TitleProcessing speed and memory in aging and dementia.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1997
AuthorsSliwinski, M, Buschke, H
JournalJ Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci
Volume52
Issue6
PaginationP308-18
Date Published1997 Nov
ISSN1079-5014
KeywordsAdolescent, Adult, Aged, Alzheimer Disease, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Memory Disorders, Mental Recall, Middle Aged, Reaction Time, Time Factors, Wechsler Scales
Abstract

<p>We examined the role of processing speed (PS) as a mediator of age-related and dementia-related differences in cued recall and text memory. Consistent with previous research, statistical control of PS significantly attenuated or eliminated age differences on each of the memory measures. However, age-related decline in the ability to benefit from conditions of increased encoding specificity was not mediated by PS. In contrast to the results for age effects, statistical control of PS did not significantly attenuate dementia-related memory differences, suggesting that processing speed is not an important dementia-related memory impairment. The implications of these findings for interpreting residual age effects and the possible influence of preclinical dementia on studies of normal aging are discussed.</p>

DOI10.1093/geronb/52b.6.p308
Alternate JournalJ Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci
PubMed ID9403520
Grant ListAG-O3949 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
HD-01799 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
R29 AG-12488 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States