Older persons with more schooling spend fewer years with cognitive loss

A new study funded by the National Institute of Aging had results that are consistent with the theory that those individuals with more education process tasks more efficiently and/or use other compensatory mechanisms that delay the onset of cognitive impairment. Using a high school education (12 years of schooling) as a benchmark, the study found that those with that level of education were able to live two and one-half years more without mental impairment than those with less education.

If this theory continues to be supported by studies, then as education continues to increases in the the population, then all things being equal the length of time before cognitive impairment is observed will increase as well.

The flip side of the delayed onset of cognitive impairment is that once the condition begins to take hold better-educated people decline more rapidly.

Each study adds a little bit more our understanding of the causes of dementia and thus a step closer to cures and mitigation strategies.

Source: USC Press Release