Association between anxiety, stress, and cognition in middle-aged adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease: Results from the Healthy Brain Project

Abstract

Background Anxiety and stress have been identified as potential risk factors of cognitive impairment, but research examining this association in midlife has been limited. Methods The current study examined associations between anxiety and stress symptoms, and cognition in middle-aged cognitively unimpaired adults ( n  = 2463) enrolled in the Healthy Brain Project. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on items in the Anxiety Subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Anxiety and Stress Subscales of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and Perceived Stress Scale. Cognitive functioning was assessed using the Cogstate Brief Battery. Results When considered as continuous mea..