The Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project (THBP): a prospective longitudinal examination of the effect of university-level education in older adults in preventing age-related cognitive decline and reducing the risk of dementia

Summers, Mathew J.; Saunders, Nichole L.; Valenzuela, Michael; Summers, Jeffery J.; Ritchie, Karen; Robinson, Andrew; Vickers, James C.

doi:10.1017/s1041610213000380

Cited by 31 publications

(93 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…When available alternate versions of tests were used to minimise familiarity effects, for example, forms 1-4 of the WRAT were utilised. The full THBP took approximately four hours to complete and subjects were encouraged to take short breaks as needed to avoid fatigue (Summers et al, 2013).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The initial sample comprised 566 adults aged between 50 and 79 years enrolled in the THBP (Summers et al, 2013). Of these, 19 cases were excluded from the analysis due to English being a second, rather than primary language.…”

Section: Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The project was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (Tasmania) Network and further details of the study protocol have been published elsewhere (Summers et al, 2013).…”

Section: Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The tests included in the calculation of prior CR were as specified in Ward et al (2015): the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR) (The Psychological Corporation, 2001) to estimate baseline intellectual capacity; five sub-scores from the Life Experience Questionnaire (LEQ) (Valenzuela & Sachdev, 2007) (Young Adulthood Specific and Non-specific; and the Midlife Specific, Non-specific and Continuing Education Bonus) to quantify previous lifetime experience in education, occupation and leisure activities; and the Medical Health Questionnaire (Summers et al, 2013) to obtain each individuals total years of prior education.…”

Section: Prior Crmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sending your grandparents to university increases cognitive reserve: The Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project.

et al. 2016

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Results Growth Mixture Modelling demonstrated that 44.3% of the control sample showed no change in CR whereas 92.5% further education participants displayed a significant linear increase in CR over the 4 years of the study. These results indicate that older adults engaging in high level mental stimulation display an increase in CR over a 4 year period.Conclusions Increasing mental activity in older adulthood may be a viable strategy to improve cognitive function and offset cognitive decline associated with normal aging.3

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The project was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (Tasmania) Network and further details of the study protocol have been published elsewhere (Summers et al, 2013).…”

Section: Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Prior Crmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sending your grandparents to university increases cognitive reserve: The Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project.

et al. 2016

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“…The Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project (THBP) is the first prospective study in the world to examine the potential of university level of education in later life to reduce age-related cognitive decline (Summers et al, 2013). The THBP has recruited a sample of older adults, age 50 -79 years at commencement in the study, from the island state of Tasmania, Australia.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The psychology of intelligence analysis: Drivers of prediction accuracy in world politics.

Mellers¹,

Stone²,

Atanasov³

et al. 2015

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied

137

130

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This article extends psychological methods and concepts into a domain that is as profoundly consequential as it is poorly understood: intelligence analysis. We report findings from a geopolitical forecasting tournament that assessed the accuracy of more than 150,000 forecasts of 743 participants on 199 events occurring over 2 years. Participants were above average in intelligence and political knowledge relative to the general population. Individual differences in performance emerged, and forecasting skills were surprisingly consistent over time. Key predictors were (a) dispositional variables of cognitive ability, political knowledge, and openmindedness; (b) situational variables of training in probabilistic reasoning and participation in collaborative teams that shared information and discussed rationales (Mellers, Ungar, et al., 2014); and (c) behavioral variables of deliberation time and frequency of belief updating. We developed a profile of the best forecasters; they were better at inductive reasoning, pattern detection, cognitive flexibility, and open-mindedness. They had greater understanding of geopolitics, training in probabilistic reasoning, and opportunities to succeed in cognitively enriched team environments. Last but not least, they viewed forecasting as a skill that required deliberate practice, sustained effort, and constant monitoring of current affairs. A t APA, we understand how challenging it can be for you to stay abreast of the latest and best academic research on psychology. Disciplines Finance and Financial Management | Social and Behavioral Sciences

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Studying at university in later life slows cognitive decline: A long‐term prospective study

Bindoff

Summers

Hill

et al. 2021

A&D Transl Res & Clin Interv

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Introduction Declining cognition in later life is associated with loss of independence and quality of life. This decline in cognition may potentially be reduced or reversed through engaging in cognitively stimulating activities. This study examined the potential for university attendance in later life to enhance cognitive function in older adults. Methods Cognitively unimpaired adults (n = 485, 69% female, median age 60 years) were given the opportunity to undertake free university study. Repeated neurocognitive assessment was performed over 7 years. Results Participants in the university education group (n = 383) improved z = .02 SD (.01, .03) per year of the study compared to controls ( P = .001; averaged across a battery of cognitive tests). The largest improvements were observed on tests of language and verbal learning, memory, and episodic memory. Discussion Later‐life university study was associated with improved cognitive trajectories. Later‐life education may preserve cognitive function, specifically for functions associated with communication, social interaction, and maintaining independence.

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The Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project (THBP): a prospective longitudinal examination of the effect of university-level education in older adults in preventing age-related cognitive decline and reducing the risk of dementia

Abstract: The THBP commenced in 2011 and is expected to run for 10-20 years duration. To date, a total of 383 participants have been recruited into the THBP.

Cited by 31 publications

References 43 publications

Sending your grandparents to university increases cognitive reserve: The Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project.

Sending your grandparents to university increases cognitive reserve: The Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project.

The psychology of intelligence analysis: Drivers of prediction accuracy in world politics.

Studying at university in later life slows cognitive decline: A long‐term prospective study

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