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Published on: January 24, 2020
Further education improves cognitive reserve and triggers improvement in selective cognitive functions in older
Megan E Thow1, Mathew J Summers2,3, Nichole L Saunders3
1School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Tasmania, Australia.
Introduction:
The strong link between early-life education and subsequent reduced risk of dementia suggests that education in later life could enhance cognitive function and may reduce age-related cognitive decline and protect against dementia.
Methods:
Episodic memory, working memory, executive function, and language processing performances were assessed annually over 4 years in 359 healthy older adults who attended university for a minimum of 12 months (intervention) and were compared against 100 healthy adult controls.
Results:
Multiple group latent growth curve modeling revealed a significant improvement in language processing capacity over time in the intervention group. No changes were detected for episodic memory, working memory, or executive function.
Discussion:
These results suggest that complex mental stimulation resulting from late-life further education results in improved crystallized knowledge but no changes to fluid cognitive functions.
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