Article

The aim of this study was to determine whether cognitive reserve in
the elderly affects the evolution of cognitive performance and what its
relationship is with active lifestyles in later life.
METHODS: Cognitive
performance was evaluated at baseline and 8 years later in 543 participants of
the PROOF cohort, initially aged 67 years. Subjects were categorized as
Cognitively Elite (CE), Cognitively Normal (CN) or Cognitively Impaired (CI) at
each evaluation. At follow-up, demographic data and lifestyle, including social,
intellectual and physical behaviors, were collected by questionnaires. RESULTS:
As much as 69% (n=375) remained unchanged, while 25.5% (n=138) decreased and 5.5%
(n=30) improved. When present, the reduction in cognitive status was most often
limited to one level, but was dependent on the initial level, affecting up to 73%
of the initially CN, but only 58% of the initially CE. Cognitive stability was
significantly associated with the degree of social engagement at follow-up (CE:
P=0.009; CN: P=0.025). CONCLUSION: In the healthy elderly, high cognitive ability
predicts both cognitive ability and social involvement in later life. Cognitive
decline by only one level may also extend the time to reach impairment,
underlining the importance of the so-called cognitive reserve.
CI - Copyright (c) 2017. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Langue : ANGLAIS