title: Physical activity and cognition in the northern Manhattan study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To test the hypothesis that leisure time physical activity (PA) is associated with cognitive status.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed cognition using the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) at enrollment and using the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-m) administered annually since 2001 in the Northern Manhattan Study. Baseline measures of leisure time PA were collected via in-person questionnaires. Total PA was categorized into 3 groups based on the metabolic equivalent (MET) score, a composite of total reported intensity and time. We used linear regression models to examine the association of PA with MMSE, and generalized estimating equations for change in TICS-m over time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 3,298 stroke-free participants with MMSE data (mean MMSE 26.0 ± 3.8) and 2,279 with TICS-m scores available. Compared to no PA, those with the upper quartile of MET scores had greater baseline MMSE scores (adjusted β = 0.4, p = 0.01) but no association with change in TICS-m over time. There were interactions (p < 0.05) between PA and both insurance and education; compared to no PA, those in the upper quartile of MET scores had a greater MMSE score only among those with Medicaid/no insurance (adjusted β = 0.83, p = 0.0005) and those who did not complete high school (adjusted β = 0.68, p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased levels of PA were associated with better baseline MMSE, particularly among those with socioeconomic disadvantages, but not with cognitive decline.
authors: Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, N.Y., USA.
authors: Joshua Z
authors: JZ
authors: Willey
authors: Yeseon
authors: Y
authors: Park Moon
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Ruder
authors: Yuen K
authors: YK
authors: Cheung
authors: Ralph L
authors: RL
authors: Sacco
authors: Mitchell S V
authors: MS
authors: Elkind
authors: Clinton B
authors: CB
authors: Wright
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors