Relationship between the lifestyle and cognitive functions in elderly individuals
- Author:
Aiko Osawa
;
Shinichiro Maeshima
;
Jun Tanemura
;
Akio Tsubahara
;
Takako Yoshimura
;
Fuminori Ozaki
;
Hiroshi Moriwaki
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Neurology Asia
2012;17(1):31-37
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
We investigated the relationship between lifestyle and cognitive function in elderly subjects who had
their checkups at a memory clinic. The 136 elderly study subjects included 51 with Alzheimer’s disease,
22 with vascular dementia, 23 with frontotemporal dementia, 25 with mild cognitive impairment, and
15 healthy control. The patients’ lifestyles were assessed using the Frenchay activities index (FAI),
and their cognitive functions were assessed by neuropsychological tests, such as the mini-mental status
examination and the frontal assessment battery (FAB). The FAI score was lower in the demented
patients than in the control subjects. Strong correlations were observed between the FAI scores and
the scores in the neuropsychological tests. The FAI scores did not correlate with the educational level
or the duration of disease. The fi ndings from the stepwise regression analysis indicated that the FAB
score, the number of family members, gender, and age were factors independently affecting the FAI
score. The results indicated that the lifestyles of the elderly people might be affected by not only their
age and family organization but also their cognitive function. We concluded that cognitive function
could play a role in the lifestyle of elderly people.
- Full text:P020150707457790019211.pdf
