title: Physical Activity Is Positively Associated with Episodic Memory in Aging.
abstract: Aging is associated with performance reductions in executive function and episodic memory, although there is substantial individual variability in cognition among older adults. One factor that may be positively associated with cognition in aging is physical activity. To date, few studies have objectively assessed physical activity in young and older adults, and examined whether physical activity is differentially associated with cognition in aging. Young (n=29, age 18-31 years) and older adults (n=31, ages 55-82 years) completed standardized neuropsychological testing to assess executive function and episodic memory capacities. An experimental face-name relational memory task was administered to augment assessment of episodic memory. Physical activity (total step count and step rate) was objectively assessed using an accelerometer, and hierarchical regressions were used to evaluate relationships between cognition and physical activity. Older adults performed more poorly on tasks of executive function and episodic memory. Physical activity was positively associated with a composite measure of visual episodic memory and face-name memory accuracy in older adults. Physical activity associations with cognition were independent of sedentary behavior, which was negatively correlated with memory performance. Physical activity was not associated with cognitive performance in younger adults. Physical activity is positively associated with episodic memory performance in aging. The relationship appears to be strongest for face-name relational memory and visual episodic memory, likely attributable to the fact that these tasks make strong demands on the hippocampus. The results suggest that physical activity relates to cognition in older, but not younger adults.
authors.affiliation: 1Memory Disorders Research Center,VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine,Boston,Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.affiliation: 1Memory Disorders Research Center,VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine,Boston,Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Alosco
authors.affiliation: 4National Center for PTSD,VA Boston Healthcare System,Boston,Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Jasmeet P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.affiliation: 6Department of Psychology,The Pennsylvania State University,University Park,Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cadden
authors.affiliation: 1Memory Disorders Research Center,VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine,Boston,Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Kristina M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.affiliation: 7Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center,VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System,Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Allsup
authors.affiliation: 7Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center,VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System,Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Daniel E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Forman
authors.affiliation: 9Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging,MGH Radiology,Charlestown,Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Reisa A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sperling
authors.affiliation: 1Memory Disorders Research Center,VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine,Boston,Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Mieke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verfaellie
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001245:Association Learning; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Accelerometer; Actigraph; Cognition; Executive function; Exercise; Physical fitness