PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Because longitudinal studies of aging typically lack cognitive data from earlier ages, it is unclear how general cognitive ability (GCA) changes throughout the life course. In 1173 Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA) participants, we assessed young adult GCA at average age 20 and current GCA at 3 VETSA assessments beginning at average age 56. The same GCA index was used throughout. Higher young adult GCA and better GCA maintenance were associated with stronger specific cognitive abilities from age 51 to 73. Given equivalent GCA at age 56, individuals who had higher age 20 GCA outperformed those whose GCA remained stable in terms of memory, executive function, and working memory abilities from age 51 to 73. Thus, paradoxically, despite poorer maintenance of GCA, high young adult GCA still conferred benefits. Advanced predicted brain age and the combination of elevated vascular burden and APOE-ε4 status were associated with poorer maintenance of GCA. These findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between peak and current GCA for greater understanding of cognitive aging.
摘要：
因为衰老的纵向研究通常缺乏早期认知数据，目前尚不清楚一般认知能力(GCA)在整个生命过程中是如何变化的.在1173越南时代双胞胎老龄化研究（VETSA）参与者，我们在平均年龄20岁时评估了年轻成人GCA,在平均年龄56岁时评估了3次VETSA评估时的GCA.自始至终使用相同的GCA指数。从51岁到73岁，较高的年轻成人GCA和更好的GCA维持与更强的特定认知能力相关。在56岁时给予同等的GCA，20岁以上GCA的个体表现优于那些GCA在记忆方面保持稳定的个体，执行功能，和工作记忆能力从51岁到73岁。因此，矛盾的是,尽管GCA的维护较差，年轻的成年人GCA仍然可以获得好处。先进的预测脑年龄以及血管负荷升高和APOE-ε4状态的组合与GCA的维持较差相关。这些发现强调了区分峰值和当前GCA对于更好地理解认知衰老的重要性。
