Evaluating associations of RNFL thickness and multifocal VEP with cognitive assessment and brain MRI volumes in older adults: Optic nerve decline and cognitive change (ONDCC) initiative.

To examine the relationships of retinal structural (optical coherence tomography) and visual functional (multifocal visual evoked potentials, mfVEP) indices with neuropsychological and brain structural measurements in healthy older subjects. 95 participants (mean (SD) age 68.1 (9.0)) years were recruited in the Optic Nerve Decline and Cognitive Change (ONDCC) study in this observational clinical investigation. OCT was conducted for retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and mfVEP for amplitude and latency measurements. Participants undertook neuropsychological tests for cognitive performance and MRI for volumetric evaluation of various brain regions. Generalised estimating equation models were used for association analysis (p < 0.05). The brain volumetric measures including total grey matter (GM), cortex, thalamus, hippocampal and fourth ventricular volumes were significantly associated with global and sectoral RNFL. RNFL thickness correlated with delayed recalls of California verbal learning test (CVLT) and Rey complex figure test (RCFT). The mfVEP amplitudes associated with cerebral white matter (WM) and cingulate GM volumes in MRI and CVLT, RCFT and trail making test outcomes. A significant association of mfVEP latency with logical memory delayed recall and thalamus volume was also observed. Our results suggested significant association of specific RNFL and mfVEP measures with distinctive brain region volumes and cognitive tests reflecting performance in memory, visuospatial and executive functional domains. These findings indicate that the mfVEP and RNFL measurements may parallel brain structural and neuropsychological measures in the older population.

Abdominal fat assessment in adolescents using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal obesity is an increasing problem in adolescents, often persisting into adulthood. Reliable assessment has been restricted to techniques limited by relatively high radiation doses or cost. AIM: To investigate the reliability of several abdominal regions using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and to assess the construct validity of these methods against metabolic profile. METHODS: Inter- and intra-rater precision of two assessors were examined, for fat mass analysis in six different abdominal regions using DXA in overweight/obese and normal weight adolescents. Construct validity was examined in overweight/obese individuals. RESULTS: All methods had acceptable intra- and inter-rater reliability. Region 1 was most precise in overweight/obese individuals, while Region 6 was most precise in normal weight individuals. In all regions, assessments were less precise in overweight/obese individuals. All regions were equally predictive of insulin outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal adiposity can be reliably assessed in adolescents using DXA, and the most precisely assessed regions were identified. All regions predicted insulin outcomes.

Validation of the modified assessment of living skills and resources, an IADL measure for older people.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the validity of the assessment of living skills and resources (ALSAR) and the extent it contributes to and reflects the risk and accomplishment in instrumental activities of daily life for older people. METHOD: The assessment was examined for evidence of construct validity, internal, consistency and effectiveness of the categorical rating schema. Rasch modelling was used to examine the hierarchy of items, item performance and scale quality. RESULTS: A revised 5-level rating schema is proposed whereby skill rating levels are incrementally more at risk when a resource issue is identified. The sample comprised 290 ratings from 160 people 56-101 years (mean 79+/-9). Item mean infit statistics were 0.98 (Z = -0.2, SD = 0.63) and mean outfit statistics 1.02 (Z = -1.0, SD = 0.74). Reliability was 0.89 with a separation index of 2.81. People with long standing severe vision loss display an atypical response pattern denoting the vision item was of low relevance to their total IADL functioning. CONCLUSIONS: This study has further verified the validity of the ALSAR as an IADL outcome measure for use with older people and has offered a more effective refinement of the rating scale. We note the importance of assessing vision prior to IADL testing.

A home-based nutrition intervention to increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, and calcium-rich foods in community dwelling elders.

OBJECTIVE: To increase fruit, vegetable, and calcium-rich food consumption in community-dwelling, functionally impaired elderly. DESIGN: Six-month, home-based nutrition intervention study. SUBJECTS: Seventy men and women older than age 69 years were randomized to either a nutrition education intervention (n = 38) or a control group that received an exercise intervention (n = 32). INTERVENTION: Nutrition education was designed to increase fruit, vegetable, and calcium-rich food consumption. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Food intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. Fasting blood measures of nutrients and carotenoids were performed. Statistical Analysis Two-group randomized controlled trial with pre-test and post-test design and intention-to-treat analysis. Analysis of covariance to was used to assess differences between the two groups. Baseline and change partial correlation coefficients were performed between intake and blood nutrient levels. Paired t tests were conducted to test within-group changes. RESULTS: Compared with the exercise group, subjects in nutrition group increased their self-reported intake of fruits by 1.1 +/- 0.2 (mean +/- SEM) servings per day (2.8 to 3.9, P = .01), vegetables 1.1 +/- 0.2 servings per day (2.3 to 3.4, P = .001), and milk/dairy 0.9 +/- 0.2 servings per day (3.0 to 3.9, P = .001). There was an increase in the dietary intake of alpha-carotene and beta-carotene in the nutrition group and this correlated with the increase in blood concentrations of alpha-carotene and beta-carotene (P < or = .02; r = 0.33 and r = 0.33, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that it is possible to improve the dietary intake of community dwelling elders to include more fruits, vegetables, and calcium-rich foods. Recommendations for increasing consumption of fruits, vegetables, and calcium-rich foods should be specific and individualized to meet the dietary pattern and lifestyle of the individual. Compliance should be encouraged with record keeping as well as through continuous monitoring and positive reinforcement.