title: A growth curve model of learning acquisition among cognitively normal older adults.
abstract: The objective of this study was to model recall and learning on the Auditory Verbal Learning Test using latent growth curve techniques. Participants were older adults recruited for the ACTIVE cognitive intervention pilot. A series of nested models revealed that an approximately logarithmic growth curve model provided optimal fit to the data. Although recall and learning factors were statistically uncorrelated, a fitted multivariate model suggested that initial recall was significantly associated with demographic characteristics but unrelated to health factors and cognitive abilities. Individual differences in learning were related to race/ethnicity, speed of processing, verbal knowledge, and global cognitive function level. These results suggest that failing to recognize initial recall and learning as distinct constructs clouds the interpretation of supraspan memory tasks.
authors.affiliation: Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged, Research and Training Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02131, USA. jones@mail.hrca.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Richard N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Adrienne L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.forename: John N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Jason C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Allaire
authors.forename: Karin J M
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: McCoy
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marsiske
authors.forename: Ken P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Kleinman
authors.forename: George W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Rebok
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Malloy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010153:Paired-Associate Learning; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011336:Probability; D011340:Problem Solving; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014706:Verbal Learning