Executive functions and memory strategies in healthy individuals with high and low cognitive reserve: A comparative study

  1. Cunha, Maria João
  2. Rocha, Vanessa
  3. Fernandes, Sara Margarida
  4. Palmeira, Lara Sofía Nascimento
  5. Vázquez-Justo, Enrique
  6. Paul, Nuria
  7. Maestú, Fernando
Journal:
Revista Iberoamericana de Neuropsicología

ISSN: 2594-1178

Year of publication: 2023

Volume: 6

Issue: 2

Pages: 132-148

Type: Article

More publications in: Revista Iberoamericana de Neuropsicología

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aim to explore differences in executive functions, memory, and memory strategies, between healthy individuals with high and low levels of Cognitive Reserve (CR). Method: A total of 70 participants underwent neuropsychological assessment, 36 females and 34 males, aged between 50 and 85 years. The instruments administered were BSI, MoCA, QRC, LMS I and II (EMW-III), DMS (WAIS – III), TMS, VFT, SCWT, and WCST. Results: We confirm the influence of the CR, including education level, on the performance of the neuropsychological tests, with higher CR and education level leading to better neuropsychological performance. At the TMS test, there were no group differences in those conditions with higher demand on executive functions, while in those with the material externally organized the differences were significant. While age had a lesser influence on performance, middle-aged participants with a higher CR presented better performances, when compared to older participants.