Positive impact of cognitive reserve on the dynamics of selected cognitive functions in a 3-month follow-up of adult Poles

Szepietowska, Ewa Małgorzata · 2023 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.15557/pipk.2022.0028

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Summary

This study investigates the relationship between cognitive reserve (CR), age, and cognitive performance in adult Poles, aiming to determine how these factors influence cognitive dynamics over a short-term period. Motivated by longitudinal research suggesting that CR—defined as accumulated knowledge and skills—can buffer against age-related decline and promote successful aging, the research sought to assess whether CR and age serve as determinants of cognitive function at baseline and after a three-month follow-up. Specifically, the study examined if the protective role of CR varies between younger and older adults. The methodology involved a longitudinal design with two measurement points separated by three months. The final analysis included 80 adult participants (aged over 40) who provided informed consent and met health criteria excluding severe cardiovascular, neurological, or psychiatric conditions. CR was quantified using a composite index based on self-reported data regarding formal education, years of occupational activity, occupational status, and involvement in various life domains. Cognitive functions were assessed using a battery of neuropsychological tests, including verbal fluency tasks, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Revised (WAIS-R) subtests, the Zoo Map subtest, and the Trail Making Test (TMT). Additionally, self-report measures such as the Dysexecutive Questionnaire–Self (DEX-S), the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) were utilized to evaluate executive functioning, memory, and mood. The results indicated that age was negatively correlated with cognitive test performance, whereas higher cognitive reserve was associated with better outcomes at both baseline and follow-up. When the sample was stratified by age, distinct patterns emerged. In the younger group (≤55 years), the positive impact of CR was evident. However, in the older group (≥56 years), the negative effect of age on cognitive performance was pronounced, while the beneficial effect of cognitive reserve was significantly less pronounced. The study found that attention, cognitive flexibility, working memory, and planning abilities deteriorated with age, particularly in the older cohort. The significance of these findings lies in the conclusion that the protective role of cognitive reserve is not uniform across all stages of adulthood. While CR supports cognitive stability in younger adults, its protective capacity appears to diminish or cease in individuals aged 56 and older, where age becomes the strongest determinant of task performance. This suggests that in later adulthood, adverse factors such as multimorbidity may override the benefits of cognitive reserve, limiting its impact on the aging trajectory. The study highlights the need to consider age-specific thresholds when evaluating the efficacy of cognitive reserve in maintaining cognitive health.

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• cognitive capacity variation