Working memory performance and its predictors; Comparing the risk-factors associated with working memory performance decline

Abstract Working memory performance declines naturally in people as they get older. However, much variation exists between people in the degree to which their working memory deteriorates. Knowing the risk-factors associated with higher or lower working memory performance could help mitigate some of the negative effects that are experienced by people as such. There are many known predictors for lower working memory performance identified by the literature, such as age, education, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and history of concussion. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of these predictors with working memory performance to identify which of these variables most strongly predict performance on a working memory test. Identifying the most prominent risk-factors associated with lower working memory performance can aid the development of specific tools and treatments for counteracting working memory deterioration as people get older. We included 132...Show moreAbstract Working memory performance declines naturally in people as they get older. However, much variation exists between people in the degree to which their working memory deteriorates. Knowing the risk-factors associated with higher or lower working memory performance could help mitigate some of the negative effects that are experienced by people as such. There are many known predictors for lower working memory performance identified by the literature, such as age, education, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and history of concussion. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of these predictors with working memory performance to identify which of these variables most strongly predict performance on a working memory test. Identifying the most prominent risk-factors associated with lower working memory performance can aid the development of specific tools and treatments for counteracting working memory deterioration as people get older. We included 132 subjects from the general population and measured working memory performance using a computerized OSPAN test. The predictors were measured using different self-report questionnaires, regarding demographics and general health. Linear regression models were then used to test each variable as a predictor of working memory performance. The total sample consisted of 49 males and 83 females with a median age of 44.5, and a mean education level of 4.97 years of education. Our analysis demonstrated that education level was positively associated with working memory performance (p = 0.008, F(1, 129) = 7.23, adjusted R2 = 0.05 ), whereas the other variables did not show a relationship with working memory. This result shows education level to be a significant determiner of higher or lower performance of working memory. However, the small effect size (0.05) makes it difficult to say whether education level makes much difference when generalizing to the general population. Furthermore, the influence of age, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and history of concussion on working memory performance was not confirmed in this sample. The influence of these variables on working memory performance may only appear under different conditions, such as only in older participants or in participants that smoke or drink more frequently.Show less

Leiden University Student Repository

Documents

In Collections

Working memory performance and its predictors; Comparing the risk-factors associated with working memory performance decline