Search

Background. Although evidence is accumulating for a protective effect of late life physical activity on the risk of dementia, the findings are inconsistent, especially in men. We examined the association of late life physical activity and the modifying effect of physical function with future risk of dementia in a well-characterized cohort of elderly men participating in the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study (HAAS). Methods. Physical activity by self-report and performance-based physical function was assessed in 2263 men aged 71-92 years without dementia at the baseline examination of the HAAS in 1991-1993. Follow-up for incident dementia occurred at repeat examinations conducted in 1994-1996 and 1997-1999. Analyses were based on Cox proportional hazards models with adjustment for potential confounders, including age, baseline cognitive function, education, and apolipoprotein E genotype. Results. There were 173 incident cases of dementia with a mean follow-up of 6.1 years. Although the incidence of dementia tended to decline with increasing physical activity and function, there was a significant interaction between the latter two factors on dementia risk (p = .022). For men with low physical function, high levels of physical activity were associated with half the risk of dementia versus men who were the least active (hazard ratio [HR], 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28-0.89), with a moderate level of physical activity also providing a protective effect (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.32-0.99). Risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease declined significantly with increasing physical activity. Findings persisted after age and risk factor adjustment. Similar associations were absent in men with moderate and high physical function. Conclusions. In elderly men with poor physical function, increasing general physical activity may potentially confer a protective effect or delay the onset for dementia. Key Words: Physical activity--Physical function--Dementia--Alzheimer's disease.

The article offers information on Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele genotype and the effect of depressive symptoms on the risk of dementia in men. It is said that Apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE ε4) allele is a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. The Honolulu-Asia Aging Study, a population-based cohort study of Japanese American men, is conducted. It is mentioned that since individuals with depressive symptoms and the APOE ε4 allele had an increased risk of dementia, it is suggested that one should be watchful for early signs of dementia in the older person with depression.

Background: Diabetes and the apolipoprotein E epsilon4 allele (APOE epsilon4) increase the risk for Alzheimer disease (AD). We hypothesize that APOE epsilon4 may modify the risk for AD in individuals with diabetes., Objective: To examine the joint effect of type 2 diabetes and APOE epsilon4 on the risk of AD, AD with vascular dementia (mixed AD), and vascular dementia without AD., Design: The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) Cognition Study (1992-2000) is a prospective study designed to identify all existing and new cases of dementia among study participants. Diagnoses were made according to international criteria for dementia and subtypes. There were 2547 dementia-free participants in the CHS Cognition Study cohort with complete information on APOE epsilon4 and type 2 diabetes status; among these, 411 new cases of dementia developed. Risk of dementia was estimated with a Cox proportional hazard model adjusted for age and other demographic and cardiovascular risk factors., Results: Compared with those who had neither type 2 diabetes nor APOE epsilon4, those with both factors had a significantly higher risk of AD (hazard ratio, 4.58; 95% confidence interval, 2.18-9.65) and mixed AD (hazard ratio, 3.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.46-10.40)., Conclusion: These data suggest that having both diabetes and APOE epsilon4 increases the risk of dementia, especially for AD and mixed AD.