Study stalls Alzheimer’s

EDUCATION reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, a study has concluded.

Cambridge University researchers found the longer someone spends in school and university, the lower their risk of developing the condition.

For every year in education, the odds of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s drops 11 per cent. Scientists believe complex thinking creates “cognitive reserve”. This creates a greater number of connections between brain cells, so when the wiring of the brain comes under attack from Alzheimer’s, the brain has “back-up” networks.

The new study adds huge weight to the theory that education makes a difference despite someone’s start in life.