Genetic and environmental architecture of changes in episodic memory from middle to late middle age.
Episodic memory is a complex construct at both the phenotypic and genetic level. Ample evidence supports age-related cognitive stability and change being accounted for by general and domain-specific factors. We hypothesized that general and specific factors would underlie change even within this single cognitive domain. We examined 6 measures from 3 episodic memory tests in a narrow age cohort at middle and late middle age. The factor structure was invariant across occasions. At both timepoints 2 of 3 test-specific factors (story recall, design recall) had significant genetic influences independent of the general memory factor. Phenotypic stability was moderate to high, and primarily accounted for by genetic influences, except for 1 test-specific factor (list learning). Mean change over time was nonsignificant for 1 test-level factor; 1 declined; 1 improved. The results highlight the phenotypic and genetic complexity of memory and memory change, and shed light on an understudied period of life.
Department of Psychiatry, Center for Behavioral Genomics, University of California, San Diego.
Matthew S
MS
Panizzon
Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Michael C
MC
Neale
Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Anna R
AR
Docherty
Department of Psychiatry and Center for Behavioral Genomics, University of California, San Diego.
Carol E
CE
Franz
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago.
Kristen C
KC
Jacobson
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University.
Rosemary
R
Toomey
Department of Biostatistics, St. Louis University.
Hong
H
Xian
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida.
Terrie
T
Vasilopoulos
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego.
Brinda K
BK
Rana
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University.
Ruth
R
McKenzie
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University.
Michael J
MJ
Lyons
Department of Psychiatry, Center for Behavioral Genomics, University of California, San Diego.
William S
WS
Kremen
D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010641:Phenotype; D013997:Time Factors