%0 Journal Article %J Neuroepidemiology %D 2013 %T What do parents have to do with my cognitive reserve? Life course perspectives on twelve-year cognitive decline. %A Hector M González %A Wassim Tarraf %A Mary E Bowen %A Michelle D Johnson-Jennings %A Gwenith G Fisher %K Aged %K Aged, 80 and over %K Cognition Disorders %K Cognitive Reserve %K Cohort Studies %K Female %K Humans %K Longevity %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K Parents %K Prospective Studies %K Socioeconomic factors %K United States %X
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.
%B Neuroepidemiology %I 41 %V 41 %P 101-9 %8 2013 %G eng %N 2 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23860477?dopt=Abstract %2 PMC3811933 %4 Cognitive reserve/Older adults/Life course/Development/CHILDHOOD/Socioeconomic Status %$ 69140 %R 10.1159/000350723