Michal Engelman|Emily M. Agree|Lucy A. Meoni|Michael J. Klag
Propositional Density and Cognitive Function in Later Life: Findings From the Precursors Study
Johns Hopkins Medicine|Johns Hopkins University
used longitudinal data johns hopkins precursors study test hypothesis written propositional density measured early life lower people develop dementia categorized alzheimers disease ad association reported 1996 nun study precursors study offered unprecedented chance reexamine among respondents different gender education occupation profileseighteen individuals classified ad patients average age diagnosis 74 assigned 2 sexandage matched controls propositional density medical school admission essays average age writing 22 assessed via computerized propositional idea density rater 3 linguistic analysis software adjusted odds ratios ors matched casecontrol study calculated using conditional fixedeffects logistic regressionmean propositional density lower cases controls 470 vs 499 propositions per 10 words 1sided p 01 higher propositional density substantially lowers odds ad 016 95 confidence interval 003090 1sided p 02propositional density scores writing samples early adulthood appear predict ad later life men well women studies cognition across life course might beneficially incorporate propositional density potential marker cognitive reserve