THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CHANGE IN COGNITIVE FUNCTION AND LONGEVITY IN DUTCH ELDERLY

The association between rate of change in cognitive function and longevity was investigated with data from the Dutch Longitudinal Study Among the Elderly. A group of 211 Dutch persons aged 65–84 years at baseline (1955–1957) was reexamlned twice during an 8-year follow-up period, after which mortality was ascertained through 1983. Cognitive function was assessed based on an adaptation of the Wechsler Memory Scale. Rate of change in cognitive function during the 8 years of follow-up was determined by regression on time for each individual. Cognitive function declined significantly over the 8-ye... Mehr ...