OBJECTIVES:Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) are projected to increase in the Latino population. Physical activity (PA) and adhering to the Mediterranean-DASH diet for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) have been shown to reduce the risk of AD/ADRD. However, limited research has explored Spanish-speaking Latinos' perceptions of PA and nutritional changes for brain health. Thus, the purpose of this study was to (1) explore Latinos' perceptions of brain health and health behavior modifications related to PA and nutrition to promote brain health and (2) amplify the voices of low-income, Spanish-speaking, middle-aged and older Latinos to inform culturally tailored interventions. DESIGN:The present study used a qualitative inquiry approach. Focus groups were conducted and analyzed by bilingual and bicultural researchers. Transcripts were open and axially coded through an inductive and deductive approach to identify major themes. RESULTS:Four focus groups were conducted with 26 middle-aged and older Spanish-speaking Latinos. Most participants were women (76.9%; n = 20), with an average age of 64.3 years. Four major themes were extracted: (1) knowledge and concerns about memory loss and Alzheimer's disease (AD); (2) strategies to prevent memory loss; (3) motivators for health behavior change; and (4) barriers to health behavior change. CONCLUSION:Spanish-speaking middle-aged and older Latinos had limited knowledge about AD/ADRD and expressed concerns about its impact on the Latino community. Findings highlight the need to create culturally tailored Spanish-language educational materials that emphasize the role of PA and nutrition in reducing AD/ADRD risk. Furthermore, future studies should address cultural and structural barriers to behavior change, including familism, low socioeconomic status, and limited awareness to reduce brain health disparities in this population.

Background: Higher allostatic load (AL), a multi-system measure of physiological dysregulation considered a proxy for chronic stress exposure, is associated with poorer global cognition (GC) in older non-Hispanic white adults. However, evidence of these associations in middle-aged and older US-based Hispanic/Latino adults is limited. Objective: To examine associations of AL with level of cognition, performance in cognition 7 years later, and change in cognition over 7 years among middle-aged and older US-based Hispanic/Latino adults. Methods: We used data (n = 5,799, 45–74 years at baseline) from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) and SOL-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA). The AL score comprised 16 biomarkers representing cardiometabolic, glucose, cardiopulmonary, parasympathetic, and inflammatory systems (higher scores = greater dysregulation). Cognitive outcomes included GC and individual tests of verbal learning and memory, world fluency (WF), Digit Symbol Substitution (DSS), and Trail Making (Parts A & B). Survey-linear regressions assessed associations of AL with performance in cognition at baseline, 7 years later, and via 7-year cognitive change scores adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and depressive symptoms. Results: Higher AL was associated with lower baseline performance in GC and WF; and lower 7-year follow-up performance in these same measures plus DSS and Trail Making Parts A & B. Higher AL was associated with more pronounced 7-year change (reduction) in GC and on WF and DSS tests. Conclusions: Findings extend previous evidence in predominantly older non-Hispanic white cohorts to show that AL is related to level of and change in GC (as well as WF and DSS) among middle-aged and older US-based Hispanic/Latino adults.

APOE -ɛ4 risk on Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) differs between race/ethnic groups, presumably due to ancestral genomic background surrounding the APOE locus. We studied whether African and Amerindian ancestry-enriched genetic variants in the APOE region modify the effect of the APOE -ɛ4 alleles on Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in Hispanics/Latinos. We defined African and Amerindian ancestry-enriched variants as those common in one Hispanic/Latino parental ancestry and rare in the other two. We identified such variants in the APOE region with a predicted moderate impact based on the SnpEff tool. We tested their interaction with APOE -ɛ4 on MCI in the Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA) population and African Americans from the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) study. We identified 5 Amerindian and 14 African enriched variants with an expected moderate effect. A suggestive significant interaction ( p -value = 0.01) was found for one African-enriched variant, rs8112679, located in the ZNF222 gene fourth exon. Our results suggest there are no ancestry-enriched variants with large effect sizes of interaction effects with APOE -ɛ4 on MCI in the APOE region in the Hispanic/Latino population. Further studies are needed in larger datasets to identify potential interactions with smaller effect sizes.

INTRODUCTION:Few studies have examined the associations of psychosocial factors with cognitive change in Hispanics/Latinos. METHODS:Data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (HCHS/SOL INCA) and Sociocultural studies were used (n = 2,155; ages ≥45 years). Psychosocial exposures included intrapersonal (ethnic identity, optimism, purpose in life), interpersonal (family cohesion, familism, social networks, social support), and social factors (ethnic discrimination, loneliness, subjective social status). Survey-linear regression models examined associations between psychosocial exposures and 7-year cognitive change (global cognition [GC], verbal learning, memory, word fluency [WF], and digit symbol substitution [DSS]). RESULTS:Familism predicted decline in GC, verbal learning, and memory; family cohesion predicted DSS decline; and loneliness predicted memory decline. Ethnic identity was protective against decline in GC and memory, optimism and social support were protective against decline in memory, and purpose in life was protective against WF decline. DISCUSSION:Psychosocial factors are differentially related to cognitive changes. Culturally relevant factors should be explored in Hispanic/Latino cognitive aging research. HIGHLIGHTS:Psychosocial factors are differentially related to cognitive changes in Latinos. Role of culturally relevant factors on cognition should be further explored. Familism predicted decline in global cognition, verbal learning, and memory. Ethnic identity predicted increase in global cognition and memory.

OBJECTIVES:Derive latent profiles of accelerometry-measured moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for Hispanic/Latino adults, examine associations between latent MVPA profiles and neurocognition, and describe profiles via self-reported MVPA. METHODS:Complex survey design methods were applied to cross-sectional data from 7,672 adults ages 45-74 years in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL; 2008-2011). MVPA was measured via hip-worn accelerometers. Latent profile analysis was applied to derive latent MVPA profiles (minutes/day of week). Neurocognition was assessed with the Brief-Spanish English Verbal Learning Test (B-SEVLT) Sum, B-SEVLT Recall, Controlled Oral Word Association Test (word fluency), and Digit Symbol Substitution (DSS) test. All tests were z-scored, and a global neurocognition score was generated by averaging across scores. Survey linear regression models were used to examine associations between latent MVPA profiles and neurocognitive measures. Self-reported MVPA domains were estimated (occupational, transportation, and recreational) for each latent profile. RESULTS:Four latent MVPA profiles from the overall adult target population (18-74 years) were derived and putatively labeled: No MVPA, low, moderate, and high. Only the high MVPA profile (compared to moderate) was associated with lower global neurocognition. Sensitivity analyses using latent MVPA profiles with only participants aged 45-74 years showed similar profiles, but no associations between latent MVPA profiles and neurocognition. The occupational MVPA domain led in all latent MVPA profiles. DISCUSSION:We found no consistent evidence to link accelerometry-measured MVPA profiles to neurocognitive function. Research to better characterize the role of high occupational MVPA in relation to neurocognition among Hispanic/Latino adults are needed.

Background Physical activity (PA) is a promising method to improve cognition among middle-aged and older adults. Latinos are at high risk for cognitive decline and engaging in low levels of PA. Culturally relevant PA interventions for middle-aged and older Latinos are critically needed to reduce risk of cognitive decline. We examined changes in cognitive performance among middle-aged and older Latinos participating in the BAILAMOS™ dance program or a health education group and compared the mediating effects of PA between group assignment and change in cognitive domains. Methods Our 8-month randomized controlled trial tested BAILAMOS™, a 4-month Latin dance program followed by a 4-month maintenance phase. A total of 333 older Latinos aged 55+ were randomized to either BAILAMOS™, or to a health education control group. Neuropsychological tests were administered, scores were converted to z-scores, and specific domains (i.e., executive function, episodic memory, and working memory) were derived. Self-reported PA was assessed, and we reported categories of total PA, total leisure PA, and moderate-to-vigorous PA as minutes/week. A series of ANCOVAs tested changes in cognitive domains at 4 and 8 months. A mediation analysis tested the mediating effects of each PA category between group assignment and a significant change in cognition score. Results The ANCOVAs found significant improvement in working memory scores among participants in the dance group at month 8 [F(1,328) = 5.79, p = 0.017, d = 0.20], but not in executive functioning [F(2,328) = 0.229, p = 0.80, Cohen’s d = 0.07] or episodic memory [F(2,328) = 0.241, p = 0.78, Cohen’s d = 0.05]. Follow-up mediation models found that total PA mediated the relationship between group assignment and working memory, in favor of the dance group (β = 0.027, 95% CI [0.0000, 0.0705]). Similarly, total leisure PA was found to mediate this relationship [β = 0.035, 95% CI (0.0041, 0.0807)]. Conclusion A 4-month Latin dance program followed by a 4-month maintenance phase improved working memory among middle-aged and older Latinos. Improvements in working memory were mediated by participation in leisure PA. Our results support the current literature that leisure time PA influences cognition and highlight the importance of culturally relevant PA modalities for Latinos. Clinical Trial Registration [www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT01988233].

OBJECTIVES:Identifying sociocultural correlates of neurocognitive dysfunction among Hispanics/Latinos, and their underlying biological pathways, is crucial for understanding disparities in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. We examined cross-sectional associations between stress and neurocognition, and the role that metabolic syndrome (MetS) and systemic inflammation might play in these associations.METHOD:Participants included 3,045 adults aged 45-75 (56% female, education 0-20+ years, 86% Spanish-speaking, 23% U.S.-born), enrolled in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos and its Sociocultural Ancillary Study. Global neurocognition was the primary outcome and operationalized as the average of the z scores of measures of learning and memory, word fluency, and processing speed. Stress measures included self-report assessments of stress appraisal (perceived and acculturative stress) and exposure to chronic and traumatic stressors. MetS was defined via established criteria including waist circumference, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose, and high levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Systemic inflammation was represented by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).RESULTS:Separate survey multivariable linear regression models adjusting for covariates showed that higher perceived (b = -0.004, SE = 0.002, p < .05) and acculturative stress (b = -0.004, SE = 0.001, p < .0001) were significantly associated with worse global neurocognition, while lifetime exposure to traumatic stressors was associated with better global neurocognition (b = 0.034, SE = 0.009, p < .001). Neither MetS nor hs-CRP were notable pathways in the association between stress and neurocognition; rather, they were both independently associated with worse neurocognition in models including stress measures (ps < .05).DISCUSSION:These cross-sectional analyses suggest that stress appraisal, MetS, and systemic inflammation may be targets to reduce neurocognitive dysfunction among Hispanics/Latinos.

Background Latinos are the fastest growing minority group of the older adult population. Although physical activity (PA) has documented health benefits, older Latinos are less likely to engage in leisure time PA than older non-Latino whites. Dance, popular among Latinos, holds promise as a culturally relevant form of PA. Purpose To describe self-reported and device-assessed changes in PA as a result of a randomized controlled trial of BAILAMOS, a 4-month Latin dance program with a 4-month maintenance program, versus a health education control group. Methods Adults, aged 55+, Latino/Hispanic, Spanish speaking, with low PA levels at baseline, and risk for disability were randomized to the dance program (n = 167) or health education condition (n = 166). Data were analyzed using multilevel modeling with full information maximum likelihood. Results A series of multilevel models revealed significant time × group interaction effects for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), dance PA, leisure PA, and total PA. Exploring the interaction revealed the dance group to significantly increase their MVPA, dance PA, leisure PA, and total PA at months 4 and 8. Household PA and activity counts from accelerometry data did not demonstrate significant interaction effects. Conclusions The study supports organized Latin dance programs to be efficacious in promoting self-reported PA among older Latinos. Efforts are needed to make dancing programs available and accessible, and to find ways for older Latinos to add more PA to their daily lives. Clinical Trial information NCT01988233.

BACKGROUND:Population-based studies typically rely on self-reported medical diagnosis (SRMD) of mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/dementia; however, links to objective neurocognitive function have not been established. OBJECTIVE:Examine the association between SRMD of MCI/dementia and objective neurocognitive function among Hispanic/Latino adults. METHODS:We conducted a case-control study using the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) baseline data and its ancillary SOL-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA) at visit 2. Hispanic/Latino adults aged 50 years and older (n = 593) were administered neurocognitive tests: the Six-Item Screener (SIS), Brief-Spanish English Verbal Learning Test (B-SVELT Sum), B-SVELT Recall, Word Fluency Test (WF), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSS), and Trail Making Test A and B. Individual and global neurocognitive function scores were used for analyses. Propensity matching techniques and survey generalized linear regression models were used to compare SRMD of MCI/dementia with demographic, psychological, and cardiovascular risk matched controls. Complex survey design methods were applied. RESULTS:There were 121 cases of SRMD of MCI/dementia and 472 propensity matched controls. At baseline, compared to matched controls, cases showed no differences in neurocognitive function (p > 0.05). At SOL-INCA visit 2, cases had poorer scores in global neurocognitive function (p < 0.05), B-SEVLT Sum, B-SEVLT Recall, WF, DSS, and Trail A (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION:Observed differences in neurocognitive test scores between SRMD of MCI/dementia cases and matched controls were present at visit 2, but not at baseline in middle-aged and older Hispanic/Latino adults. These findings present initial evidence of the potential utility of SRMD of MCI/dementia in epidemiologic studies, where obtaining confirmation of diagnosis may not be feasible.

Background: Detailed information on associations between accelerometer-measured moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and cardiovascular (CV) health among Hispanic/Latino adults are unavailable. Methods: Cross-sectional data from 12,008 Hispanic/Latino adults aged 18-74 years in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) 2008-2011 were analyzed using complex survey design methods. Poisson regression models were used to examine the associations between accelerometer-measured MVPA and CV health indicators (blood glucose, total cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index [BMI], and smoking) and a composite of low CV risk. Results: Compared to high MVPA, low MVPA was associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, smoking, but not hypertension. Low MVPA was associated with lower prevalence of ideal blood glucose, blood pressure, BMI and low CV risk. Similar results were observed with non-adherence of PA guideline recommendations. Conclusions: Overall in Hispanic/Latino adults, high accelerometer-measured MVPA and meeting PA guideline recommendations were associated with favorable CV health.

Background: Hispanics/Latinos in the United States are more likely to live in neighborhoods with greater exposure to air pollution and are projected to have the largest increase in dementia among race/ethnic minority groups. Objective: We examined the associations of air pollution with performance on cognitive function tests in Hispanic/Latino adults. Methods: We used data from the San Diego site of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, an ongoing cohort of Hispanics/Latinos. This analysis focused on individuals >= 45 years of age who completed a neurocognitive battery examining overall mental status, verbal learning, memory, verbal fluency, and executive function (n = 2,089). Air pollution (PM2.5 and O-3) before study baseline was assigned to participants' zip code. Logistic and linear regression were used to estimate the associations of air pollution on overall mental status and domain-specific standardized test scores. Models accounted for complex survey design, demographic, and socioeconomic characteristics. Results: We found that for every 10 mu g/m(3) increase in PM2.(5), verbal fluency worsened (beta: -0.21 [95% CI: -0.68, 0.25]). For every 10 ppb increase in O-3, verbal fluency and executive function worsened (beta: -0.19 [95% CI: -0.34, -0.03]; beta: -0.01 [95% CI: -0.01, 0.09], respectively). We did not identify any detrimental effect of pollutants on other domains. Conclusion: Although we found suggestions that air pollution may impact verbal fluency and executive function, we observed no consistent or precise evidence to suggest an adverse impact of air pollution on cognitive level among this cohort of Hispanic/Latino adults.

INTRODUCTION:Despite increased risk of cognitive decline in Hispanics/Latinos, research on early risk markers of Alzheimer's disease in this group is lacking. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may be an early risk marker of pathological aging. We investigated associations of SCD with objective cognition among a diverse sample of Hispanics/Latinos living in the United States.METHODS:SCD was measured with the Everyday Cognition Short Form (ECog-12) and cognitive performance with a standardized battery in 6125 adults aged ≥ 50 years without mild cognitive impairment or dementia (x̄age  = 63.2 years, 54.5% women). Regression models interrogated associations of SCD with objective global, memory, and executive function scores.RESULTS:Higher SCD was associated with lower objective global (B = -0.16, SE = 0.01), memory (B = -0.13, SE = 0.02), and executive (B = -0.13, SE = 0.02, p's < .001) function composite scores in fully adjusted models.DISCUSSION:Self-reported SCD, using the ECog-12, may be an indicator of concurrent objective cognition in diverse middle-aged and older community-dwelling Hispanics/Latinos.

Psychosocial factors including intrapersonal and interpersonal resources and social stressors are associated with changes in cognition in older non-Hispanic whites and Blacks. Few studies have examined these associations in Hispanics/Latinos, the largest ethnic/racial group in the US, or evaluated ethnically-based psychosocial factors that may be more relevant to this population. We examined whether psychosocial factors predict seven-year cognitive changes among US Hispanics/Latinos. Data from the parent HCHS/SOL, and Sociocultural and SOL-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging ancillary studies were used (n= 2,158; ages 45+). Baseline psychosocial factors included: intrapersonal factors (optimism; purpose in life), interpersonal factors (family cohesion; social network embeddedness; social support), social stressors (loneliness; subjective social status), and ethnically-based factors (ethnic identity; familism; perceived ethnic discrimination). Outcomes were changes in individual test scores for episodic learning and memory (B-SEVLT-Sum and SEVLT-Recall), word fluency (WF), and processing speed (Digit Symbol Substitution, DSS) derived using regressions adjusting for time between assessments. Survey linear regression models were used to examine the associations between each psychosocial factor (z-scores) and 7-year changes in cognitive outcomes adjusting for age, sex, education, income, Hispanic/Latino background, language preference, and depressive symptoms. Mean age was 55.9±7.9 years; females 54% of target population. Higher (baseline) levels of familism [(β SEVLT-Sum (SE))= -0.08 (0.03), P <0.05)] predicted seven-year decline in verbal learning. Higher optimism [β SEVLT-Recall = 0.09 (0.03), P <0.01], social support [β SEVLT-Recall = 0.07 (0.03), P <0.05], and ethnic identity [β SEVLT-Recall = 0.06 (0.03), P <0.05] each predicted increase in memory. Higher familism [β SEVLT-Recall = -0.08 (0.03), P <0.05] and loneliness [β SEVLT-Recall = -0.06 (0.03), P <0.05] each predicted decline in memory. Higher purpose in life [β WF = 0.07 (0.03), P <0.05] predicted increase in word fluency. Higher family cohesion [β DSS = -0.08 (0.03, P <0.01) predicted decline in processing speed. Social network embeddedness, subjective social status, and perceived ethnic discrimination were not associated with any outcome. Psychosocial factors differentially related to changes in cognition. Results confirm previous studies in non-Hispanic whites on associations of optimism, purpose in life, social support, and loneliness with select cognitive tests. They also highlight that ethnic identity and familism are ethnically-based psychosocial factors that should be considered when examining healthy cognitive aging in US Hispanics/Latinos.

Objective The cross-sectional association between accelerometer-measured physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB) and cardiac structure and function is less well described. This study’s primary aim was to compare echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function with accelerometer measured PA and SB.Methods Participants included 1206 self-identified Hispanic/Latino men and women, age 45–74 years, from the Echocardiographic Study of Latinos. Standard echocardiographic measures included M-mode, two-dimensional, spectral, tissue Doppler and myocardial strain. Participants wore an Actical accelerometer at the hip for 1 week.Results The mean±SE age for the cohort was 56±0.4 years, 57% were women. Average moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) was 21±1.1 min/day, light PA was 217±4.2 min/day and SB was 737±8.1 min/day. Both higher levels of light PA and MVPA (min/day) were associated with lower left ventricular (LV) mass index (LVMI)/end-diastolic volume and a lower E/e′ ratio. Higher levels of MVPA (min/day) were associated with better right ventricular systolic function. Higher levels of SB were associated with increased LVMI. In a multivariable linear regression model adjusted for demographics and cardiovascular disease modifiable factors, every 10 additional min/day of light PA was associated with a 0.03 mL/m2 increase in left atrial volume index (LAVI) (p<0.01) and a 0.004 cm increase in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (p<0.01); every 10 additional min/day of MVPA was associated with a 0.18 mL/m2 increase in LAVI (p<0.01) and a 0.24% improvement in global circumferential strain (p<0.01).Conclusions Our findings highlight the potential positive association between the MVPA and light PA on cardiac structure and function.

OBJECTIVE Neuropsychological instruments are often developed in English and translated to other languages to facilitate the clinical evaluation of diverse populations or to utilize in research environments. However, the psychometric equivalence of these assessments across language must be demonstrated before populations can validly be compared. METHOD To test this equivalence, we applied measurement invariance procedures to a subsample (N = 1,708) of the Hispanic Community Health Survey/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) across English and Spanish versions of a neurocognitive battery. Using cardinality matching, 854 English-speaking and 854 Spanish-speaking subsamples were matched on age, education, sex, immigration status (U.S. born, including territories, or foreign-born), and Hispanic/Latino heritage background. Neurocognitive measures included the Six-Item Screener (SIS), Brief-Spanish English Verbal Learning Test (B-SEVLT), Word Fluency (WF), and Digit Symbol Substitution (DSS). Confirmatory factor analysis was utilized to test item-level invariance of the SIS, B-SEVLT, and WF, as well as factor-level invariance of a higher-order neurocognitive functioning latent variable. RESULTS One item of both the SIS and WF were more difficult in Spanish than English, as was the DSS test. After accounting for partial invariance, Spanish-speakers performed worse on each of the subtests and the second-order neurocognitive functioning latent variable. CONCLUSIONS We found some evidence of bias at both item and factor levels, contributing to the poorer neurocognitive performance of Spanish test-takers. While these results explain the underperformance of Spanish-speakers to some extent, more work is needed to determine whether such bias is reflective of true cognitive differences or additional variables unaccounted for in this study. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

AbstractBackgroundCardiovascular and cerebrovascular health problems significantly increase risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRDs), and Hispanics/Latinos are arguably at higher risk for ADRDs compared to Whites. Middle‐age may be a crucial time in which cardiovascular health starts to notably impact cognition. Most research supporting connections between cardiovascular and cognitive health and ADRDs has been conducted with non‐Hispanic/Latino White samples. Diverse Hispanics/Latinos may differentially benefit from improvements in cardiovascular health to an equal or greater extent than Whites. The purpose of the study was to characterize the associations between mid‐life cardiovascular health and 7‐year change in cognition in diverse Hispanics/Latinos.MethodsWe used prospective data from middle‐age and older Latinos (45‐74 years and older at Visit1; 2008‐2011) in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Visit 1) who were cardiovascular disease‐free and stroke/TIA‐free at Visit1 (unweighted n=3,345) to examine relationships between baseline cardiovascular health, assessed using the multiethnic Global Vascular Risk Score (GVRS), and change in cognition from Visit1 to Visit2 (SOL‐INCA; 2016‐2018), an average of 7‐years later, and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) prevalence at Visit2. In addition to MCI, cognitive outcomes included global and domain specific (verbal learning and memory, verbal fluency, executive functioning, attention, and psychomotor speed tasks) cognitive change. We fit survey generalized linear regressions to model the associations between the cardiovascular risk exposure and our cognitive outcomes and examined modifications by sex and age.ResultsAdjusting for covariates, higher GVRS scores (10% increments) were associated with more pronounced decline (SD units) in global (β=‐0.35; SE=0.06; p<0.001) and domain specific cognitive performance. Higher GVRS scores were also associated with higher odds ratio of MCI (OR=1.59; 95% CI=[1.10;2.38]; p=0.023) at Visit 2. We found no statistical evidence to support sex or age modifications in the associations between GVRS, cognitive change, and MCI.ConclusionCardiovascular and stroke risk is associated with accelerated cognitive decline and an increased risk of MCI. Effects did not differ by age. These results raise the possibility that vascular risk factor modification in Hispanics/Latinos may promote successful cognitive aging and reduce the risk for MCI.

BACKGROUND:Cardiovascular disease is linked to cognitive decline and disorders (e.g., dementia). The evidence is based largely on older non-Latino White cohorts. OBJECTIVE:Examine the association between global vascular risk and cognitive function among Hispanics/Latinos in the United States. METHODS:We used data from a large sample of stroke- and cardiovascular disease-free, middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos with diverse backgrounds (n=7,650) from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). We compared associations between two measures of cardiovascular risk (CVR), the Framingham Cardiovascular Risk Score (FCRS) and the multiethnic Global Vascular Risk Score (GVRS), and cognitive performance using measures of global and domain specific cognitive function, and tested for modification by sex and age. RESULTS:Higher FCRS and GVRS were associated with lower global cognition and higher probability of low mental status, after covariates adjustment. Both CVR indices were associated with lower performances in learning and memory, verbal fluency, and psychomotor speed. Higher GVRS presented stronger associations with lower cognitive function compared to the FCRS. Women and younger age (45-64 years) exhibited more pronounced associations between higher CVR and worse cognition, particularly so with the GVRS. DISCUSSION:CVR is also a risk for compromised cognitive function and evident in middle-age among Hispanics/Latinos. The multiethnic GVRS, tailored to specific risks based on racial/ethnic background, is feasible to use in primary care settings and can provide important insight on cognitive risk. Even modest shifts in population toward cardiovascular health in the high-risk Hispanic/Latino population can have important positive impacts on healthy cognitive aging.

Background: Among older adults, poorer cognitive functioning has been associated with impairments in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). However, IADL impairments among older Hispanics/Latinos is poorly understood. Objective: To characterize the relationships between cognition and risk for IADL impairment among diverse Hispan-ics/Latinos. Methods: Participants included 6,292 community-dwelling adults from the Study of Latinos - Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging, an ancillary study of 45+ year-olds in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Cognitive data (learning, memory, executive functioning, processing speed, and a Global cognitive composite) were collected at Visit 1. IADL functioning was self-reported 7 years later, and treated as a categorical (i.e., risk) and continuous (i.e., degree) measures of impairment. Survey two-part models (mixture of logit and generalized linear model with Gaussian distribution) and ordered logistic regression tested the associations of cognitive performance (individual tests and composite z-score) with IADL impairment. Additionally, we investigated the moderating role of age, sex, and Hispanic/Latino background on the association between cognition and IADL impairment. Results: Across all cognitive measures, poorer performance was associated with higher odds of IADL impairment 7 years later. Associations were generally stronger for the oldest group (70+ years) relative to the youngest group (50-59 years). Sex and Hispanic/Latino background did not modify the associations. Across the full sample, lower scores on learning, memory, and the Global cognitive composite were also associated with higher degree of IADL impairment. Conclusion: Across diverse Hispanics/Latinos, cognitive health is an important predictor of everyday functioning 7 years later, especially in older adulthood.

Maintaining or improving quality of life (QoL) and well-being is a universal goal across the lifespan. Being physically active has been suggested as one way to enhance QoL and well-being. In this systematic review, conducted in part for the 2018 U.S. Health and Human Services Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Scientific Advisory Committee Report, we examined the relationship between physical activity (PA) and QoL and well-being experienced by the general population across the lifespan and by persons with psychiatric and neurologic conditions. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and pooled analyses from 2006 to 2018 were used for the evidence base. Strong evidence (predominantly from randomized controlled trials [RCTs]) demonstrated that, for adults aged 18-65 years and older adults (primarily 65 years and older), PA improves QoL and well-being when compared with minimal or no-treatment controls. Moderate evidence indicated that PA improves QoL and well-being in individuals with schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease, and limited evidence indicated that PA improves QoL and well-being for youth and for adults with major clinical depression or bipolar disorder. Insufficient evidence existed for individuals with dementia because of a small number of studies with mixed results. Future high-quality research designs should include RCTs involving longer interventions testing different modes and intensities of PA in diverse populations of healthy people and individuals with cognitive (e.g., dementia) and mental health conditions (e.g., schizophrenia) to precisely characterize the effects of different forms of PA on aspects of QoL and well-being.