Abstract Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathology is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aß) plaques and tau tangles, leading to cognitive decline. Cognitive reserve (CR), in this study...Show moreAbstract Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathology is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aß) plaques and tau tangles, leading to cognitive decline. Cognitive reserve (CR), in this study estimated by educational level, is believed to mitigate the impact of these pathologies on cognitive function. This study hypothesized that at similar levels of amyloid and tau built-up, people with higher educational level show less cognitive decline overtime compared to people with lower educational level. For this we used a preclinical sample, as the non-symptomatologic stage is understudied. In a prospective study design, 217 cognitively healthy monozygotic twins over the age of 60 (mean age = 70.79, SD = 7.96) from the Netherlands Twin Register were analysed. Aß levels were assessed using PET imaging, while tau levels were measured via cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. Cognitive performance was evaluated at baseline and through three follow-up assessments over approximately six years. Linear Mixed Models (LMMs) results indicated a significant association between higher Aß levels and memory decline, with no significant impact on attention, language, or executive functioning. Higher tau levels were associated with declines in memory, attention, and language. Contrary to expectations, CR did not moderate the relationship between AD biomarkers and cognitive decline. These results suggest that while Aß and tau are linked to cognitive decline, CR estimated through educational attainment, does not provide significant protective effects in the preclinical stages of AD. This may be due to disproportionate biomarker distribution across educational groups, small sample sizes in lower education groups, and the study's cross-sectional and global biomarker measurements. Layman’s Abstract: De ziekte van Alzheimer leidt tot geheugen- en denkproblemen als gevolg van schadelijke eiwitten in de hersenen. In deze studie werd onderzocht of hoger onderwijs, waarvan gedacht wordt dat het de cognitieve reserve vergroot, bescherming kan bieden tegen deze effecten. We bestudeerden 217 gezonde oudere tweelingen en ontdekten dat hogere niveaus van deze eiwitten verband hielden met een afname van het geheugen en andere cognitieve vaardigheden. Verrassend genoeg kon hoger onderwijs deze achteruitgang niet voorkomen, wat erop wijst dat onderwijs alleen, mogelijk geen bescherming biedt tegen de vroege tekenen van de ziekte van Alzheimer.Show less
Previous research has demonstrated that musicians have a higher level of motor skills and motor learning abilities than people without musical training. In addition, cognitive reserve has proven to...Show morePrevious research has demonstrated that musicians have a higher level of motor skills and motor learning abilities than people without musical training. In addition, cognitive reserve has proven to influence several cognitive functions and to prevent age-related cognitive decline. However, little research has been done in relation to the effect these variables have on procedural learning ability in an untrained motor task in older adults. This could contribute to explore which of these predictors, whose beneficial effects have been extensively studied in relation to several other variables, is more relevant for predicting procedural learning ability specifically, with implications in movement rehabilitation. In the current study, the level of musical training and cognitive reserve, controlling for age, was expected to predict procedural learning ability in a new complex motor task. Additionally, the level of musical training was hypothesized to be more predictive than cognitive reserve in the outcome procedural learning ability. To test these hypotheses, a within-subjects experimental design was used where N = 16 participants performed a computerized pursuit-rotor task and a serial reaction time task, in addition to answering various questionnaires that measured their level of musical training and cognitive reserve. Furthermore, a multiple linear regression model was conducted. The results indicate that the level of musical training and cognitive reserve, controlling for age, did not significantly predict procedural learning ability. Possible explanations for the current lack of significant findings may relate to the small sample size included in the study and its low heterogeneity, as well as to the design of the experiment in relation to the self-reported measures that were included, and the difficulty of the pursuit-rotor task. Thus, future research should replicate this study including more heterogeneous and larger samples, as well as by overcoming the mentioned limitations, and by following the proposed suggestions for further research. Finally, if musical training proves to be a relevant predictor of procedural learning ability, it could have implications for triage in movement rehabilitation in health settings and for healthy lifestyles recommended to the population.Show less
