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Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach

Published on: February 14, 2014

Occupational complexity and lifetime cognitive abilities.

Emily L Smart¹, Alan J Gow², Ian J Deary¹

¹From the Department of Psychology (E.L.S., I.J.D.), and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (A.J.G., I.J.D.), University of Edinburgh; and Department of Psychology (A.J.G.), School of Life Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK.

|November 21, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Engaging work, particularly with data and people, is linked to better cognitive function in later life. This suggests mentally stimulating occupations may help preserve brain health as we age.

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Neuroscience
Occupational Health
Gerontology

Background:

Cognitive decline in later life is a significant concern.
The role of lifelong occupational complexity in cognitive aging is not fully understood.
Early-life cognitive ability measures are crucial for tracking cognitive trajectories.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between the complexity of an individual's main lifetime occupation and their cognitive performance in later life.
To determine if occupational complexity influences cognitive domains such as general ability, processing speed, and memory.
To explore the differential preservation hypothesis in the context of aging.

Main Methods:

Utilized data from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936, including 1,066 participants.
Assessed occupational complexity (data, people, things) using Dictionary of Occupational Titles ratings.
Analyzed cognitive abilities at age 70, with IQ data available from age 11, controlling for education and social deprivation.

Main Results:

Higher complexity in occupations involving data and people was significantly associated with better cognitive performance at age 70.
These associations remained significant after accounting for early-life IQ, education, and social deprivation.
Occupational complexity appears to play a role in preserving cognitive function in aging.

Conclusions:

Findings support the differential preservation hypothesis, suggesting stimulating environments enhance cognitive reserve.
More research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of occupational complexity on cognitive aging.
This study highlights the value of longitudinal data with early-life cognitive measures for aging research.