A Cohort Study of Higher Brain Function and Motor-Kinesthetic Function in Middle and Old Age People

为了研究健康中老年人的认知与运动-动觉功能之间的关系，我们参与了名古屋大学医学院和藤田医疗福利大学进行了23年的队列研究。我们作为一个认知心理学的研究小组，开发了名古屋大学认知评估电池（NU-CAB），在四年的时间里，每年对450至650人的认知功能（基本上是记忆、注意力和语言能力）进行评估。基于四年的数据收集，得出以下结论：1)。正常健康人与前额叶皮层相关的认知能力从50岁左右开始退化。有所谓的罕见精英幸存者，他们年龄在75岁以上，并保持适当的认知和运动-动觉功能。认知功能和运动-动觉功能之间存在一定的联系，这表明前额叶皮层与脑-小脑连接之间存在很强的联系。认知功能与社会心理习惯（如饮酒、吸烟和体育锻炼）之间存在一定的关系。认知功能与休闲活动等生活方式之间存在一定的关系。

To examine the relationship between cognitive and motor-kinesthetic function in healthy middle and old people, we participated in the cohort study, which has been conducted for 23 years by Nagoya University Medical School and Fujita Medical Welfare University. We developed the Nagoya University Cognitive Assessment Battery (NU-CAB) as a research group of cognitive psychology and assessed cognitive function (basically, memory, attention and verbal abilities) of 450 to 650 people every year for four years.Based on the data collected for four years, the followings findings were revealed ;1).Cognitive abilities that related to prefrontal cortex deteriorate from age around 50 years old in normal healthy people.2).There are so-called rare-elite survivors who are above 75 years old and they are maintaining proper level of cognitive and motor-kinesthetic function.3).There are certain relationships between cognitive function and motor-kinesthetic function that suggests strong relation between prefrontal cortex and cerebro-cerebeller connection.4).There are certain relationships between cognitive function and socio-psychological habits such as drinking, smoking and physical exercise.5).There are certain relationships between cognitive function and living style such as participation of leisure activities.