SP 11: Accelerated Vascular Aging in Midlife as a Mechanism Linking Daily Stress to Cognitive Decline

Daily psychosocial stress in midlife is associated with greater within-person cognitive variability—a reflection of subtle neurocognitive dysfunction and indicating increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). However, the physiological mediators transducing daily stress to accelerated cognitive aging remain unclear. SP10’s goal is to determine whether and to what extent mitochondrial dysfunction-induced impairments in peripheral endothelial function explain how daily stress impacts ‘real-world’ cognitive function in middle-aged adults. SP10 is assessing multiple dynamic aspects of daily stress processes and daily cognitive function for 14 consecutive days in a small community sample of cognitively unimpaired middle-aged males and females (n=20; 40-55 yrs).

SP11 is interested in using the MOODS app to assess the feasibility of collecting momentary reports of stressors in its sample.

A successful pilot will provide SP11 with a new burden-efficient and comprehensive mechanism to collect the sources of stress in ADRD patients. The timely recording of stressors will also open new opportunities to design, optimize, and deliver timely interventions.