The Face of Early Cognitive Decline? Shape and Asymmetry Predict Choice Reaction Time Independent of Age, Diet or Exercise
Slower reaction time is a measure of cognitive decline and can occur as early as 24 years of age. We are interested if developmental stability predicts cognitive performance independent of age and lifestyle (e.g., diet and exercise). Developmental stability is the latent capacity to buffer ontogenet...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-11-01
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| Series: | Symmetry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/11/11/1364 |
| _version_ | 1811184824057069568 |
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| author | William M. Brown Agnese Usacka |
| author_facet | William M. Brown Agnese Usacka |
| author_sort | William M. Brown |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Slower reaction time is a measure of cognitive decline and can occur as early as 24 years of age. We are interested if developmental stability predicts cognitive performance independent of age and lifestyle (e.g., diet and exercise). Developmental stability is the latent capacity to buffer ontogenetic stressors and is measured by low fluctuating asymmetry (FA). FA is random—with respect to the largest side—departures from perfect morphological symmetry. The degree of asymmetry has been associated with physical fitness, morbidity, and mortality in many species, including humans. We expected that low FA (independent of age, diet and exercise) will predict faster choice reaction time (i.e., correct keyboard responses to stimuli appearing in a random location on a computer monitor). Eighty-eight university students self-reported their fish product consumption, exercise, had their faces 3D scanned and cognitive performance measured. Unexpectedly, increased fish product consumption was associated with worsened choice reaction time. Facial asymmetry and multiple face shape variation parameters predicted slower choice reaction time independent of sex, age, diet or exercise. Future work should develop longitudinal interventions to minimize early cognitive decline among vulnerable people (e.g., those who have experienced ontogenetic stressors affecting optimal neurocognitive development). |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T13:20:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4375d021ecb449ca9d7034e93b730c72 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-8994 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T13:20:04Z |
| publishDate | 2019-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Symmetry |
| spelling | doaj.art-4375d021ecb449ca9d7034e93b730c722022-12-22T04:22:15ZengMDPI AGSymmetry2073-89942019-11-011111136410.3390/sym11111364sym11111364The Face of Early Cognitive Decline? Shape and Asymmetry Predict Choice Reaction Time Independent of Age, Diet or ExerciseWilliam M. Brown0Agnese Usacka1School of Psychology, University of Bedfordshire, Park Square, LU1 3JU Luton, England, UKSchool of Psychology, University of Bedfordshire, Park Square, LU1 3JU Luton, England, UKSlower reaction time is a measure of cognitive decline and can occur as early as 24 years of age. We are interested if developmental stability predicts cognitive performance independent of age and lifestyle (e.g., diet and exercise). Developmental stability is the latent capacity to buffer ontogenetic stressors and is measured by low fluctuating asymmetry (FA). FA is random—with respect to the largest side—departures from perfect morphological symmetry. The degree of asymmetry has been associated with physical fitness, morbidity, and mortality in many species, including humans. We expected that low FA (independent of age, diet and exercise) will predict faster choice reaction time (i.e., correct keyboard responses to stimuli appearing in a random location on a computer monitor). Eighty-eight university students self-reported their fish product consumption, exercise, had their faces 3D scanned and cognitive performance measured. Unexpectedly, increased fish product consumption was associated with worsened choice reaction time. Facial asymmetry and multiple face shape variation parameters predicted slower choice reaction time independent of sex, age, diet or exercise. Future work should develop longitudinal interventions to minimize early cognitive decline among vulnerable people (e.g., those who have experienced ontogenetic stressors affecting optimal neurocognitive development).https://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/11/11/1364developmental stabilityfluctuating asymmetryface shape variationgeometric morphometricschoice reaction timedietpolyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3physical activity early cognitive decline |
| spellingShingle | William M. Brown Agnese Usacka The Face of Early Cognitive Decline? Shape and Asymmetry Predict Choice Reaction Time Independent of Age, Diet or Exercise Symmetry developmental stability fluctuating asymmetry face shape variation geometric morphometrics choice reaction time diet polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 physical activity early cognitive decline |
| title | The Face of Early Cognitive Decline? Shape and Asymmetry Predict Choice Reaction Time Independent of Age, Diet or Exercise |
| title_full | The Face of Early Cognitive Decline? Shape and Asymmetry Predict Choice Reaction Time Independent of Age, Diet or Exercise |
| title_fullStr | The Face of Early Cognitive Decline? Shape and Asymmetry Predict Choice Reaction Time Independent of Age, Diet or Exercise |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Face of Early Cognitive Decline? Shape and Asymmetry Predict Choice Reaction Time Independent of Age, Diet or Exercise |
| title_short | The Face of Early Cognitive Decline? Shape and Asymmetry Predict Choice Reaction Time Independent of Age, Diet or Exercise |
| title_sort | face of early cognitive decline shape and asymmetry predict choice reaction time independent of age diet or exercise |
| topic | developmental stability fluctuating asymmetry face shape variation geometric morphometrics choice reaction time diet polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 physical activity early cognitive decline |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/11/11/1364 |
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