Perceptual Speed Tests Research Articles

Гендерні особливості зорового сприйняття та переробки інформації у борців

. Purpose: to study gender peculiarities of visual perception and information processing of female wrestlers. Material and methods. The research involved 23 female and 22 male wrestlers, members of the national teams of Ukraine. We studied the perception and decision-making in testing conditions using the hardware and software complex «Multispychometer-05». The perception of visual information was studied by the perceptual speed test. The athlete was asked to find the missing element of geometric shapes among the proposed on the display screen. The task was to quickly and accurately recognize the missing element. The following indicators were determined: speed, performance, accuracy and efficiency of visual perception. Decision making was studied by a choice test among three stimuli of different colors. The stimuli appeared randomly, the task of the athlete was to respond quickly and accurately to the corresponding stimulus with the right or left hand. The speed of sensory response was studied by the test of determining the latent time of a simple visual-motor reaction. The sportsman was offered to react to a random stimulus as quickly as possible. The latency and stability of the reaction were determined. Results: the study of gender peculiarities of visual perception and information processing in wrestlers was conducted. For sports wrestling perception and processing of information is an important property that provides adequate decision-making in the fight with the active action of the opponent. The best indicator in the study of decision-making time, in terms of choosing stimuli among different external stimuli, was found in men. They make decisions more quickly in conditions of time limit than women. At the same time, women have a faster level of perception of visual information with simultaneous psycho-emotional stress. Men have a faster nature of information processing and decision-making on external visual stimuli. It is advisable to use the results of the study for the construction of training load of women in wrestling. Conclusions. The results of the study showed that the faster nature of visual perception in women who specialize in wrestling than in men wrestlers. The presence of faster decision-making in men wrestlers compared to women in the choice of an external stimulus was revealed. The slowing down of the time of visual-motor reaction in women against the background of the growth of psycho-emotional tension is established. Keywords: freestyle wrestling, elite sportsmen, visual-motor reaction, gender peculiarities.

Predicting Flight Training Performance From the Tabular Speed Test

Abstract. This study determined the predictive validity for the number correct (COR) and the number wrong (WR) of a complex perceptual speed test at three milestones in a collegiate flight training program. Test–retest data were obtained at different intervals. COR predicted time to solo ( N = 119, r = −.15, p < .05) and time to the private pilot certificate ( N = 51, r = −.34, p < .01). WR did not correlate with any performance measure. Test–retest reliabilities averaged across 17 months were r = .604 for COR and r = .431 for WR, with p < .0001 for both. A factor analysis of the test–retest data demonstrated that WR and COR loaded on different factors, indicating that they assess different attributes.

Self-administered Web-Based Tests of Executive Functioning and Perceptual Speed: Measurement Development Study With a Large Probability-Based Survey Panel.

BackgroundCognitive testing in large population surveys is frequently used to describe cognitive aging and determine the incidence rates, risk factors, and long-term trajectories of the development of cognitive impairment. As these surveys are increasingly administered on internet-based platforms, web-based and self-administered cognitive testing calls for close investigation.ObjectiveWeb-based, self-administered versions of 2 age-sensitive cognitive tests, the Stop and Go Switching Task for executive functioning and the Figure Identification test for perceptual speed, were developed and administered to adult participants in the Understanding America Study. We examined differences in cognitive test scores across internet device types and the extent to which the scores were associated with self-reported distractions in everyday environments in which the participants took the tests. In addition, national norms were provided for the US population.MethodsData were collected from a probability-based internet panel representative of the US adult population—the Understanding America Study. Participants with access to both a keyboard- and mouse-based device and a touch screen–based device were asked to complete the cognitive tests twice in a randomized order across device types, whereas participants with access to only 1 type of device were asked to complete the tests twice on the same device. At the end of each test, the participants answered questions about interruptions and potential distractions that occurred during the test.ResultsOf the 7410 (Stop and Go) and 7216 (Figure Identification) participants who completed the device ownership survey, 6129 (82.71% for Stop and Go) and 6717 (93.08% for Figure Identification) participants completed the first session and correctly responded to at least 70% of the trials. On average, the standardized differences across device types were small, with the absolute value of Cohen d ranging from 0.05 (for the switch score in Stop and Go and the Figure Identification score) to 0.13 (for the nonswitch score in Stop and Go). Poorer cognitive performance was moderately associated with older age (the absolute value of r ranged from 0.32 to 0.61), and this relationship was comparable across device types (the absolute value of Cohen q ranged from 0.01 to 0.17). Approximately 12.72% (779/6123 for Stop and Go) and 12.32% (828/6721 for Figure Identification) of participants were interrupted during the test. Interruptions predicted poorer cognitive performance (P<.01 for all scores). Specific distractions (eg, watching television and listening to music) were inconsistently related to cognitive performance. National norms, calculated as weighted average scores using sampling weights, suggested poorer cognitive performance as age increased.ConclusionsCognitive scores assessed by self-administered web-based tests were sensitive to age differences in cognitive performance and were comparable across the keyboard- and touch screen–based internet devices. Distraction in everyday environments, especially when interrupted during the test, may result in a nontrivial bias in cognitive testing.

An Investigation of the Relationship Between Speed-Based Verbal Reasoning Subtest of Anadolu-Sak Intelligence Scale and Perceptual Speed Tests

This research has two interrelated aims. The first aim of the research is to present the relationship between the Speed Based Verbal Reasoning (SBVR) subtest, which calculates reasoning speed by adjusting the Anadolu-Sak Intelligence Scale (ASIS) Verbal Reasoning (VR) subtest, and the CAS 2 intelligence scale and RIAS-2 intelligence scale speed subtests. The second aim of the research is to examine the reliability of the SBVR subtest, the item-total correlations and its relationship to the ASIS index scores. The research employed a correlational survey model and the study sample consisted of 211 students aged 6 to 7. The reliability of the SBVR subtest was found to be high (α =.84). However, we found that there is a small level relationship between SBVR and speed variables (rHDSAM-SPS =-.16, rHDSAM-PNM =.18, rHDSAM-ND =.21 and rHDSAM-SNT =.20), a moderate level (r =.35) relationship with the memory capacity index, and a moderate level (r=.31) and significant relationship with the nonverbal potential index. The research demonstrates the discrepancy between the reasoning speed and the perceptual speed.

Trajectories of multiple subjective well-being facets across old age: The role of health and personality.

Subjective well-being is often characterized by average stability across old age, but individual differences are substantial and not yet fully understood. This study targets physical and cognitive health and personality as individual difference characteristics and examines their unique and interactive roles for level and change in a number of different facets of subjective well-being. We make use of medical diagnoses, performance-based indicators of physical (grip strength) and cognitive functioning (Digit Symbol), and extraversion and neuroticism and apply parallel sets of multilevel growth models to multiyear well-being data obtained in the Berlin Aging Study 2 (N = 1,216; Mage = 71; SD = 3.84; 51% women) and the German Socio-Economic Panel (N = 3,418; Mage = 70; SD = 6.89; 51% women). Results revealed by and large average stability of life satisfaction, morale, and emotions (anger, fear, sadness, happiness) across old age. Most important for our research questions, higher morbidity, poor performance on grip strength and perceptual speed tests, lower extraversion, and higher neuroticism were each uniquely associated with lower life satisfaction, morale, and positive affect and higher negative affect. Some evidence emerged for facet-specific health-personality interaction effects in predicting affective experiences, but effects observed were not consistent across studies and of small size. We take our findings to indicate that health and personality traits constitute important individual difference characteristics for our understanding of subjective well-being in old age and that these likely do not interact with one another to shape well-being. We discuss theoretical and practical implications. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychometric Tests and Spatial Navigation: Data From the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Spatial cognition is the process by which individuals interact with their spatial environment. Spatial cognition encompasses the specific skills of spatial memory, spatial orientation, and spatial navigation. Prior studies have shown an association between psychometric tests of spatial ability and self-reported or virtual measures of spatial navigation. In this study, we examined whether psychometric spatial cognitive tests predict performance on a dynamic spatial navigation task that involves movement through an environment. We recruited 151 community-dwelling adult participants [mean (SD) age 69.7 (13.6), range 24.6–93.2] from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). Spatial navigation ability was assessed using the triangle completion task (TCT), and two quantities, the angle and distance of deviation, were computed. Visuospatial cognitive ability was assessed primarily using the Card Rotations Test. Additional tests of executive function, memory, and attention were also administered. In multiple linear regression analyses adjusting for age, sex, race, and education, cognitive tests of visuospatial ability, executive function, and perceptual motor speed and integration were significantly associated with spatial navigation, as determined by performance on the TCT. These findings suggest that dynamic spatial navigation ability is related to spatial memory, executive function, and motor processing speed.

Combining Cognitive Markers to Identify Individuals at Increased Dementia Risk: Influence of Modifying Factors and Time to Diagnosis.

We investigated the extent to which combining cognitive markers increases the predictive value for future dementia, when compared to individual markers. Furthermore, we examined whether predictivity of markers differed depending on a range of modifying factors and time to diagnosis. Neuropsychological assessment was performed for 2357 participants (60+ years) without dementia from the population-based Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen. In the main sample analyses, the outcome was dementia at 6 years. In the time-to-diagnosis analyses, a subsample of 407 participants underwent cognitive testing 12, 6, and 3 years before diagnosis, with dementia diagnosis at the 12-year follow-up. Category fluency was the strongest individual predictor of dementia 6 years before diagnosis [area under the curve (AUC) = .903]. The final model included tests of verbal fluency, episodic memory, and perceptual speed (AUC = .913); these three domains were found to be the most predictive across a range of different subgroups. Twelve years before diagnosis, pattern comparison (perceptual speed) was the strongest individual predictor (AUC = .686). However, models 12 years before diagnosis did not show significantly increased predictivity above that of the covariates. This study shows that combining markers from different cognitive domains leads to increased accuracy in predicting future dementia 6 years later. Markers from the verbal fluency, episodic memory, and perceptual speed domains consistently showed high predictivity across subgroups stratified by age, sex, education, apolipoprotein E ϵ4 status, and dementia type. Predictivity increased closer to diagnosis and showed highest accuracy up to 6 years before a dementia diagnosis. (JINS, 2020, 00, 1-13).

Social Resources as Compensatory Cognitive Reserve? Interactions of Social Resources With Education in Predicting Late-Life Cognition.

Access to social relationships has been linked with better cognitive performance. We examined whether social resources interact with education to predict cognitive outcomes, which could indicate that social resources fulfill a compensatory role in promoting cognitive reserve. We applied multilevel growth models to 6-wave, 13-year longitudinal data from the Berlin Aging Study (aged 70-103 years at first occasion; M = 84.9 years, 50% women) and have taken into account key individual difference factors, including sociodemographic variables, medically diagnosed comorbidities, and depressive symptoms. To account for possible reverse causality, analyses were conducted on a subset of the BASE participants without dementia (n = 368), and in follow-up analyses with the full sample (n = 516) using wave-specific longitudinal assessments of probable dementia status as a covariate. Larger networks were associated with better performance on tests of perceptual speed and verbal fluency, but did not interact with education, providing little support for a compensatory reserve hypothesis. An interaction of education with emotional loneliness emerged in the prediction of perceptual speed, suggesting that the educational divide in speed was minimal among people who reported lower levels of loneliness. We discuss our results in the context of differential implications of social resources for cognition and consider possible mechanisms underlying our findings.

Comparing the effectiveness of different methods to reduce the effect size of the practice effect in traffic psychological assessment

Several theoretical models have been advanced in the literature to account for practice effects due to retesting. These models differ in their predictions regarding the extent to which item parameters can be assumed to be invariant across test administration sessions. Furthermore, the models also differ in their predictions regarding the effect of using computerized adaptive testing on the size of practice effects. The present study was conducted to test these predictions. A total of N = 891 test-takers were randomly assigned to one of six experimental conditions and solved different versions of a tachistoscopic perceptual speed tests at two time-points of measurement separated by approximately three months. The experimental conditions systematically varied regarding the use of identical or alternate retest forms and with regard to the use of either computerized adaptive test forms, or fixed-item linear test forms at the initial and/or retest session. Item response theory analyses indicated that practice effects can be explained in terms of an increase in test-specific abilities due to learning during test-taking. This conclusion was further corroborated by a comparison of practice effects across the six experimental conditions. In line with a model attributing practice effects to test-specific abilities due to learning during test-taking, practice effects were smallest in conditions in which computerized adaptive tests were administered at the initial test administration session. The pattern of practice effect sizes also contradicted predictions made on the basis of alternate theoretical models. Furthermore, computerized adaptive testing was more effective at reducing practice effects than alternate retest forms.

Predictive Validity of Spatial Ability and Perceptual Speed Tests for Aviator Training

ABSTRACTObjective: To present a multistudy examination of spatial ability and perceptual speed tests as predictors of Air Force aviator academic and flying training outcomes.Background: Whereas verbal and math tests are commonly used in academic and pre-employment selection, spatial ability and perceptual speed testing are less common. Spatial ability and perceptual speed tests have been a mainstay in U.S. Air Force aviation training selection batteries for decades, as part of the process for selecting aviation training candidates.Method and Results: Factor analysis (Study 1) of spatial, perceptual speed, and academic aptitude tests shows a 2-factor solution. Meta-analysis results (Study 2) of the predictive validity of spatial and perceptual speed tests relative to verbal, math, and technical knowledge tests show spatial ability, aviation knowledge, and perceptual speed tests are better significant predictors of aviator flying performance, whereas academic aptitude best predicts classroom performance. Incremental validity analyses (Study 3) of spatial and perceptual speed above academic and technical knowledge for academic and pilot trainee flying performance were performed. Although spatial ability lacks incremental validity over academic and technical aptitude, perceptual speed has incremental validity above academic and technical aptitude for predicting pilot trainee flying performance.Conclusion: Perceptual speed, an aspect of spatial ability, can provide incremental predictive validity beyond academic and technical knowledge measures alone for applied science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields like military aviation.

Terminal decline of episodic memory and perceptual speed in a biracial population

ABSTRACTWe compared trajectories of terminal cognitive decline in older Black (n = 3372) and White (n = 1756) persons from a defined population who completed tests of episodic memory and perceptual speed at 3-year intervals for up to 18 years. During a mean of 9.9 years of observation, 1608 Black persons and 902 White persons died. Preterminal decline of episodic memory did not differ by race. Terminal episodic memory decline began earlier in Black persons (mean of 4.3 years before death) than in White persons (mean = 3.9 years) and progressed more slowly. By contrast, terminal decline of perceptual speed began earlier in White persons (mean = 5.0 years) than in Black persons (mean = 4.5 years). Rate of perceptual speed decline was more rapid in White persons than in Black persons in both the preterminal and terminal periods. The results indicate that terminal cognitive decline occurs in Black persons but suggest that the rate of cognitive decline during the terminal period is less rapid in Black persons than in White persons.

Locus coeruleus cellular and molecular pathology during the progression of Alzheimer\u2019s disease

A major feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the loss of noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) projection neurons that mediate attention, memory, and arousal. However, the extent to which the LC projection system degenerates during the initial stages of AD is still under investigation. To address this question, we performed tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry and unbiased stereology of noradrenergic LC neurons in tissue harvested postmortem from subjects who died with a clinical diagnosis of no cognitive impairment (NCI), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI, a putative prodromal AD stage), or mild/moderate AD. Stereologic estimates of total LC neuron number revealed a 30% loss during the transition from NCI to aMCI, with an additional 25% loss of LC neurons in AD. Decreases in noradrenergic LC neuron number were significantly associated with worsening antemortem global cognitive function as well as poorer performance on neuropsychological tests of episodic memory, semantic memory, working memory, perceptual speed, and visuospatial ability. Reduced LC neuron numbers were also associated with increased postmortem neuropathology. To examine the cellular and molecular pathogenic processes underlying LC neurodegeneration in aMCI, we performed single population microarray analysis. These studies revealed significant reductions in select functional classes of mRNAs regulating mitochondrial respiration, redox homeostasis, and neuritic structural plasticity in neurons accessed from both aMCI and AD subjects compared to NCI. Specific gene expression levels within these functional classes were also associated with global cognitive deterioration and neuropathological burden. Taken together, these observations suggest that noradrenergic LC cellular and molecular pathology is a prominent feature of prodromal disease that contributes to cognitive dysfunction. Moreover, they lend support to a rational basis for targeting LC neuroprotection as a disease modifying strategy.

Aging Audiences: Association of Live Performance Attendance and Cognitive Decline in a Biracial Sample.

To examine if attendance in live performances was associated with change in cognition among African Americans (AAs) and European Americans (EAs). The study consisted of 5,567 older adults with at least follow-up interview and analyzed using a linear mixed effects regression model adjusting for demographic and health variables. We found that frequent performance attendance was associated with slower decline in composite cognitive function among older AAs and EAs. Attending 10 or more performances per year was associated with 23% slower cognitive decline among AAs and 31% slower cognitive decline among EAs compared with those who never attend any performance. However, this difference was not significant ( p = .56). Attending live performances was also associated with slower decline in individual tests of perceptual speed, episodic memory, and mini-mental state exam (MMSE). Our findings suggest that live performances form a valuable component of arts engagement and should be encouraged for potential cognitive benefits.

Speed and accuracy indicators of test performance under different instructional conditions: Intelligence correlates

Performance on speeded ability tests, in contrast to power tests, reflects an individual's ability to get answers correct and to do so rapidly. However, with speeded tests, overall performance scores represent some unknown combination of the individual's strategy toward greater speed or higher accuracy. Scoring methods, such as penalties for wrong answers, are often imposed to either encourage examinees to adopt a specific speed-accuracy tradeoff strategy, or to attempt to derive performance scores that ‘factor out’ such strategic differences. In the current study, baseline assessments of four perceptual speed and psychomotor ability tests were administered, along with three different instructional conditions (accuracy-emphasis, speed-emphasis, and balanced accuracy and speed). A general ability composite was derived from a battery of intellectual ability tests. Changes in speed-accuracy tradeoff emphasis resulted in a consistent pattern of changes in the g correlates of latency/completion time performance indicators and number of errors. Increasing emphasis on accuracy resulted in increasing g correlates with latency/completion time, and decreases in g correlates with error rates. Implications for construct validity of ability tests and for further consideration of the conditions of testing are presented.

Cognitive function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): impact of reproductive and metabolic factors

Cognitive function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): impact of reproductive and metabolic factors

Physical and Cognitive Activities as Deterrents of Cognitive Decline in a Biracial Population Sample.

Physical and cognitive activities are associated with slower cognitive decline. Few studies have examined racial differences in these associations, however. The aim of this study was to examine the association of physical and cognitive activities with level and change in cognitive function among black and white participants. A secondary aim was to explore observed differences between black and white participants using post hoc analyses based on education and cognitive function levels. Data came from a longitudinal study of 7,742 (63% black and 61% female) participants assessed three times over an average of 9.5 years. At baseline, each participant reported number of hours of leisure time physical activity (categorized using quartiles) and rated frequency of participation in cognitively stimulating activities (range: 0-4). A standardized measure of cognition was derived from tests of memory, perceptual speed, and orientation. Of the 7,742 participants, 2,322 (30%) reported no physical activity. Cognitive decline was slower by about 20% (95% CI: 13%-27%) among whites with physical activity above 1.25 hours compared with those with no physical activity, but showed no significant decrease in cognitive decline relative to those with no physical activity among blacks. Further post hoc analysis revealed cognitive decline to be slower by about 29% (95% CI: 20%-38%) among blacks and whites with higher education and above average baseline cognition. A 1-point increase in cognitive activity frequency decreased cognitive decline by 8% (95% CI: 3%-14%) among blacks and by 14% (95% CI: 7%-20%) among whites. The benefits of higher physical activity on cognitive decline was observed among whites, and among blacks with higher education and above average baseline cognitive function. Nevertheless, the protective effect of cognitive activity seems to be independent of education and baseline cognitive function among both blacks and whites.

Cognitive training with casual video games: points to consider

Brain training programs have proliferated in recent years, with claims that video games or computer-based tasks can broadly enhance cognitive function. However, benefits are commonly seen only in trained tasks. Assessing generalized improvement and practicality of laboratory exercises complicates interpretation and application of findings. In this study, we addressed these issues by using active control groups, training tasks that more closely resemble real-world demands and multiple tests to determine transfer of training. We examined whether casual video games can broadly improve cognition, and selected training games from a study of the relationship between game performance and cognitive abilities. A total of 209 young adults were randomized into a working memory–reasoning group, an adaptive working memory–reasoning group, an active control game group, and a no-contact control group. Before and after 15 h of training, participants completed tests of reasoning, working memory, attention, episodic memory, perceptual speed, and self-report measures of executive function, game experience, perceived improvement, knowledge of brain training research, and game play outside the laboratory. Participants improved on the training games, but transfer to untrained tasks was limited. No group showed gains in reasoning, working memory, episodic memory, or perceptual speed, but the working memory–reasoning groups improved in divided attention, with better performance in an attention-demanding game, a decreased attentional blink and smaller trail-making costs. Perceived improvements did not differ across training groups and those with low reasoning ability at baseline showed larger gains. Although there are important caveats, our study sheds light on the mixed effects in the training and transfer literature and offers a novel and potentially practical training approach. Still, more research is needed to determine the real-world benefits of computer programs such as casual games.

Younger adults show long-term effects of cognitive training on broad cognitive abilities over 2 years.

In the COGITO study (Schmiedek, Lövdén, & Lindenberger, 2010), 101 younger adults practiced 12 tests of perceptual speed, working memory, and episodic memory for over 100 daily 1-hr sessions. The intervention resulted in positive transfer to broad cognitive abilities, including reasoning and episodic memory. Here, we examine whether these ability-based transfer effects are maintained over time. Two years after the end of the training, 80 participants returned for follow-up assessments of the comprehensive battery of transfer tasks. We found reliable positive long-term transfer effects for reasoning and episodic memory, controlling for retest effects by including participants from the original control group. This shows, for the first time, that intensive cognitive training interventions can have long-term broad transfer at the level of cognitive abilities.

Can Older Adults Promote Their Processing Speed by Training

The slowing of processing speed with aging is one of the most influential causes that can explain the age-related decline of cognitive abilities.It's reasonable to assume that older adults' cognition might be maintained or promoted through processing speed training.However,whether processing speed can be enhanced or not is still questionable for older people.Thus,the present study aims at examine the plasticity of processing speed in later life.Overall,46 community-dwelling older adults,ranging in age from 60 to 79 years,participated in this study.For the baseline test,a kit of primary mental ability tests,the intellectual self-efficacy questionnaire,and two perceptual speed tests were administered to all the participants.There were 25 participants in the experimental condition (cognitive training).For this condition,the baseline test was followed with additional computerized exercises involving pattern comparison.Each participant received five 50-minute sessions of training over a five-week period.There were 21 participants in the control group condition and these participants received no additional training after baseline test.All the participants completed a post-training test using the same measures at baseline.At four months follow-up,31 participants completed assessments once more.In this study,the two perceptual speed test,namely number comparison test (NCT) and picture matching test (PMT) were used to examine the training effects.And,the primary mental ability tests,including word fluency,number,reasoning,spatial orientation,and vocabulary,were used to explore the transferring effects of training.Repeated MANOVA analyses,with group (intervention vs.control) and time (pre-training vs.post-training) as independent variables,were conducted for performances on NCT and PMT respectively.A significant group and time interaction was found for PMT (F(1,44)=4.34,p=0.043) but not for NCT.Repeated MANOVA were also conducted for the five primary mental abilities respectively.The results indicated significant group and time interaction effect on the performance of word fluency test,F(1,44)=7.70,p=0.008.MANOVA were employed to analyze effect at four month follow-up,however,no interactions of group and time were found for either PMT or word fluency test.In conclusion,processing speed,as measured by reaction time,would appear to be improved through a short-term training intervention.However it cannot be discounted that changes in processing speed could be influenced by secondary rather than primary aging processes.Different processing speed indices may exhibit differential training effects.Compared to NCT,PMT would appear to be more reliable to reflect the training effects.

Perceived Discrimination and Cognition in Older African Americans

Existing evidence suggests that psychosocial stress is associated with cognitive impairment in older adults. Perceived discrimination is a persistent stressor in African Americans that has been associated with several adverse mental and physical health outcomes. To our knowledge, the association of discrimination with cognition in older African Americans has not been examined. In a cohort of 407 older African Americans without dementia (mean age = 72.9; SD = 6.4), we found that a higher level of perceived discrimination was related to poorer cognitive test performance, particularly episodic memory (estimate = -0.03; SE = .013; p < .05) and perceptual speed tests (estimate = -0.04; SE = .015; p < .05). The associations were unchanged after adjusting for demographics and vascular risk factors, but were attenuated after adjustment for depressive symptoms (Episodic memory estimate = -0.02; SE = 0.01; Perceptual speed estimate = -0.03; SE = 0.02; both p's = .06). The association between discrimination and several cognitive domains was modified by level of neuroticism. The results suggest that perceived discrimination may be associated with poorer cognitive function, but does not appear to be independent of depressive symptoms. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1-10).