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. 2017 Jul;53(1):25-32.
doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.11.020. Epub 2017 Jan 9.

The Built Environment and Cognitive Disorders: Results From the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study II

Yu-Tzu Wu  1 , A Matthew Prina  2 , Andy Jones  3 , Fiona E Matthews  4 , Carol Brayne  5 ; Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study Collaboration
Affiliations

The Built Environment and Cognitive Disorders: Results From the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study II

Yu-Tzu Wu et al. Am J Prev Med. 2017 Jul.

Abstract

Introduction: Built environment features have been related to behavior modification and might stimulate cognitive activity with a potential impact on cognitive health in later life. This study investigated cross-sectional associations between features of land use and cognitive impairment and dementia, and also explored urban and rural differences in these associations.

Methods: Postcodes of the 7,505 community-based participants (aged ≥65 years) in the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study II (collected in 2008-2011) were linked to environmental data from government statistics. Multilevel logistic regression investigated associations between cognitive impairment (defined as Mini-Mental State Examination score ≤25) and dementia (Geriatric Mental Status and Automatic Geriatric Examination for Computer-Assisted Taxonomy organicity level ≥3) and land use features, including natural environment availability and land use mix, fitting interaction terms with three rural/urban categories. Data were analyzed in 2015.

Results: Associations between features of land use and cognitive impairment were not linear. After adjusting for individual-level factors and area deprivation, living in areas with high land use mix was associated with a nearly 30% decreased odds of cognitive impairment (OR=0.72, 95% CI=0.58, 0.89). This was similar, yet non-significant, for dementia (OR=0.70, 95% CI=0.46, 1.06). In conurbations, living in areas with high natural environment availability was associated with 30% reduced odds of cognitive impairment (OR=0.70, 95% CI=0.50, 0.97).

Conclusions: Non-linear associations between features of land use and cognitive impairment were confirmed in this new cohort of older people in England. Both lack of and overload of environmental stimulation may be detrimental to cognition in later life.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
OR of cognitive impairment by interaction terms between land use mix, natural environment availability and rural/urban categories (estimates adjusted for age, gender, education, and chronic conditions). aReference group. bEstimates were not available due to small sample sizes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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