Cognitive activities and cognitive performance in middle-aged adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease.

摘要: Cognitive activity is thought to provide some protection against dementia, but the mechanism and timing of these effects are unknown. Data for this study were drawn from Wisconsin Registry Alzheimer's Prevention (WRAP), an at-risk middle-aged sample (mean age = 54 years) enriched parental family history disease (AD). We had two main aims: (a) determine relative contribution three facets cognitive activity-education, occupational complexity with data, leisure activities-to WRAP participants' performance; (b) assess interactions between genetic risk factors in explaining performance. Results mixed models indicate that variance usually attributed education may be more closely accounted by activities later life. Overall, our analyses suggest cautious optimism activities, especially game playing, as a strategy preserving strengths midlife.