Smoking, alcohol use and engagement in exercise and cognitive performance among older adults
Date
2002
Authors
Bryan, J.
Ward, L.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Australasian Journal on Ageing, 2002; 21(2):67-73
Statement of Responsibility
Bryan, Janet and Ward, Lynn
Conference Name
Abstract
<jats:p><jats:bold>Objectives: </jats:bold> To examine cross‐sectional and longitudinal effects of history of smoking, alcohol use and engagement in exercise on cognitive performance. Method: Health habits and cognitive performance of a large community sample of older adults were assessed at measurement points two years apart.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Results: </jats:bold> Past smokers performed more poorly on tests of recall and speed of information processing at times 1 and 2 than those who had never smoked. Past smokers and moderate users of alcohol performed better on confrontation naming and working memory, than those who had never smoked or drank alcohol. Engagement in exercise was related to immediate recall and speed of processing before, but not after, controlling for covariates. Health habits were not related to longitudinal change in cognition.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Conclusions: </jats:bold> The results suggest a negative effect of history of smoking on effortful cognitive tasks and a protective effect of alcohol use on more automatic cognitive tasks among older adults.</jats:p>