학술논문
An Early and Unequal Decline: Life Course Trajectories of Cognitive Aging in the United States.
Document Type
Article
Author
Source
Subject
*COGNITION disorder risk factors
*DEMENTIA risk factors
*ALZHEIMER'S disease risk factors
*LIFE course approach
*AGE distribution
*BLACK people
*HISPANIC Americans
*RACE
*MENTAL health
*COGNITIVE aging
*SEX distribution
*SOCIOECONOMIC disparities in health
*RESEARCH funding
*SECONDARY analysis
*EDUCATIONAL attainment
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Language
ISSN
0898-2643
Abstract
Objectives: Cognitive aging is a lifelong process with implications for Alzheimer's disease and dementia. This study aims to fill major gaps in research on the natural history of and social disparities in aging-related cognitive decline over the life span. Methods: We conducted integrative data analysis of four large U.S. population-based longitudinal studies of individuals aged 12 to 105 followed over two decades and modeled age trajectories of cognitive function in multiple domains. Results: We found evidence for the onset of cognitive decline in the 4th decade of life, varying gender differences with age, and persistent disadvantage among non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics, and those without college education. We further found improvement in cognitive function across 20th century birth cohorts but widening social inequalities in more recent cohorts. Discussion: These findings advance an understanding of early life origins of dementia risk and invite future research on strategies for promoting cognitive health for all Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]