Dynamic neurocognitive adaptation in aging: Development and validation of a new scale

Abstract INTRODUCTION Forty‐five percent of Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases may have been preventable through protective factors. Reserve, resilience, and resistance share common neurocognitive adaptive processes, acting through protective mechanisms. In this article we propose the development a...

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Main Authors: Filippo Cieri, Giulia Di Francesco, Chad Lee Cross, Andrew Bender, Jessica Zoe Kirkland Caldwell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/trc2.70049
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author Filippo Cieri
Giulia Di Francesco
Chad Lee Cross
Andrew Bender
Jessica Zoe Kirkland Caldwell
author_facet Filippo Cieri
Giulia Di Francesco
Chad Lee Cross
Andrew Bender
Jessica Zoe Kirkland Caldwell
author_sort Filippo Cieri
collection DOAJ
description Abstract INTRODUCTION Forty‐five percent of Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases may have been preventable through protective factors. Reserve, resilience, and resistance share common neurocognitive adaptive processes, acting through protective mechanisms. In this article we propose the development and validation of a new scale, called dynamic Neurocognitive Adaptation, developed in this direction. METHODS We included 815 participants (50% women; 65+ years inclusive of age), divided into two subsamples for exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Our initial scale was composed of 30 items, investigating seven dimensions, explored by a 5‐point Likert scale reflecting the frequency of activities, for seven time windows. RESULTS Our final scale had 20 items divided among four dimensions: physical, cognitive, creative, and social. There were no issues related to multi‐collinearity or non‐collinearity. Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) = 0.80 and Bartlett's test of sphericity indicated all values ≤0.01; Cronbach's alpha = 0.83. DISCUSSION We have validated a reliable, novel, easy to complete, and comprehensive scale to assess lifetime behaviors, which can be applied in research on AD risk reduction, mild cognitive impairment, and in clinical practice. Highlights Reserve, resistance, and resilience share similar adaptive mechanisms. Dynamic Neurocognitive Adaptation is a new scale to assess lifetime protective factors. Dynamic Neurocognitive Adaptation is a reliable, novel, and easy to complete scale. This approach can characterize specific life stages that are ripe for risk‐reduction interventions. Our scale can be used to personalize health recommendations in aging.
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spelling doaj-art-c5690acc0af542e4910f339badef953b2025-08-20T03:42:19ZengWileyAlzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions2352-87372025-01-01111n/an/a10.1002/trc2.70049Dynamic neurocognitive adaptation in aging: Development and validation of a new scaleFilippo Cieri0Giulia Di Francesco1Chad Lee Cross2Andrew Bender3Jessica Zoe Kirkland Caldwell4Department of Neurology Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health Las Vegas Nevada USAHematology Unit, Department of Oncology‐Hematology Pescara Hospital Pescara ItalyDepartment of Neurology Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health Las Vegas Nevada USADepartment of Neurology Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health Las Vegas Nevada USADepartment of Neurology Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health Las Vegas Nevada USAAbstract INTRODUCTION Forty‐five percent of Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases may have been preventable through protective factors. Reserve, resilience, and resistance share common neurocognitive adaptive processes, acting through protective mechanisms. In this article we propose the development and validation of a new scale, called dynamic Neurocognitive Adaptation, developed in this direction. METHODS We included 815 participants (50% women; 65+ years inclusive of age), divided into two subsamples for exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Our initial scale was composed of 30 items, investigating seven dimensions, explored by a 5‐point Likert scale reflecting the frequency of activities, for seven time windows. RESULTS Our final scale had 20 items divided among four dimensions: physical, cognitive, creative, and social. There were no issues related to multi‐collinearity or non‐collinearity. Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) = 0.80 and Bartlett's test of sphericity indicated all values ≤0.01; Cronbach's alpha = 0.83. DISCUSSION We have validated a reliable, novel, easy to complete, and comprehensive scale to assess lifetime behaviors, which can be applied in research on AD risk reduction, mild cognitive impairment, and in clinical practice. Highlights Reserve, resistance, and resilience share similar adaptive mechanisms. Dynamic Neurocognitive Adaptation is a new scale to assess lifetime protective factors. Dynamic Neurocognitive Adaptation is a reliable, novel, and easy to complete scale. This approach can characterize specific life stages that are ripe for risk‐reduction interventions. Our scale can be used to personalize health recommendations in aging.https://doi.org/10.1002/trc2.70049activitiesadaptationdynamicneurocognitivepreventionreserve
spellingShingle Filippo Cieri
Giulia Di Francesco
Chad Lee Cross
Andrew Bender
Jessica Zoe Kirkland Caldwell
Dynamic neurocognitive adaptation in aging: Development and validation of a new scale
Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions
activities
adaptation
dynamic
neurocognitive
prevention
reserve
title Dynamic neurocognitive adaptation in aging: Development and validation of a new scale
title_full Dynamic neurocognitive adaptation in aging: Development and validation of a new scale
title_fullStr Dynamic neurocognitive adaptation in aging: Development and validation of a new scale
title_full_unstemmed Dynamic neurocognitive adaptation in aging: Development and validation of a new scale
title_short Dynamic neurocognitive adaptation in aging: Development and validation of a new scale
title_sort dynamic neurocognitive adaptation in aging development and validation of a new scale
topic activities
adaptation
dynamic
neurocognitive
prevention
reserve
url https://doi.org/10.1002/trc2.70049
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