Associations of cognitive activity and access to resources with cognitive decline in a broad representation of older adults

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about whether the cognitive benefits of cognitive activities and resources differ across ethno-racial groups in late-life. METHODS: Participants were 1702 non-Latino White, 766 non-Latino Black, and 324 Latino adults (≈ 76 years; N = 2792). Linear mixed-effects models tested interaction by ethno-racial group in the associations of lifespan (past and current) cognitive activity and total (past only) cognitive resources, respectively, with change in global cognition (GC) and five cognitive domains (≈ 8 ± 5 years). RESULTS: Significant interactions were observed: higher lifespan cognitive activity predicted slower decline in GC (but not in domains) among non-Latino White participants (estimate = 0.01, standard error [SE] = 0.01) and faster decline in GC (including working memory and perceptual speed domains) among Latino participants (estimate = -0.02, SE = 0.01); no association was observed among non-Latino Black participants. Total cognitive resources did not predict cognitive decline. DISCUSSION: Findings highlight ethno-racial differences in the association between lifespan cognitive activity and decline in global cognition among older adults.