Forskningsartikler

Abstract

Objective: This study presents updated regression-based norms for verbal fluency tests: «FAS,» «Animals,» and «Supermarket» in older Norwegian adults. By examining the potential modulating effects and putative interaction effects of age, education, and sex, we aim to investigate cognitive aging and the effects of education.

Method: The study includes 449 healthy participants, aged 70-92 years, from the NorFAST (n = 254) and HUNT (n = 195) studies. Regression-based norms for all three verbal fluency tasks were produced. Models were assessed for pertinent linear, curvilinear, or interaction effects of age, education, and sex. We compared our norms to previously published norms.

Results: The task «FAS» was predicted by education (b = 0.773, partial R2 = 0.117, p < .001) and sex (b = 1.110, partial R2 = 0.037, p < .001), and the task «Animals» was predicted by education (b = 0.313, partial R2 = 0.021, p < .01) and age (b = -0.123, partial R2 = 0.045, p < .001). Higher education and being female were associated with better performance, whereas older age was associated with poorer performance. Finally, for the task «Supermarket,» we found an interaction effect between age and education (b = -0.063, partial R2 = 0.034, p < .01), but the major predictor was sex (b = 1.446, partial R2 = 0.068, p < .001).

Conclusions: The norms were adjusted for the demographic variables that predicted the individual tasks. The illustrative norm comparison estimated similar mean performance but larger differences between the «exceptionally low» scores. The results also indicate that only processing speed declines with age, and that higher education has minimal effect on test-performance.

Therese Händel Waggestad, Bjørn-Eivind Kirsebom, Carsten Strobel, Linda Gjøra, Geir Selbæk, Peter Bekkhus-Wetterberg, Jens Egeland

Abstract

Background: Late-life depression (LLD) is frequently accompanied by cognitive impairment, but short-term treatment-related cognitive change and its predictors remain uncertain. We investigated whether age at first depressive episode, neuropsychiatric symptom phenotype, and baseline peripheral neuroinflammatory biomarkers are associated with cognitive improvement during inpatient treatment for LLD.

Methods: We analysed older inpatients with DSM-IV major depressive disorder from the multi-centre PRODE cohort (n = 136; age ≥ 60). Clinical care was standard, multidisciplinary, and individualised for about eight weeks. Cognition was assessed at admission and discharge using a comprehensive battery. Baseline neuropsychiatric symptoms were measured using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and 12 serum inflammatory markers were collected at admission.

Results: Mixed-effects models did not detect overall cognitive improvement across cognitive measures. Late-onset depression (LOD, age 50 years or older) predicted greater improvements in immediate (β = 0.48 95 % CI [0.03, 0.92]) and delayed (β = 0.48 95 % CI [0.01, 0.94]) recall, which were not significant after correcting for multiple comparisons (ps > 0.08). Latent class analysis (LCA) supported three neuropsychiatric classes. Compared with the Reference class, the Mild class showed larger gains in verbal fluency and delayed recall and greater reduction in Montgomery Aasberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores, whereas the Severe class did not differ. Lower baseline interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) − α predicted better recognition memory (β = −0.15, 95 % CI [−0.25, − 0.05]).

Conclusions: In real-world inpatient care, cognitive improvement in LLD was limited after adjustment. A mild neuropsychiatric profile, and pro-inflammatory biomarkers might be linked to cognitive benefits.

Lingfeng Xue, Dag Aarsland, Mariia Bocharova, Tom Borza, Geir Selbæk, Allan H. Young

Abstract

Older people are increasingly using personal and environmental resources to have a good life in older age. The concept of aging well has gained importance for Turkish circular migrants, who typically split their time between two distinctly different locations. The aim of the present study was to explore older circular migrants’ thoughts and practices to facilitate aging well.

The research draws on qualitative data collected through 20 interviews with 10 transnational and 10 internal older circular migrants in rural areas of Türkiye.

As a result of the thematic analysis, three main themes emerged: (i) Places of belonging: Sense of trust and connection (ii) Home place: Satisfying and different from the host place and (iii) Permanent homecoming is not an option.

The findings showed that both internal and transnational older migrants strategically prefer circular movement with circular migration emerging as an aging well strategy. It is recommended that future studies focus on a life course perspective that intersects with place and belonging, when examining the facilitators or barriers that older circular migrants face in promoting narratives of aging well.

Jülide Yılmaz,  Nilüfer Korkmaz Yaylagül & Anne-S Helvik

Abstract

Bjørn-Atle Reme, Hans Fredrik Sunde, Fartein Ask Torvik, Jonas Minet Kinge, Bjørn Heine Strand, Jonathan Wörn

Key Features

HUNT4 70+ is a sub-cohort of persons aged ≥70 years in the fourth survey of the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), established to provide data for aging research.

This population-based sample consists of 9956 individuals from the original HUNT catchment area, included between August 2017 and February 2019. In addition, an urban sample of 1743 persons was included in Trondheim city during October 2018–June 2019.

HUNT4 70+ covers comprehensive aspects of aging health, including clinical examinations, performance-based tests of physical and cognitive function, questionnaires, and biological samples.

High participation rates among the old and frail were obtained by examination in private homes and nursing homes when needed (15% of the participants).

The data can be linked to all national registers in Norway, such as cause of death, prescription, health-care utilization, and diagnosis registries.

Data access requires approval from a Norwegian Research Ethics Committee before application to the HUNT Research Centre. Contact HUNT Research Centre for collaboration and more info (ntnu.edu/hunt).

Håvard K Skjellegrind, Pernille Thingstad, Linda Gjøra, Marit Kolberg, Grete Kjelvik, Linda Ernstsen, Tone N Fagerhaug, Arnulf Langhammer, Steinar Krokstad, Bjørn Olav Åsvold, Marit Næss & Geir Selbæk

Abstract

The increasing presence of older immigrants in European societies has led to growing interest in how they and their families experience and manage care in ageing. This study aimed to explore the pattern of reflections and expectations of 2nd generation Turkish immigrants in Norway regarding family care. Qualitative design was employed in this study. The sample consisted of 18 2ndgeneration individuals of Turkish origin living in Norway. All participants lived in and around the same city in the middle part of Norway. Data was collected through individual face-to-face interviews conducted between November 2024 and January 2025. The transcripts were examined using reflexive thematic analysis. Four main themes were identified. 1) Cultural Background and Caregiving: Traditional Turkish Norms, 2) Intergenerational Care Expectations: Shifting Norms and Values, 3) Family Care Under the Same Roof: Wishes and Realities, and 4) Negotiating Family Care Responsibility. These findings demonstrate that cultural norms and caregiving, intergenerational care expectations, and family care practices are dynamically negotiated among 2nd generation Turkish immigrants. The findings indicate that while caregiving responsibilities are primarily framed in terms of love and moral obligation, economic, spatial, and emotional challenges significantly complicate this process.

Büşra Nur Temür, Nilgün Aksoy, Lillian Karlsen & Anne-Sofie Helvik

Abstract

Background: It is of interest to local authorities to better understand cultural adaptation among immigrant groups who came to a new culture and country at a young age. There is a gap in the literature on the cultural adaptation of Turkish immigrants from arrival until and during old age. This study aimed to explore the experiences of cultural adaptation among long-term older Turkish immigrants in Norway.

Methods: This study had a qualitative, explorative design and employed reflexive thematic analysis and face-to-face semi-structured individual interviews to improve the understanding of cultural adaptation. A total of 15 Turkish immigrants aged 60 years and over were interviewed once between March and June 2023.

Results: The following two main themes and five subthemes about cultural adaptation were generated: (a) encouraging cultural adaptation (experiencing social equality, tolerance, and economic prosperity; meeting supportive people and functioning welfare systems; learning and liking the culture and people); (b) restricting cultural adaptation (a continuing language barrier: struggling to communicate; preserving one’s own culture and heritage).

Conclusion: To enhance cultural adaptation, researchers should conduct interventional studies that consider encouragement and restriction. For long-term older migrants, nursing is an essential tool for enhancing cultural adaption and promoting healthy aging in the host country. This study recommends further education and research for nurses to be more effective in overcoming cultural barriers and supporting older immigrants.

Ayşegül Ilgaz, Büşra Nur Temür, Süleyman Şahin, Sebahat Gözüm, Anne-Sofie Helvik

Abstract:

Background: Cognition and frailty are sparsely studied in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). We aimed to describe the preoperative cognitive function compared with normative data and frailty profile in iNPH patients accepted for shunt surgery.

Methods: All patients were diagnosed according to international guidelines and underwent a standardized cognitive and physical examination and a geriatric assessment prior to surgery. Z-scores for the cognitive tests were calculated based on age and education adjusted population norms.

Results: The study cohort included 276 iNPH patients accepted for shunt surgery. Mean ± SD age was 73.1 ± 5.7 years, education 12.5 ± 3.8 years, and 61% were male. The median (IQR) score on the Mini-Mental State Evaluation was 27 (24–29), and the median (IQR) Clock Drawing test score was 4 (3–5). Mean (SD) z-score for immediate verbal recall was −1.74 (0.98), for delayed recall −1.66 (1.01), for figure copying −0.85 (1.35) for Trail Making Test A -1.50 (1.09), for Trail Making Test B −1.88 (1.03), for phonemic fluency −1.46 (1.10), and for semantic fluency −1.59 (1.20). Cluster analysis identified three groups, mainly differing regarding visuospatial function. The mean (SD) Frailty Index score was 0.23 (0.13), indicating mild frailty. The frailty domain most affected was physical function.

Conclusion: iNPH patients showed reduced cognitive function across all domains. The patient group is rather heterogeneous regarding cognitive symptoms, and no specific cognitive profile was identified. Cognitive assessment offers limited utility for diagnosing a typical pattern specific for iNPH but is important due to the complex needs for this patient group. Whether cognitive and frailty profile can be used to identify shunt responders, must be assessed in longitudinal studies.

Magnhild S. Dejgaard, Per Kristian Eide, Gro Gujord Tangen, Eva Skovlund, Geir Selbæk & Torgeir Bruun Wyller

Abstract:

Beyond their classical functions as redox cofactors, recent fundamental and clinical research has expanded our understanding of the diverse roles of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) in signaling pathways, epigenetic regulation and energy homeostasis. Moreover, NAD and NADP influence numerous diseases as well as the processes of aging, and are emerging as targets for clinical intervention. Here, we summarize safety, bioavailability and efficacy data from NAD+-related clinical trials, focusing on aging and neurodegenerative diseases. We discuss the established NAD+ precursors nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, newer compounds such as nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide mononucleotide, and emerging precursors. We also discuss technological advances including in industrial-scale production and real-time detection, which are facilitating NAD+ research and clinical translation. Finally, we emphasize the need for further large-scale studies to determine optimal dose, administration routes and frequency, as well as long-term safety and interindividual variability in response.

Jianying Zhang, He-Ling Wang, Sofie Lautrup, Hilde Loge Nilsen, Jonas T Treebak, Leiv Otto Watne, Geir Selbæk, Lindsay E Wu, Torbjørn Omland, Eija Pirinen, Tin Cho Cheung, Jun Wang , Mathias Ziegler, Ole-Bjørn Tysnes, Rubén Zapata-Pérez, Santina Bruzzone, Carles Canto, Michela Deleidi, Georges E Janssens, Riekelt H Houtkooper, Morten Scheibye-Knudsen, Masaya Koshizaka, Koutaro Yokote, Eric Verdin, Vilhelm A Bohr, Charalampos Tzoulis, David A Sinclair & Evandro Fei Fang