Mental and cognitive health in relation to functional ability and somatic health in the elderly. The influence of age, sex, birth cohort, genetic, psychological, social and neurobiological factors

Aims: To examine mental and cognitive health in old age, their determinants and impact on functional ability and well-being, taking into account the complex interactions with age, sex, gender, socio-economic gradients, historical changes, psychosocial, neurobiological, and genetic factors occurring across the life course and in different birth cohorts.Methods: Representative birth cohorts from Gothenburg are followed longitudinally; a) H70-study comprising 70-year-olds born 1901-02, 1922, 1930, 1944 and 1952-53; b) H85-study comprising 85-year-olds born 1901-02, 1923-24 and 1930 c) the 95+ study (populations aged 95 and over; N=1020); d) Prospective Population Study of Women (1462 women followed 50-years 1968-- 2018).

In this application, we will examine those born 1952-52 at age 70, those born 1944 at age 79-80, and those born 1930 at age 95.

The studies include psychiatric, somatic, audiological, opthalmological, psychosocial, genetic, dietary, and psychometric examinations, language technology, collection of blood, plasma, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid, examinations with brain MRI and PET, body composition DEXA, and assessment of functional abilities.Significance: The project is unique in relation to the long follow-ups of birth cohorts examined five decades apart, and the comprehensive multidisciplinary examinations, including examination of preclinical Alzheimer’s disease.

It has relevance for understanding mental and cognitive health in older populations.