A new study conducted by researchers at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam revealed that higher intelligence may lead to a more severe cognitive decline in individuals diagnosed with dementia.
The study analyzed 261 previous studies on dementia, intelligence, cognition, and educational attainment. Researchers discovered that for each additional year of education, a patient's life expectancy after a dementia diagnosis decreases by 0.2 years, or approximately 2.5 months. This means that someone with a bachelor's degree may live a year less than someone who left school after the intermediate certificate if both are diagnosed with dementia.
This phenomenon, where more educated individuals experience a faster decline in dementia, is referred to as the cognitive reserve paradigm. According to Münchner Merkur, this paradigm suggests that cognitive reserves, built through learning and mental stimulation, can mask early symptoms of dementia. "This paradigm assumes that people with higher education are more resilient to brain injuries before functional impairments occur," states the Erasmus University Medical Centre.
However, once the cognitive reserve is depleted and dementia is diagnosed, patients are likely already in a more advanced stage of the disease. Bild reports that the clinical course of dementia is likely faster in these patients, leading to a shorter life expectancy and making treatment more difficult. Experts suspect that higher intelligence makes individuals more resilient to cognitive decline, allowing their brains to function longer without developing typical signs and symptoms of dementia.
Münchner Merkur explains that compared to earlier diagnosed individuals, those diagnosed later likely have a shorter life expectancy because the diagnosis is usually made when the disease has progressed further.
Every year, 10 million new cases of dementia are diagnosed worldwide, and the number of dementia cases is expected to increase in the coming decades. The diversity of types of dementia and the overlap of symptoms complicate the process of effective diagnosis and treatment. In Germany alone, around 1.84 million people live with dementia, most of whom suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Münchner Merkur reports that by the year 2050, this number is expected to increase to 2.8 million.
A person's cognitive reserve is the ability of the brain to cope with diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's and continue functioning. Cognitive reserve can be strengthened through learning and mental stimulation, according to Bild. However, it can also mask early symptoms of dementia, making early detection challenging.
Researchers calculated that the average survival time after a dementia diagnosis is 10.5 years. However, for each additional year of study, a patient lived 0.2 years less.
Scientists worldwide are working on therapeutic approaches and insights into neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Early detection is crucial, as it can help those with the disease and their loved ones receive proper care and support. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, which affects about 982,000 people in the UK. Dementia is also the leading cause of mortality in the UK, although there are different types with varying symptoms.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.