Inouye, SharonAlbert, Marilyn S.Mohs, RichardSun, KolieBerkman, Lisa F.2021-11-221993-07-01Inouye, S. K., M. S. Albert, R. Mohs, K. Sun, and L. F. Berkman. 1993. “Cognitive Performance in a High-Functioning Community-Dwelling Elderly Population.” Journal of Gerontology 48 (4) (July 1): M146–M151. doi:10.1093/geronj/48.4.m146.0022-1422https://nrs.harvard.edu/URN-3:HUL.INSTREPOS:37370026Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the role of demographic factors as predictors of cognitive performance in a high-functioning, community-dwelling elderly population. Methods: The study cohort consisted of 1,192 community-dwelling subjects, who were selected to represent the highest third of an elderly population with respect to physical and cognitive functioning. A neuropsychological battery, including 5 cognitive performance subtests (confrontation naming, delayed recognition span, similarities, figure-copying, and incidental delayed recall) was administered to the subjects in their homes. Results: A summary measure of the 5 neuropsychological subtest scores, the total cognitive score, arrayed the study group across a broad range of difficulty, creating a near-normal distribution. Education, income, and race had statistically significant associations with the total score and the individual subtests. The effect of education was the most striking finding, explaining 30% of the variance in the total score. Education was most strongly related to the abstraction (partial R2 = .11) subtest, and least related to the memory subtests, delayed recognition (R2 = .02) and delayed recall (R2 = .01). Conclusions: Demographic factors are important predictors of cognitive performance in this high-functioning cohort. Education had the strongest influence on overall cognitive performance, and particularly notable associations with subtests that depended upon the use of previously learned materials. Longitudinal follow-up, now underway, will help to determine whether high levels of education help to maintain cognitive performance with age.en-USAgeingJournal Article2014-12-20Inouye SK, Albert MS, Mohs RC, Sun K, Berkman LF2021-11-2210.1093/geronj/48.4.m146