Role of age, education, and gender on cognitive performance in the Framingham Heart Study: community-based norms

Normative data are presented for a neuropsychological test battery (Kaplan-Albert) consisting of subtests from the original Wechsler Adult Intelligence and Memory Scales and the Benton and Hamsher Aphasia Examination. Analyses were based on archival data resulting from administration (1976-1978) of the battery to community residents participating in the Framingham Heart Study, a prospective, longitudinal study of cardiovascular risk factors. Using 3 age groups (55-64, 65-74, and 75-88 years) and 4 education levels (5-8, 9-11, 12, > 12 years), individuals were stratified by age, gender, and education. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to relate main effects (age, education, and gender) and interactions of these effects to 9 test scores and to 2 composite scores identified by factor analysis. The oldest participants who had the fewest years of formal education had the lowest performance levels, with lower levels of performance for men than women in this least educated elderly cohort.