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dc.contributor.authorEvans, IEM
dc.contributor.authorLlewellyn, DJ
dc.contributor.authorMatthews, FE
dc.contributor.authorWoods, RT
dc.contributor.authorBrayne, C
dc.contributor.authorClare, L
dc.contributor.authorCFAS-Wales research team
dc.date.accessioned2018-10-15T12:43:58Z
dc.date.issued2018-08-17
dc.description.abstractThere is evidence to suggest that social isolation is associated with poor cognitive health, although findings are contradictory. One reason for inconsistency in reported findings may be a lack of consideration of underlying mechanisms that could influence this relationship. Cognitive reserve is a theoretical concept that may account for the role of social isolation and its association with cognitive outcomes in later life. Therefore, we aimed to examine the relationship between social isolation and cognition in later life, and to consider the role of cognitive reserve in this relationship. Baseline and two year follow-up data from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study-Wales (CFAS-Wales) were analysed. Social isolation was assessed using the Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6), cognitive function was assessed using the Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG), and cognitive reserve was assessed using a proxy measure of education, occupational complexity, and cognitive activity. Linear regression modelling was used to assess the relationship between social isolation and cognition. To assess the role of cognitive reserve in this relationship, moderation analysis was used to test for interaction effects. After controlling for age, gender, education, and physically limiting health conditions, social isolation was associated with cognitive function at baseline and two year follow-up. Cognitive reserve moderated this association longitudinally. Findings suggest that maintaining a socially active lifestyle in later life may enhance cognitive reserve and benefit cognitive function. This has important implications for interventions that may target social isolation to improve cognitive function.en_GB
dc.description.sponsorshipThe work was supported by the following: Brayne, C., Stephan, B., Wharton, S., Clare, L., Badger, S., Arthur, T., Bennett, K., McCracken, C., Phillips, J., & Melzer, D. Transdisciplinary training for dementia research in CFAS (The Alzheimer’s Society CFAS Doctoral Training Centre). 2015 – 2018. AS-DTC-2014-027. R.T Woods, L.Clare, G.Windle, V. Burholt, J. Philips, C. Brayne, C. McCracken, K. Bennett, F. Matthews. Maintaining function and well-being in later life: a longitudinal cohort study (the CFAS Wales study). ESRC (RES-060-25-0060) and HEFCW.en_GB
dc.identifier.citationVol. 13 (8), article e0201008en_GB
dc.identifier.doi10.1371/journal.pone.0201008
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10871/34306
dc.language.isoenen_GB
dc.publisherPublic Library of Scienceen_GB
dc.relation.urlhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30118489en_GB
dc.rights© 2018 Evans et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.en_GB
dc.titleSocial isolation, cognitive reserve, and cognition in healthy older peopleen_GB
dc.typeArticleen_GB
dc.date.available2018-10-15T12:43:58Z
exeter.place-of-publicationUnited Statesen_GB
dc.descriptionThis is the final version. Available from Public Library of Science via the DOI in this record.en_GB
dc.descriptionData Availability: Data are from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study - Wales and available at: Woods, R.T., Burholt, V., Brayne, C., Bennett, K.M. (2017). Cognitive Function and Ageing Study - Wales: Waves 1-2, 2011-2016. [data collection]. UK Data Service. SN: 8281, http://doi.org/10.5255/UKDA-SN-8281-1.en_GB
dc.identifier.journalPLoS Oneen_GB


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