Predictors of Source Memory Success and Failure in Older Adults.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional observational study evaluating predictors of extreme performance groups (CEBM level 4 by design analogy).
PubMed 30804777 · doi:10.3389/fnagi.2019.00017
What was done
Assessed spatial source memory in 519 healthy older adults aged 61 to 80 years. Participants scoring below the 20th percentile and above the 80th percentile were classified as exhibiting source memory failure and success, respectively. Logistic regression models were used to screen 120 potential lifestyle, psychological, and biological variables to identify significant predictors of these extreme performance outcomes.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values, odds ratios, or specific variable names. It notes that logistic models identified five significant predictors of source memory success (mainly healthy cardiovascular markers and psychological traits) and six significant predictors of source memory failure (primarily consumption habits and lower engagement in mental activities).
Why it matters
Highlights distinct modifiable lifestyle, behavioral, and cardiovascular factors associated with extreme resilience versus severe decline in age-related episodic source memory.
Limits
The cross-sectional design cannot establish causality. The abstract does not report specific statistical metrics, effect sizes, confidence intervals, or the specific identities of the 11 identified predictors. Analysis was restricted to extreme performers, excluding the middle 60% of the cohort.
Cited by
- supports Source memory tends to decline with age.