Cohort effects in verbal memory function and practice effects: a population-based study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In many developed countries, cognitive functioning (as measured by neuropsychological tests) appears to be improving over time in the population at large, in parallel with the declining age-specific incidence of dementia. Here, we investigated cohort effects in the age-associated trajectories of verbal memory function in older adults. We sought to determine whether they varied by decade of birth and, if so, whether the change would be explained by increasing educational attainment.

Methods

Pooling data from two prospective US population-based studies between 1987 and 2015, we identified four birth cohorts born 1902-1911, 1912-1921, 1922-1931, and 1932-1943. Among these cohorts, we compared age-associated trajectories both of performance and of practice effects on

SUBMITTER: Dodge HH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5177461 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature