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Updated: Jun 26, 2025
10:13
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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Predictors of cognitive aging profiles over 15 years: A longitudinal population-based study
Ingrid Ekström1, Maria Josefsson2, Lars Bäckman1
1Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm University.
Psychology and Aging
|May 16, 2024
Summary
This study identified three cognitive aging profiles in older adults: maintained high cognition, moderate decline, and accelerated decline. Modifiable factors like education and lifestyle influence these cognitive trajectories.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Cognitive Neuroscience
- Longitudinal Aging Studies
- Biopsychosocial Factors in Cognition
Background:
- Cognitive aging trajectories vary significantly among individuals.
- Understanding predictors of cognitive decline is crucial for interventions.
- Previous research highlights demographic, lifestyle, and genetic influences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize distinct cognitive aging profiles in a large cohort of older adults.
- To identify demographic, lifestyle, health, and genetic predictors of these profiles.
- To explore domain-specific and general cognitive aging patterns.
Main Methods:
- Latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression were used.
- 1,966 older adults from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen participated.
- Cognitive function was assessed over a 15-year follow-up period.
Main Results:
- Three latent profiles emerged: maintained high cognition (31.6%), moderate decline (50.6%), and accelerated decline (17.8%).
- Maintained high cognition was associated with female sex, higher education, and faster walking speed.
- Accelerated decline was linked to higher age, diabetes, depression, and apolipoprotein E ε4 allele carriage.
Conclusions:
- Demographic, lifestyle, health, and genetic factors predict cognitive aging profiles.
- Some identified predictors, such as education and walking speed, are modifiable.
- These findings offer insights into personalized strategies for healthy cognitive aging.
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