Title | Education and Cognitive Decline in Older Americans: Results From the AHEAD Sample. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2007 |
Authors | Alley, DE, Suthers, K, Crimmins, EM |
Journal | Res Aging |
Volume | 29 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 73-94 |
Date Published | 2007 Jan 01 |
ISSN Number | 1552-7573 |
Call Number | newpubs20101112_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. |
DOI | 10.1177/0164027506294245 |
User Guide Notes | |
Endnote Keywords | cognitive decline/Cognitive Impairment/EDUCATION/growth curve modeling/methodology |
Endnote ID | 23800 |
Alternate Journal | Res Aging |
Citation Key | 7186 |
PubMed ID | 19830260 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC2760835 |
Grant List | P30 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 |