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Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
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Shared and unique influences on age-related cognitive change
1University of Virginia.
Neuropsychology
|November 4, 2016
Summary
Aging affects cognitive function through both general and specific influences. Most age-related cognitive changes are general, impacting multiple cognitive domains rather than specific ones.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Psychology
Background:
- Cognitive aging research often focuses on domain-specific changes.
- Understanding the interplay of general and specific influences on cognitive change is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate domain-specific and general influences on cognitive change.
- To investigate how age relates to these distinct influences on cognition.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 2,546 adults (18-95 years) across two cognitive test sessions (3 years apart).
- Statistical modeling to separate general cognitive functioning from domain-specific influences.
- Analysis of cognitive change using score differences between test occasions.
Main Results:
- Age showed specific influences on processing speed (cross-sectionally) and memory change (longitudinally in older adults).
- However, most age-related cognitive associations were general, affecting multiple cognitive domains.
Conclusions:
- Age-related cognitive differences are largely driven by general influences shared across cognitive domains.
- This challenges the notion that aging primarily causes domain-specific cognitive decline.
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