title: Cognitive decline and the neighborhood environment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Little research has looked beyond individual factors to consider the influence of the neighborhood environment on cognitive function. A greater density of physical resources (e.g., recreational centers and parks) and institutional resources (e.g., community centers) may buffer cognitive decline by offering opportunities for physical activity and social interaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using data from the Chicago Health and Aging Project (1993-2011), a prospective cohort study of 6518 adults of age 65 years or older, we fit a three-level growth curve model to examine the role of individual and neighborhood factors (objectively observed at the block group level) on trajectories of cognitive function (composite of East Boston Memory Test, symbol digit test, and Mini Mental State Examination) in later life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Net of individual factors, residence in a neighborhood with community resources, proximity to public transit, and public spaces in good condition were associated with slower rates of cognitive decline, possibly by increasing opportunities for social and physical activities or access to destinations that facilitate engagement in activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results highlight the role of neighborhood environments in buffering cognitive decline among older adults aging in place.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Social Research, Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Electronic address: pjclarke@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Philippa J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weuve
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Behavioral Sciences, Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Denis A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: Carlos F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Mendes de Leon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002641:Chicago / Q000453:epidemiology; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Cognitive function; Longitudinal models; Neighborhoods; Older adults; Trajectories