Sending Your Grandparents to University

Sending Your Grandparents to University Increases Cognitive Reserve: The Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease has been termed as one of the infections bedeviling significant sections of the population, especially among senior citizens. Various scholars have conducted extensive research to find out ways through which the disease can be prevented among older people. Research indicates that Alzheimer’s disease can adequately be controlled by increasing a person’s cognitive Reserve (CR). This paper looks at the THBP project, a study that was conducted to examine CR changes among older people over a period of four years. The study involved 459 old people, all who had good health and who were aged between 50 and 79 years (Vickers, 2015) . A control group that consisted of about 100 adults were compared to 359 other adults who included of an intervention group after one year of study (Vickers, 2015). Those in the control group had not received tertiary education. The outcome suggested that about 44.3% of those in the control group did not show any improvement in their CR while approximately 92.5% of those who had undergone tertiary studies improved significantly on their Cognitive Reserve over the period of 4 years (Vickers, 2015). The researchers concluded that cognitive function could be enhanced among senior citizens by exacerbating their mental activity. They noted that it is the best way of combating the decline in cognitive features as one age. 

Researchers have found out that one of the best ways of tackling Alzheimer's disease and other infections related to cognitive decline is to increase CR. Cognitive reserve is a person’s ability to use his/her brain networks as well as other alternate networks efficiently in case the person is under duress or other forms of stress. The diverse experiences spark People's cognitive Reserve that they go through in life as well as their innate intelligence. The modern world has seen many older individuals predisposing themselves to the risk of dementia. Some factors have been found to mitigate an individual’s risk of suffering from dementia. Some of them include being involved in activities that stimulate cognitive features, education, intelligence and finally occupational attainment. The way in which a person modifies himself to dementia risk is directly correlated to the magnitude of Cognitive Reserve that such a person will develop. 

Various studies have been conducted to measure cognitive reserve and the manner in which a person fares when CR diminishes. For instance, low-income earners have indicated lower performance on some of their cognitive functions as their age. On the contrary, individuals who are active and have a high level of social engagement have shown that they rarely suffer from the low cognitive performance that is related to age. 

Education has been termed as one of the factors that reduce an individual’s risk of suffering from related cognitive infections. Indeed, those in the educational system have been noticed to be among the ones that develop better cognitive features. Such milestones are possible because as one goes up the academic ladder, one develops better cognitive strategies hence increasing Cognitive Reserve. An educated person’s cognitive function develops with time thus tremendously reducing the risk of the person’s suffering from dementia in future. Education works by modifying the association between the performance of the brain and its pathology. Those in the academic arena have noticed that superior cognitive performance takes place when a child is exposed to education from an early age. Some sources have however provided conflicting views regarding the increase in children’s cognitive abilities and their early exposure to education. But the bottom line is that standard cognitive functions of a person are preserved for a more extended period when the person’s level of cognitive function is enhanced. 

Never has the world witnessed a study that was aimed at determining the relationship between old age-university education and an improvement in cognitive functions. The THBP is, in fact, the first group that engaged in this study. The study took place in Australia and involved people who were aged between 50-79 years (Vickers, 2015). The study was conducted in a way that two factions were compared. The adults comprised of those who had received university education in their old age and those who had not.

Method of Study

The study utilized data from diverse sources. About 566 adults aged 50-79 years participated in the survey (Vickers, 2015). Among these, about 19 of them were eliminated since they took English as their second language. In the exclusions face, some were also barred from participation due to their withdrawal from the competition before any follow-up testing was done. About 39 among the remaining 489 were also eliminated because their data was missing. Those who were able to participate in the final study were healthy adults numbering 459 (Vickers, 2015). 

Measures

The researchers ensured that the participants filled a testing battery before commencing the study. It was done to ensure that only healthy ones participated; those who did not have dementia and did not suffer from any psychological and physical health conditions. Some of the forms that the participants filled were The Personal Wellbeing Index and the Lubben Social Network Scale. The procedure was necessary because it gauged the social support as well as the quality of life of those who were participating in the study. 

Prior CR

The research team conducted a series of tests before the actual study began. Firstly, they calculated the participants’ past Cognitive Reserve to find out their intellectual capacity. They were taken through the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR). Some of the subscores that were also utilized included the Midlife Specific, Nonspecific, Young Adulthood Nonspecific and Specific. They were used to gauge the educational history of the participants, leisure activities, occupation and their medical history. 

Current CR

Apart from the prior CR, current research was also conducted whereby the researchers tested the current intellectual capacity of those who participated in the study. The participants’ academic abilities regarding spelling and math were also put to the test. They were tested using parameters in books such as Fourth Edition and Wide Range Achievement Test. 

Procedure

Various fundamentals of the test were used during the study. They included LSNS-18, WRAT, LEQ, and Medical Health Status among others. Estimates such as WTAR IQ and LEQ were collected only once at the baseline stage. Testes and alternate versions that were available were used only once to avoid the effects of familiarity. Retesting was done after one year (Vickers, 2015). The whole THBP study just took 4 hours and contestants were advised to take pauses in-between to minimize exhaustion. 

Analysis

Calculations of the prior and current CR for all the participants was done. The analysis was done using factor analysis coefficients. Professionals developed these. CR scores that turned out to be positive were a representation of an increase in Mental Reserve that was relative to baseline CR scores. As a result, the researchers were able to obtain necessary information concerning not only the participants but also the study that they were conducting. 

Discussion

The results that were deciphered from the study were a confirmation that the hypothesis relating an increase in CR and the possession of tertiary education was indeed correct. Two subgroups of individuals emerged as a could be seen from both the intervention group and control group. About 92.5% of those in the former group showed a tremendous improvement in cognitive reserve while the 7.5% that remained retained CR during the four years that the study was conducted (Vickers, 2015). On the other hand, approximately 44.3% of those in the control group did not register a change in cognitive reserve over the 4-year period (Vickers, 2015). However, 55.7% of those that remained showed a significant improvement in CR within the study period (Vickers, 2015). The level of C.R of those in the other group stayed in the 50th percentile of the baseline among the entire group. 

The researchers used an adequate sample during the study. The example they chose was the best since it was a representation of the care of participants they wanted. On top of that, the information they provided about the participants was enough to give one a chance to replicate the study. The data collection methods that wee used were also appropriate. However, one noticeable shortcoming was their elimination of participants in the initial stages without sufficient reasons. I would have done this study differently by enlisting other data collection techniques such as questionnaires and face to face interviews. Additionally, I would not have excluded others from the study especially if they had shown interest. 

This research contributes immensely to the field of psychology since it provides vital information concerning the relationship between Cognitive Reserve and tertiary education among older people. Apart from that, it also provides a solid base for others in the field of psychology to conduct similar studies and publishes their findings for use by the general public. The conclusions wherein are all well stated and concisely stated. They show the culmination of the results in a precise manner that is easy to understand. 

Reflection

Indeed, this study is one that provides sufficient information regarding Cognitive Reserve and its relation to old age and tertiary education. It sheds light on the contentious issue of the importance of college education among those who have advanced in age. It is a trendsetter that others in the profession should also emulate to improve the field of psychology. Yong people who come across this world will surely appreciate it and be motivated to carry out their research and disseminate their findings. 

The conclusions are well thought out and to the point. The summary they provide gives a reader an easy time to navigate through the article and decipher the essential information that lies therein. The researched topic is valid, and its research and publication came at the right time when information about the subject was much needed in the society. The problem is very applicable in the modern age especially when new cases emerge of senior citizens becoming victims of diseases like dementia which can easily be averted if knowledge concerning the relationship between CR and tertiary education is available. 

Reference

Vickers, J. C. (2015). Sending Your Grandparents to University Increases Cognitive Reserve: The Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project. American Psychological Association , 525-530.