Polymorphism of the 5-HT2A Receptor Gene: Association with Stress-Related Indices in Healthy Middle-Aged Adults

Past research has concentrated on the stress system and personality in order to explain the variance found in cognitive performance in old age. A growing body of research is starting to focus on genetic polymorphism as an individual difference factor to explain the observed heterogeneity in cognitive function. While the functional mechanism is still under investigation, polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene (−1438A/G) has been linked to certain behavioral and physiological outcomes, including cortisol secretion, the expression of certain personality traits, and memory performance. It was the goal of the present study to investigate the association between the −1438A/G polymorphism and stress hormone secretion, stress-related psychological measures, and cognitive performance in a group of adults between the ages of 50 and 65. To examine these associations, 101 middle-aged adults were recruited, completed a battery of psychological questionnaires and were administered a battery of cognitive tasks that assess frontal lobe and hippocampal function. Basal and stress-reactive salivary cortisol levels were collected, at home and in the laboratory. Analyses on psychological measures showed that participants with the GG genotype reported significantly higher levels of neuroticism compared to the AG group and higher levels of depression and more emotion-based coping strategies compared to both the AG and AA group. In terms of cortisol secretion, the AA genotype was related to a significantly higher awakening cortisol response (ACR) compared to the AG and GG group and the GG genotype group displayed a greater increase in cortisol secretion following a psychosocial stressor compared to the two other groups. On measures of cognitive performance, the AA genotype group performed significantly better on a test of declarative memory and selective attention compared to the other two groups. Together, these results suggest that carriers of the GG genotype are more susceptible to low mood and display a greater potential for an overactive stress system, which may influence cognitive function in later years

Cross-Country Differences in Basal and Stress-Induced Cortisol Secretion in Older Adults

Objectives: Several studies have emphasized the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and inadequate response of the biological stress system. However, other factors related to SES are rarely considered, such as cultural values, social norms, organization, language and communication skills, which raises the need to investigate cross-country differences in stress response. Although some studies have shown differences in cortisol levels between immigrants and natives, there is no cross-country evidence regarding cortisol levels in country-native elders. This is particularly important given the high prevalence of stress-related disorders across nations during aging. the current study examined basal diurnal and reactive cortisol levels in healthy older adults living in two different countries.Methods: Salivary cortisol of 260 older adults from Canada and Brazil were nalyzed. Diurnal cortisol was measured in saliva samples collected at home throughout two working days at awakening, 30 min after waking, 1400 h, 1600 h and before bedtime. Cortisol reactivity was assessed in response to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) in both populations.Results: Our results showed that even under similar health status, psychological and cognitive characteristics, Brazilian elders exhibited higher basal and stress-induced cortisol secretion compared to the Canadian participants.Conclusion: These findings suggest that country context may modulate cortisol secretion and could impact the population health.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)CIHRAlzheimer's Society of CanadaUniv São Paulo, Dept Med Surg Nursing, Sch Nursing, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Montreal, Sch Psychoeduc, Montreal, PQ, CanadaUniv Montreal, Dept Psychiat, Ctr Studies Human Stress, Mental Hlth Inst,Montreal Res Ctr, Montreal, PQ H3C 3J7, CanadaRyerson Univ, Dept Psychol, Toronto, ON, CanadaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2009/13911-6CIHR: 165618CIHR: 232974Web of Scienc

The Moderating Role of COMT and BDNF Polymorphisms on Transfer Effects Following Multi- and Single-Domain Cognitive Training Among Community-Dwelling Shanghainese Older Adults

Given the increase in research suggesting benefit following cognitive training in older adults, researchers have started to investigate the potential moderating role of genetic polymorphisms on transfer effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the moderating effect of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) polymorphisms on transfer effects following a single-domain or multi-domain training intervention in healthy community-dwelling older adults. A total of 104 men and women living in Shanghai were randomized to a multi-domain or a single-domain cognitive training (SDCT) group. COMT rs4818 SNP and the BDNF rs6265 SNP were analyzed from blood. At pre-intervention, post-intervention and at 6-month follow-up, participants completed the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), the Color-Word Stroop Test (CWST), the Trails Making Test (TMT) and the Visual Reasoning Test (VRT). COMT was found to moderate immediate memory transfer effects following single-domain training only, with G/- carriers displaying greater benefits than C/C carriers. BDNF was found to moderate attention and inhibition independent of the training, with Met/- carriers displaying better performance than Val/Val carriers. Overall, individualizing training methods with full consideration of genetic polymorphisms may promote the maximization of cognitive training benefits

Associations between circulating cardiovascular disease risk factors and cognitive performance in cognitively healthy older adults from the NuAge study

IntroductionCardiovascular disease risk factors (CVRFs) contribute to the development of cognitive impairment and dementia.MethodsThis study examined the associations between circulating CVRF biomarkers and cognition in 386 cognitively healthy older adults (mean age = 78 ± 4 years, 53% females) selected from the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging (NuAge). Memory, executive function, and processing speed were assessed at baseline and 2-year follow-up. CVRF biomarkers included total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, glucose, insulin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), homocysteine, protein carbonyls, and cortisol. Linear mixed models were used to determine associations between individual CVRF biomarkers and cognition at both time points.ResultsHDL-C was most consistently associated with cognition with higher values related to better performance across several domains. Overall, stronger and more consistent relationships between CVRF biomarkers and cognition were observed in females relative to males.DiscussionFindings suggest that increases in the majority of circulating CVRFs are not associated with worse cognition in cognitively healthy older adults

A transdisciplinary perspective of chronic stress in relation to psychopathology throughout life span development

The allostatic load (AL) model represents an interdisciplinary approach to comprehensively conceptualize and quantify chronic stress in relation to pathologies throughout the life cycle. This article first reviews the AL model, followed by interactions among early adversity, genetics, environmental toxins, as well as distinctions among sex, gender, and sex hormones as integral antecedents of AL. We next explore perspectives on severe mental illness, dementia, and caregiving as unique human models of AL that merit future investigations in the field of developmental psychopathology. A complimenting transdisciplinary perspective is applied throughout, whereby we argue that the AL model goes beyond traditional stress–disease theories toward the advancement of person-centered research and practice that promote not only physical health but also mental healt

The Effect of a Brief Mindfulness Practice on Perceived Stress and Sustained Attention: Does Priming Matter?

Randomized experimental online study investigating whether priming via an infographic enhances the effect of a brief mindfulness practice on selective attention performance

Stress across the Lifespan: From Risk to Management—Conference Report on the Inaugural Canadian Stress Research Summit

In 2021, the Toronto Metropolitan University Institute for Stress and Wellbeing Research welcomed over 200 conference delegates across Canada to the inaugural Canadian Stress Research Summit (CSRS) to share ideas and foster collaboration among Canadian scholars. This conference was unique from existing international stress-related conferences as it bridged science and community. The objective of this conference report is to provide an overview of the 3-day virtual inaugural stress conference, offering a summary of the keynote addresses, themed symposia, spotlight presentations, graphical designs of selected presentations, and conference feedback. Overall, the CSRS highlighted important methodological considerations in understanding the relationship between stress exposure and various outcomes of interest that pertain to the mental health and wellbeing of Canadians. Furthermore, there is a need for continued work to understand stress across the lifespan from an inclusive and diverse Canadian lens

Stress and Adjustment during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study on the Lived Experience of Canadian Older Adults

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing measures were put into place to flatten the pandemic curve. It was projected that older adults were at increased risk for poor psychological and health outcomes resulting from increased social isolation and loneliness. However, little research has supported this projection among community-dwelling older adults. While a growing body of research has examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults, there is a paucity of qualitative research that captures the lived experience of community-dwelling older adults in Canada. The current study aimed to better understand the lived experience of community-dwelling older adults during the first six months of the pandemic in Ontario, Canada. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted with independent-living older adults aged 65 years and older. A total of 22 interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Following a recursive process, two overarching themes were identified: perceived threat and challenges of the pandemic, and coping with the pandemic. Specifically, participants reflected on the threat of contracting the virus and challenges associated with living arrangements, social isolation, and financial insecurity. Participants shared their coping strategies to maintain health and wellbeing, including behavioral strategies, emotion-focused strategies, and social support. Overall, this research highlights resilience among older adults during the first six months of the pandemic