Cognitive correlates of cross-sectional differences and longitudinal changes in trail making performance

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Trail Making Test (TMT) is a widely used neuropsychological assessment.
• TMT performance is sensitive to cognitive functions like processing speed and executive functions.
• Understanding the relationship between cognitive abilities and TMT performance over time is crucial for tracking cognitive aging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between cognitive speed, fluid cognitive ability, and performance on the Connections version of the Trail Making Test.
• To determine if baseline cognitive abilities predict changes in TMT performance over a 2.5-year interval.
• To examine the relationship between changes in cognitive abilities and changes in TMT performance.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 1,576 adults (18-95 years) completed cognitive tests and the TMT Connections twice.
• Assessments were separated by an average interval of 2.5 years.
• Statistical analyses examined correlations between cognitive abilities and TMT performance at baseline and over time.

Main Results:

• Processing speed and fluid cognitive ability were strongly correlated with TMT performance at a single time point.
• Baseline speed and fluid cognitive abilities did not predict longitudinal changes in TMT performance.
• Changes in speed and fluid cognitive abilities significantly correlated with changes in TMT performance over the study period.

Conclusions:

• Individual differences in processing speed and fluid cognitive abilities are associated with TMT performance both cross-sectionally and longitudinally.
• While baseline abilities may not predict future changes, the dynamic interplay between cognitive function and TMT performance is evident over time.
• These findings underscore the importance of considering both static and dynamic cognitive measures in understanding TMT performance.