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Cognitive functioning changes in elderly people. The degree of decline varies across different cognitive abilities and other variables, such as educational level and life-time professional activity, can slow down this process. This study investigates the pattern of cognitive performance in people over 50 years old, taking into account the influence of educational level and profession. Research data were collected during the pilot study of the Longitudinal Aging Study in Spain (ELES) in which a representative sample of non-institutionalized Spanish older people was assessed. The following cognitive variables were evaluated: general cognitive functioning, verbal memory, working memory span, visuomotor speed, and language. Differences were found in all cognitive variables in the different age groups, and according to educational level and profession. These differences remained after controlling for the age variable. Population studies provide a global perspective of cognitive performance in older people and help to identify the role of the different associated factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the characteristics of the specific memory factors (processes and content) that are associated to the Gsm from the CHC model. Memory tasks with different content, including various aptitude tests and a general intelligence test, were administered to a sample of university students. Two models that relate the general Gsm aptitude, with working memory and memory span, and with verbal-numerical and visual-spatial aptitudes were tested. Results indicate good fit indices for both models tested, as well as evidence for a positive regression between Gsm and working memory and between Gsm and visuospatial content. In both models we observed standardized regression of 0.54 and of 0.73 between Gsm and factor g. Implications for the understanding of the relation between memory and intelligence are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By means of the Memonum computerized test the effects of two exhibition intervals of digits (1 and 8 seconds), and the presentation of a distracter were evaluated on the working memory performance in 80 women older than 50 years. Significant effect of the exhibition interval on the number of successes, total successes and use of additional strategies it was revealed, demonstrating better mnemonic performance of participants that presented the test in the interval of 8 seconds and suggesting that a wide time of contact with the information power the memory’s storage capacity in older adults. The distracter presence had a significant effect on total successes variable, considered as interfere stimulus able to affect the working memory in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]