Psychology and Aging

Publications in this journal

• Article: APOE ε4, Alzheimer's Disease Pathology, Cerebrovascular Disease, and Cognitive Change Over the Years Prior to Death.

  Lei Yu, Patricia Boyle, Julie A Schneider, Eisuke Segawa, Robert S Wilson, Sue Leurgans, David A Bennett
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: The goal of this study was to examine the association of the APOE ε4 allele with the late-life cognitive trajectory and test the hypothesis that the association of ε4 with cognitive decline is explained by Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology. Participants (N = 581) came from 2 longitudinal clinical-pathologic studies of aging and dementia, the Religious Orders Study (ROS) and the Memory and Aging Project (MAP). Longitudinal measures of cognition were derived from detailed annual neuropsychological testing. Uniform neuropathologic evaluations provided quantitative measures of AD pathology, chronic cerebral infarctions, and Lewy bodies. Participants with 1 or more copies of the ε4 allele (ε2/4 excluded) were considered ε4 carriers. Random change point models were applied to examine the association of the ε4 allele with onset of terminal decline as well as preterminal and terminal slopes. On average, the onset of terminal decline occurred around 3 years before death, and the rate of terminal decline was eightfold faster than the preterminal decline. The presence of the ε4 allele was associated with an earlier onset of terminal decline and faster rates of decline before and after its onset. After adjusting for AD pathology, the ε4 allele was no longer associated with onset of terminal decline or preterminal slope, and the association with terminal slope became marginal. The APOE ε4 allele is an important determinant of late-life change in cognition, including terminal decline, and works primarily through AD pathology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
  Psychology and Aging 05/2013;
• Article: Age and Method Variance in Measures of Speed and Working Memory.

  Alan A Hartley
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Ten measures of speed of processing were administered to 157 individuals, aged 18 to 89 years. The 10 measures comprised five pairs, each of which had a paper-and-pencil and a computer, reaction time (RT) based version of the same measure. Three measures of working memory span were also administered. Two structural equation models were fit to the speed data, one with a single latent variable, speed, and another, nested-factor model in which there were also latent variables for the two methods of measurement. The model with the method latent variables provided a better fit. Age was more strongly related to the method latent variables than to the general speed latent variable. Adding the working memory measures showed that there was also shared variance in those measures beyond the general latent variable, also related to age. The results show that any single measure of speed includes variance due to speed but also to the method of measurement. Use of a latent variable approach to speed is recommended. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
  Psychology and Aging 04/2013;
• Article: Aging Delays Strategic Modulation of the Fixation Reflex.

  Hannah Bos, Liana Machado
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Stimuli that project onto central vision facilitate maintenance of eye position, a phenomenon called the fixation reflex. Endogenous control over this fixation reflex enables one to willfully look away. The current study investigated whether these behaviors, which are important for effective visual orienting, change with advancing age. Previous research established that patients with frontal lobe damage exhibit weaker fixation reflexes and reduced control over this reflex. In light of brain atrophy occurring during healthy aging, we predicted similar but less robust changes in neurologically healthy older relative to young adults. The results generally supported this prediction, which has negative implications for performance of time-sensitive visual-orienting tasks. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
  Psychology and Aging 04/2013;
• Article: An Effect of Age on Implicit Memory That Is Not Due to Explicit Contamination: Implications for Single and Multiple-Systems Theories.

  Emma V Ward, Christopher J Berry, David R Shanks
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Recognition memory is typically weaker in healthy older relative to young adults, while performance on implicit tests (e.g., repetition priming) is often comparable between groups. Such observations are commonly taken as evidence for independent explicit and implicit memory systems. On a picture version of the continuous identification with recognition (CID-R) task, we found a reliable age-related reduction in recognition memory, while the age effect on priming did not reach statistical significance (Experiment 1). This pattern was consistent with the predictions of a formal single-system model. Experiment 2 replicated these observations using separate priming (continuous identification; CID) and recognition phases, while a combined data analysis revealed a significant effect of age on priming. In Experiment 3, we provide evidence that priming in this task is unaffected by explicit processing, and we conclude that the age difference in priming is unlikely to have been driven by differences in explicit processing between groups of young and older adults ("explicit contamination"). The results support the view that explicit and implicit expressions of memory are driven by a single underlying memory system. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
  Psychology and Aging 04/2013;
• Article: Optimal Study Design With Identical Power: An Application of Power Equivalence to Latent Growth Curve Models.

  Timo von Oertzen, Andreas M Brandmaier
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Structural equation models have become a broadly applied data-analytic framework. Among them, latent growth curve models have become a standard method in longitudinal research. However, researchers often rely solely on rules of thumb about statistical power in their study designs. The theory of power equivalence provides an analytical answer to the question of how design factors, for example, the number of observed indicators and the number of time points assessed in repeated measures, trade off against each other while holding the power for likelihood-ratio tests on the latent structure constant. In this article, we present applications of power-equivalent transformations on a model with data from a previously published study on cognitive aging, and highlight consequences of participant attrition on power. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
  Psychology and Aging 04/2013;
• Article: Age-Related Variations of Visuomotor Adaptation Result From Both the Acquisition and the Application of Explicit Knowledge .

  Mathias Hegele, Herbert Heuer
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to assess whether age-related differences in visuomotor adaptation are limited to the acquisition of explicit knowledge or extend to the application of the explicit knowledge in terms of deliberate strategic corrections. Old and young participants performed aiming movements, controlling a cursor on a computer screen with rotated visual feedback. Participants either received an explicit pretraining of the rotation or practiced a similar task that was unrelated to the upcoming rotation. Results show an age-related difference in the application of explicit knowledge and thereby extend previous findings of age-related differences in the acquisition of explicit knowledge. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
  Psychology and Aging 03/2013;
• Article: Editorial.

  Ulrich Mayr
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Psychology and Aging is the prime outlet for high-impact and efficient publishing in the area of lifespan development and aging. The credit for these achievements goes to the previous editors, most recently Fredda Blanchard-Fields-and since her very sad and untimely passing-interim editor Paul Duberstein. It is my charge to maintain and, ideally, further increase Psychology and Aging's good standing. In this context, I see little need for major changes. At best, we will experiment with some minor shifts in emphasis-all in the service of overall stability and growth. I list just a few of these here. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
  Psychology and Aging 03/2013; 28(1):1-2.
• Article: Subgroup of ADNI normal controls characterized by atrophy and cognitive decline associated with vascular damage.

  Jasmine Nettiksimmons, Laurel Beckett, Christopher Schwarz, Owen Carmichael, Evan Fletcher, Charles Decarli
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Previous work examining Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) normal controls using cluster analysis identified a subgroup characterized by substantial brain atrophy and white matter hyperintensities (WMH). We hypothesized that these effects could be related to vascular damage. Fifty-three individuals in the suspected vascular cluster (Normal 2) were compared with 31 individuals from the cluster characterized as healthy/typical (Normal 1) on a variety of outcomes, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, vascular risk factors and outcomes, cognitive trajectory, and medications for vascular conditions. Normal 2 was significantly older but did not differ on ApoE4+ prevalence. Normal 2 differed significantly from Normal 1 on all MRI measures but not on Amyloid-Beta1-42 or total tau protein. Normal 2 had significantly higher body mass index (BMI), Hachinksi score, and creatinine levels, and took significantly more medications for vascular conditions. Normal 2 had marginally significantly higher triglycerides and blood glucose. Normal 2 had a worse cognitive trajectory on the Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) 30-min delay test and the Functional Activity Questionnaire (FAQ). Cerebral atrophy associated with multiple vascular risks is common among cognitively normal individuals, forming a distinct subgroup with significantly increased cognitive decline. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical impact of these findings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
  Psychology and Aging 03/2013; 28(1):191-201.
• Article: Demographic Predictors of Cognitive Change in Ethnically Diverse Older Persons.

  Dawnté R Early, Keith F Widaman, Danielle Harvey, Laurel Beckett, Lovingly Quitania Park, Sarah Tomaszewski Farias, Bruce R Reed, Charles Decarli, Dan Mungas
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to evaluate how demographic variables relate to cognitive change and address whether cross-sectional demographic effects on cognitive tests are mirrored in differences in longitudinal trajectories of cognitive decline. We hypothesized that race and ethnicity, education, and language of test administration would relate to cross-sectional status and that the rate of cognitive decline would differ among African Americans, Hispanics, and Caucasians, across levels of educational attainment, and according to linguistic background. Participants were 404 educationally, ethnically, and cognitively diverse older adults enrolled in an ongoing longitudinal study of cognition. Mixed-effects regression analysis was used to measure baseline status and longitudinal change in episodic memory, executive functioning, and semantic memory. Results showed that ethnicity and education were strongly associated with baseline scores, but were, at most, weakly associated with change in cognition over time after accounting for confounding variables. There was evidence that the episodic-memory scores of Spanish-speaking Hispanic participants with limited education underestimated their true abilities in the initial evaluation, which may reflect lack of familiarity with the testing environment. These results-consistent with other reports in the literature-suggest that cross-sectional effects of demographic variables on cognitive-test scores result from differences in life experiences that directly influence test performance and do not indicate greater disease effects on cognition in minorities and those with limited education. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
  Psychology and Aging 02/2013;
• Article: Age-Related Differences in Temporal and Spatial Dimensions of Episodic Memory Performance Before and After Hundred Days of Practice.

  Hannes Noack, Martin Lövdén, Florian Schmiedek, Ulman Lindenberger
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Normal aging impairs the representation and integration (binding) of spatial and temporal context in episodic memory. We directly compare age differences in episodic memory in relation to processing spatial and temporal context. As part of the COGITO study, 101 younger and 103 older participants trained an object-location serial recall task for 100 sessions. Training exacerbated the recall deficit of older relative to younger adults. Younger adults improved in recall performance on both spatial and temporal dimensions. In contrast, older adults improved on the spatial dimension only. Individual differences in pretest performance and change were positively correlated across dimensions among younger adults but negatively related among older adults. We conclude that older adults are impaired at simultaneously processing spatial and temporal context and preferentially process spatial at the expense of temporal context. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
  Psychology and Aging 02/2013;
• Article: Taking the Testing Effect Beyond the College Freshman: Benefits for Lifelong Learning.

  Ashley N D Meyer, Jessica M Logan
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Formal learning is a lifelong pursuit that does not occur exclusively within universities. Accordingly, methods for improving long-term learning, including the well-established use of testing, should be examined for various ages of learners outside typical university settings to properly assess their usefulness. This study examined testing effects in 60 younger university students aged 18-25, 60 younger community adults aged 18-25, and 60 middle-aged to older community adults aged 55-65 at immediate and longer delays (2-day). All groups similarly benefited from testing at both delays, implying that testing can be a beneficial lifelong learning tool for a diversity of learners. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
  Psychology and Aging 02/2013;
• Article: Preferences for Choice Across Adulthood: Age Trajectories and Potential Mechanisms.

  Andrew E Reed, Joseph A Mikels, Corinna E Löckenhoff
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Across a variety of decision domains, older adults were found to desire fewer choice options than younger adults, but the age trajectory and underlying mechanisms of these effects remain unknown. The present study examined the pattern and correlates of age differences in choice set size preferences using self-report and behavioral measures. Self-reported choice set size preferences were assessed in a large-scale survey using an adult life span sample (N = 318, ages 18-90 years). A subset of younger and older adults (n = 109) also completed behavioral measures of choice preferences and information seeking. Based on prior research and theorizing on aging and decision making, we tested for a variety of possible covariates, including maximizing and decision-making self-efficacy. Combined results indicated that the age trend of choice set size preferences is linear, gradual, and domain-general. Findings also indicated a significant association between choice preferences and the extent of predecisional information search. Although age differences were evident in both self-report and behavioral measures, they were not explained by any of the covariates tested. We discuss the implications of these findings for research on aging and decision making, as well as public policy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
  Psychology and Aging 02/2013;
• Article: The Influence of Cognitive Decline on Well-Being in Old Age.

  Robert S Wilson, Patricia A Boyle, Eisuke Segawa, Lei Yu, Christopher T Begeny, Sophia E Anagnos, David A Bennett
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: This study addressed the hypothesis that late life cognitive decline leads to loss of well-being. Participants are older persons from the Rush Memory and Aging Project. Beginning in 2001, they underwent annual clinical evaluations that included detailed cognitive performance testing and a 10-item self-report measure of purpose in life, an aspect of well-being. Initial analyses involved 1,049 individuals who were without dementia at baseline and followed a mean of 5.0 years. The intercepts and slopes of global cognition and purpose were positively correlated, and level of cognition at a given evaluation predicted level of purpose at the subsequent evaluation, consistent with the study hypothesis. Purpose also predicted subsequent cognition. These findings persisted in analyses that excluded mild cognitive impairment or controlled for time varying levels of depressive symptoms or disability. To see whether cognitive decline's correlation with purpose differed from its correlation with other aspects of well-being, we conducted additional analyses on a subgroup of 560 persons without dementia who completed a multidimensional measure of well-being once between 2008 and 2011. More rapid cognitive decline in the period preceding well-being assessment (M = 5.5 years, SD = 2.8) was associated with lower level of nearly all aspects of well-being (5 of 6 measures), but the extent of the association varied across well-being dimensions and was stronger for purpose than for self-acceptance and autonomy. The results support the hypothesis that cognitive aging leads to diminished well-being, particularly aspects such as purpose in life that involve behavioral regulation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
  Psychology and Aging 02/2013;
• Article: Adults' Earliest Memories as a Function of Age, Gender, and Education in a Large Stratified Sample.

  Osman S Kingo, Dorthe Berntsen, Peter Krøjgaard
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Childhood amnesia (i.e., a marked paucity of memories from the first 3-4 years of life) has often been examined by asking people for their earliest memory. Such studies have generally been conducted with college students, and thus been unable to examine possible effects of education and current age. We here report the first study on adults' earliest memories based on a large, stratified sample covering the adult life span from age 20 to 70 (n = 1,043). Because of the nature and size of our sample we have been able to investigate a range of factors simultaneously that typically have been studied separately in other studies. Participants with higher education reported earlier first memories than respondents with lower education. Women reported earlier memories than men. There was no interaction between gender and educational level. The current age of the respondents did not affect age of earliest memory, but older respondents had more vivid and more coherent earliest memories relative to younger respondents. Finally, the data provided some support for the claim that elaborative parents have children with earlier memories. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
  Psychology and Aging 02/2013;
• Article: Listwise Directed Forgetting is Present in Young-Old Adults, but is Absent in Old-Old Adults.

  Alp Aslan, Karl-Heinz T Bäuml
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: People can exert control over the contents of their memory and can intentionally forget information when cued to do so. The present study examined such intentional forgetting in older adults using the listwise directed forgetting (DF) task. We replicated prior work by finding intact forgetting in young-old adults (up to 75 years). Extending the prior work, we additionally found forgetting to decline gradually with individuals' age and to be inefficient in old-old adults (above 75 years). The results indicate that listwise DF is a late-declining capability, suggesting a deficit in very old adults' episodic memory control. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
  Psychology and Aging 02/2013;