Gains in fluid ability performance and their relationship to cortisol

The present analyses examined the relationship between cortisol and performance: gains in crystallized (Gc) and fluid (Gf) ability, as well as the relationship to measures of everyday cognitive functioning iii a sample of 73 older adults. The analyses were part of a larger study examining the impact of anxiety-reduction training on everyday tasks. Cortisol was assessed via urine sampling. Results indicated that there was a significant negative correlation between cortisol and performance gains for Gf, replicating earlier findings reported by our laboratory. These findings also extend the relationship to cortisol measured in urine; previous analyses were conducted using sei um-based cortisol. Cortisol was also significantly I elated to performance gains in some measures of everyday cognitive functioning.