Multivariate modeling of two associated cognitive outcomes in a longitudinal study

J Alzheimers Dis. 2003 Oct;5(5):357-65. doi: 10.3233/jad-2003-5502.

Abstract

Longitudinal studies of Alzheimer's disease provide information about cognitive decline and predictors of this decline. However, overall cognitive function is comprised of many underlying processes, each of which may respond differently over time and may be affected by different predictors. In addition to studying how these processes decline independently, one might also be interested in how the processes decline together. Multivariate growth models, an extension and modification of random effects models, provide a means of dealing with these issues and enable assessing the association between the processes of interest. This technique allows for separate random effects and predictors for each process in the same model, thereby providing simultaneous estimates of the model parameters and variability for each process. We can then determine if factors associated with decline in one process are also associated with decline in another process and the extent to which the processes differ. We provide data that include information on two underlying processes of cognitive function, namely memory and executive function, to illustrate this methodology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis
  • Alzheimer Disease / epidemiology*
  • Alzheimer Disease / etiology
  • Brain / pathology
  • Cerebral Infarction / diagnosis
  • Cerebral Infarction / epidemiology*
  • Cerebral Infarction / etiology
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Geriatric Assessment / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Statistical*
  • Multivariate Analysis*
  • Neuropsychological Tests / statistics & numerical data*
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychometrics / statistics & numerical data
  • Risk Factors