The Relationship Between Cognitive Reserve and Cognitive Workload in Older Adults with and Without Pre-clinical Alzheimer’s Disease: A Pilot Study

Friday, October 23, 2020

3:30 PM – 3:47 PM EST

Presenting Author(s)

Pedram Ahmadnezhad, MS, PT

Graduate Research Assistant & PhD Student
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, Kansas

Non-presenting Author(s)

JB

Jeffrey M. Burns, Burns, MD, MS

Professor
University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Center
Fairway, Kansas
Abiodun E. Akinwuntan, PhD, MPH, MBA

Professor and Dean
School of Health Professions, University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, Kansas
Hannes Devos, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, Kansas

It is well documented that individuals with higher cognitive reserve are at less risk of developing dementia. We investigated the association between cognitive reserve and cognitive workload, which is the mental effort while performing a cognitively challenging task. We used a virtual reality driving simulator to create challenging cognitive testing conditions. Synchronized eye tracking technology enabled us to extract pupillary size, which was used as an objective measure of cognitive workload. We will report the differences in associations between cognitive reserve and cognitive workload that we observed in participants with and without heightened risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Learning Objectives:

After completion of this presentation, attendees will be able to explain the concept of cognitive reserve in older adults with and without preclinical Alzheimer's Disease.
After completion of this presentation, attendees will be able to explain the relationship between cognitive reserve and cognitive workload in older adults with and without preclinical Alzheimer's Disease.
Upon completion, audiences can explain the use of virtual reality technology (driving simulation) as a real-life measure of cognitive function in older adults with and without preclinical Alzheimer's Disease.