Abstract
Background: Pulmonary function has been associated with some measures of cognitive performance, mostly in late adulthood. This study investigated whether this association is present for a range of cognitive measures, at three stages of adulthood, and whether it remains after controlling for demographic, health and lifestyle factors. Method: The relationship between forced expiratory volume at 1 s (FEV<sub>1</sub>), a measure of pulmonary function, and cognitive test performance was examined in three cohorts aged 20–24, 40–44 and 60–64. Results: After controlling for demographic variables, smoking, physical activity, and respiratory disease, significant associations between FEV<sub>1</sub> and cognitive test performance were evident in each age group for most cognitive measures. The association between FEV<sub>1</sub> and measures of speed increased with age. Conclusion: FEV<sub>1</sub> has a small but reliable positive association with cognitive test performance throughout adulthood, possibly reflecting a common physiological factor.
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