Further education improves cognitive reserve and triggers improvement in selective cognitive functions in older adults: the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project

Thow, ME; Summers, Mathew; Saunders, NL; Summers, Jeffery; Ritchie, K; Vickers, James

130865 - Further education improves cognitive reserve and triggers.pdf (587.87 kB)

Further education improves cognitive reserve and triggers improvement in selective cognitive functions in older adults: the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project

journal contribution

posted on 2023-05-20, 00:56 authored by Thow, ME, Mathew SummersMathew Summers, Saunders, NL, Jeffery SummersJeffery Summers, Ritchie, K, James VickersJames Vickers

Abstract

Introduction

The strong link between early-life education and subsequent reduced risk of dementia suggests that education in later life could enhance cognitive function and may reduce age-related cognitive decline and protect against dementia.

Methods

Episodic memory, working memory, executive function, and language processing performances were assessed annually over 4 years in 359 healthy older adults who attended university for a minimum of 12 months (intervention) and were compared against 100 healthy adult controls.Discussion

These results suggest that complex mental stimulation resulting from late-life further education results in improved crystallized knowledge but no changes to fluid cognitive functions.

Results

Multiple group latent growth curve modeling revealed a significant improvement in language processing capacity over time in the intervention group. No changes were detected for episodic memory, working memory, or executive function.

Discussion

These results suggest that complex mental stimulation resulting from late-life further education results in improved crystallized knowledge but no changes to fluid cognitive functions.

History

Publication title

Alzheimer's and Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring

Volume

10

Pagination

22-30

ISSN

2352-8729

Department/School

School of Psychological Sciences

Publisher

Elsevier B.V.

Place of publication

Netherlands

Rights statement

Repository Status

Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Health related to ageing

Further education improves cognitive reserve and triggers improvement in selective cognitive functions in older adults: the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

History

Publication title

Volume

Pagination

ISSN

Department/School

Publisher

Place of publication

Rights statement

Repository Status

Socio-economic Objectives

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Keywords

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