Higher education ‘linked to lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease’

People who go into higher education are generally less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.

The British Medical Journal study analysed data from genetic studies of approximately 405,000 individuals to analyse the impact of 24 different metrics – from education to diet, lifestyle, health and inflammatory factors – on the development of Alzheimer's.

Higher educational attainment was associated with a significantly lower chance of people suffering Alzheimer's, a finding that aligns with previous studies showing that low attainment is linked to an increased risk of the disease.

According to the researchers, this could be because education helps people to build up their "cognitive reserve", meaning their brain is stronger and more resistant to neurological damage from the disease. Better education also increases the chances that people will follow a healthier lifestyle.

In an accompanying commentary, Professor Gill Livingston and Dr Andrew Sommerlad of University College London said: "These findings on the protective effect of education further highlight the importance of provision and prolongation of children's education in lower and middle-income countries where equal access is lacking."

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