Effects of age, genes, and pulse pressure on executive functions in healthy adults.

摘要: Executive functions (EF) evidence significant age-related declines, but the mechanisms underpinning those changes are unclear. In this study, we focus on two potential sources of variation: a physiological indicator vascular health, and genetic variants related to functions. sample healthy adults (n = 158, ages 18–81), examine effects age, pulse pressure, polymorphisms (comt val158met ace insertion/deletion) working memory cognitive flexibility. Results indicate that in addition often-replicated age differences, alleles promote vasoconstriction val D) reduced availability dopamine neocortical synapses val), negatively impact virtually all aspects EF tasks involve memory. some cases, suppression performance is limited men or necessitates combination both risk-associated alleles. After accounting for variation, pressure had no additional effect EF. These findings suggest adults, risk factors significantly modulate course aging.