BACKGROUND The effects of biological and physical factors on cognitive aging are widely studied. Less is known about the role of psychosocial factors such as stress and social relationships for cognitive functioning. METHODS Speakers in Session IV of the Summit focused on possible mechanisms linking social interactions and stressful experiences to cognitive changes with aging. RESULTS Eleva...

Conflict of interest: All authors are employees and equity holders in CogState Ltd, the company that develops and markets the CogSport computerised cognitive testing software.

The clinical diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) can be challenging even to experienced clinicians. In the absence of a definitive clinical test, this diagnosis relies on behavioral criteria. Difficulty applying these criteria arise for four main reasons. First, FTD patients present with social and personality changes that defy the neuropsychological model of dementia. Second, FTD is not...

Formal assessment of cognitive decline with cognitive tests can be difficult, requiring either two measurement points or a comparison of 'hold' with 'don't hold' tests. Informant-based assessment provides an alternative approach because informants can adopt a longitudinal perspective and directly rate cognitive change. A study was carried out to assess the validity of informant ratings collecte...

We are interested in evaluating interactive retrieval systems from the user's perspective. In this paper, we introduce several user studies evaluating the cognitive change in users' knowledge by using concept maps. We also propose a platform for user studies, including analysis tools, task descriptions, evaluation tools, and data sets.

Debate continues about whether personality, both normal and disordered, can change significantly or is mainly stable across the life span. One issue that receives little attention is the degree to which personality stability coefficients may be influenced by attenuation due to measurement error. The current meta-analysis examines the data from recent research on personality stability, reporting...

This study examined long-term personality trait development in midlife and explored the impact of psychological turning points on personality change. Self-defined psychological turning points reflect major changes in the ways people think or feel about an important part of their life, such as work, family, and beliefs about themselves and about the world. This study used longitudinal data from ...

What is successful ageing? Current opinion is that “cognitive vitality is essential to quality of life . . . in old age.” This depends substantially on people’s cognitive ability from early life, and on how much they decline from their cognitive peak in young adulthood. Early cognitive ability also affects physical health and even survival to old age. But surely happiness and satisfaction with ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We sought to identify the type and frequency of questions asked about stroke by patients, relatives, and caregivers. METHODS All stroke-related inquiries made to Stroke Association Advice Centers in the United Kingdom during a 4-month period were recorded. RESULTS During the study period, 1,397 people asked 1,908 questions. Nearly one quarter needed more information a...

OBJECTIVES Although personality is relatively stable over time, there are individual differences in the patterns and magnitude of change. There is some evidence that personality change in adulthood is related to physical health and longevity. The present study expanded this work to consider whether personality stability or change would be associated with better cognitive functioning, especially...