Researchers suggest that formal education may help sustain cognitive function in mid- and late life, and delay the development of symptoms, according to 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report. 

People with more years of formal education are at lower risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias than those with fewer years of formal education, says an annual report released by the Alzheimer’s Association in the United States. The report titled ‘2024 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures’ reveals the burden of Alzheimer’s and dementia on individuals, caregivers, government and the nation’s health care system.

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of brain disease caused by damage to nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. The brain’s neurons are essential to all human activity, including thinking, talking and walking. In Alzheimer’s disease, the neurons damaged first are those in parts of the brain responsible for memory, language and thinking, which is why the first symptoms tend to be memory, language and thinking problems. “Although these symptoms are new to the individual affected, the brain changes that cause them are thought to begin 20 years or more before symptoms start,” as per the report.  

The report sheds light on some interesting facts about Alzheimer’s disease. “Much of the research linking formal education to decreased risk of Alzheimer’s dementia was conducted without the benefit of technological advances such as positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the brain that might shed light on whether education affects Alzheimer’s biomarkers such as beta-amyloid and tau accumulation that lead to dementia symptoms,” the report says. 

“More recent research incorporating these technological advances suggests that rather than reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s brain changes, formal education may help sustain cognitive function in mid- and late life and delay the development of symptoms,” it notes. 

To that point, some researchers believe that having more years of education builds “cognitive reserve.” “Cognitive reserve refers to the brain’s ability to make flexible and efficient use of cognitive networks (networks of neuron-to-neuron connections) to enable a person to continue to carry out cognitive tasks despite brain changes. The number of years of formal education is not the only determinant of cognitive reserve. Having a mentally stimulating job and engaging in other mentally stimulating activities may also help build cognitive reserve,” the report reads.

Other researchers emphasise the indirect effects of the number of years of formal education, such as its effects on dementia risk through socioeconomic status (SES). SES typically is defined as access to economic resources, including income, education, employment and occupation, but also includes factors such as financial security and perceived social standing. 

In fact, in 2022 researchers reported that SES is associated with changes in brain anatomy, including grey matter volume, that may affect overall cognitive ability. “In addition, lower SES may decrease one’s access to and ability to afford heart-healthy foods that support brain health; decrease one’s ability to afford health care or medical treatments, such as treatments for cardiovascular risk factors that are closely linked to brain health; and limit one’s access to physically safe housing and employment,” according to the report. 

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease, meaning it gets worse with time. How quickly it progresses and what abilities are affected vary from person to person. As time passes, more neurons are damaged and more areas of the brain are affected. Increased help from family members, friends and professional caregivers is needed to carry out everyday activities. 

You can read the full report here. 

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