Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026
08:25
Evaluating the Function of the Foot Core System in the Elderly
Published on: March 11, 2022
3.2K
Cognitive function of Brazilian elderly persons: longitudinal study with non-clinical community sample
Marianne Farina1, Dalton Breno Costa1,2, João André Webber de Oliveira1,3
1Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Aging & Mental Health
|July 9, 2019
Summary
Cognitive function in older Brazilians declined over four years, particularly in verbal memory and processing speed. Anxiety symptoms were identified as a key factor influencing these cognitive changes.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Biopsychosocial changes can lead to cognitive decline in older adults.
- Understanding longitudinal cognitive changes is crucial for healthy aging.
- Identifying factors influencing cognitive variability is essential for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cognitive function in non-clinical older adults in Brazil over a four-year period.
- To identify variables that explain cognitive function variations during this time.
- To investigate the relationship between anxiety, depression, and cognitive changes.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study conducted from 2013 to 2017 with 108 participants in phase I and 64 in phase II.
- Cognitive assessments included the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) subtests.
- Psychological assessments utilized the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15).
Main Results:
- Global cognitive function, verbal episodic memory, and processing speed showed a significant decline over the four years.
- Symptoms of anxiety were found to be the primary predictor of cognitive performance variations.
- No significant changes were noted in other cognitive domains assessed.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive function, especially verbal memory and processing speed, naturally declines in older adults over time.
- Anxiety symptoms play a significant role in predicting cognitive decline in this population.
- Further research should explore interventions targeting anxiety to mitigate cognitive changes in aging.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Social Cognitive Perspective on Personality
996
Social cognitive perspectives on personality emphasize the importance of conscious awareness, beliefs, expectations, and goals in shaping behavior. These perspectives incorporate behaviorist principles, such as learning through reinforcement and conditioning, but extend beyond them by highlighting human reasoning and planning. Unlike traditional behaviorist views, social cognitive theory focuses on how individuals reflect on their past experiences and plan for future outcomes by considering...
996
01:26Longitudinal Studies
484
Longitudinal studies are also widely used in other medical and social science fields. For instance, in cardiovascular research, they can monitor patients' health over decades to identify risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or smoking, and evaluate the long-term effectiveness of preventive measures. Similarly, in mental health studies, researchers might follow individuals from adolescence into adulthood to understand the development and progression of conditions like...
484
01:38Cognitive Dissonance
36.8K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
36.8K
02:20Longitudinal Research
13.1K
Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
13.1K
00:30What are Populations and Communities?
37.3K
Overview
37.3K
01:21Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
315
Thoracic, aortic arch and abdominal aneurysms are significant vascular conditions that can present with various clinical manifestations and lead to serious complications. Understanding these manifestations and the appropriate diagnostic studies is essential for effective management and treatment.Thoracic Aortic AneurysmsThoracic aortic aneurysms often remain asymptomatic until they reach a size that impinges on adjacent structures. They typically cause deep, diffuse chest pain that radiates to...
315