FAMILY FLYNN EFFECTS AND LINKS TO MIDDLE-AGE HEALTH OUTCOMES

Abstract The Flynn effect (Flynn, 1984; 1987) refers to increases in cognitive performance, for later-born cohorts. It has been documented globally, occurring for more than a century. In a meta-analysis, Pietschnig and Voracek (2015) noted that the effect may be even stronger in adults than in children, though little research has addressed this topic (or its implications) for aging adults. Similarly, overall life-time health has improved, and incidences of cognitive impairment have decreased during the last two decades (Clouston et al., 2021). Using multilevel growth curve models, we found family Flynn effects in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth; children in families with later-born mothers, and later-born first children, had higher PIAT math scores, and steeper developmental slopes. Although the link from childhood and adolescent cognitive function to later life outcomes has been well studied, research that takes advantage of the Flynn effect to facilitate interpreting that link is lacking. Clouston et al. (2021) emphasized the value of the Flynn effect in investigating links between childhood cognitive functioning and later adult Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) risks. We linked our family level results to middle-age maternal health outcomes (factors that are related to ADRD risks). Canonical correlation analyses showed that mothers (at ages 40+ and 50+) from families with higher score levels and slopes tended to have better mental and physical health. Our results, showing a Flynn effect in child and adolescence scores, at the family level, with links to adult health, persisted after controlling for a known selection bias.

Early life adversity (ELA) is consequential for poor cognitive health in mid to late life. ELA is associated with higher allostatic load (AL), a biological indicator of physiological dysregulation due to cumulative wear-and-tear from chronic stress. Higher AL is also associated with poorer cognitive function across the lifespan. To date, however, a paucity of research has investigated AL as a mechanism through which ELA impacts cognition. Using cross-sectional data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Study, the objective of this study was to investigate the mediating role of AL in the relationship between ELA and cognitive performance (global cognition, episodic memory, executive function) among middle-aged and older adults without cognitive impairment (n=1541, mean age=53±12, 53% female). ELA, including physical, emotional, and sexual experiences, was measured retrospectively using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. AL was composed of 20 biomarker proxies of neuroendocrine, metabolic, inflammatory, and cardiovascular systems, stratified by sex. Cognitive performance was evaluated using a battery of neuropsychological tests from the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone. Controlling for age, education, and ethnicity, AL significantly mediated the relationship between ELA and global cognition (ß=-0.01,95%CI[-0.02,-0.003]) and executive function (ß=-0.01,95%CI[-0.02,-0.003]) such that higher ELA was associated with higher AL, and higher AL was associated with poorer global cognition and executive function. No such effects were found for episodic memory. Consistent with the biopsychosocial lifespan model of cognitive aging, findings suggest that ELA may become biologically embedded over time to negatively impact cognitive function in later adulthood in a domain-specific manner.

FAMILY FLYNN EFFECTS AND LINKS TO MIDDLE-AGE HEALTH OUTCOMES
Linda Wänström 1 , Patrick O'Keefe 2 , Sean Clousten 3 , Frank D. Mann 4 , Graciela Muniz Terrera 5 , Stacey Voll 6 , Scott Hofer 6 , and Joeseph Rodgers 7 , 1. Linkoping University,Linkoping,Ostergotlands Lan,Sweden,2. Oregon Health and Science University,Portland,Oregon,United States,3. Stony Brook University,Stony Brook,New York,United States,4. Stony Brook University,New York,New York,United States,5. Ohio University,Athens,Ohio,United States,6. University of Victoria,Victoria,British Columbia,Canada,7. Vanderbilt University,Nashville,Tennessee,United States The Flynn effect (Flynn, 1984;1987) refers to increases in cognitive performance, for later-born cohorts. It has been documented globally, occurring for more than a century. In a meta-analysis, Pietschnig and Voracek (2015) noted that the effect may be even stronger in adults than in children, though little research has addressed this topic (or its implications) for aging adults. Similarly, overall life-time health has improved, and incidences of cognitive impairment have decreased during the last two decades (Clouston et al., 2021). Using multilevel growth curve models, we found family Flynn effects in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth; children in families with later-born mothers, and later-born first children, had higher PIAT math scores, and steeper developmental slopes. Although the link from childhood and adolescent cognitive function to later life outcomes has been well studied, research that takes advantage of the Flynn effect to facilitate interpreting that link is lacking. Clouston et al. (2021) emphasized the value of the Flynn effect in investigating links between childhood cognitive functioning and later adult Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) risks. We linked our family level results to middleage maternal health outcomes (factors that are related to ADRD risks). Canonical correlation analyses showed that mothers (at ages 40+ and 50+) from families with higher score levels and slopes tended to have better mental and physical health. Our results, showing a Flynn effect in child and adolescence scores, at the family level, with links to adult health, persisted after controlling for a known selection bias.

. University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
Preclinical indicators of disease such as inflammation, cortisol and glucose dysregulation, and multisystem dysregulation (allostatic load) are related to individual differences in the level of cognitive functioning across adulthood. This study examined whether individual biological systems and allostatic load are related to differential patterns of change in cognitive functioning over 9 years. Data are from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study second (biomarker and cognitive) and third waves (cognitive). The sample includes 863 men and women who ranged in age from 35 to 85 when the data were first collected. MIDUS biomarkers include a comprehensive range of biological and anthropometric measurements reflecting cardiovascular functioning, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, inflammation, HPA axis function, as well as sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system function. Summary indices of dysregulation in each of these major systems as well as an overall index of multi-system dysregulation, or allostatic load were examined in relation to 9-year changes in episodic memory and executive functioning from the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone. Regression analyses, controlling for preexisting diseases and medications, showed that higher allostatic load was associated with decreased executive functioning over time for those who started out with higher cognitive performance at baseline, after adjusting for age, gender, race, English language, education, neurological conditions, medication use and smoking. Identifying biomarkers as antecedents of cognitive changes in midlife and old age, can potentially aid in the early detection of cognitive impairments and increase the possibilities for preventive interventions.

USEFULNESS OF REVISED SIMPLIFIED SHORT-TERM COGNITIVE SCREENING TEST (STMT-R) IN ACUTELY ILL GERIATRIC PATIENTS
Hiroshi Yamamoto 1 , Kenichi Ogawa 1 , Yasushi Hisamatsu 1 , and Tatsuya Ishitake 2 , 1. Yamamoto Memorial Hospital, Saga,Japan,2. Kurume University School of Medicine,Fukuoka,Japan Background: Dementia can be a major cause of mortality and morbidity in geriatric patients. So, it would be essential to assess their mental state.Aims: We aim to appraise the impact of cognitive dysfunction on the long-term prognosis on STMT-R as a quicker and sensitive cognitive identification in acutely ill geriatric patients.
Methods: The inclusion criteria were to measure geriatric patients by STMT-R at admission, age≧50yo and being non-critical ill. Between October 2014 and September 2015, 836 were enrolled (52.4% female, mean age: 78.9 years). STMT-R≦4 was considered as cognitive dysfunction. Following the collection of clinical data, survival was subsequently measured for 7-8 years until January 2022. Cox's proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the hazard of death according to the dementia severity, with adjustment for potential covariates. Survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier method.
Results: Among enrolled subjects, 144 were unable to complete the test due to severe dementia (ITG). 433 had cognitive dysfunction (STMT-R≦4; CDG) and 259 didn't have cognitive dysfunction (STMT-R>4; NCDG). The survival curves for death among three groups were significantly decreased in the CDG and ITG compared with the NCDG. The risks for mortality in the ITG and CDG are 3.92 (hazard ratio; 95% confidence interval:2.74-5.61, p< 0.001) and 1.82(1.33-2.51, p< 0.001) compared with the NCDG as reference.
Conclusion: 1) It was suggested that severity of cognitive dysfunction at admission has independently an impact on survival rate in acutely ill geriatric patients.2) STMT-R may also be useful for the future bedside or remote cognitive assessment.