Main objectives: To determine the changes in structural and functional measures over a two-year time period in healthy elderly volunteers, and to determine the association between structural and functional changes.Secondary objectives: Magnitude of…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
Synonym
Health condition
geen aandoening
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
Cognitive measures: Number of words remembered (15 word test), variable
representing the Simon effect for inhibition (Simon task), completion time
(TMT).
Imaging measures as derived from MRI scans: Whole brain grey matter volume,
cortical thickness in the superior frontal gyrus, FA of the prefrontal cortex
Secondary outcome
Main study parameters of cognitive performance consist of the default outcome
measures of each cognitive task. Regarding the MRI scans we derive volumetric
data of grey matter, white matter and cerebral spinal fluid,(mean) cortical
thickness, percentage of white matter hyperintensities in relation to brain
volume, and DTI scalar values (FA, MD, AD and RD). Standardized change scores
of these measures will be calculated.Further more information on reduction of
working hours and possible retirement will be taken into consideration.
Background summary
In general ageing is related to changes in cognition and brain structures. The
majority of studies examining the effects of age on brain and cognition have
used cross-sectional designs, that is, comparing groups of young- and older
adults in order to examine the effects of age. This however has it*s downsides
as there are large individual differences in both brain structures and
cognitive functioning (group heterogeneity), which are not taken into account.
The present study therefore aims at gaining a broad picture of age-related
changes in brain structure and cognitive functioning in a group of older adults
by using a longitudinal within-subjects design. Allowing for a more detailed
insight into the temporal dynamics of the ageing process. In our previous study
(*Age and performance: the relation between brain structure and cognition*) we
controlled for retirement as a possible cause of individual variation in the
older adults. However, the period of transition into retirement offers a unique
time window that allows to study adaption and coping over a period
characterized by substantial everyday-life changes that may affect overall
brain and cognition. Structural and functional changes over time will therefore
also be associated to major life events, such as reduction in working time and
retirement.
Study objective
Main objectives: To determine the changes in structural and functional measures
over a two-year time period in healthy elderly volunteers, and to determine the
association between structural and functional changes.
Secondary objectives: Magnitude of changes in structural and functional
measures will be inspected and associated to major life events, such as
reduction in working time and retirement.
Study design
The study will follow the same setup as executed in the study 'Age and
performance: the relation between brain structure and cognition', which will
function as the first measurement, in order to be able to compare the outcome
measures.
Data wil be collected on two seperate days. On day 1 participants perform the
cognitive tasks and on day 2 MRI data will be collected. Additionally
participants fill out a set of questionnaires at home beforehand.
During day 1, participants will perform a broad range of cognitive tasks: 1)
reaction time task; 2) selective and dived attention task; 3) inhibition task;
4) visual observational ability task; 5) working memory task; 6) semantic and
phonetic fluency tests; 7) 15 words test (verbal memory); 8) trial making test
(i.a. conceptual tracking ability); 9) Dutch reading test for adults
(crystallized intelligence); 10) WAIS matrices (fluid intelligence); 11) Clock
test (mental imagery manipulation), 12) Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and 13)
a driving simulator task.
During day 2 MRI data will be collected using a 3 Tesla Siemens MRI scanner.
The MRI protocol consists of a T1-weighted and a T2-FLAIR weighted scan and a
DWI scan. During scanning the participant is asked to lie as still as possible
and to relax as no specific task has to be exerted during scanning.
Participants will be fully informed about the nature and para meters of the
study and paradigm before the experimental sessions and after the second
session they will be fully debriefed.
Study burden and risks
In the MRI-scanner participants will be exposed to a field-strength of 3 Tesla
and scanner noise. Thus far ther is no evidence to suggest that exposing humans
to a magnetic field of this strength has a negative influence on health. Ear
protection will be provided to protect hearing from the noise. Participants
will not benefit directly from participating in the study, however the data
collected during this study will enhance our understanding of the relationship
between structural brain differences and cognitive performance in ageing.
Grote Kruisstraat 2/1
Groningen 9712TS
NL
Grote Kruisstraat 2/1
Groningen 9712TS
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
- Having participated in the study *Age and performance: the relation between brain structure and cognition*.
- Right-handed
- Normal (or corrected to normal) vision
Exclusion criteria
- Not matching the inclusion criteria
- MR incompatible (possibility of any incompatible metal objects inside the body)
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL66825.042.19 |
| Other | NL7637 |