OBJECTIVE: To examine the relations between education and age-related changes in brain structure in a nonclinical sample of elderly adults. BACKGROUND: Education may protect against cognitive decline in late life--an observation that has led to the "reserve" hypothesis of brain aging. Little is known, however, about the effect of education on age-related changes in brain structure. METHODS: Quantitative MRI of the brain was performed in 320 elderly volunteers (age range, 66 to 90 years) living independently in the community (Mini-Mental State Examination scores > or =24), all of whom were participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study. Blinded measurements of global and regional brain size were made from T1-weighted axial images using computer-assisted edge detection and trace methodology. High measurement reliabilities were obtained. RESULTS: Regression analyses (adjusting for the effects of intracranial size, sex, age, age-by-sex interactions, and potential confounders) revealed significant main effects of education on peripheral (sulcal) CSF volume-a marker of cortical atrophy. Each year of education was associated with an increase in peripheral CSF volume of 1.77 mL (p<0.03). As reported previously, main effects of age (but not education) were observed for all of the remaining brain regions examined, including cerebral hemisphere volume, frontal region area, temporoparietal region area, parieto-occipital region area, lateral (Sylvian) fissure volume, lateral ventricular volume, and third ventricle volume. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' findings demonstrate a relation between education and age-related cortical atrophy in a nonclinical sample of elderly persons, and are consistent with the reserve hypothesis as well as with a small number of brain imaging studies in patients with dementia. The neurobiological basis and functional correlates of this education effect require additional investigation.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relations between education and age-related changes in brain structure in a nonclinical sample of elderly adults. BACKGROUND: Education may protect against cognitive decline in late life--an observation that has led to the "reserve" hypothesis of brain aging. Little is known, however, about the effect of education on age-related changes in brain structure. METHODS: Quantitative MRI of the brain was performed in 320 elderly volunteers (age range, 66 to 90 years) living independently in the community (Mini-Mental State Examination scores > or =24), all of whom were participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study. Blinded measurements of global and regional brain size were made from T1-weighted axial images using computer-assisted edge detection and trace methodology. High measurement reliabilities were obtained. RESULTS: Regression analyses (adjusting for the effects of intracranial size, sex, age, age-by-sex interactions, and potential confounders) revealed significant main effects of education on peripheral (sulcal) CSF volume-a marker of cortical atrophy. Each year of education was associated with an increase in peripheral CSF volume of 1.77 mL (p<0.03). As reported previously, main effects of age (but not education) were observed for all of the remaining brain regions examined, including cerebral hemisphere volume, frontal region area, temporoparietal region area, parieto-occipital region area, lateral (Sylvian) fissure volume, lateral ventricular volume, and third ventricle volume. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' findings demonstrate a relation between education and age-related cortical atrophy in a nonclinical sample of elderly persons, and are consistent with the reserve hypothesis as well as with a small number of brain imaging studies in patients with dementia. The neurobiological basis and functional correlates of this education effect require additional investigation.
Authors: D F Tate; E S Neeley; M C Norton; J T Tschanz; M J Miller; L Wolfson; C Hulette; C Leslie; K A Welsh-Bohmer; B Plassman; Erin D Bigler Journal: Brain Res Date: 2010-12-21 Impact factor: 3.252
Authors: Naftali Raz; Paolo Ghisletta; Karen M Rodrigue; Kristen M Kennedy; Ulman Lindenberger Journal: Neuroimage Date: 2010-03-16 Impact factor: 6.556
Authors: Jagan A Pillai; Linda K McEvoy; Donald J Hagler; Dominic Holland; Anders M Dale; David P Salmon; Douglas Galasko; Christine Fennema-Notestine Journal: J Clin Exp Neuropsychol Date: 2012-08-21 Impact factor: 2.475
Authors: Stephen R Rapp; Mark A Espeland; Joann E Manson; Susan M Resnick; Nick R Bryan; Sylvia Smoller; Laura H Coker; Lawrence S Phillips; Marcia L Stefanick; Gloria E Sarto Journal: Int J Psychiatry Med Date: 2013 Impact factor: 1.210