Researchers report that childhood affluence may influence cognitive abilities later in life. Previous studies have found correlations between advantageous childhood socioeconomic conditions (CSC) and high cognitive functioning in adulthood, but whether poor CSC can lead to cognitive decline remains unclear. Marja J. Aartsen and colleagues analyzed data from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement that was collected between 2004 and 2015 from 24,066 individuals aged 50-96 years in Europe. To explore how CSC affects cognitive functioning, the authors examined how individuals' CSC was associated with changes in verbal fluency and the ability to recall words over time. Although word recollection and verbal fluency over time were highest for individuals with the most advantageous CSC, these individuals also experienced a faster decline in verbal fluency than individuals with the least advantageous CSC. The findings suggest that cognitive aging is unavoidable and that neuronal loss cannot be repaired once underlying cognitive illnesses have become advanced. According to the authors, interventions to reduce cognitive decline late in life should consider past conditions, and preventative measures should begin in childhood.
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Article #18-07679: "Advantaged socioeconomic conditions in childhood are associated with higher cognitive functioning but stronger cognitive decline in older age," by Marja J. Aartsen et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: Marja J. Aartsen, Norwegian Social Research, Oslo Metropolitan University, NORWAY; tel: +47-90035439; email: <maraar@oslomet.no>
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences