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A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Associations Between Reaction Time Intraindividual Variability and Age-Related Cognitive Decline or Impairment, Dementia, and Mortality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 May 2017

Becky I. Haynes Open the ORCID record for Becky I. Haynes [Opens in a new window] ,
Sarah Bauermeister  and
David Bunce
Becky I. Haynes
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
Sarah Bauermeister
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
David Bunce*
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: David Bunce, School of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objectives: Intraindividual variability (IIV) in reaction time refers to the trial-to-trial fluctuations in responding across a given cognitive task. Cross-sectional research suggests that IIV increases with normal and neuropathological ageing and it may serve as a marker of neurobiological integrity. This raises the possibility that IIV may also predict future cognitive decline and, indeed, neuropathology. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to address these issues. Methods: A search of electronic databases Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, and Web of Science was completed on May 17, 2016 that identified longitudinal investigations of IIV in middle-aged or older adults. Results: A total of 688 studies were initially identified of which 22 met the inclusion criteria. Nine included longitudinal IIV measures and 17 predicted subsequent outcome (cognitive decline or impairment, dementia, mortality) from baseline IIV. The results suggested IIV increased over time, particularly in participants aged over 75 years. Greater baseline IIV was consistently associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes including cognitive decline or impairment, and mortality. Conclusions: Increased IIV over time is associated with normal ageing. However, further increases in IIV over and above those found in normal ageing may be a risk factor for future cognitive impairment or mortality. Measures of IIV may, therefore, have considerable potential as a supplement to existing clinical assessment to aid identification of individuals at risk of adverse outcomes such as dementia or death. (JINS, 2017, 23, 431–445)

Keywords

Intraindividual variabilityAgeingDementiaCognitive declineMortalityLongitudinal
Type
Critical Review
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 23 , Issue 5 , May 2017 , pp. 431 - 445
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2017 

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