Abstract
Background
Cognitive reserve could be defined as the accumulation of experiences, abilities, knowledge and changes that occur throughout the lifespan. One of the most difficult changes in life is the experience of emigrating to a foreign country.
Aims
The present investigation aimed to compare the cognitive reserve of two paired groups of elderly: Italians living in Italy and Italians who in adult age (around 20 years) emigrated to Montreal. Both groups attended the same years of school, in Italy.
Methods
Cognitive reserve was measured in the two groups by a structured and standardised questionnaire, the cognitive reserve questionnaire.
Results
Cognitive reserve showed to be significantly higher in the Italian-Canadian individuals (i.e. Italians who emigrated).
Conclusions
Emigration might act as an environmental factor that enriches people’s lifestyle and reflects itself in the amount of their cognitive reserve.
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On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.
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Mondini, S., Guarino, R., Jarema, G. et al. Cognitive reserve in a cross-cultural population: the case of Italian emigrants in Montreal. Aging Clin Exp Res 26, 655–659 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-014-0224-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-014-0224-0