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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
Depressive symptoms predict decline in perceptual speed in older adulthood
Allison A M Bielak1, Denis Gerstorf, Kim M Kiely
1Ageing Research Unit, Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia, allison.bielak@anu.edu.au
Abstract:
Depressive symptoms and cognitive decline are associated in older age, but research is inconsistent about whether one condition influences the development of the other. We examined the directionality of relations between depressive symptoms and perceptual speed using bivariate dual change score models. Assessments of depressive symptoms and perceptual speed were completed by 1,206 nondemented older adults at baseline, and after 2, 8, 11, and 15 years. After controlling for age, education, baseline general cognitive ability, and self-reported health, allowing depressive symptoms to predict subsequent change in perceptual speed provided the best fit. More depressive symptoms predicted subsequently stronger declines in perceptual speed over time lags of 1 year.
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