ABSTRACT. The course of cognitive functioning in older persons is studied over a period of six years. The first aim was to distinguish cognitive decline as a temporary state from progressive cognitive decline. The second aim was to identify predictors which may be useful in discriminating persons with temporary cognitive decline from persons with progressive cognitive decline at an early stage. Data were derived from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), a population-based study in the Netherlands. The results show that 18.2% of the sample of older persons showed cognitive decline over a period of three years. Of this group, 44% recovered from cognitive decline or stayed stable in the next three years. Especially older age, memory complaints and an increase of cardiovascular diseases at follow-up predict further deterioration.
