scholarly journals Motivation as a Mediator of the Relation Between Cognitive Reserve and Cognitive Performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 1199-1205
Author(s):  
Fanny Vallet ◽  
Nathalie Mella ◽  
Andreas Ihle ◽  
Marine Beaudoin ◽  
Delphine Fagot ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Interindividual differences in cognitive aging may be explained by differences in cognitive reserve (CR) that are built up across the life span. A plausible but underresearched mechanism for these differences is that CR helps compensating cognitive decline by enhancing motivation to cope with challenging cognitive situations. Theories of motivation on cognition suggest that perceived capacity and intrinsic motivation may be key mediators in this respect. Method In 506 older adults, we assessed CR proxies (education, occupation, leisure activities), motivation (perceived capacity, intrinsic motivation), and a global measure of cognitive functioning. Results Perceived capacity, but not intrinsic motivation, significantly mediated the relation between CR and cognitive performance. Discussion Complementary with neurobiological and cognitive processes, our results suggest a more comprehensive view of the role of motivational aspects built up across the life span in determining differences in cognitive performance in old age.

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 1659-1669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Ihle ◽  
Catherine Grotz ◽  
Stéphane Adam ◽  
Michel Oris ◽  
Delphine Fagot ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackground:The role of timing of retirement on cognitive functioning in old age is inconclusive so far. Therefore, the present study set out to investigate the association of timing of retirement with cognitive performance and its interplay with key correlates of cognitive reserve in a large sample of older adults.Methods:Two thousand two hundred and sixty three older adults served as sample for the present study. Different psychometric tests (Trail Making Test part A (TMT A), Trail Making Test part B (TMT B), Mill Hill) were administered. In addition, individuals were interviewed on their retirement, occupation, educational attainment, and regarding 18 leisure activities that have been carried out after retirement.Results:Earlier retirement (compared to retirement at legal age) was significantly associated with better performance in the TMT A, the TMT B, and the Mill Hill vocabulary test. Moderation analyses showed that in individuals with a moderate number of leisure activities in old age, earlier retirement was related to better cognitive performance, but not in those with a relatively large number of leisure activities. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that entering leisure activities as additional predictor significantly increased explained variance in the cognitive measures over and above all other investigated markers of cognitive reserve (i.e. occupation and education).Conclusions:Present data further corroborate the view that leisure activities even in old age may lead to further enrichment effects and thereby may be related to better cognitive functioning. The role of engaging in activities in the context of major life events such as retirement is discussed.


Author(s):  
В. С. Мякотных ◽  
А. П. Сиденкова ◽  
Е. С. Остапчук ◽  
И. А. Кулакова ◽  
Н. А. Белых ◽  
...  

Высокий риск когнитивных расстройств у лиц пожилого и старческого возраста заставляет, с одной стороны, искать их причины, с другой - возможности профилактики. В связи с этим в последние годы получило распространение понятие когнитивного резерва, подразумевающего совокупность количественных параметров головного мозга и его способности сохранять высокую функциональную активность в процессе старения и на фоне связанной с возрастом патологии головного мозга. Представленный в статье материал на основе обзора научной литературы освещает два основных момента, касающихся возможности сохранения когнитивного резерва, - гендерный и образовательный факторы. Указывается на разные возможности женщин и мужчин, связанные со структурными и функциональными особенностями ЦНС у представителей разного пола, и на особую роль поддерживаемого в течение всей жизни образовательного процесса. Обозначена авторская позиция о необходимости разделения понятий образования и образованности, то есть уровня общей культуры и создания удобного инструмента для определения последнего. Это, в свою очередь, помогло бы в разработке модели когнитивного резерва, нацеленной на предотвращение трансформации физиологического когнитивного старения в патологическое. The high risk of cognitive disorders in the elderly and senile age makes, on the one hand, to look for their causes, on the other - the possibility of prevention. In this regard, in recent years, the concept of cognitive reserve has become widespread, implying a set of quantitative parameters of the brain and its ability to maintain high functional activity in the process of aging and against the background of age-related brain pathology. The material presented in the article on the basis of the review of scientific literature highlights two main points concerning the possibility of preserving the cognitive reserve-gender and educational factors. It is pointed to the different opportunities of women and men associated with the structural and functional characteristics of the Central nervous system in representatives of different sexes and the special role of the educational process supported throughout life. The author’s position on the need to separate the concepts of education and the level of General culture, and the creation of a convenient tool for determining the latter is indicated. This, in turn, would help in the development of a cognitive reserve model aimed at preventing the transformation of physiological cognitive aging into pathological aging.


Gerontology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 543-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Ihle ◽  
Michel Oris ◽  
Delphine Fagot ◽  
Marie Baeriswyl ◽  
Eduardo Guichard ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (87) ◽  
pp. 47-52
Author(s):  
Andrzej Jopkiewicz ◽  
Monika Królicka–Czerniak ◽  
Anita Zaręba

To divide the types of aging (successful, usual and impaired), as well as factors affecting this process, the protective role of physical activity was discussed in the literature. It was emphasized that physical activity is also a very important protective factor for cognitive aging - mainly executive function and memory. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, i.e. the regions of the brain responsible for the control and course of cognitive processes, show susceptibility to stimulation, which is movement exercises, which are prevention of degenerative changes within the brain.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 877-880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Ciccarelli ◽  
Maria Rita Lo Monaco ◽  
Domenico Fusco ◽  
Davide Liborio Vetrano ◽  
Giuseppe Zuccalà ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey F. Scherrer ◽  
John E. Morley

Summary Almeida-Meza et al found an inverse correlation between cognitive reserve (associated with educational level, complexity of occupations and leisure activities) and dementia incidence. We suggest clarifying studies using their data-set and consider what can be done to modify socioeconomic inequalities that affect cognitive reserve or to slow early dementia.


2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 190-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Ihle ◽  
Michel Oris ◽  
Julia Sauter ◽  
Ulrike Rimmele ◽  
Matthias Kliegel

Aims: The present study set out to investigate the relation of psychological stress to cognitive performance and its interplay with key life course markers of cognitive reserve and social capital in a large sample of older adults. Methods: We assessed cognitive performance (verbal abilities and processing speed) and psychological stress in 2,812 older adults. The Participants reported information on education, occupation, leisure activities, family, and close friends. Results: Greater psychological stress was significantly related to lower performance in verbal abilities and processing speed. Moderation analyses suggested that the relations of psychological stress to cognitive performance were reduced in individuals with higher education, a higher cognitive level of the first profession practiced after education, a larger number of midlife leisure activities, a larger number of significant family members, and a larger number of close friends. Conclusion: Cognitive reserve and social capital accrued in early and midlife may reduce the detrimental influences of psychological stress on cognitive functioning in old age.


2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 160-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarida Sobral ◽  
Maria Helena Pestana ◽  
Constança Paúl

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive reserve (CR), a hypothetical construct used to obtain information about cognitive aging, describes the capacity of the adult brain to cope with the effects of neurodegenerative processes. This study evaluated CR using a CR questionnaire (CRQ) and a set of variables (education, leisure activities, lifelong occupation) that inform CR. It also developed a CR index, validated the CRQ, and examined the correlation between the different CR measures.METHODS: Functional and neuropsychological capacities of 75 outpatients (mean age: 80.2 years) with a probable AD diagnosis were evaluated. Socio-demographic data and clinical variables were collected. Patients completed two questionnaires: the Participation in Leisure Activities throughout Life questionnaire, and the CRQ.RESULTS: Participants with a greater CR had higher scores in cognitive tests than the elderly with a lower CR. A CR index was developed. CRQ reliability was 0.795 (Cronbach's alpha). There was a close association between the CR Index and the CRQ.CONCLUSIONS: This study found an association between CR measures and education, occupation and participation in leisure activities. The CRQ seems to be a suitable instrument to measure CR in Portuguese populations.


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