U.S. South Has Higher Risk of Cognitive Decline

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D.on May 27, 2011

For decades public health researchers have known that individuals living in the American South displayed an increased risk of stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease.

A new study finds that individuals living in this region also have a greater incidence of cognitive decline compared to other regions of the country.

The region is generally considered to be an 11-state cluster including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Researchers believe shared risk factors are to blame for the increased chance of cardiovascular events and cognitive decline.

Risk factors have been hypothesized to include increased rates of hypertension, low socioeconomic status, high fat diet, cultural lifestyle, quality of health care facilities, smoking, and infections.

In 1965, the “Stroke Belt” first appeared in medical literature to describe the southeastern region of the U.S. where stroke mortality rates were 50 percent higher than the remaining U.S. regions.

In the new study, called The Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS), Principal Investigator George Howard, Dr.PH., recruited over 30,000 U.S. adults aged 45 or older from 2003 through 2007 and is following them for stroke and cognitive decline.

REGARDS participants included 56 percent from the Stroke Belt states and 44 percent  from the remaining states in the continental U.S., including the District of Columbia, which researchers collectively termed “non-Belt” states.

For their report on cognitive decline, the investigators included 23,913 REGARDS participants, made up only of African-Americans (38 percent) and European-Americans (62 percent) who reported no history of stroke at baseline and had normal cognitive status at the first assessment.

“Our study is the first to document higher incidence of cognitive impairment in the Stroke Belt compared to remaining U.S. regions,” said researcher Virginia Wadley, Ph.D.

Researchers assessed brain function using the Six-item Screener (SIS)—a test of global cognitive function that includes item recall and temporal orientation. SIS scores range from 0 to 6 with a score of 4 or less representing cognitive impairment.

Results indicate that 8.1 percent of participants showed cognitive impairment at their most recent assessment, over a mean of 4.1 years following the initial assessment. Stroke Belt residents had a greater likelihood of cognitive impairment than non-Belt residents.

Risk of cognitive impairment was 18 percent higher in residents of the Stroke Belt than in those living in non-Belt states after adjusting for the influences of age, sex, race, and education level. The research team suggests that future studies should examine the impact of migration patterns, urban versus rural residence, socioeconomic factors, and educational quality on cognitive decline.

“Investigating regional patterns that contribute to modifiable risk factors affecting cognitive decline will allow for prevention and intervention efforts that are geographically concentrated,” Wadley said.

“Information obtained from the REGARDS study can be used to develop services for older Americans at both local and national levels to improve outcomes for those most vulnerable to diminished cognitive function.”

Source: Wiley-Blackwell

Related News Articles
-->Related Clinical Articles
-->

 

 

Advocacy and Policy, Aging, Cognition, General, Health-related, LifeHelper, Memory and Perception, Mental Health and Wellness, Professional, Psychology, Research -->

« News Index

PsychotherapyTypesBehavior TherapyCognitive TherapyInterpersonal TherapyPsychodynamic TherapyFamily TherapyGroup TherapyFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about PsychotherapyUnderstanding Different Approaches to Psychotherapy Blogs:Mindfulness & PsychotherapyTherapy Soup Online Book:How to Find a Good Therapist Browse through our Psychotherapy Library FAQsCognitive DistortionsQuestions to Ask Your TherapistHistory of PsychotherapyWhat If You Don't Like Your Therapist?Getting a Referral for PsychotherapyDo Educational Degrees Matter?Types of Mental Health ProfessionalsCharacteristics of Effective Counseling Finding Low-Cost PsychotherapyFind a Therapist Now
 From Our News BureauThe Drug Metyrapone to Erase Bad Memories? Brain's Response to Sadness Predicts Depression Relapse Animal Study Suggests Omega-3 Lessens Depression, Mania
Just Published...7 Good Reasons to Cry: The Healing Property of TearsHow Healthy Is Your Metaphor?Affirmations for PessimistsHypomania and the Culture of Western Medicine
What's Hot5 Keys to Building Strong Relationships in Any Sphere of LifeadvertisementMost Popular NewsThe Drug Metyrapone to Erase Bad Memories? Brain's Response to Sadness Predicts Depression Relapse Animal Study Suggests Omega-3 Lessens Depression, Mania Postural Problems a Sign of Bipolar Illness? Disaster Plans Should Include Those with Mental Illness Our Brains Distort Our Own Body Image Music Therapy Aids in Relieving Fibromyalgia Depression's Chemical Imbalance Explained Social Cues Are Difficult for People with Schizophrenia Most Popular Blog PostsThe Link Between Creativity and Eccentricity 7 Good Reasons to Cry: The Healing Property of Tears Atypical Antipsychotic Medications Not a Good Choice for Alzheimer's Helping Others Is Good For Your Health: An Interview with Stephen G. Post, PhD Am I a Defensive Pessimist? When the Rapture Doesn't Happen, How Will Harold Camping React? Bummer, The World Didn’t End: Now What? How to Spot a Narcissist 10 Tips to Enhance Your Love Bonds The Healing Power of Laughter Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter

advertisement
Find a Therapist

Users Online: 2711
Join Us Now!
Local GuidesAll Guides
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
DC
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming


  #footer { height:220px; } #foot-mid { margin:0 0 0 40px; } Home • About Us • Advertise with Us • Contact Us
Privacy Policy • Terms of Use • Site Map • Disclaimer/Disclosure • Feeds

Download the Psych Central Toolbar

Copyright © 1992-2011 Psych Central. All rights reserved.
Site last updated: 29 May 2011

Psych Central Professional
Psych Central Answers
Psych Central Blog Network
Psych Central News
Tests & Quizzes
Sanity Score
Forums • NeuroTalk

ADHD
Anxiety
Bipolar
Depression
Schizophrenia
Psychotherapy

We comply
with the
HONcode
standard:
Verify here