Abstract
Abstract Older adults represent the largest segment of cancer survivors and may be particularly susceptible to poor cognitive outcomes. This project examines the impact of leisure activities on cognitive performance in non-metastatic breast cancer survivors and healthy controls from the Thinking and Living with Cancer (TLC) Study. Additionally, this project investigates if genetic polymorphisms (APOE, COMT, BDNF) limit the benefits of leisure activities on cognitive performance. A battery of neuropsychological tests was used to create composite scores for learning and memory (LM) and attention, processing speed, and executive functioning (APE). Leisure activity participation was associated with better LM and APE composite scores. Age differences in LM and APE were not statistically significant among the most active participants. Regarding genetic polymorphisms, persons with APOE-ε4 exhibited greater cognitive performance benefits compared to non-ε4 carriers. Future research should examine the extent to which leisure activities can buffer longitudinal declines.
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