@article {7840, title = {What do parents have to do with my cognitive reserve? Life course perspectives on twelve-year cognitive decline.}, journal = {Neuroepidemiology}, volume = {41}, year = {2013}, month = {2013}, pages = {101-9}, publisher = {41}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To examine the cognitive reserve hypothesis by comparing the contribution of early childhood and life course factors related to cognitive functioning in a nationally representative sample of older Americans.

METHODS: We examined a prospective, national probability cohort study (Health and Retirement Study; 1998-2010) of older adults (n=8,833) in the contiguous 48 United States. The main cognitive functioning outcome was a 35-point composite of memory (recall), mental status, and working memory tests. The main predictors were childhood socioeconomic position (SEP) and health, and individual-level adult achievement and health.

RESULTS: Individual-level achievement indicators (i.e., education, income, and wealth) were positively and significantly associated with baseline cognitive function, while adult health was negatively associated with cognitive function. Controlling for individual-level adult achievement and other model covariates, childhood health presented a relatively small negative, but statistically significant association with initial cognitive function. Neither individual achievement nor childhood SEP was statistically linked to decline over time.

CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive reserve purportedly acquired through learning and mental stimulation across the life course was associated with higher initial global cognitive functioning over the 12-year period in this nationally representative study of older Americans. We found little supporting evidence that childhood economic conditions were negatively associated with cognitive function and change, particularly when individual-level achievement is considered.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cognition Disorders, Cognitive Reserve, Cohort Studies, Female, Humans, Longevity, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Parents, Prospective Studies, Socioeconomic factors, United States}, issn = {1423-0208}, doi = {10.1159/000350723}, author = {Hector M Gonz{\'a}lez and Wassim Tarraf and Mary E Bowen and Michelle D Johnson-Jennings and Gwenith G Fisher} }