The Dortmund Vital Study: Impact of Biological and Lifestyle Factors on Cognitive Performace and Work Ability

Change in performance on global cognitive composite score based on measures from neuropsychological tests: Digit-Span forward and backward, semantic memory in written and spoken versions (Word-Fluency), selective attention and attentional endurance (D2-R), crystallized intelligence (Multiple Choice Vocabulary Test), general cognitive status (Mini-Mental-State-Examination; MMSE), different aspects of verbal memory like learning performance and retrieval (Verbal Learning and Memory Tests; VLMT), psychomotor performance and speed of processing (Digit-Symbol-Test), interference control and inhibition (Stroop Test), task switching (Trail-Making-Test; TMT-A and TMT-B), two subtests from the performance testing system measuring logical reasoning and spatial rotation, and fluid intelligence assessed by Raven's Progressive Matrices.

Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in attentional performance and perceptual control assessed by the Bar Task.

Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in a Psychomotor Vigilance Test.

Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the Simon task.

Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the AX-CPT task.

Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the Speech-in-noise perception task.

Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the N-back task.

Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the cue- and memory based task switching.

Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the Auditory Distraction Task.

Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the Stroop Task.

Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the Go/NoGo Task.

Changes in behavioral (speed and accuracy) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data in the Visual Search Task.

Change in work ability assessed by Work Ability Index (WAI). WAI assess physical and psychological risks to avoid work-related disabilities and early retirement. The index is determined by the employees' answers related to work demands, individual health status and physical and psychological capacities. The total score of WAI is calculated by summing up scores of seven dimensions. The work ability ranged between 7 (insufficient) and 49 points (best work ability).

Change in resting state EEG activity measured for 2 minutes with eyes open, and 2 minutes with eyes closed.

Changes in functional magnetic resonance imaging assessed by resting state MRI.

Changes in structural resonance imaging assessed by multi-shell diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).

Change in total score using the Becks Depression Inventory (BDI).

Change in total score using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-D) with 6-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 (never) to 6 (always), total scores: 14 - 84. Higher scores indicate more severe symptoms.

Change in total score using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). 4-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 (strongly agree) to 4 (strongly disagree), total scores: 8 - 32. Higher scores indicate more severe symptoms.

Change in total score using the Psychosocial Stress Questionnaire (PSQ-20).

Change in chronic stress symptoms assessed by the Trier Inventory of Chronic Stress (TICS), consisting of several dimensions: Work Overload, Social Overload, Pressure to Perform, Work Discontent, Demands from work, Lack of Social Recognition, Social Tensions, Social Isolation, Chronic Worrying, and a 12 Item Screening-Scale (SSCS) that provides a score for general stress.

Change in total score in the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ III) that consists of several dimensions: cognitive and physical demands at work, job control, influence at work, developmental possibilities, interpersonal relations, leadership, and strain.

Change of the psychosocial demands at work assessed by the scale Self-Control at Work.

Change in cognitive failures in daily life assessed by the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (CFQ).

Change in scores of positive and negative affect. The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) is a self-report questionnaire that consists of two 10-item scales to measure both positive and negative affect.

Change in total score of the quality of life questionnaire (WHOQoL-BREF), consisting of dimensions: physical, psychological, social, environmental, and global quality of life.

Change in different sociodemographic aspects like marital status, occupational status, nutrition, leisure activities, alcohol drinking, frequency of social contacts, using of electronic media etc. Qualitative data will be categorized.

Change of the self-reported physical activity (Lüdenscheid Physical Activity Questionnaire) in minutes per week.

Change in total score of the Perdue Pegboard Test, assessing lateralization and motor functions.

Change of concentration of cytokines in serum (pg/ml): (IL-1b, IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, MCP-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17A, IL-18, IL-23, IL-33).

Change of functional activities of T cells and natural killer cells in %.

Change of peripheral blood mononuclear cells concentration (pg/ml): (PBMC; CD14 positive monocytes).

Change of physical fitness assessed by bicycle ergometer and a physical work capacity cycle test (PWC-130) to predict the absolute power output (in Watt) at a projected heart rate of 130 beats per minute. A relative power output is calculated by the power-to-weight ratio (Watt/kg).

Diastolic and systolic blood pressure (mm/Hg) and pulse (bpm) measured during rest and during cycle ergometry.

Change in electrocardiogram (ECG) measured during rest and during cycle ergometry.

Change of concentration of Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies (pg/ml) in serum to assess the severity of latent toxoplasmosis infection.

Concentration of COVID-19 antibodies (pg/ml) in serum to assess the intensity of immunological response to potential SARC-CoV-2 infection or response to vaccination.

Change in metabolic parameters in serum (pg/ml): concentration of ammonia, leucocytes, erythrocytes, hematocrit, monocytes, creatinine, lymphocytes, cell volume, thrombocytes, triglycerides, cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin, glucose, C-reactive protein and creatinine are measured in venous blood.

Change in metabolic parameters in urine (pg/ml): concentartion of creatinine and calcium oxalate.

Change of hair cortisol concentration (pg/mg) as an index of long-term stress.

A number of genetic polymorphisms coding common homozygotes, heterozygotes and rare homozygotes variants were selected which are potentially related to structure and function of the central nervous system. Blood samples were used for the DNA-genotyping of: Apo-E2, E3, E4 (rs7412, rs429358), BDNF Val66Met (rs6265), COMT-1 (rs4633), COMT-2 Val158Met (rs4680), DRD2 (rs6277, DRD1-48A/G (rs4532), CHRNA6-1 (rs1072003), CHRNA6-3 (rs2304297), CHRNB3-1 (rs13280604), CHRNB3-2 (rs4950), GPCPD1 (EDI3) (rs)6116869), GRIN2A (rs1969060), GRIN2A (rs8057394), GRIN2B (rs890), IL-1beta (rs16944), IL-6 (rs1800795), IL-12A (rs568408), TNF-alpha (rs1800629).

Change in visual acuity assessed by Vistec's Optovist according to DIN 58220-3 "Visual acuity testing - Part 3: Test for use in expertise" for far vision with the right and left eye separately (monocular) and with both eyes together (binocular), and if available with correction for distance (glasses for far vision). The "inclined optometer" is used to determine the zones of sufficient vision binocular at horizontal gaze inclination. For this, the near and far points are obtained, if available with distance correction (glasses for far vision).

Change in auditory acuity evaluated by audiometry. Audiometric thresholds are tested for ten pure-tone frequencies (125, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000, 8000 Hz) for the left and right ears separately.

Height (m) and weight (kg) are measured to compute the Body Mass Index (BMI in kg/m^2).

Waist- and hip measurements (cm) are measured to compute the waist-to-hip ratio.

Personality traits are evaluated by the Big-Five-Factor inventory (NEO-FFI), assessing the personality dimensions: neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Grit personality trait are assessed by the GRID scale and the self-control by the general self-control scale.

Subjective stress reactivity are assessed by the Perceived Stress Reactivity Scale (PSRS).

The chronotype assessing the morning or evening type is evaluated by (D-MEQ).

Handedness is evaluated by Handedness Edinburgh Inventory.

Traumatic experiences during childhood are assessed to evaluate stress reactivity in the adult life.

Sociodemographic characteristics like education, history of physical activity, marital status, children etc. were obtained. Qualitative data are categorized.

Questionnaire addressing COVID-19-specific experience with the pandemic and the consequences of a COVID-19 infection (if applicable).