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. 2017 Sep 19:10:22-30.
doi: 10.1016/j.dadm.2017.08.004. eCollection 2018.

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

Megan E Thow  1 , Mathew J Summers  2   3 , Nichole L Saunders  3 , Jeffery J Summers  1   4 , Karen Ritchie  5 , James C Vickers  1   3
Affiliations

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

Megan E Thow et al. Alzheimers Dement (Amst). .

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.

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.

Keywords: Aging; Cognitive reserve; Crystallized function; Education; Episodic memory; Executive function; Fluid function; Language processing; Neuropsychological; Working memory.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Model-predicted episodic memory trajectories over 4 years for individuals in the control group and the intervention group.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Model-predicted working memory trajectories over 4 years for individuals in the control group and the intervention group.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Model-predicted executive function trajectories over 4 years for individuals in the control group and the intervention group.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Model-predicted language processing trajectories over 4 years for individuals in the control group and the intervention group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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