The relationship between cognitive reserve and functional ability is mediated by executive functioning in older...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Psychology

Background:

• Cognitive reserve (CR) is known to predict future functional ability (FA).
• The association between CR and current FA is less understood.
• Executive functioning (EF) may mediate the relationship between CR and current FA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between CR and current FA in community-dwelling older adults (OAs).
• To test the hypothesis that EF mediates the CR-FA association.
• To identify which CR measures best predict FA.

Main Methods:

• Recruited and tested independent community-dwelling OAs.
• Utilized bivariate correlations and hierarchical regressions to assess CR and FA.
• Conducted mediation analyses to examine the role of EF.

Main Results:

• All CR measures were positively associated with and predictive of FA.
• Education was a significant predictor of FA, accounting for 8.3% of variance.
• A composite CR score showed a higher correlation (r = .447) with FA than individual proxies.
• Complete mediation was found between CR composite and FA via an EF composite score.

Conclusions:

• Cognitive reserve is directly associated with current functional ability in OAs.
• Executive functioning fully mediates the relationship between cognitive reserve and functional ability.
• Interventions aimed at improving EF may enhance FA in older adults.