Does cognitive capital reduce the risk of cognitive decline in later life?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although considerable evidence shows that various neighborhood characteristics are related to cognitive function, we propose the concept of cognitive capital as a theoretically informed and parsimonious way to guide research on how neighborhood contextual factors may influence cognitive function in later life.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data in 2010 from the National Neighborhood Data Archive were linked to data from the Health and Retirement Study (2010-2018). Cognitive function was measured with a modified version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status. Using a latent variable modeling approach, cognitive capital was measured with eight indicators of neighborhood context based on census tracts (e.g., museums, fitness centers).

RESULTS: Trajectory analyses revealed that adults between ages 60 and 82 residing in areas with greater cognitive capital manifested higher baseline cognitive function and later onset of cognitive decline compared to those with low cognitive capital.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Cognitive capital is a useful conceptual framework for (a) studying the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and trajectories of cognitive function and (b) designing effective interventions to preserve cognitive function during later life.