Work

Genetic variance in processing speed drives variation in aging of spatial and memory abilities.

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: Previous analyses have identified a genetic contribution to the correlation between declines with age in processing speed and higher cognitive abilities. The goal of the current analysis was to apply the biometric dual change score model to consider the possibility of temporal dynamics underlying the genetic covariance between aging trajectories for processing speed and cognitive abilities. Longitudinal twin data from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging, including up to 5 measurement occasions covering a 16-year period, were available from 806 participants ranging in age from 50 to 88 years at the 1st measurement wave. Factors were generated to tap 4 cognitive domains: verbal ability, spatial ability, memory, and processing speed. Model-fitting indicated that genetic variance for processing speed was a leading indicator of variation in age changes for spatial and memory ability, providing additional support for processing speed theories of cognitive aging.

Source: Developmental Psychology

DOI: 10.1037/a0015332

Authors: Deborah Finkel, Chandra A. Reynolds, John J. McArdle, Fumiaki Hamagami, Nancy L. Pedersen

Institutions: Indiana University Southeast, University of California, Riverside, University of Southern California, University of Virginia

Language: English

Topic: Cognitive Abilities and Testing

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Vetenskapsrådet, National Institute on Aging

Awards: G1567932728, G2338584565, G2890077430, G5938113246, G738823225