Another learning process is prioritization.With advancing age,they encode less and less contextual information.Although this can be seen as problems with memory,ignoring sounds without informational potential is a part of lifelong learning. (Lövdén et al., 2020),https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100620920576 concluded that crystallized skills(the accumulation of skills and knowledge throughout life) increase until middle age and are little affected in later life.
Cognitive decline is not a natural phenomenon.This is also supported by this study (Hayden et al., 2011),https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afr101.The experiment assessed changes in cognitive trajectories in a cohort of Religious Orders Study priests, nuns and brothers who do not have dementia.The aim was to use an analysis framework that directly models individual heterogeneity and tests whether or not subgroups, with different rates of change, are present in the sample.Based on previous work in this cohort and the rates of cognitive decline observed in other studies it was hypothesized that the analysis would reveal three subgroups; one with little change, one that declined rapidly and one with intermediate rates of change,i.e. the low cognitive decline class, the moderate decline class and the rapid decline class.
Scientific Evidence: is cognitive decline a myth?
The analyses were collected from 1135 participants.The average age at baseline was 75 years and more than 90% completed more than 12 years of education.The number of assessments ranged from 1 to 16 and the average follow-up duration was 8 years.The result was as follows:in the slow decline group (678 participants), moderate decline (284 participants), rapid decline (87 participants). Based on the standard deviation (SD) of cognitive performance in the baseline sample, participants would be expected to experience a decline of half a standard deviation (SD) in approximately 3.3 years, which would represent an observable difference in cognitive performance.
- In class I the initial performance was +0.17 SD, slightly above the age-adjusted average of the sample and the rate of decline was -0.04 SD per year.
- In class II the rate of decline is about five times faster than in class I, and these participants lose half of the SD in about 2.6 years.They showed initial performance: -0.17 SD, slightly below the age-adjusted average and the rate of decline: -0.19 SD per year.
- Class III identified the smallest number of participants with rapid cognitive decline.These participants have the most rapid decline, losing half a SD in just 11 months.Their initial performance was -0.32 SD, significantly below the age-adjusted mean and the rate of decline was -0.57 SD per year.
It has been shown that many older people experience relatively little change over long periods of time.The conclusion of this study is that most people in this sample have had minimal decline over time. Among those who experienced decline, change was correlated with neuropathology. The findings of this study support the idea that substantial cognitive decline is not intrinsic to aging,this emphasizes the importance of investigating the full range of pathologies that can diminish brain function in old age.This means that cognitive decline is not caused by age,but by the presence of pathological factors.
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Interesting study! How does the education level impact the rate of cognitive decline in these groups?
The study involved a significant sample size of 1135 participants, with an average age of 75 years. Most participants had over 12 years of education, ensuring a relatively educated sample. Cognitive decline was categorized into slow, moderate, and rapid groups, with an expected decline of half a standard deviation in about 3.3 years. This suggests a measurable impact on cognitive performance over time. Could this decline rate be influenced by factors such as education level or baseline cognitive abilities?
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This study provides valuable insights into cognitive decline over time, particularly in older adults. The large sample size and long follow-up duration enhance the reliability of the findings. The classification into slow, moderate, and rapid decline groups helps in understanding different trajectories of cognitive aging. The expected decline of half a standard deviation in 3.3 years offers a useful benchmark for future research. How might these findings inform early intervention strategies for cognitive decline?
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Nice share!