Studying at university in later life slows cognitive decline: A long-term prospective study

Aidan D Bindoff; Mathew Summers; Edward Hill; Jane Alty; James C Vickers

doi:10.1002/trc2.12207

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Studying at university in later life slows cognitive decline: A long-term prospective study

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Studying at university in later life slows cognitive decline: A long-term prospective study

Aidan D Bindoff, Mathew Summers, Edward Hill, Jane Alty and James C Vickers

Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, Vol.7(1), pp.1-10

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/trc2.12207

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

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Abstract

Biological Psychology (Neuropsychology, Psychopharmacology, Physiological Psychology)

Health Related to Ageing

age-related cognitive decline

cognitive ageing

cognitive reserse

dementia prevention

lifespan cognitive reserve

UniSC Diversity Area - Life Stages

Introduction: Declining cognition in later life is associated with loss of independence and quality of life. This decline in cognition may potentially be reduced or reversed through engaging in cognitively stimulating activities. This study examined the potential for university attendance in later life to enhance cognitive function in older adults. Methods: Cognitively unimpaired adults (n = 485, 69% female, median age 60 years) were given the opportunity to undertake free university study. Repeated neurocognitive assessment was performed over 7 years. Results: Participants in the university education group (n = 383) improved z = .02 SD (.01, .03) per year of the study compared to controls (P = .001; averaged across a battery of cognitive tests). The largest improvements were observed on tests of language and verbal learning, memory, and episodic memory. Discussion: Later-life university study was associated with improved cognitive trajectories. Later-life education may preserve cognitive function, specifically for functions associated with communication, social interaction, and maintaining independence.

Details

Title: Studying at university in later life slows cognitive decline: A long-term prospective study
Authors: Aidan D Bindoff (Corresponding Author) - University of Tasmania
Mathew Summers (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Edward Hill (Author) - University of Tasmania
Jane Alty (Author) - University of Tasmania
James C Vickers (Author) - University of Tasmania
Publication details: Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, Vol.7(1), pp.1-10
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12207
ISSN: 2352-8737
Copyright note: © 2021 The Authors. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring published by Wiley Periodicals, LLC o n behalf of Alzheimer’s Association. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in anymedium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
Grants: The Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project: a longitudinal intervention study to reduce the risk of ageing-related cognitive decline and dementia, 1108794, National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia, Canberra) - NHMRC
The Healthy Brain Project: A prospective cohort study to examine how later-life university education may affect the trajectory of ageing-related cognitive decline, 1003645, National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia, Canberra) - NHMRC
Organisation Unit: School of Health; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Psychology; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99571508802621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Clinical Neurology; Neurosciences

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