General Cognitive funtion
General cognitive function assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test on a scale of 0-30 points. Scores are interpreted as follows: >26 indicates no dementia, 18-26 mild cognitive impairment, 6-10 moderate dementia, and <6 severe dementia.
General Cognitive funtion
General cognitive function assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test on a scale of 0-30 points. Scores are interpreted as follows: >26 indicates no dementia, 18-26 mild cognitive impairment, 6-10 moderate dementia, and <6 severe dementia.
General Cognitive funtion
General cognitive function assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test on a scale of 0-30 points. Scores are interpreted as follows: >26 indicates no dementia, 18-26 mild cognitive impairment, 6-10 moderate dementia, and <6 severe dementia.
Specific domains of cognitive function
Measured through composite scores: Executive function/mental flexibility will be measured with the Trail Making Tests, Part A and Part B. The results for both TMT-A and TMT-B are reported as the number of seconds required to complete a task. Processing speed (using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test) will be measured as the total correct number-symbol matches achieved in 90 seconds. Verbal learning and memory will be assessed through Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) that consists of documenting the number of words remembered from a list of 15 words presented in two separate moments; this test allows evaluation of the RAVLT-Immediate and RAVLT-Percent Forgetting. Verbal fluency (semantic, animal naming, and phonemic) will be measured by using the Controlled Oral Word Association Test and assessed through the total number of words identified by category and letter.
Specific domains of cognitive function
Measured through composite scores: Executive function/mental flexibility will be measured with the Trail Making Tests, Part A and Part B. The results for both TMT-A and TMT-B are reported as the number of seconds required to complete a task. Processing speed (using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test) will be measured as the total correct number-symbol matches achieved in 90 seconds. Verbal learning and memory will be assessed through Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) that consists of documenting the number of words remembered from a list of 15 words presented in two separate moments; this test allows evaluation of the RAVLT-Immediate and RAVLT-Percent Forgetting. Verbal fluency (semantic, animal naming, and phonemic) will be measured by using the Controlled Oral Word Association Test and assessed through the total number of words identified by category and letter.
Specific domains of cognitive function
Measured through composite scores: Executive function/mental flexibility will be measured with the Trail Making Tests, Part A and Part B. The results for both TMT-A and TMT-B are reported as the number of seconds required to complete a task. Processing speed (using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test) will be measured as the total correct number-symbol matches achieved in 90 seconds. Verbal learning and memory will be assessed through Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) that consists of documenting the number of words remembered from a list of 15 words presented in two separate moments; this test allows evaluation of the RAVLT-Immediate and RAVLT-Percent Forgetting. Verbal fluency (semantic, animal naming, and phonemic) will be measured by using the Controlled Oral Word Association Test and assessed through the total number of words identified by category and letter.
Cognitive reserve
Capacity that enables an individual to cope with and/or recover from the impact of a neural injury or a psychotic episode.
Cognitive reserve
Capacity that enables an individual to cope with and/or recover from the impact of a neural injury or a psychotic episode.
Usual walking and dual-task gait
Usual walking and dual-task gait will be evaluated through motion capture during the six-minute walk test (6MWT), which requires participants to walk back and forth across a 30-metre area at a comfortable pace for six minutes. The fixed distance utilized by 6MWT allows determination of gait speed (i.e., v=d/t); however, this test will also be coupled with infrared stride analysis, which will allow for a more precise evaluation of gait speed, stride length, and stride variability under usual and dual-task conditions. These procedures will provide a number of valid and reliable gait outcomes through the synchronization of mobility data via eight infrared cameras, six force plates, and electromyography.
Usual walking and dual-task gait
Usual walking and dual-task gait will be evaluated through motion capture during the six-minute walk test (6MWT), which requires participants to walk back and forth across a 30-metre area at a comfortable pace for six minutes. The fixed distance utilized by 6MWT allows determination of gait speed (i.e., v=d/t); however, this test will also be coupled with infrared stride analysis, which will allow for a more precise evaluation of gait speed, stride length, and stride variability under usual and dual-task conditions. These procedures will provide a number of valid and reliable gait outcomes through the synchronization of mobility data via eight infrared cameras, six force plates, and electromyography.
Usual walking and dual-task gait
Usual walking and dual-task gait will be evaluated through motion capture during the six-minute walk test (6MWT), which requires participants to walk back and forth across a 30-metre area at a comfortable pace for six minutes. The fixed distance utilized by 6MWT allows determination of gait speed (i.e., v=d/t); however, this test will also be coupled with infrared stride analysis, which will allow for a more precise evaluation of gait speed, stride length, and stride variability under usual and dual-task conditions. These procedures will provide a number of valid and reliable gait outcomes through the synchronization of mobility data via eight infrared cameras, six force plates, and electromyography.
Blood pressure
Blood pressure (BP) will be measured as part of the monitoring system. Participants will be provided with an appropriately-sized ambulatory BP monitoring device. BP will be recorded over a 24-hour period: twice in the same hour during daytime hours (i.e., 06:00am-22:00pm) and once during nighttime hours (i.e., 22:00pm-06:00am). Systolic and diastolic BP values will be averaged over the entire 24-hour period and used for analysis. A minimum of 28 successful BP readings out of 40 in total (70%) will be required for statistical analysis. In order to account for external influences on BP, participants will be provided with an activity log and instructed to report the time and type of any stressful or physically demanding situations they experience while wearing the ambulatory BP monitor.
Blood pressure
Blood pressure (BP) will be measured as part of the monitoring system. Participants will be provided with an appropriately-sized ambulatory BP monitoring device. BP will be recorded over a 24-hour period: twice in the same hour during daytime hours (i.e., 06:00am-22:00pm) and once during nighttime hours (i.e., 22:00pm-06:00am). Systolic and diastolic BP values will be averaged over the entire 24-hour period and used for analysis. A minimum of 28 successful BP readings out of 40 in total (70%) will be required for statistical analysis. In order to account for external influences on BP, participants will be provided with an activity log and instructed to report the time and type of any stressful or physically demanding situations they experience while wearing the ambulatory BP monitor.
Blood pressure
Blood pressure (BP) will be measured as part of the monitoring system. Participants will be provided with an appropriately-sized ambulatory BP monitoring device. BP will be recorded over a 24-hour period: twice in the same hour during daytime hours (i.e., 06:00am-22:00pm) and once during nighttime hours (i.e., 22:00pm-06:00am). Systolic and diastolic BP values will be averaged over the entire 24-hour period and used for analysis. A minimum of 28 successful BP readings out of 40 in total (70%) will be required for statistical analysis. In order to account for external influences on BP, participants will be provided with an activity log and instructed to report the time and type of any stressful or physically demanding situations they experience while wearing the ambulatory BP monitor.
Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT)
Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is the thickness of the two innermost layers of the arterial wall, intima and median in cm and will be measured through an ultrasound of the right common carotid artery. Specifically, a longitudinal B-mode image (Philips HDI 5000 ultrasound, 7-12 MHz linear array transducer) of the cephalic portion of the right common carotid artery will be obtained by a trained ultrasound technician. The composite IMT was calculated as the means of near and far wall IMT of all carotid segments, millimeters.
Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT)
Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is the thickness of the two innermost layers of the arterial wall, intima and median in cm and will be measured through an ultrasound of the right common carotid artery. Specifically, a longitudinal B-mode image (Philips HDI 5000 ultrasound, 7-12 MHz linear array transducer) of the cephalic portion of the right common carotid artery will be obtained by a trained ultrasound technician. The composite IMT was calculated as the means of near and far wall IMT of all carotid segments, millimeters.
Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT)
Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is the thickness of the two innermost layers of the arterial wall, intima and median in cm and will be measured through an ultrasound of the right common carotid artery. Specifically, a longitudinal B-mode image (Philips HDI 5000 ultrasound, 7-12 MHz linear array transducer) of the cephalic portion of the right common carotid artery will be obtained by a trained ultrasound technician. The composite IMT was calculated as the means of near and far wall IMT of all carotid segments, millimeters.
Quality of life as measured by SF-12
Older adults' health-related quality of life (QoL) will be measured by the short form (SF-12) of the Medical Outcomes Survey questionnaire, comprised of 12 items. Physical and mental scores will be calculated using an algorithm to convert each item response into standardized values according to specific predetermined weights. Summary scores for each component range from 0-100 and are interpreted as low QoL (close to 0) and high QoL (approaching 100).
Quality of life as measured by SF-12
Older adults' health-related quality of life (QoL) will be measured by the short form (SF-12) of the Medical Outcomes Survey questionnaire, comprised of 12 items. Physical and mental scores will be calculated using an algorithm to convert each item response into standardized values according to specific predetermined weights. Summary scores for each component range from 0-100 and are interpreted as low QoL (close to 0) and high QoL (approaching 100).
Quality of life as measured by SF-12
Older adults' health-related quality of life (QoL) will be measured by the short form (SF-12) of the Medical Outcomes Survey questionnaire, comprised of 12 items. Physical and mental scores will be calculated using an algorithm to convert each item response into standardized values according to specific predetermined weights. Summary scores for each component range from 0-100 and are interpreted as low QoL (close to 0) and high QoL (approaching 100).
Subjective Caregiver Burden
Subjective burden on informal caregivers will be measured using the short form of the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers (BSFC-s)-a 10-item instrument. Each item is measured on a four-point scale with the values "strongly disagree" (0), "disagree" (1), "agree" (2), and "strongly agree" (3). A high degree of agreement indicates higher perception of burden by the caregiver.
Subjective Caregiver Burden
Subjective burden on informal caregivers will be measured using the short form of the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers (BSFC-s)-a 10-item instrument. Each item is measured on a four-point scale with the values "strongly disagree" (0), "disagree" (1), "agree" (2), and "strongly agree" (3). A high degree of agreement indicates higher perception of burden by the caregiver.
Subjective Caregiver Burden
Subjective burden on informal caregivers will be measured using the short form of the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers (BSFC-s)-a 10-item instrument. Each item is measured on a four-point scale with the values "strongly disagree" (0), "disagree" (1), "agree" (2), and "strongly agree" (3). A high degree of agreement indicates higher perception of burden by the caregiver.
Cardiovascular biomarkers and endothelial function: MCP-1, ICAM VCAM and Selectin
This is the ability of circulating vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (E-selectin), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) to serve as molecular markers of atherosclerosis and predictors of incident cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular biomarkers and endothelial function: MCP-1, ICAM VCAM and Selectin
This is the ability of circulating vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (E-selectin), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) to serve as molecular markers of atherosclerosis and predictors of incident cardiovascular disease.