Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Erica Weiss, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Dr. Camilo Ortiz, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Dr. Hilary Vidair, Ph.D.

Abstract

The specific determinants and mechanisms of genetic longevity are an intriguing area of research. There is evidence to show that longevity and associated phenotypes of successful aging are partially determined by genetic factors (Adams et al. 2008; Barzilai et al. 2006; Barzilai et al. 2003; Murabito et al. 2013; Newman et al. 2011). Further research shows that offspring of parents with exceptional longevity (OPEL) may age more successfully and be protected from age related decline than the offspring of parents with usual survival (OPUS) (Ayers et al. 2014; Barzilai et al. 2006; Barzilai et al. 2003). Studies demonstrated an inverse relationship between parental longevity and adverse cognitive outcomes (Tian et al. 2020; Dutta et al. 2014; Murabito et al. 2014). However, the relationship between parental longevity and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has yet to be sufficiently explored and requires further examination. This study investigated differences in MCI prevalence, age of onset, and incidence trajectories/risk between OPEL and OPUS. To our knowledge, this is the first study that aims to explore this association and would be an important steppingstone to identify specific genetic biomarkers associated with cognitive longevity. We utilized the LonGenity cohort- a longitudinal genetics study with 1075 participants (56.3% female, mean age at baseline: 74.81 (±6.78)) who are seen annually for physical and cognitive assessments. We used data collected from 2008 through 2023 to investigate prevalence of cognitive impairment in OPEL (49.5%) vs OPUS at 4 different time points (65, 75, 85, last visit prior to death) using different operational criteria of cognitive impairment. We also investigated age of onset of cognitive impairment in OPEL and OPUS along with difference in incidence trajectories and risk. Age was found to be a significant predictor of MCI across all diagnostic criteria. Model estimated prevalence rates were comparable between cohorts until ages 85 and 90, at which point OPEL demonstrated increased MCI prevalence. Observed MCI prevalence rates were significantly higher in OPUS at the visit prior to death when using algorithmic and clinical consensus methods. OPEL demonstrated earlier age of MCI onset before (algorithmic, PW, clinical consensus) and after (clinical consensus) controlling for known age differences between cohorts. Kaplan Meier survival curves showed similar MCI incidence trajectories across criteria, with the clinical consensus method yielding the largest discrepancy. Risk of incident MCI did not significantly differ between cohorts across impairment criteria.

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