| Title: | Reevaluating the role of education on cognitive decline and brain aging in longitudinal cohorts across 33 Western countries |
| Journal: | Nature Medicine |
| Published: | 28 Jul 2025 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40721513/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03828-y |
Publication 16083
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Abstract
Why education is linked to higher cognitive function in aging is fiercely debated. Leading theories propose that education reduces brain decline in aging and enhances tolerance to brain pathology or that it does not affect cognitive decline but, rather, reflects higher early-life cognitive function. To test these theories, we analyzed 407,356 episodic memory scores from 170,795 participants older than 50 years, alongside 15,157 brain magnetic resonance imaging scans from 6,472 participants across 33 Western countries. More education was associated with better memory, larger intracranial volume and slightly larger volume of memory-sensitive brain regions. However, education did not protect against age-related decline or weakened effects of brain decline on cognition. The most parsimonious explanation for the results is that the associations reflect factors present early in life, including propensity of individuals with certain traits to pursue more education. Although education has numerous benefits, the notion that it provides protection against cognitive or brain decline is not supported.</p>
23 Authors
- Anders M. Fjell
- Ole Rogeberg
- Øystein Sørensen
- Inge K. Amlien
- David Bartrés-Faz
- Andreas M. Brandmaier
- Gabriele Cattaneo
- Sandra Düzel
- Håkon Grydeland
- Richard N. Henson
- Simone Kühn
- Ulman Lindenberger
- Torkild Hovde Lyngstad
- Athanasia M. Mowinckel
- Lars Nyberg
- Alvaro Pascual-Leone
- Cristina Solé-Padullés
- Markus H. Sneve
- Javier Solana
- Marie Strømstad
- Leiv Otto Watne
- Kristine B. Walhovd
- Didac Vidal-Piñeiro
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 32048 | Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition- Identifying risk and protective factors. |
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