Follow up of the personality characteristics and cognitive evolution of elderly people in longitudinal follow-up

Background: Some psychological and personality characteristics of individuals, seem to determine behavioral patterns that are associated with better health throughout life and, consequently, prevent the progression of early cognitive changes to dementia. Objective: Identify factors that interfere in the evolution of cognitive disorders. Methods: Volunteers were evaluated clinically and for personality characteristics and neuropsychological testing. Follow-up occurred over two years from the initial assessment, and participants’ cognitive categories were re-analyzed every six months to observe variation in the same. Results: Of the 102 subjects, 65 remained at follow-up. The sample was composed predominantly of women (65%), white (74%), with a mean age of 78 (±7.5) years and 12 (±4.8) years of education. Throughout the process, 23% of cognitively normal 15% of subjective cognitive decline, and 27% of non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment individuals worsened cognitively. In the same period, 15% of the non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment and 31% of the amnestic mild cognitive impairment improved in cognitive ratings. Observed that older ages present greater cognitive worsening, and that very low indices of the personality trait Openness present associations with cognitive worsening. Conclusion: The factors most associated with cognitive change in this group of elderly people were age and aspects of openness of personality that are associated with cognitive reserve.