Cognitive function has a stronger correlation with "perceived age" than "chronological age, " especially in females: Biomarkers (non‐neuroimaging) / Novel biomarkers. (7th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kameyama, Yumi Umeda; Kameyama, Masashi; Kojima, Taro; Ishii, Masaki; Kidana, Kiwami; Yakabe, Mitsutaka; Ishii, Shinya; Urano, Tomohiko; Ogawa, Sumito; Akishita, Masahiro
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 16(2020)Supplement 4
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-12-07
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer Disease -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Démence; Maladie d'Alzheimer; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.83
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.037133
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-5260

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The perceived age of older adults, as measured by their facial appearances, has been demonstrated to be a robust biomarker of aging predictive of survival, telomere length, and DNA methylation and reportedly correlates with carotid atherosclerosis and bone status. This study aims to determine whether metrics of dementia, including general cognition, vitality, depressive state, and self‐supportability, have stronger correlations with perceived age than with chronological age. Method: Study subjects were admitted to the Department of Geriatric Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, on account of being suspected of cognitive decline between April 2012 and September 2019. Participants were photographed from the front and in profile from both sides. The mini‐mental state examination (MMSE), Vitality Index, geriatric depression scale 15 (GDS15), instrumental activity of daily living (IADL), and Barthel index were performed. Five experienced geriatricians and five experienced clinical psychologists determined the perceived age of participants based on photographs. Result: This study included 126 participants (47 male: average age 80.4±6.1, average MMSE 21.3±5.4, 79 female: average age 81.1±6.8, average MMSE 21.8±5.2 ) . The average values of the 10 raters showed excellent reliability (ICC(3, 10)=0.941). Steiger's test revealed that perceived age showed a significantly better correlation with MMSE (female), vitality index (total, female), and IADL (total) than did chronological age, but not with GDS15 or the Barthel Index. Conclusion: Perceived age was demonstrated to be a reliable biomarker for cognitive assessment especially in female.