Auditory Processing but Not Peripheral Hearing Differs Between Older Adults With and Without Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Purpose: Impairments of hearing and auditory processing (AP) have been indicated as risk factors for dementia, but it remains unclear if persons with clinically diagnosed mild cognitive impairment (MCI) show such impairments. The objective of these analyses was to compare AP between those with and without a clinical diagnosis of MCI using a battery of AP measures.

Method: Data from 274 older adults from the Keys to Staying Sharp randomized clinical trial (NCT03528486) were analyzed.

The Preventing Alzheimer's with Cognitive Training (PACT) randomized clinical trial.

Background: To address the rising prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, effective interventions that can be widely disseminated are warranted. The Preventing Alzheimer's with Cognitive Training study (PACT) investigates a commercially available computerized cognitive training program targeting improved Useful Field of View Training (UFOVT) performance. The primary goal is to test the effectiveness of UFOVT to reduce incidence of clinically defined mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia with a secondary objective to examine if effects are moderated by plasma β-amyloid level or apolipoprotein E e4 (APOE e4) allele status.

Dynamic Useful Field of View Training to Enhance Older Adults' Cognitive and Motor Function: A Pilot Study.

Useful Field of View (UFOV) computerized cognitive training improves older adults' gait speed and balance and reduces dementia risk. We investigated a new form of UFOV training requiring physical movement, Training Under Cognitive Kinematics (TUCK). We hypothesized TUCK would be acceptable, feasible, and potentially efficacious to improve UFOV Test- and motor performance.

Indicators of Crash Risk in Older Adults: A Longitudinal Analysis From the ACTIVE Study.

This study aims to examine indicators of crash risk longitudinally in older adults ( = 486). This study applied secondary data analyses of the 10 years of follow-up for the ACTIVE study combined with state-recorded crash records from five of the six participating sites. Cox proportional hazards models were first used to examine the effect of each variable of interest at baseline after controlling for miles driven and then to assess the three cognitive composites as predictors of time to at-fault crash in covariate-adjusted models.

Applying the Health Belief Model to Quantify and Investigate Expectations for Computerized Cognitive Training.

Despite the demonstrated benefits of computerized cognitive training for older adults, little is known about the determinants of training behavior. We developed and tested scales to quantify expectations about such training, examine whether expectations predicted training adherence, and explore if training expectations changed from pre- to post-training. Participants (=219) were healthy older adults aged 55-96 years (=75.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of older driver interventions.

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize and quantify the effects of different driving interventions among older adults on outcomes of crashes, on-road driving performance, self-reported outcomes of errors and crashes, and driving simulator performance. Randomized controlled trials examining the effects of a driving intervention among older adults ≥ 50 years of age were included. Thirty-one studies were identified using a systematic literature review, and 26 were included in meta-analyses.

Are auditory processing and cognitive performance assessments overlapping or distinct? Parsing the auditory behaviour of older adults.

Objective: Auditory processing predicts cognitive decline, including dementia, in older adults. Auditory processing involves the understanding, interpretation, and communication of auditory information. Cognition is linked to auditory processing; however, it is disputed whether auditory processing is a separate construct distinct from cognition.

Cortical auditory evoked potentials in mild cognitive impairment: Evidence from a temporal-spatial principal component analysis.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered an intermediate transitional stage for the development of dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease. The identification of neurophysiological biomarkers for MCI will allow improvement in detecting and tracking the progression of cognitive impairment. The primary objective of this study was to compare cortical auditory evoked potentials between older adults with and without probable MCI to identify potential neurophysiological indicators of cognitive impairment.

Keys to staying sharp: A randomized clinical trial of piano training among older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment.

Background: The prevalence of dementia, the most expensive medical condition (Kirschstein, 2000 and Hurd et al., 2013 [1,2]), and its precursor, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are increasing [3]. Finding effective intervention strategies to prevent or delay dementia is imperative to public health.

Comparison of Subjective and Objective Measures of Hearing, Auditory Processing, and Cognition Among Older Adults With and Without Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Purpose: The aims of the study were to compare the Cognitive Self-Report Questionnaire (CSRQ; Spina, Ruff, & Mahncke, 2006) Hearing and Cognitive subscale ratings among older adults with and without probable mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to examine whether self-report, as measured by the CSRQ, is associated with objective measures of hearing, auditory processing, and cognition.

Method: Data analyses included 97 older adults of ages 61-91 years. Participants completed the CSRQ self-report measure as well as a battery of objective measures, including pure-tone audiometry, degraded speech understanding, temporal processing, and memory.

Examination of Heart Failure as a Predictor of Driving Cessation.

Cognitive dysfunction is a predictor of driving cessation in older adults and a common sequela of heart failure (HF). Although HF has been associated with an increased risk of driving cessation, the independent relationship between HF and driving cessation after cognitive function is considered remains to be established. The objective of these analyses is to examine HF as an independent predictor of driving cessation across three years among a cohort of older drivers in the United States.

Can Cognitive Speed of Processing Training Improve Everyday Functioning Among Older Adults With Psychometrically Defined Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Objective: The aim of these secondary analyses was to examine cognitive speed of processing training (SPT) gains in cognitive and everyday functioning among older adults with psychometrically defined mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Method: A subgroup of participants from the Staying Keen in Later Life (SKILL) study with psychometrically defined MCI ( N = 49) were randomized to either the SPT intervention or an active control group of cognitive stimulation. Outcome measures included the Useful Field of View (UFOV), Road Sign Test, and Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Test.

Speed of processing training results in lower risk of dementia.

Introduction: Cognitive training improves cognitive performance and delays functional impairment, but its effects on dementia are not known. We examined whether three different types of cognitive training lowered the risk of dementia across 10 years of follow-up relative to control and if greater number of training sessions attended was associated with lower dementia risk.

Methods: The Advanced Cognitive Training in Vital Elderly (NCT00298558) study was a randomized controlled trial (N = 2802) among initially healthy older adults, which examined the efficacy of three cognitive training programs (memory, reasoning, or speed of processing) relative to a no-contact control condition.

Systematic review and meta-analyses of useful field of view cognitive training.

Systematic review and meta-analyses were conducted of Useful Field of View (UFOV) training, which was evaluated by Institute of Medicine criteria. Forty-four studies of UFOV training from 17 randomized trials conducted among adults were identified in systematic review. Results addressing the Institute of Medicine criteria indicated that: (a) UFOV training enhanced neural outcomes, speed of processing, and attention.

Cognitive Training Enhances Auditory Attention Efficiency in Older Adults.

Auditory cognitive training (ACT) improves attention in older adults; however, the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms are still unknown. The present study examined the effects of ACT on the P3b event-related potential reflecting attention allocation (amplitude) and speed of processing (latency) during stimulus categorization and the P1-N1-P2 complex reflecting perceptual processing (amplitude and latency). Participants completed an auditory oddball task before and after 10 weeks of ACT ( = 9) or a no contact control period ( = 15).

Examination of the Psychometric Properties of the Geriatric Fear of Falling Measure Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in the United States.

This current study investigated the construct validity and reliability of the Geriatric Fear of Falling Measure (GFFM) among community-dwelling older adults in the United States. Eighty-eight participants were assessed on the GFFM together with demographics, falls, and fear of falling and falls-efficacy measures at baseline and an 8-week follow-up visit. Cronbach's alpha, regression analyses, and correlation analyses were used to examine the psychometric properties of the GFFM.

Auditory Processing of Older Adults With Probable Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Purpose: Studies suggest that deficits in auditory processing predict cognitive decline and dementia, but those studies included limited measures of auditory processing. The purpose of this study was to compare older adults with and without probable mild cognitive impairment (MCI) across two domains of auditory processing (auditory performance in competing acoustic signals and temporal aspects of audition).

Method: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Nasreddine et al.

Use, maintenance and dose effects of cognitive speed of processing training in Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: Recent research indicated that cognitive speed of processing training (SPT) improved Useful Field of View (UFOV) among individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). The effects of SPT in PD have not been further examined. The objectives of the current study were to investigate use, maintenance and dose effects of SPT among individuals with PD.

Mechanisms of the Hearing-Cognition Relationship.

This review provides a description of age-related changes in hearing and cognition, the relationship between hearing and cognition, and several potential mechanisms that underlie the relationship. Several studies have shown a significant relationship between peripheral hearing loss and cognitive impairment/decline but other studies have not. Furthermore, poor performance on measures of central auditory processing has been significantly associated with cognitive impairment.

The relationship between phytoestrogens and speed of processing.

Objective: This study examined the cross-sectional association between phytoestrogens and speed of processing. We hypothesized that higher levels of phytoestrogens would be related to better cognitive performance among older women.

Methods: Participants were from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and consisted of 200 older women (M = 74.

Depressive Symptoms, Cognition, and Everyday Function Among Community-Residing Older Adults.

Objective: The aim of this study was to understand the relationships among depressive symptoms, cognition, and functional performance in a community-based sample of older adults.

Method: Older adults ( N = 885) from the Staying Keen in Later Life study completed tests of executive function, speed of processing, and memory. The Center for Epidemiologic Depression Scale assessed depressive symptoms.

Association of Hearing Impairment and Subsequent Driving Mobility in Older Adults.

Purpose Of The Study: Hearing impairment (HI) is associated with driving safety (e.g., increased crashes and poor on-road driving performance).

Incremental validity of Useful Field of View subtests for the prediction of instrumental activities of daily living.

Introduction: The Useful Field of View Test (UFOV®) is a cognitive measure that predicts older adults' ability to perform a range of everyday activities. However, little is known about the individual contribution of each subtest to these predictions, and the underlying constructs of UFOV performance remain a topic of debate.

Method: We investigated the incremental validity of UFOV subtests for the prediction of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) performance in two independent datasets, the SKILL (n = 828) and ACTIVE (n = 2426) studies.

The Impact of Three Cognitive Training Programs on Driving Cessation Across 10 Years: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose Of The Study: Driving is important for older adults' health and well-being, yet little research has examined interventions to maintain driving mobility. As fluid cognitive abilities are strongly linked to driving, targeted cognitive training interventions may impact driving mobility longitudinally. This study assessed the effects of three different cognitive training programs (reasoning, speed of processing, and memory) on driving cessation in older adults across 10 years (n = 2,390).

Cortical auditory evoked responses of older adults with and without probable mild cognitive impairment.

Objective: Hearing loss has been well-documented as a risk factor for cognitive impairment, but the simple presence of hearing loss is not a sufficient predictor of cognitive decline. Although auditory behavioral research has not revealed an effective indicator of early cognitive impairment, a limited number of studies using cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) have shown promising evidence of an auditory neurophysiological indicator of early-stage cognitive impairment. The purpose of this study was to examine the P1-N1-P2 complex for indicators of cognitive impairment.