
The Cognitive Toolbox: Do the Eyes Have It?
Cataract surgery may have a salutary effect on the trajectory of cognitive decline.
Better visual function may improve social interactions and facilitate cognitive stimulation whereas sensory impairment may lead to social isolation and depression, which exacerbate risk of dementia.
RESEARCH UPDATE
Cataract surgery may have a salutary effect on the trajectory of cognitive decline, according to an investigative team from the University of Manchester in Manchester, UK.1 This
The relationship between sensory impairment and cognitive performance has been hypothesized to be either associated with age-related degeneration of the central nervous system; a neurobiological domino effect (“cascade hypothesis”) mediated by compromised self-efficacy, social isolation, or depression; or simply poorer cognitive test performance due to sensory impairment.
They reviewed longitudinal data from 7 “waves” of survey data over the course of 13 years (2002 to 2015) from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). ELSA collects information on demographics, socioeconomics, health, and social participation of persons age 50 years and older.
A total of 2068 participants who had had
In the treatment group, cataract surgery was associated with significantly improved memory (P<.001), and, although cognitive decline persisted with aging, the decline in episodic memory scores was slower after cataract surgery (P<.001) when social determinants, behavioral risk factors, depression score, and chronic conditions were controlled for.
The slope of cognitive decline in the control group before
Female sex, higher educational attainment, higher income and regular, moderate physical exercise were associated with higher memory scores whereas depression and chronic disease were negatively associated. In response to these findings, the study authors pointed to
They added that better visual function may improve social interactions and facilitate cognitive stimulation whereas sensory impairment may lead to social isolation and depression, which exacerbate risk of dementia.
The bottom line
Cataract surgery was found to be associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline. This finding has important implications when identifying people at risk for cognitive decline and formulating interventions. The authors noted that further research is warranted and recommended that it focus on how treatment or prevention of vision impairment might lower the risk of dementia.
References:
1. Maharani A, Dawes P, Nazroo J, et al; SENSE-Cog WP1 group.
2. Salive ME, Guralnik J, Glynn RJ, et al.
3. Weuve J, Kang JH, Manson JE, et al F. Physical activity, including walking, and cognitive function in older women. JAMA. 2004;292(12): 1454-1461.
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