Dataset Information

Frequent Sexual Activity Predicts Specific Cognitive Abilities in Older Adults.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study replicates and extends the findings of previous research (Wright, H., & Jenks, R. A. (2016). Sex on the brain! Associations between sexual activity and cognitive function in older age. Age and Ageing, 45, 313-317. doi:10.1093/ageing/afv197) which found a significant association between sexual activity (SA) and cognitive function in older adults. Specifically, this study aimed to generalize these findings to a range of cognitive domains, and to assess whether increasing SA frequency is associated with increasing scores on a variety of cognitive tasks.

Methods

Seventy-three participants aged 50-83 years took part in the study (38.4% male, 61.6% female). Participants completed the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III) cognitive assessment and a questionnaire on SA frequency (never, monthly, or weekly), and general health and lifestyle.

Results

Weekly SA was a significant predictor of total ACE-III, fluency, and visuospatial scores in regression models, including age, gender, education, and cardiovascular health.

Discussion

Greater frequency of SA was associated with better overall ACE-III scores and scores on subtests of verbal fluency and visuospatial ability. Both of these tasks involve working memory and executive function, and links between sexual behavior, memory, and dopamine are discussed. The findings have implications for the maintenance of intimate relationships in later life.

SUBMITTER: Wright H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6294227 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Frequent Sexual Activity Predicts Specific Cognitive Abilities in Older Adults.

Wright Hayley H Jenks Rebecca A RA Demeyere Nele N

The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences 20190101 1

<h4>Objectives</h4>This study replicates and extends the findings of previous research (Wright, H., & Jenks, R. A. (2016). Sex on the brain! Associations between sexual activity and cognitive function in older age. Age and Ageing, 45, 313-317. doi:10.1093/ageing/afv197) which found a significant association between sexual activity (SA) and cognitive function in older adults. Specifically, this study aimed to generalize these findings to a range of cognitive domains, and to assess whether increas ...[more]

PMID: 28645192

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Dataset Information

Frequent Sexual Activity Predicts Specific Cognitive Abilities in Older Adults.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Publications

Frequent Sexual Activity Predicts Specific Cognitive Abilities in Older Adults.

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