Memory recall in the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project (THBP): Multilevel modelling of growth curve memory performance from years 1-3 of the THBP

Research into age-related cognitive decline indicates that the rate of memory decline remains constant, independent of a person’s level of previous education. However, some research reports that the rate of verbal memory decline varies according to level of education. The aim of the present study was to examine changes in memory recall over the first three years of the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project (THBP). Data from 546 adults: 123 from a healthy control group, and 423 adults who attended university for a minimum of 12 months. Group differences in memory recall over the initial three years of cognitive testing in the THBP were examined using growth curve, multilevel modelling. A significant quadratic change in memory recall was found across study phases (F(1565.987) = 59.347, p. < .001), with recall varying significantly between the experimental and control groups (Var(μ0j) = .6524). No significant interaction between group membership and change in recall performance over time was detected (F(1, 579.74) = .030, p. = .863). These results indicate that individuals in both groups displayed a curvilinear change in memory recall over test phases, suggesting that additional education exerts no effect on age related memory decline