Stratifying Risk for Cognitive Decline in Older Adult Populations using the Geriatric Depression Scale.

Objectives: Late-life psychological symptoms in older adults such as depression and apathy have been increasingly associated with increased risk of cognitive and functional decline. The goal of this study was to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), pooling 3 unique cohorts of older adults to 1) develop a novel measurement model that distinguishes apathy from other domains of depression including dysphoria and cognitive concern and 2) evaluate if the measurement model distinguishes older adult populations with varied risk for cognitive decline.

Methods: We pooled the baseline waves of three older adult cohorts (N=1421).

Validation of a Malayalam Version of the Apathy Evaluation Scale.

Background: The apathy evaluation scale (AES) measures apathy, but its usefulness as a screening tool in diverse populations is limited without translation into more languages. To date, there is no reported translation of the AES into Malayalam, a language spoken by over 32 million people in the southern Indian state of Kerala. In the present study, we aimed to validate the Malayalam version of the AES.

Psychological predictors of incident subjective cognitive complaints in community dwelling older adults.

Background: Subjective cognitive complaint (SCC) is associated with future cognitive decline and may be a marker for clinical intervention in the progression to dementia. Among the viable predictors of SCC, psychological factors are clinically relevant, non-invasive early indicators of older adults at elevated risk.    This aim of this study is to determine whether psychological symptoms: dysphoria and apathy precede incident SCC in the dementia pathway.

Utilizing community engagement studios to inform clinical trial design at a Center of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease.

Despite the disproportionate burden of Alzheimer's disease in older adults of color, the scientific community continues to grapple with underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities in clinical research. Our Center of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease (CEAD) collaborated with a local community partner to conduct community engagement (CE) studios to effectively involve our community of diverse older adults in the early planning stages of a clinical trial. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, the in-person studio format was adapted to allow for virtual, real-time participation.

Mediation Analyses of the Role of Apathy on Motoric Cognitive Outcomes.

Recent literature indicates that apathy is associated with poor cognitive and functional outcomes in older adults, including motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), a predementia syndrome. However, the underlying biological pathway is unknown. The objectives of this study were to (1) examine the cross-sectional associations between inflammatory cytokines (Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP)) and apathy and (2) explore the direct and indirect relationships of apathy and motoric cognitive outcomes as it relates to important cognitive risk factors.

Feasibility of Problem Adaption Therapy in a Diverse, Frail Older Adult Population (PATH-MHS).

Unlabelled: The purpose of the Problem Adaptation Therapy - Montefiore Health System (PATH-MHS) pilot program was to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of PATH across a culturally, educationally, and functionally diverse cohort of older adults.

Methods: Clinicians referred 145 participants with depression and cognitive impairment to PATH-MHS. We completed analyses of the change in depression, disability and the association between baseline characteristics and remission of depression.

Telehealth for the cognitively impaired older adult and their caregivers: lessons from a coordinated approach.

The Covid-19 pandemic forced providers to alter their delivery of care to special populations, including older adults with cognitive impairment. The Montefiore-Einstein Center for the Aging Brain, a specialty multidisciplinary center for the evaluation and management of patients with neurodegenerative disorders, developed a coordinated approach (Coordinated Care At Risk/Remote Elderly program [CCARRE]) to reach our diverse population during the initial Covid-19 crisis in New York City, USA. In the tele-evaluation of the first 85 patients seen with CCARRE, we recognized unique factors that could improve patient care, lessen burden and optimize access to community resources.

Apathy and the Risk of Predementia Syndromes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Objectives: Apathy is a potential predictor of dementia in older adults, but this investigation has been limited to older adults with a preexisting neurological illness like mild cognitive impairment (MCI), stroke or Parkinson's disease. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between apathy at baseline and incident predementia syndromes, including MCI and motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), subjective cognitive complaints and slow gait, in community-dwelling older adults.

Method: We prospectively studied the association between apathy (using the 3-item subscale of the Geriatric Depression Scale [GDS3A]) and incident cognitive disorders in 542 community-dwelling older adults enrolled in the Central Control of Mobility in Aging study using Cox proportional hazard models.

Walking While Talking and Risk of Incident Dementia.

Introduction: Walking while talking (WWT) is a performance-based test of divided attention that examines cognitive-motor interactions. The purpose of this study is to examine the predictive validity of WWT for dementia and dementia subtypes.

Methods: We prospectively studied the associations of WWT performance at baseline with risk of developing incident dementia in 1,156 older adults (mean age: 78.

Screening Older Adults for Mental Disorders.

Avoidable disability associated with depression, anxiety, and impaired cognition among older adults is pervasive. Incentives for detection of mental disorders in late life include increased reimbursement, reduced cost, and less burden for patients and families. However, screening not aligned with diagnosis, intervention, and outcome assessment has questionable utility.

Effect of Maladaptive Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep among Community-dwelling African American Men at Risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Unlabelled: This study compared differences in both maladaptive beliefs and attitudes about sleep between African American (heareafter referred to as black) men at risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and those without OSA risk.

Methods: A convenience sample of 120 community-dwelling men provided sociodemographic, health and sleep data. A validated questionnaire was used to identify men at high risk for OSA and the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep (DBAS-16) scale was used to measure endorsed attitudes and beliefs about sleep.

Obstructive sleep apnea risk and psychological health among non-Hispanic blacks in the Metabolic Syndrome Outcome (MetSO) cohort study.

Introduction: This study assessed associations of depression and anxiety with risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among non-Hispanic blacks in the Metabolic Syndrome Outcome (MetSO) study.

Method: A total of 1,035 patients participated. ARES™ score ≥6 defined high OSA risk.

Associations of Short Sleep and Shift Work Status with Hypertension among Black and White Americans.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether short sleepers (<6 hrs) who worked the non-day-shift were at greater likelihood of reporting hypertension and if these associations varied by individuals' ethnicity. Methods.

Sleep Duration, Insomnia Symptoms, and Emotion Regulation among Black Women.

Introduction: This study explored the associations between sleep duration and emotion regulation among urban black women (mean age=59 ± 7 yrs).

Method: Eligible women (n=523) provided sociodemographic data during face-to-face interviews. We used the Comprehensive Assessment and Referral Examination Physical to measure health status; women also estimated their habitual sleep duration.

Sleep duration and reported functional capacity among black and white US adults.

Objective: Evidence suggests that individuals reporting sleeping below or above the population's modal sleep duration are at risk for diabetes, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases. Evidence also indicates that individuals with these conditions have reduced functional capacity. We assessed whether reported sleep duration and functional capacity are independently associated and whether individuals' race/ethnicity has an effect on this association.