Cognitive function in the community setting: the neighbourhood as a source of ‘cognitive reserve’?

Abstract

Background Existing research has found a positive association between cognitive function and residence in a socioeconomically advantaged neighborhood. Yet, the mechanisms underlying this relationship have not been empirically investigated. This study tests the hypothesis that neighborhood socioeconomic structure is related to cognitive function partly through the availability of neighborhood physical and social resources (e.g. recreational facilities, community centers and libraries), which promote cognitively beneficial activities such as exercise and social integration. Methods Using data from a representative survey of community-dwelling adults in the City of Chicago (N = 949 adults age 50 and over) we assessed cognitive function with a modified version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) instrument. Neighborhood socioeconomic structure was derived from US Census indicators. Systematic Social Observation was used to directly document the presence of neighborhood resources on the blocks surrounding each respondent’s residence. Results Using multilevel linear regression, residence in an affluent neighborhood had a net positive effect on cognitive function after adjusting for individual risk factors. For white respondents, the effects of neighborhood affluence operated in part through a greater density of institutional resources (e.g. community centers) that promote cognitively beneficial activities such as physical activity. Stable residence in an elderly neighborhood was associated with higher cognitive function (potentially due to greater opportunities for social interaction with peers), but long term exposure to such neighborhoods was negatively related to cognition. Conclusions Neighborhood resources have the potential to promote “cognitive reserve” for adults who are aging in place in an urban setting.

Is cognitive decline in the elderly associated with contextual income? Results of a population-based study in southern Brazil

“…It is believed that elderly people who live in places with better socioeconomic conditions are likely to benefit more from physical, social and leisure activities available in these environments, which contributes to better cognitive function 14 . In addition, poorer neighborhoods may suffer more from the effects of crime, causing the elderly population to be socially and psychologically isolated within their community 15 .…”

Perception Of Life Pace In The City And Countryside Among Older People

“…Perceptional overload, long term exposure to an environment, which is busy and interpreted as stressful and dangerous, may result in poorer cognitive outcomes or even social isolation (Cacioppo & Hawkley, 2009;Caparos et al, 2012;Clarke et al, 2012;Linnell, Caparos, de Fockert, & Davidoff, 2013). Not only overload but also lack of environmental stimulation could be detrimental for cognitive functions in older adults (Schooler, 1984;Wu et al, 2017).…”

“…That offers a higher diversity of stimuli, therefore, requirements to make more decisions and bigger amount of information needs to be taken into account and processed (Schooler, 1984;Wörn et al, 2017). It is possible then to view this type of environment as a source of cognitive stimulation or even a brain training (Cassarino & Setti, 2015) and may potentially promote cognitive reserve (Clarke et al, 2012). Urban areas usually offer a living environment with a greater density of physical, social and institutional resources which may promote protective health behaviors and facilitate mental stimulation (Clarke et al, 2012(Clarke et al, , 2015Lee & Waite, 2017).…”

“…It is possible then to view this type of environment as a source of cognitive stimulation or even a brain training (Cassarino & Setti, 2015) and may potentially promote cognitive reserve (Clarke et al, 2012). Urban areas usually offer a living environment with a greater density of physical, social and institutional resources which may promote protective health behaviors and facilitate mental stimulation (Clarke et al, 2012(Clarke et al, , 2015Lee & Waite, 2017). Which is supposed to be beneficial for cognitive functioning especially in late adulthood and seems to be in accord with the hypothesis "use it or lose it" (Salthouse, 2006).…”

O2‐11‐01: Community Environment, Cognitive Impairment, and Dementia in Later Life: Results From the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study

“…Identifying environmental features related to cognition in later life may therefore reduce dementia occurrence by moderating individual risk factors. A small number of studies have reported that older people living in more deprived areas have a higher risk of cognitive impairment or decline that persists after adjusting for individual demographic factors [7][8][9]. Since area deprivation is a proxy for built and social environmental features in communities, this highlights the potential influence of the community environment on cognitive function in later life, as described by the theoretical framework in Figure 1.…”