Leader: Sara Mondini (UNIPD); Other collaborator(s): Giulia Sebastanutto (UNIPD)
The aim is to select appropriate short screening tools able to identify a) the cognitive status of elderly people, b) a measure of cognitive reserve (acculturation), c) a measure of motor reserve (physical activity) and d) a measure of psychological well-being. The first action will select these four tools; then the second action will consist in administering remotely all the tools to the population of elderly people. Results will allow finding interesting predictors in modulating the cognitive status and well-being in ageing with the final purpose to shape the best lifestyle for a healthy aging
Brief description of the activities and of the intermediate results
Main policy, industrial and scientific implications
Main policy:
- Creation of a protocol to assess different aspects (cognition, loneliness, well-being, cognitive and motor reserve) that impact cognitive aging
- Improving awareness in older adults on aspects of their life that enhance a successful cognitive aging
Potential policy implications:
- Results to be used to develop policies and interventions to promote healthier lifestyles across the lifespan to enhance a more successful cognitive aging
With reference to point 2. Selection and contact with nursing homes and clinical facilities where to recruit people for data collections, we proceeded with the selection of the tools for measuring cognitive decline and affective reserve, for both cognitive and physical evaluation. We started the data collection.
Dissemination event: Sebastianutto, G., Montemurro, S., Mondini, S.. Anche nell’invecchiamento facciamo resistenza (Associazione amici della Casa del Popolo, Padova), 3 Giugno 2024.
Conferences:
The summer months were mainly dedicated to the writing of scientific articles and a chapter on cognitive assessment in aging.
Conferences:
Papers submitted:
Pucci, V., Contemori, G., Saccani, M.S., Arcara, G., Mondini, S., and Bonato, M. Auto-Global Examination of Mental State (Auto-GEMS): A web-based, self-administered cognitive screening. Submitted to Ageing Clinical and Experimental Research
Montemurro, S., Rumiati, R. I., Pucci, V., Nucci, M., Mondini, S. Cognitive Reserve can impact Trajectories in ageing: A longitudinal study. Under review to Ageing Clinical and Experimental Research
(a) Data collection on approximately 600 (400+200) elderly participants with two different protocols to investigate the construct of Cognitive Reserve and Motor Reserve in relation to cognitive functioning; (b) Beginning analysis of collected data; (c) Data collection on 80 participants (40 healthy and 40 with Parkinson's disease) to investigate role of Motor and Cognitive Reserves on cognitive and motor functioning in patients with motor pathology;
Writing of the paper “Protective and risk factors for cognitive decline: The role of Sex and Occupational Status” Sebastianutto, G., Salvi Bentivoglio, S., Montemurro, S., Pucci, V., Boccuzzo G., Mondini, S.
Mangini, G., Festari, C., Ottaviani, S., Tagliafico, L., Di Cara, G., Nencioni, A., Monacelli, F., and Delphi Consensus Panel. "The Italian cross-cultural adaptation of the Social Vulnerability Index for use in the Italian context".Submitted. Sara Mondini and Giulia Sebastianutto serve on the Delphi Consensus Panel.
Dissemination:
Mondini, S., Montemurro, S., Sebastianutto, G. (4 Dicembre 2024). Mente e corpo per raggiungere la terza e quarta età nel benessere mentale e fisico. c/o Aps PINO VERDE, Ponte san Nicolò (PD)
In the period January – March 2025, the group coordinated by professor Mondini ended a wide data collection of more than 700 participants and started its data analysis focusing primarily on Motor Reserve and Current Physical Activity.
The group is also working on other databases in collaboration with the group coordinated by professor Boccuzzo analyzing the role of Cognitive Reserve on cognitive functioning along the lifespan.
Published papers:
Montemurro S, Rumiati RI, Pucci V, Nucci M, Mondini S. Cognitive reserve can impact trajectories in ageing: a longitudinal study. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2025 Mar 17;37(1):93. doi: 10.1007/s40520-025-03000-z. PMID: 40095141; PMCID: PMC11914246.
Submitted papers:
Sebastianutto G., Salvi Bentivoglio, S. Montemurro, S., Pucci, V., Boccuzzo, G., Mondini, S., The Role of Occupational Status and Sex Differences: what protection for healthy ageing?
Mangini, G., Festari, C., Ottaviani, S., Tagliafico, L., Di Cara, G., Nencioni, A., Monacelli, F., and Delphi Consensus Panel*. "The Italian cross-cultural adaptation of the Social Vulnerability Index for use in the Italian context". *Sara Mondini and Giulia Sebastianutto are part of the Delphi Consensus Panel
Conferences:
S. Mondini (2025) Possibili effetti della Riserva Cognitiva e della Riserva Motoria sulla Riabilitazione. VI Convegno Annuale Poliambulanza: Brescia, February 2025
S. Mondini (2025) Fattori protettivi e di rischio per il decadimento cognitivo: interazione fra genere, scolarità e attività lavorativa. Corso Precongressuale di Neuropsicologia. 25° Congresso Nazionale AIP: Padova, March 2025.
Between April and June 2025, the research group coordinated by Professor Mondini continued the collaboration with the group coordinated by professor Boccuzzo analyzing the role of Cognitive Reserve on cognitive functioning along the lifespan (Task 5.1). The two groups are working on a paper entitled “Redefining cognitive testing: the impact of cognitive reserve and sex from early to late adulthood”.
The group also carried on the analyses initiated in the previous period on Motor Reserve and Current Physical Activity. In addition, further analyses were conducted to examine the impact of loneliness and well-being on cognitive functioning in aging. The group also began drafting two manuscripts based on the findings from these analyses.
A follow-up assessment was initiated on a subsample of participants drawn from the broader cohort assessed during the previous year.
Published Papers:
Pucci, V., Contemori, G., Saccani, M. S., Arcara, G., Mondini, S., & Bonato, M. (2024). Auto-Global Examination of Mental State (Auto-GEMS): a web-based self-administered cognitive screening. Aging clinical and experimental research, 36(1), 216. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-024-02862-z
Danesin, L., Pucci, V., Vidoret, A., Mondini, S., Arcara, G., Montemurro, S., & Burgio, F. (2025). Promoting healthy aging using new digital solutions in Italy: A scoping review. Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNA, 1–26. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2025.2462574
Book chapters:
Mondini, S.& Sebastianutto, G. (2025). Selezione di strumenti per individuare la fragilità cognitiva negli anziani. In G. Boccuzzo & A. Donno (Eds). Misurare la fragilità negli anziani. Metodi e strumenti a supporto delle politiche e della ricerca (pp. 125-150). Franco Angeli. https://series.francoangeli.it/index.php/oa/catalog/book/1345
Progress of other publications:
Talks at conferences
Invited Presentation:
Sebastianutto, G. The impact of Cognitive Reserve in men and women on test performance across the lifespan. Invited speaker at the Simposium "Riserva Cognitiva: implicazioni recenti nella valutazione e nel trattamento del declino cognitivo dovuto all’invecchiamento sano e patologico". Chair: Laura Veronelli. Urbino, 16-17 maggio 2025, Congresso Nazionale SINP 2025 https://sinp-web.org/archivio-congressi/congresso-sinp-2025/programma-25/
Dissemination:
Mondini, S., Montemurro, S., Sebastianutto, G. (10 Aprile 2025). Mente e corpo per raggiungere la terza e quarta età nel benessere mentale e fisico. Fondazione Villa Argento, Silea (TV). https://www.casaanzianisilea.org/
Sebastianutto, G. (4 giugno 2025). L’effetto dell’attività cognitiva e fisica sul funzionamento del cervello in tarda età. Chiosco è partecipazione; talk, divulgazione e dialoghi, Padova (PD) https://ilbolive.unipd.it/it/eventi/chiosco-partecipazione-0
Between July and September 2025, the research group coordinated by Professor Mondini continued the collaboration with the group coordinated by professor Boccuzzo finalizing the writing and submitting the paper entitled “Redefining cognitive testing: the impact of cognitive reserve and sex from early to late adulthood” to the European Journal of Ageing. Moreover, significant progress was achieved in the ongoing research activities focusing on cognitive aging and motor reserve. Specifically, the analyses examining the relationship between Motor Reserve, Current Physical Activity, and cognitive functioning in older adults were successfully completed. These analyses aimed to clarify the extent to which individual differences in motor experiences and present levels of physical activity contribute to cognitive efficiency and resilience in aging. The results revealed meaningful associations between motor and cognitive domains, providing insights into the mechanisms underlying cognition in ageing. The main findings were presented at the AIP Congress -Sezione Sperimentale, held in Turin from September 11th to 13th, 2025, where they received constructive feedback from the scientific community. The corresponding manuscript is currently being drafted and will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal in the coming months.
Additionally, the analyses exploring the impact of perceived loneliness on cognitive functioning in older adults were also finalized. This study aimed to investigate how subjective feelings of social isolation may affect cognitive performance and potentially interact with other psychosocial and neurocognitive variables. The results highlighted relevant associations between perceived loneliness and self perceived cognitiver functioning, contributing to a better understanding of the psychosocial factors influencing cognitive aging. These findings were presented at the AIP Congress – Sezione Clinica e Dinamica held in Perugia, and the related manuscript is soon to be submitted for publication.
In addition to conference dissemination, the outcomes of both research lines were also presented at a scientific and professional event dedicated to psychologists entitled “Disturbi Neurocognitivi: uno sguardo tra scienza, prassi ed emozioni. Insieme, molto è ancora possibile!” (6th Edition, September 17th, 2025, Fondazione Opera Immacolata Concezione ONLUS, Centro Civitas Vitae Angelo Ferro Auditorium, Pontello). This event provided an opportunity to discuss the translational implications of the research findings and to promote dialogue between clinical practice and neuroscientific research.
Overall, the reporting period was characterized by the completion of major analytical phases, the dissemination of results across multiple scientific and professional contexts, and the advancement of publication activities related to both lines of investigation.
Published papers:
Progress of other publications:
Talks at conferences
Presentations in plenary, invited, specialised or invited sessions:
Dissemination: