title: Mechanisms of age-related cognitive change and targets for intervention: social interactions and stress.
abstract: 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
  Elevated cortisol, repetitive thinking, negative emotions, neuroticism, chronic stress, and early life adversity were negatively associated with memory and other cognitive dimensions in later life. In contrast, supportive social relationships were found to be positively related to cognitive functioning. Some evidence was provided for multidirectional, causal relationships involving stress and negative affect as both antecedents and consequences of cognitive decline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings contribute to understanding the potential underlying causal processes linking psychosocial factors and cognitive aging with a developmental focus on the etiology of declines and onset of cognitive impairments. This work provides an important foundation for future research to identify modifiable factors and to design interventions to minimize cognitive declines and optimize cognitive health in adulthood.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: William S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Kremen
authors.forename: Margie E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lachman
authors.forename: Jens C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Pruessner
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sliwinski
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000502:physiology; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone