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Adult Lifespan Cognitive Variability in the Cross-Sectional Cam-CAN Cohort

Author

Listed:
  • Emma Green

    (Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Cambridge Institute of Public Health, Univeristy of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2-0SR, UK)

  • Meredith A. Shafto

    (Centre for Speech, Language and the Brain, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2-3EB, UK)

  • Fiona E. Matthews

    (MRC Biostatistics Unit, Cambridge CB2-0SR, UK
    Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE4-5PL, UK)

  • Cam-CAN

    (Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience (Cam-CAN), University of Cambridge and MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, UK, www.cam-can.com)

  • Simon R. White

    (MRC Biostatistics Unit, Cambridge CB2-0SR, UK)

Abstract

This study examines variability across the age span in cognitive performance in a cross-sectional, population-based, adult lifespan cohort from the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience (Cam-CAN) study ( n = 2680). A key question we highlight is whether using measures that are designed to detect age-related cognitive pathology may not be sensitive to, or reflective of, individual variability among younger adults. We present three issues that contribute to the debate for and against age-related increases in variability. Firstly, the need to formally define measures of central tendency and measures of variability. Secondly, in addition to the commonly addressed location-confounding (adjusting for covariates) there may exist changes in measures of variability due to confounder sub-groups. Finally, that increases in spread may be a result of floor or ceiling effects; where the measure is not sensitive enough at all ages. From the Cam-CAN study, a large population-based dataset, we demonstrate the existence of variability-confounding for the immediate episodic memory task; and show that increasing variance with age in our general cognitive measures is driven by a ceiling effect in younger age groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Emma Green & Meredith A. Shafto & Fiona E. Matthews & Cam-CAN & Simon R. White, 2015. "Adult Lifespan Cognitive Variability in the Cross-Sectional Cam-CAN Cohort," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:12:p:15003-15530:d:60151
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David F. Hultsch & Stuart W. S. MacDonald & Roger A. Dixon, 2002. "Variability in Reaction Time Performance of Younger and Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 57(2), pages 101-115.
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