A review of tobacco, alcohol, adiposity, and activity as predictors of cognitive change

Lo, Ada H.Y., Pachana, Nancy A., Byrne, Gerard J. and Sachdev, Perminder S. (2012) A review of tobacco, alcohol, adiposity, and activity as predictors of cognitive change. Clinical Gerontologist, 35 2: 148-194.


Author Lo, Ada H.Y.
Pachana, Nancy A.
Byrne, Gerard J.
Sachdev, Perminder S.
Title A review of tobacco, alcohol, adiposity, and activity as predictors of cognitive change
Journal name Clinical Gerontologist  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank C)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2012-03
Sub-type Review of research - research literature review (NOT book review
DOI 10.1080/07317115.2011.639856
Volume number 35
Issue number 2
ISSN 0731-7115
1545-2301
Start page 148
End page 194
Total pages 47
Place of publication Philadelphia, PA, United States
Publisher Routledge
Collection year 2013
Language eng
Abstract The global population is now aging rapidly, and cognitive impairment and dementia will be associated with increased disease burden worldwide. Recent research efforts have been directed at identifying risk and protective factors in both middle and late life in order to identify potential preventive interventions. Evidence from recent reviews indicates that modifiable risk factors such as tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, adiposity, and activities have significant impacts on cognitive function and dementia. However, it is not clear how these risk factors might influence within-person cognitive changes or rates of cognitive decline. We searched Medline and PsycINFO for prospective studies examining the effects of baseline and within-person changes in drinking, smoking, activity level, and adiposity on either cognitive functioning or cognitive changes. Because of the heterogeneity in methodology, a narrative review was used to summarize the findings. Forty-nine studies were found to be relevant to the current review-10 on smoking, 5 on adiposity, 12 on drinking, and 22 on activity level. This review found that smoking in general increased the rate of memory decline but not decline in language or visuospatial reasoning abilities. No consistent relationship between adiposity and change in global cognitive functioning could be found, regardless of whether adiposity was measured in mid-life or late life. Moderate alcohol consumption was shown to slow down decline in global cognitive functioning but not in specific domains. Finally, an active lifestyle physically, cognitively, and socially appeared to offer the most promise of slowing decline in global cognitive functioning, memory, and perceptual speed. Intervention programs targeted at modifying these lifestyle factors may have the potential of improving physical, mental, and cognitive health of our aging population, as well as enhancing overall quality of life.
Keyword Aging
Cognitive assessment
Women's health
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ
Additional Notes Version of record first published: 5 March 2012.

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Review of research - research literature review (NOT book review
Collections: Official 2013 Collection
School of Medicine Publications
School of Psychology Publications
 
Versions
Version Filter Type
Citation counts: TR Web of Science Citation Count  Cited 0 times in Thomson Reuters Web of Science Article
Scopus Citation Count Cited 0 times in Scopus Article
Google Scholar Search Google Scholar
Access Statistics: 35 Abstract Views  -  Detailed Statistics
Created: Mon, 09 Jul 2012, 10:17:36 EST by System User on behalf of School of Medicine