DO MEDICAL CONDITIONS AFFECT COGNITION IN OLDER ADULTS

Analyses of a nationally representative sample who completed a list re call task (weighted n = 6,446) and 2 mental status tasks (weighted n = 6,646) were conducted to determine whether specific medical condition s such as high blood pressure and diabetes as well as general health r atings predict cognitive performance in adults aged 70 to 103. Presenc e of stroke and poorer health ratings predicted poorer performance on the 3 tasks. Presence of diabetes predicted poorer performance on reca ll and 1 mental status task. Age interacted with medical conditions in cluding high blood pressure and diabetes in predicting mental status, with condition-related deficits confined to the younger end of the age continuum Global health ratings interacted with age, with poorer rati ngs asociated with worse-mental status in the younger participants. Fi ndings suggest that stroke and diabetes are;associated with cognitive deficits. Some deficits are more pronounced in younger old adults with high blood pressure and poorer health ratings.