The research addressed the role of relational processing capacity in cognitive aging focusing on (a) age-differences in complex relational processing, (b) the domain-generality of complex relational processing, and (c) associations of complex relational processing with other processes. Participants were 125 adults in three groups with mean ages of 30.55 (younger), 53.43 (middle), and 74.41 years (older). Each relational processing task (sentence comprehension, n-term premise integration, Latin square) included items at three complexity levels. Accuracy was lower on more complex items and relational complexity had a greater effect in the older group. Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed a single complex relational processing factor, consistent with a domain-general capacity. Relational processing was related to other executive processes. This relationship was stronger in the older than younger and middle groups, possibly reflecting dedifferentiation or neural noise. In structural models with planning (Tower of London) and class reasoning as outcome variables, complex relational processing had a significant impact (β = .455, p < .001 and β = .661, p < .001, respectively) over and above age, processing speed, working memory, task switching, response inhibition, and Stroop interference. In the structural model with fluid intelligence (matrix reasoning) as the outcome variable, age had a significant impact (β = −.222, p < .001), over and above all other variables, suggesting that the processes underpinning age-related declines in matrix reasoning are more diverse than those assessed in the current research. Complex relational processing is an important factor in cognitive aging, possibly reflecting its reliance on prefrontal brain regions.
CORRESPONDENCEMwiBcTr ounAL the two sides. 10 mm. of alternation was noted with the higher systolic pressure. There were marked left ventricular hypertrophy, a loud aortic second sound, an early diastolic murmur over the sternum, and an early diastolic gallop rhythm. The lungs appeared normal. There was no enlargement of the liver or oedema of the legs. X-ray examination showed a large hypertrophied left ventricle whose left border moved little. There was some enlargement of the left auricle and of the pulmonary artery and a little localized dilatation of the descending aorta just below the arch. The fundi appeared normal. The haemoglobin was 85%. The urine was normal. The blood urea was 28 mg./ 100 ml. and the urea clearance 105% of the normal value. An intravenous pyelogram showed normal excretion and normal outlines. Many calcified glands were seen around the abdominal aorta and over the sacrum. The electrocardiogram showed a horizontal heart with high voltage in aVL, together with sharp T-wave inversion in aVL, I, and V, and ST depression in II and V.. The abnormalities in this and a subsequent tracing do not suggest infarction. The Wassermann reaction was negative in the blood but the Kahn reaction was twice strongly positive. No scar of a chancre could be found. A biopsy of the left vastus intermedius muscle showed normal arterioles. He was given bismuth (total 2.2 g.) and penicillin (total 12.6 million units) by intramuscular injection. In April, 1952, the Kahn reaction was "doubtful " and the Wassermann reaction still negative. When he was last seen, on July 2, there was little change in symptoms and findings.This man differs from the two patients described by Drs. Skipper and Flint in that the right carotid arteries are unaffected. For this reason visual disturbance has been limited to the left eye and there have been no cerebral symptoms. He differs also in having a large heart and a positive Kahn test in the blood. Syphilitic infection cannot be considered proved but seems probable. The obstruction, whatever its cause, must be in the trunks of the vessels and not in their origins from the aorta, since the innominate artery must be presumed patent. There is obstruction, perhaps thrombosis, in the left innominate vein. It is difficult to ascribe the great enlargement and hypertrophy of the heart in so young a man solely to the hypertension and the slight aortic leak. Possibly the coronary arteries share in the hypothetical vascular disease. The boyhood nephritis cannot be blamed for the hypertension in view of the normal urine and normal excretion.-I am, etc.,
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.