About this Research Topic
Frailty is a multidimensional geriatric syndrome characterized by increased vulnerability to stressors. When physical frailty is associated with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), but not dementia, the definition of “cognitive frailty” is preferred. The use of the term “cognitive frailty” is based on a long series of research on the association between multimorbidity and MCI, allowing for a single definition to encompass the coexistence of physical and cognitive impairment. This gives useful insights on the holistic processes of aging. Several aspects of cognitive frailty remain unexplored, particularly in comparison to physical frailty, with no consensus on its prevention, functioning, and measurement.
The lack of agreement hinders the development of effective support strategies. For instance, a variety of studies investigated the modifiable health and psychosocial risk factors leading to the transition to cognitive frailty: nutrition, sleep, depression, social contacts, sensory impairments, risky habits, and so on. Results are still mixed. Even the neuropsychological functioning has not been thoroughly described, and the definition of cognitive profiles of frailty has been left to screening tests only. The need for more specific distinctive cognitive markers is closely related to the necessity for dedicated diagnostic tools. However, these tools are not available due to the lack of a consensus on the multidimensional concept of frailty itself, which encompasses sociodemographic, physical, cognitive, psychological, nutritional, social, aging and disease domains. Each of them should be considered in effective, community-dwelling-based, psychometric tools. The ambitious goal for up-to-date research, therefore, is to address all these gaps for healthy aging.
The present proposal of a Research Topic Collection aims at welcoming multidisciplinary contributions on cognitive frailty, in order to promote healthy aging. In more details, the collection would include Original Research, Systematic Review, Methods, Review, Mini Review, Hypothesis and Theory, Perspective, and Brief Research Report on the following themes:
- Modifiable risk factors of cognitive frailty in a prevention-centered vision;
- Distinctive neuropsychological profiles of cognitive frailty;
- Psychometric strategies for a multidimensional, early, and ecological assessment of cognitive frailty;
- Older adults-centered supportive strategies, including new technologies with related acceptability and usability issues;
- Analyses of comorbidities for a better management of health;
- Distinguished cutting-edge opinions on current research trends related to cognitive frailty.
The lack of agreement hinders the development of effective support strategies. For instance, a variety of studies investigated the modifiable health and psychosocial risk factors leading to the transition to cognitive frailty: nutrition, sleep, depression, social contacts, sensory impairments, risky habits, and so on. Results are still mixed. Even the neuropsychological functioning has not been thoroughly described, and the definition of cognitive profiles of frailty has been left to screening tests only. The need for more specific distinctive cognitive markers is closely related to the necessity for dedicated diagnostic tools. However, these tools are not available due to the lack of a consensus on the multidimensional concept of frailty itself, which encompasses sociodemographic, physical, cognitive, psychological, nutritional, social, aging and disease domains. Each of them should be considered in effective, community-dwelling-based, psychometric tools. The ambitious goal for up-to-date research, therefore, is to address all these gaps for healthy aging.
The present proposal of a Research Topic Collection aims at welcoming multidisciplinary contributions on cognitive frailty, in order to promote healthy aging. In more details, the collection would include Original Research, Systematic Review, Methods, Review, Mini Review, Hypothesis and Theory, Perspective, and Brief Research Report on the following themes:
- Modifiable risk factors of cognitive frailty in a prevention-centered vision;
- Distinctive neuropsychological profiles of cognitive frailty;
- Psychometric strategies for a multidimensional, early, and ecological assessment of cognitive frailty;
- Older adults-centered supportive strategies, including new technologies with related acceptability and usability issues;
- Analyses of comorbidities for a better management of health;
- Distinguished cutting-edge opinions on current research trends related to cognitive frailty.
Keywords: Cognitive Frailty, Risk Factors, Neuropsychology, Psychometrics, Aging, Prevention
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