Education and Cognitive Decline in Older Americans: Results From the AHEAD Sample.

TitleEducation and Cognitive Decline in Older Americans: Results From the AHEAD Sample.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2007
AuthorsAlley, DE, Suthers, K, Crimmins, EM
JournalRes Aging
Volume29
Issue1
Pagination73-94
Date Published2007 Jan 01
ISSN Number1552-7573
Call Numbernewpubs20101112_Alley.pdf
Abstract

Although education is consistently related to better cognitive performance, findings on the relationship between education and age-associated cognitive change have been conflicting. Using measures of multiple cognitive domains from four waves of the Asset and Health Dynamics of the Oldest Old study, a representative sample of Americans aged 70 years and older, the authors performed growth curve modeling to examine the relationships between education, initial cognitive score, and the rate of decline in cognitive function. More years of education were linked to better initial performance on each of the cognitive tests, and higher levels of education were linked to slower decline in mental status. However, more education was unrelated to the rate of decline in working memory, and education was associated with somewhat faster cognitive decline on measures of verbal memory. These findings highlight the role of early-life experiences not only in long-term cognitive performance but also in old-age cognitive trajectories.

DOI10.1177/0164027506294245
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19830260?dopt=Abstract

Endnote Keywords

cognitive decline/Cognitive Impairment/EDUCATION/growth curve modeling/methodology

Endnote ID

23800

Alternate JournalRes Aging
Citation Key7186
PubMed ID19830260
PubMed Central IDPMC2760835
Grant ListP30 AG017265 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P30 AG017265-01 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
T32 AG000037 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
U01 AG009740 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States