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  11. Trends In Memory Function And Memory Impairment Among Older Adults In The United States And Europe, 1996-2018

Trends in Memory Function and Memory Impairment Among Older Adults in the United States and Europe, 1996-2018

Mikko Myrskylä1,2, Jo Mhairi Hale1,3, Daniel C Schneider1

  • 1Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.

The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
|July 2, 2024

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View abstract on PubMed

Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Memory function is improving globally, but the pace varies significantly by country. European nations show the fastest gains, while the United States lags behind, highlighting a need for further research into these trends.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cross-national studies on memory function trends are scarce.
  • Existing single-country research indicates varied changes in cognitive abilities over time.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare trends in memory function among older adults across multiple countries.
  • To identify differences in the pace of memory improvement and investigate potential contributing factors.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from adults aged 50+ in the US (HRS), England (ELSA), and 11 European countries (SHARE).
  • Assessed memory using immediate and delayed word recall tests across multiple survey waves (1998-2019).
  • Employed mixed-effects regression models, adjusting for age, gender, sociodemographics, and health behaviors to analyze trends and heterogeneity.

Main Results:

  • Significant 10-year improvements in memory test scores were observed across all regions.
  • The pace of improvement was notably faster in European countries (0.24 SDs) and England (0.17 SDs) compared to the US (0.04 SDs).
  • Trends in memory improvement showed consistency across gender, age groups, and education levels, with regional differences persisting after adjustments.

Conclusions:

  • The rate of memory function improvement differs substantially across countries, with European nations and England demonstrating faster progress than the US.
  • The slower improvement trend in the United States warrants further investigation.
  • Understanding the reasons for cross-country variations in cognitive trends is crucial for public health strategies and future research.
Keywords:
Comparative analysisDementiaMemory impairmentTrends

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