Understanding the inflammatory mechanisms behind the impact of cognitive training on healthy ageing
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: School of Psychology
Abstract
The UK's general population is ageing, with the percentage of those over 65 expected to reach 24.7% in 2046 (ONS, 2017). Research into preserving cognitive, mental and physical health in older adults is therefore timelier than ever.
Healthy ageing is associated with declines in cognition such as memory and language (Lara et al. 2015 and Segaert et al., 2018), mental health such as depression (Age UK, 2016) and general declines in physical health (McPhee et al., 2016). A process of 'inflammaging' also takes place, as systemic inflammation of biomarkers such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6) occurs with age (Franceschi et al. 2007). Cognitive training has previously been demonstrated to benefit depressive symptoms (Nouchi et al., 2016), cognition (Ball et al., 2002), and activities of daily living (Willis et al., 2006). Our project is aimed at establishing the extent to which cognitive training can alleviate age-related cognitive, physical and mental decline, and whether it is mediated by inflammaging.
We aim to establish these benefits in an intervention study as well as elucidate some of the underlying mechanisms. It is already established that physical activity interventions affect inflammaging (Woods et al., 2012). Moreover, mindfulness training is suggested to influence neural processes and immune function by reducing the stress response (Davidson et al., 2003). Cognitive training could have similar effects on the body and immune system, and so we hypothesise that the benefits of cognitive training are mediated by benefits of inflammaging.
The project involves three main aims:
1) Establish the relationship between inflammaging and cognitive (memory, language and processing speed), mental (depression and anxiety) and physical (balance and grip strength) health, in a cross-sectional sample of healthy older adults;
2) Determine the benefits of a cognitive training programme for cognitive, mental and physical health, as mediated by reduced inflammaging, in a randomized-controlled intervention design;
3) Study the long-term benefits of cognitive training 3 months past intervention.
If a cognitive training programme does benefit immune function, physical health and mental health alongside improved cognition, this is significant for future healthcare advice about healthy ageing and how to remain healthy as we get older. It furthermore informs on benchmarks to evaluate future intervention proposals, especially in mental health in the elderly, as access to mental health facilities for older adults is often under-prioritised (Age UK, 2016). Growing old is an unavoidable fact of life, and with a growing elderly population, keeping healthy in both body and mind is becoming increasingly important.
Healthy ageing is associated with declines in cognition such as memory and language (Lara et al. 2015 and Segaert et al., 2018), mental health such as depression (Age UK, 2016) and general declines in physical health (McPhee et al., 2016). A process of 'inflammaging' also takes place, as systemic inflammation of biomarkers such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6) occurs with age (Franceschi et al. 2007). Cognitive training has previously been demonstrated to benefit depressive symptoms (Nouchi et al., 2016), cognition (Ball et al., 2002), and activities of daily living (Willis et al., 2006). Our project is aimed at establishing the extent to which cognitive training can alleviate age-related cognitive, physical and mental decline, and whether it is mediated by inflammaging.
We aim to establish these benefits in an intervention study as well as elucidate some of the underlying mechanisms. It is already established that physical activity interventions affect inflammaging (Woods et al., 2012). Moreover, mindfulness training is suggested to influence neural processes and immune function by reducing the stress response (Davidson et al., 2003). Cognitive training could have similar effects on the body and immune system, and so we hypothesise that the benefits of cognitive training are mediated by benefits of inflammaging.
The project involves three main aims:
1) Establish the relationship between inflammaging and cognitive (memory, language and processing speed), mental (depression and anxiety) and physical (balance and grip strength) health, in a cross-sectional sample of healthy older adults;
2) Determine the benefits of a cognitive training programme for cognitive, mental and physical health, as mediated by reduced inflammaging, in a randomized-controlled intervention design;
3) Study the long-term benefits of cognitive training 3 months past intervention.
If a cognitive training programme does benefit immune function, physical health and mental health alongside improved cognition, this is significant for future healthcare advice about healthy ageing and how to remain healthy as we get older. It furthermore informs on benchmarks to evaluate future intervention proposals, especially in mental health in the elderly, as access to mental health facilities for older adults is often under-prioritised (Age UK, 2016). Growing old is an unavoidable fact of life, and with a growing elderly population, keeping healthy in both body and mind is becoming increasingly important.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES/P000711/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 2401511 | Studentship | ES/P000711/1 | 01/10/2020 | 07/05/2023 | Emma Sutton |