Some predictors of cognitive impairment could be the following: age, sex, education, a family history of dementia, objective and subjective difficulties with memory, several medical problems (hypertension and diabetes), sensory- motor difficulties, hypometabolism in some cerebral areas, reduced hippocampal size, carrying one or two apolipoprotein e4 alleles, a low score in cognitive tasks (especially immediate and delayed recall), deficits in associative learning and naming, low cognitive plasticity, depression, a low literacy level, poor general cognitive functioning, low participation in social activities, low physical activity, lack of social support, the use of medication and, finally, sleep-related problems.
Predictors of cognitive decline in the elderly
 
  Keywords
 
 
  
   Old age
  
 
 
  
   Cognitive impairment
  
 
 
  
   Biological predictors
  
 
 
  
   Psychological predictors
  
 
 
  
   Social predictors
  
 
 
  
   Demographic predictors
  
 
Abstract
 The elderly population is currently increasing.
In this population there is a high incidence of <dis>cognitive decline</dis> and <dis>dementia</dis>, which has a negative influence on personal life and family functioning, as well as economic and healthcare repercussions.
The present article aims to indicate possible predictors of <dis>cognitive decline</dis> with a view to predicting this situation and intervening before the <dis>cognitive impairment</dis> is unavoidable.
Some predictors of <dis>cognitive impairment</dis> could be the following: age, sex, education, a family history of <dis>dementia</dis>, objective and subjective difficulties with memory, several medical problems (hypertension and diabetes), <dis>sensory- motor difficulties</dis>, hypometabolism in some cerebral areas, reduced hippocampal size, carrying one or two apolipoprotein e4 alleles, a low score in cognitive tasks (especially immediate and delayed recall), deficits in associative learning and naming, low cognitive plasticity, depression, a low literacy level, poor general cognitive functioning, low participation in social activities, low physical activity, lack of social support, the use of medication and, finally, sleep-related problems.
All of these factors could be important in predicting <dis>cognitive decline</dis> in very old age.
Abstract
 The elderly population is currently increasing.
In this population there is a high incidence of cognitive decline and dementia, which has a negative influence on personal life and family functioning, as well as economic and healthcare repercussions.
The present article aims to indicate possible predictors of cognitive decline with a view to predicting this situation and intervening before the cognitive impairment is unavoidable.
Some predictors of cognitive impairment could be the following: age, sex, education, a family history of dementia, objective and subjective difficulties with memory, several medical problems (hypertension and diabetes), sensory- motor difficulties, hypometabolism in some cerebral areas, reduced hippocampal size, carrying one or two apolipoprotein e4 alleles, a low score in cognitive tasks (especially immediate and delayed recall), deficits in associative learning and naming, low cognitive plasticity, depression, a low literacy level, poor general cognitive functioning, low participation in social activities, low physical activity, lack of social support, the use of medication and, finally, sleep-related problems.
All of these factors could be important in predicting cognitive decline in very old age.
Some predictors of <dis>cognitive impairment</dis> could be the following: age, sex, education, a family history of <dis>dementia</dis>, objective and subjective difficulties with memory, several medical problems (hypertension and diabetes), <dis>sensory- motor difficulties</dis>, hypometabolism in some cerebral areas, reduced hippocampal size, carrying one or two apolipoprotein e4 alleles, a low score in cognitive tasks (especially immediate and delayed recall), deficits in associative learning and naming, low cognitive plasticity, depression, a low literacy level, poor general cognitive functioning, low participation in social activities, low physical activity, lack of social support, the use of medication and, finally, sleep-related problems.
cognitive impairment
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dementia
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sensory- motor difficulties
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