Cognitive activities delay onset of memory decline in persons who develop dementia

• DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0b013e3181b04ae3
• Publication Date: 2009-08-03T20:30:57Z
• Authors: C. B. Hall; R. B. Lipton; M. Sliwinski; M. J. Katz; C. A. Derby; J. Verghese
• Keywords: Cognitive reserve; Cognitive Decline

Persons destined to develop dementia experience an accelerated rate of decline in cognitive ability, particularly memory. Early life education and participation cognitively stimulating leisure activities later are 2 factors thought reflect reserve, which may delay the onset memory preclinical stages dementia.We followed 488 initially intact community residing individuals with epidemiologic, clinical, assessments every 12 18 months Bronx Aging Study. We assessed influence self-reported on as measured by Buschke Selective Reminding Test 101 who developed incident using a change point model.Each additional day activity at baseline delayed 0.18 years. Higher levels were associated more rapid after that onset. Inclusion did not significantly add fit model beyond effect activities.Our findings show late reserve independently education. The early be mediated life. Alternatively, determinant choose participate without influencing reserve. Future studies should examine efficacy increasing prevent or dementia.