Age differences in neuropsychological performance among healthy well-educated subjects

This study examined the neuropsychological test performance of three age groups of healthy well-educated subjects. In addition, the influence of state anxiety, trait anxiety, depression, and general intellectual ability on neuropsychological performance was studied. The oldest age group performed more poorly on a majority of the neuropsychological tests than the two younger groups. Intellectual ability was related to neuropsychological performance. Anxiety and depression were not associated with neuropsychological test performance. The results are discussed with respect to methodological problems associated with studies of age and neuropsychological test performance.