TY - JOUR
T1 - Achieving and maintaining cognitive vitality with aging
AU - Fillit, Howard M.
AU - Butler, Robert N.
AU - O’Connell, Alan W.
AU - Albert, Marilyn S.
AU - Birren, James E.
AU - Cotman, Carl W.
AU - Greenough, William T.
AU - Gold, Paul E.
AU - Kramer, Arthur F.
AU - Kuller, Lewis H.
AU - Perls, Thomas T.
AU - Sahagan, Barbara G.
AU - Tully, Tim
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was cosponsored by the Institute for the Study of Aging, Inc, the International Longevity Center, the National Institute on Aging, and Canyon Ranch Health Resorts. The work was also supported by Pfizer, Inc, Eisai, Inc, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Neurochem, Inc, Elan Pharmaceuticals (formerly Athena Neurosciences, Inc), and the Fidelity Foundation.
Funding Information:
Nevertheless, more research is clearly needed to advance our knowledge of the prevention and treatment of cognitive aging. 2 Additional studies are needed to define the specific changes that occur with normal cognitive aging at the molecular, cellular, organ system, and individual levels. Research on biomarkers associated with cognitive impairment and advanced brain imaging techniques is also needed. Better animal models of cognitive aging must be developed for descriptive studies and the design of proof- of-concept prevention studies. Primary and secondary prevention trials for delaying cognitive aging in older persons, such as the ongoing cognitive aging studies within the Women's Health Initiative funded by the National Institute on Aging, are clearly needed. Further research is also needed with regard to behavioral interventions (such as cognitive training and physical exercise) that may promote cognitive vitality in older individuals.
PY - 2002
Y1 - 2002
N2 - Cognitive vitality is essential to quality of life and survival in old age. With normal aging, cognitive changes such as slowed speed of processing are common, but there is substantial interindividual variability, and cognitive decline is clearly not inevitable. In this review, we focus on recent research investigating the association of various lifestyle factors and medical comorbidities with cognitive aging. Most of these factors are potentially modifiable or manageable, and some are protective. For example, animal and human studies suggest that lifelong learning, mental and physical exercise, continuing social engagement, stress reduction, and proper nutrition may be important factors in promoting cognitive vitality in aging. Manageable medical comorbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, also contribute to cognitive decline in older persons. Other comorbidities such as smoking and excess alcohol intake may contribute to cognitive decline, and avoiding these activities may promote cognitive vitality in aging. Various therapeutics, including cognitive enhancers and protective agents such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, may eventually prove useful as adjuncts for the prevention and treatment of cognitive decline with aging. The data presented in this review should interest physicians who provide preventive care management to middle-aged and older individuals who seek to maintain cognitive vitality with aging.
AB - Cognitive vitality is essential to quality of life and survival in old age. With normal aging, cognitive changes such as slowed speed of processing are common, but there is substantial interindividual variability, and cognitive decline is clearly not inevitable. In this review, we focus on recent research investigating the association of various lifestyle factors and medical comorbidities with cognitive aging. Most of these factors are potentially modifiable or manageable, and some are protective. For example, animal and human studies suggest that lifelong learning, mental and physical exercise, continuing social engagement, stress reduction, and proper nutrition may be important factors in promoting cognitive vitality in aging. Manageable medical comorbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, also contribute to cognitive decline in older persons. Other comorbidities such as smoking and excess alcohol intake may contribute to cognitive decline, and avoiding these activities may promote cognitive vitality in aging. Various therapeutics, including cognitive enhancers and protective agents such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, may eventually prove useful as adjuncts for the prevention and treatment of cognitive decline with aging. The data presented in this review should interest physicians who provide preventive care management to middle-aged and older individuals who seek to maintain cognitive vitality with aging.
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U2 - 10.4065/77.7.681
DO - 10.4065/77.7.681
M3 - Review article
C2 - 12108606
AN - SCOPUS:0036303125
SN - 0025-6196
VL - 77
SP - 681
EP - 696
JO - Mayo Clinic Proceedings
JF - Mayo Clinic Proceedings
IS - 7
ER -