The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences
-
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Mar 2005
Comparative StudyApolipoprotein epsilon4 allele and problems with orientation are associated with a persistent decline in cognition in community-dwelling elderly persons.
A decline in cognitive test scores in elderly persons can signal the beginning of a descent into dementia or may indicate only a short-term cognitive disturbance. It would be clinically useful to distinguish between the two outcomes and to identify characteristics of each. ⋯ Persistent cognitive decline is an infrequent occurrence in community-dwelling elderly persons. Presence of the epsilon4 allele and errors made by the subject on questions of orientation may be useful in determining whether a cognitive decline is likely to be persistent.
-
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Mar 2005
Comparative StudyAge, hormones, and cognitive functioning among middle-aged and elderly men: cross-sectional evidence from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study.
This study examines interrelationships among age, hormones, and cognition for middle-aged and elderly men, and tests whether hormones predict lower cognitive functioning and mediate the age-cognition relationship. ⋯ The direct effects of hormones on cognition are not significant when salient factors are considered. Further, hormones do not mediate the age-cognition relationship; it is necessary to look to other explanatory pathways.
-
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Mar 2005
Comparative StudyPhysical disability contributes to caregiver stress in dementia caregivers.
Previous findings of studies on the impact of physical illness on caregiver health have been inconsistent. The authors wanted to determine whether physical disability, as determined by the SF-12 survey that provides information on both physical and mental health problems, contributes to caregiver stress. ⋯ Chronic disability as assessed by SF-12 PCS scores is independently associated with caregiver stress. These data suggest that caregivers of persons with dementia should be assessed for disabling physical conditions and mental health problems. In addition, reducing the impact of physical disability could ameliorate caregiver stress.