Contrasting olfaction, vision, and audition as predictors of cognitive change and impairment in non-demented older adults.

Objective: This study examines the relative utility of a particular class of noninvasive functional biomarkers-sensory functions-for detecting those at risk of cognitive decline and impairment. Three central research objectives were examined including whether (a) olfactory function, vision, and audition exhibited significant longitudinal declines in nondemented older adults; (b) multiwave change for these sensory function indicators predicted risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI); and (c) change within persons for each sensory measure shared dynamic time-varying associations with within-person change in cognitive functioning.

Method: A longitudinal sample (n = 408) from the Victoria Longitudinal Study was assembled.