Maternal Age at Childbirth and Offspring Cognitive Function in Middle and Older Age: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Advanced maternal age (>35 years) was negatively associated with offspring baseline cognitive scores in middle and older age.

• The association remained significant after full covariate adjustment: -0.223 SD (95% CI: -0.422, -0.024) in the final Model 4.
• In the unadjusted or minimally adjusted Model 1, the association was -0.290 SD (95% CI: -0.486, -0.093).
• The negative association attenuated with sequential covariate adjustment (demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and health-related) but remained statistically significant.
• Data were derived from 3549 offspring in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS; 2011-2018).
• Maternal age was categorized into four groups: <22, 22-28, 29-35, and >35 years.

No significant difference in the rate of cognitive decline over time was observed across maternal age groups.

• Linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate both baseline differences and longitudinal rates of change in cognitive function.
• The null finding for rate of cognitive decline was consistent across all maternal age categories.
• The study follow-up period spanned 2011 to 2018 (approximately 7 years).
• The authors note that future studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to clarify the relationship between maternal age and offspring cognitive aging.

The study used a hierarchical covariate adjustment strategy across four sequential models to assess the association between maternal age and offspring cognition.

• Covariates were adjusted in a hierarchical sequence covering demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and health-related factors.
• Linear mixed-effects models were the primary analytic approach for estimating baseline differences and longitudinal rates of change.
• The sample consisted of 3549 offspring participants from the CHARLS cohort.
• The study followed participants longitudinally from 2011 to 2018.

The authors identified maternal influences on offspring cognition as an understudied area in dementia risk factor research.

• Current research on dementia risk factors predominantly focuses on genetics and lifestyle.
• The study aimed to address the gap by examining how maternal age at childbirth affects offspring cognitive function in middle and older age.
• The authors call for replication of findings in diverse global populations and settings with longer follow-up periods.