Predictors of Optimal Cognitive Aging in 80+ Women: The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Predictors of preserved cognitive function in women over 80 are not well understood.
• Factors influencing sustained high cognitive health in this demographic require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify independent predictors of preserved cognitive functioning in women aged 80 and older.
• To determine factors associated with maintaining high cognitive function in this population.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 2,228 women from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (mean age 85).
• Cognitive status classified as normal, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or other impairment via central adjudication.
• Logistic regression used to identify independent predictors of cognitive status.

Main Results:

• Preserved cognition linked to younger age, higher education, income, being non-Hispanic white, better emotional well-being, fewer depressive symptoms, more insomnia, absence of diabetes, and absence of the APOE-epsilon 4 allele.
• Sustained high cognition associated with younger age, higher education, better general health, emotional well-being, and physical functioning.

Conclusions:

• Addressing sociodemographic factors (e.g., income inequality) and improving depressive symptoms and vascular risk factors (e.g., diabetes) may preserve cognition in women over 80.
• Person-centered interventions targeting physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning can promote sustained high cognitive health in the oldest-old.