Colour perception among the very elderly related to visual and cognitive function

Area of Science:

• Vision Science
• Gerontology
• Neuropsychology

Background:

• Color perception is crucial for daily function and can be affected by aging and cognitive decline.
• Previous studies have examined color perception in younger elderly and individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate color perception in a representative sample of 95-year-olds.
• To compare color perception in 95-year-olds with 80-year-olds and individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
• To explore the influence of visual and cognitive functions on color perception in very old age.

Main Methods:

• A representative sample of 95-year-olds underwent color perception assessments.
• Results were compared with previously studied groups of 80-year-olds and individuals with Alzheimer's disease (mean age 80).
• Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini Mental Examination (MME).

Main Results:

• 95-year-olds demonstrated significantly lower color perception compared to 80-year-olds and Alzheimer's disease patients.
• Color discrimination, naming, preferences, and color/form recognition patterns were similar across groups.
• Cognitive function, not visual function, profoundly impacted color perception in the 95-year-old group.
• Alzheimer's disease patients performed better than 95-year-olds, even when excluding 95-year-olds with possible dementia.
• When 95-year-olds with MME scores >26 were compared to the Alzheimer's group, the performance difference disappeared.

Conclusions:

• Color perception appears to be well-preserved throughout life.
• The decline in color perception observed in 95-year-olds may reflect the complexities of extreme aging rather than isolated factors.
• Cognitive status, particularly in the context of dementia, plays a significant role in observed color perception abilities in advanced age.