Higher Awareness of Positive and Negative Age-Related Changes Relate to Lower Objective Cognitive Scores

Serena Sabatini,Clive Ballard,Obioha Ukoumunne,Hans-Werner Wahl,Manfred Diehl,Linda Clare,Allyson Brothers,Kaarin Anstey

doi:10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2010

Abstract

Existing evidence suggests that individuals’ subjective experience of cognitive decline may be a risk state for dementia. However, whether self-awareness of positive changes confer cognitive protection is unknown. We examined the extent to which awareness of positive (AARC gains) and negative (AARC losses) age-related changes explains variability in objective cognitive performance in a sample of 6,231 UK residents (Mean age= 66.1 years, 75.9% women) without cognitive impairment. We tested a structural equation model with AARC gains and losses as predictors of cognitive performance and depressive symptoms as a mediator of the association of AARC losses with cognitive performance. The model fit the data well. The correlation between AARC gains and losses was negligible, yet higher levels of both AARC gains and losses predicted poorer cognitive scores. Hence, higher AARC gains did not confer cognitive protection. This unexpected pattern of results underscores the complexity of mapping individuals’ awareness onto objective outcomes.

Highlights

One of the strongest risk factors for dementia is the ε4 variant of the APOE gene
The current study examined whether positive age beliefs that are acquired from the culture may reduce the risk of developing dementia among older individuals, including those who are APOE ε4 carriers
The results of this study suggest that positive age beliefs, which are modifiable and have been found to reduce stress, can act as a protective factor, even for older individuals at high risk of dementia

Summary

Introduction

One of the strongest risk factors for dementia is the ε4 variant of the APOE gene. Yet, many who carry it never develop dementia. In a preliminary study to test this, 70 older adults were exposed to implicit positive and negative views on aging in a within-subject design carried out over 2 weeks, and played a computerised game that involved deciding whether to expend effort to gain a reward. The paper will discuss how the dopaminergic theory ties into stereotype embodiment and other theories, and why it may explain previous findings that negative views of aging impair specific cognitive functions more than others.

Results

Conclusion