 2933 cognitively intact individuals at baseline included in the AGES-REYKJAVIK study. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for incident CI and dementia in relation to cognitive individual, cognitive group, social, physical, and creative leisure activities as well as social networks. Models were adjusted for a number of known risk factors for cognitive decline. In 5 years, 12% of the cohort were diagnosed with CI or dementia. All leisure activities were associated with reduced likelihood of cognitive decline in the raw model, but in adjusted models, cognitive solitary [OR 0.49 (Confidence Interval (CI) 0.38–0.64)], cognitive group [OR 0.50 (CI 0.30–0.82)], and creative activities [OR 0.53 (CI 0.35–0.83)] were significantly associated with less cognitive decline. Analyses examining creative leisure activities independently, controlling for all other activities, suggested individuals participating in creative activities exhibited less CI [OR 0.64 (CI 0.41–0.98)]. Among social networks variables, frequency of meeting with friends and relatives was associated with reduced likelihood of CI [OR 0.49 (CI 0.31–0.75)]. Cognitive and creative leisure activities and frequent gatherings with friends and relatives are associated with reduced incidence of CI in this older cohort. Creative leisure activities might have special benefit for cognitive ability.
This study analyzed aspects of the work of clinical neuropsychologists across Europe. There are n... more This study analyzed aspects of the work of clinical neuropsychologists across Europe. There are no published comparisons between European countries regarding the nature of clinical neuropsychologists’ work. Forty-one national psychological and neuropsychological societies were approached, of which 31 (76%) responded. Data from seven countries with less than 10 neuropsychologists were excluded. A license is required to practice clinical neuropsychology in 50% of the countries. Clinical neuropsychologists work independently in 62.5%. Diagnostic/assessment work is the most frequently reported activity (54%). Most neuropsychologists work in public hospitals, followed by health centers. Adult neuropsychology was the most frequent area of activity. Services in public institutions are covered by public entities (45.8%), or by a combination of patient funds and public entities (29.2%) and only 4.2% by the patient; whereas services in private institutions are covered by the patient (26.1%) a...
This work aimed to review main competency requirements from training models in countries with wel... more This work aimed to review main competency requirements from training models in countries with well-established specialties in clinical neuropsychology and to extract core competencies that likely will apply to clinical neuropsychologists regardless of regional and cultural context. We reviewed standards for post-graduate training in clinical neuropsychology from countries in Europe, Australia, and North America based on existing literature, presentations at international conferences, and from description of the training models from national psychological or neuropsychological associations. Despite differences, the reviewed models share similar core competencies considered necessary for a specialty in clinical neuropsychology: (1) In-depth knowledge of general psychology including clinical psychology (post-graduate level), ethical, and legal standards. (2) Expert knowledge about clinically relevant brain-behavioral relationships. (3) Comprehensive knowledge about, and skills in, rela...
Caramazza and Miceli's (1990) theory of the organization of the graphemic buffer in writi... more Caramazza and Miceli's (1990) theory of the organization of the graphemic buffer in writing is assessed by comparing the performance of an English language graphemic buffer patient, AS, with their Italian language patient, LB. In many qualitative and quantitative aspects the writing of the two patients is remarkably similar. However, there is no trace in the writing of AS of the relative preservation in writing words with simple-CV structures over ones with complex-CV structures found in LB, which was the basis for Caramazza and Miceli's hypothesis of an orthographic syllable tier in the organization of the graphemic buffer. Possible differences in the relative salience of syllables between Italian and English and of differences in regularity of the sound-to-spelling transformations in the two languages are considered. It is argued, however, that the fundamental difference may arise through a greater reliance on phonological mediation by LB, with the relatively preserved syllabic level organization in his writing being phonologically rather than orthographically based.
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