Papers on cognitive trajectories

Who was studied6,650 Chinese adults aged 65-99 years, against adults without hearing loss

What changedRapid cognitive decline was more likely with hearing loss than without (relative risk ratio 1.551)

The catchThe analysis did not measure whether hearing treatments prevent cognitive decline

Who was studied280 Black and White men and women, median 10 years

What changedHigher blood pressure before 40 was linked to declining thinking skills in midlife

The catchCognitive benefits from treating high blood pressure before 40 were not measured

Who was studied19,586 middle-aged and older adults, against robust adults

What changedThinking skills declined faster in adults with baseline frailty than in robust adults

The catchPreclinical neurodegeneration could drive both frailty and later cognitive decline

Who was studied4,804 adults with Down syndrome

What changedThe share developing epilepsy rose from 9·5% at symptomatic Alzheimer’s diagnosis to 56·9% after 9 years

The catchConsensus-based Alzheimer’s staging could misdate symptom onset, distorting the apparent timing of epilepsy

Who was studied523 residents of rural Ecuador, 10-year

What changedParticipants with early drops in thinking scores did not regain cognitive stability at long-term follow-up

The catchOnly 523 of 830 participants completed the final cognitive assessment

Who was studied14 older brain donors

What changedMyelin-forming brain cells were more abundant in older people with steeper cognitive decline

The catchBrain inflammation could drive both oligodendrocyte changes and cognitive decline