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Early and late life cognitive activity and cognitive systems in old age
Wilson RS, Barnes LL, Krueger KR, Hoganson G, Bienias JL, Bennett DA.. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS, 2005-07-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Little is known about the relative benefits of cognitively stimulating activities at different points in the lifespan. In a cohort of 576 older persons without dementia, we assessed current and past (childhood, young adulthood, middle age) frequency of cognitive activity; availability of cognitively stimulating resources in the home in childhood and middle age; and 5 domains of cognitive function. Past cognitive activity and cognitive resources were positively correlated with both current cognitive activity and current cognitive function.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Wilson, R. S., Barnes, L. L., Krueger, K. R., Hoganson, G., Bienias, J. L., & Bennett, D. A. (2005). Early and late life cognitive activity and cognitive systems in old age. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1355617705050459
Vancouver
Wilson RS, Barnes LL, Krueger KR, Hoganson G, Bienias JL, Bennett DA. Early and late life cognitive activity and cognitive systems in old age. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS. 2005. doi:10.1017/s1355617705050459. PMID: 16209420.
BibTeX
@article{wilson2005-16209420,
author = {Wilson, R. S. and Barnes, L. L. and Krueger, K. R. and Hoganson, G. and Bienias, J. L. and Bennett, D. A.},
title = {{Early and late life cognitive activity and cognitive systems in old age}},
journal = {Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS},
year = {2005},
doi = {10.1017/s1355617705050459},
pmid = {16209420},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1017/s1355617705050459}
}
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Key findings
- In a cohort of 576 older persons without dementia, we assessed current and past (childhood, young adulthood, middle age) frequency of cognitive activity; availability of cognitively stimulating resources in the home in childhood and middle age; and 5 domains of cognitive function.
- Past cognitive activity and cognitive resources were positively correlated with both current cognitive activity and current cognitive function.
- The association with cognitive function was reduced after controlling for current cognitive activity, however.
- Current cognitive activity was associated with better cognitive function, especially semantic memory and perceptual speed, even after controlling for past activity.
Why it matters
In 576 older persons without dementia, past cognitive activity and resources were positively correlated with current cognitive activity and function, though the association with cognitive function was reduced after controlling for other factors. This is an observational study and does not show that cognitive activity prevents Alzheimer's disease.
Study details
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 48/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society: journal h-index 176 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 3 / 5 | Rated “moderate” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2005 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 6 / 7 | Cited 356 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 15.5 citations a year over 23 year(s) since 2005 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 9.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 4 / 6 | Cited by 30 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 38 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 4 / 4 | Last-listed author David Alan Bennett: h-index 197 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Rush University Medical Center: institution h-index 670 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 16209420) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 48 / 100 | — |
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