Journal
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES B-PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Volume 69, Issue 2, Pages 157-167Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbt007
Keywords
Cerebrovascular burden; Education; Mood
Funding
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation [1680.SAP]
- T32 grant [T-32 AG00275-06]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Objectives. Brain reserve theory, typically discussed in relation to dementia, was examined with regard to late-life depression symptomatology and cerebrovascular burden (CVB) in older-old women. Method. It was predicted that in a 6-year longitudinal sample (Health and Retirement Study) of 1,355 stroke-free women aged 80 years and older, higher levels of depressive symptomatology (8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression score) would be predicted by high CVB, less educational attainment, and the education x CVB interaction after controlling for age and cognitive functioning (Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status). A latent growth curve model was used to identify differences in depression symptomatology at baseline and over time. Logistic regression analyses were used to predict clinically significant depressive symptomatology at each wave based on CVB, education, and the education x CVB interaction. Results. Results indicate that among older women, greater educational attainment predicted fewer depression symptoms at baseline, but this advantage was partially eroded over time. The education x CVB interaction predicted clinically significant depressive symptoms at baseline when the benefits of education were most robust. Discussion. Brain reserve, characterized by educational attainment, may counterbalance the effect of high CVB with respect to depressive symptoms, thereby preserving mood in late life. These findings support the application of brain reserve theory to late-life depression.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available