Researchers at the Chobanian & Avedisian Faculty of Medicine of Boston University (United States) have found that, after the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, people with a more extensive academic training They experience faster memory deterioration and cognitive abilities compared to those with lower educational level.
This work is part of the study of the so -called cognitive reserve, understood as the ability of the brain to preserve its operation despite aging, injury or the appearance of diseases. This capacity is based on the Use of previously acquired mental strategies or in the adoption of compensation mechanisms against brain alterations.
The hypothesis associated with this notion states that those who have the greatest cognitive reserve – mannerly linked to a higher level of instruction – tolerate the pathology associated with Alzheimer’s disease for a longer time without manifesting functional symptoms. However, once the deterioration occurs, the advance is usually more pronounced. So far, the empirical evidence that supported this second part of the hypothesis came, mostly, research carried out in the United States.
The new results, published in the magazine Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, They reinforce this theory by analyzing data from older people residing in England, Germany and France. As explained Your brains hide the symptoms for a longer time, but then its deterioration is faster ».
In Cen’s opinion, this circumstance requires a greater attention from the clinical and family environment: “This means that doctors and families must be especially attentive to early and subtle changes in memory, speech, thought, judgment and mood in adults with a high educational level, so that treatment and support can begin as soon as possible, explains the corresponding author.”
To reach these conclusions, the research team examined the evolution of More than 1,300 patients with Alzheimer’s diagnosis Attended in memory clinics of the three European countries cited, within the framework of the Geras study. Throughout a period of between 18 months and three years, its cognitive function was evaluated by the mini-method state examination (MMSE), a standard tool used to detect cognitive deterioration and follow its progression.
With the help of statistical methods, the researchers observed the speed with which the MMSE scores decreased after diagnosis, comparing two groups: those with 12 or more years of schooling and those who had less training. In the analysis, variables such as age, sex, the presence of other pathologies, the treatments received, the country of residence and the time elapsed since the detection of the disease were adjusted.
One of the relevant aspects of the study is the warning on the limitations of the MMSE in the identification of the First signs of the disease in people with high education. According to researchers, although the most complex neuropsychological exams can detect more subtle changes, their duration, cost and need for qualified personnel hinder their generalized application.
Given this situation, experts propose to develop digital self -diagnosis tests through mobile devices or dresser technology (wearable), which offer automatic results. These tools could allow an earlier, affordable and extensible detection of the first signs of Alzheimer’s.
«We hope that our findings will lead to better ways to detect Alzheimer’s disease at an early stage, especially in people who may not show evident symptoms at the beginning. Earlier detection means that families can plan before and doctors can initiate treatments that can help slow the disease, ”Chen concludes.
