biostudies-literatureZuelsdorff MLNational Center for Advancing Translational SciencesNICHD NIH HHSNCATS NIH HHSNIA NIH HHSNational Institute on AgingNational Institute of Child Health and Human Development144-160https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6003840biostudies-literatureUnknown26(2)Social engagement is associated with healthy aging and preserved cognition. Two dimensions of engagement, verbal interactions and perceived support, likely impact cognition via distinct mechanistic pathways. We explored the cognitive benefit of each construct among enrollees (N = 1,052, mean age = 60.2 years) in the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention study, who provide neuropsychological and sociobehavioral data at two-year intervals. Outcomes included six cognitive factor scores representing key domains of executive function and memory. Key predictors included self-reported perceived social support and weekly verbal interaction. Results indicated that after adjusting for lifestyle covariates, social support was positively associated with Speed and Flexibility and that verbal inNeuropsychology, development, and cognition. Section B, Aging, neuropsychology and cognitionSocial support and verbal interaction are differentially associated with cognitive function in midlife and older age.PMC6003840T32 AG000129T32 AG00129R01 AG0271615R01-AG27161-2T32 HD049302RF1 AG027161UL1-TR000427P50 AG033514P2C HD047873UL1 TR000427Koscik RLEngelman CDJohnson SCOkonkwo OCSager MAZuelsdorff MLPeppard PEHermann BPfalseSocial support and verbal interaction are differentially associated with cognitive function in midlife and older age.Social engagement is associated with healthy aging and preserved cognition. Two dimensions of engagement, verbal interactions and perceived support, likely impact cognition via distinct mechanistic pathways. We explored the cognitive benefit of each construct among enrollees (N = 1,052, mean age = 60.2 years) in the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention study, who provide neuropsychological and sociobehavioral data at two-year intervals. Outcomes included six cognitive factor scores representing key domains of executive function and memory. Key predictors included self-reported perceived social support and weekly verbal interaction. Results indicated that after adjusting for lifestyle covariates, social support was positively associated with Speed and Flexibility and that verbal in2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Mar2025-04-26T11:59:42.626Z2019-06-06T19:42:25ZS-EPMC60038402924140310.1080/13825585.2017.1414769