Cognitive Reserve Moderates the Predictive Role of Memory Complaints for Subsequent Decline in Executive Functioning

Abstract

Aims: We investigated whether the longitudinal relation between memory complaints and subsequent decline in executive functioning over 6 years differed by leisure activity engagement as major contributor to cognitive reserve in old age. Methods: We analyzed longitudinal data from 897 older adults (M = 74.33 years) tested on the Trail Making Test (TMT) in two waves 6 years apart. Participants reported information on memory complaints and leisure activity engagement. Results: There was a significant interaction of memory complaints with leisure activity engagement on latent change in executive functioning. Specifically, only for individuals with less (but not those with greater) leisure activity engagement, memory complaints significantly predicted a steeper subsequent decline in executive functioning across 6 years (i.e., increases in TMT completion time). Conclusion: The role of memory complaints as an early predictor of decline in executive functioning seems to vary by individuals' cognitive reserve.

Feasibility of a Home-Based Task-Switching Training in Middle-Aged Caregivers

“…Even healthy adults have to face age-related decline across several cognitive domains that partly starts as early as in their late twenties (Park & Shaw, 1992 ; Park et al, 1996 ; Salthouse, 1996 ; Salthouse & Babcock, 1991 ). Correlational data supporting a disuse hypothesis of cognitive aging suggest that individuals engaging in intellectual and social activities during adulthood undergo less age-related cognitive declines (e.g., Amieva et al, 2010 ; Ihle et al, 2018 , 2020 , 2020 ; Ihle, Bavelier, et al, 2020 ; Stern, 2009 ; Wilson et al, 2013 ). Consequently, to promote quality of living and independence in old age, the aim of cognitive aging research not only consists in identifying interventions that help to promote or maintain cognition in the process of aging, but it also has started to investigate feasibility and applicability of established laboratory interventions in everyday life.…”

“…However, as executive control and/or fluid cognitive processes performance are assumed to peak between the age of 20 and 25 and to have linear age-related decline thereafter (e.g., Schaie, 1994), healthy middle-aged adults are a key and so far neglected target group. Importantly, following up on the predictions of a disuse theory of adult cognitive decline, strengthening cognitive processes could prevent early decline (e.g., Ihle et al, 2020aIhle et al, , 2020bIhle et al, , 2020cStern, 2009;Wilson et al, 2013) and buffer decline/impairment through stress and help dealing with work demands (e.g., multi-tasking, interruptions, inhibition of undesired emotions; Gajewski et al, 2010;Gajewski et al, 2020;Ihle et al, 2015;Loft et al, 2019). Moreover, due to the usual channels of recruitment in most experimental psychological studies, so far, limited evidence exists on non-university populations.…”

Virtual Reality-based Cognitive Intervention for Enhancing Executive Functions in Community-dwelling Older Adults

“…Moreover, cognitive training aiming at enhanced EFs yields a reduction in functional decline and immediate and long-term improvements in cognitive performance during everyday activities (Nguyen et al, 2019b;Willis et al, 2006). Furthermore, in longitudinal studies, EF improvement in older adults shows protective effects (or cognitive reserve) against cognitive decline (Holtzer et al, 2012;Ihle et al, 2020;Oosterman et al, 2021). Accordingly, several commercially available cognitive games have focused on enhancing EFs of older adults without cognitive impairment (Bonnechère et al, 2020).…”