[Does education prevent dementia?].
OBJECTIVE
The association of education and the risk of developing dementia are reviewed. Proposed underlying mechanisms are discussed with the particular reference to social aspects.


METHODS
The discussion is based on recent work published on the association of education and dementia risk dealing with incident cases.


RESULTS
Strength and consistency of the association as well as the partly established dose response relationship indicate that higher education is associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. This had been explained as a consequence of a greater "brain reserve capacity", which might be constituted by different mechanisms in early periods of CNS-development and during adulthood.


CONCLUSIONS
Education rather compensates neuro-degenerative changes than protects from dementia. Clinical signs of dementia will be delayed but not prevented. The knowledge about social aspects of this process implies the search for interventions.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie der Universität Leipzig.
C
C
Aurich
S G
SG
Riedel-Heller
T
T
Becker
D000124:Achievement; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors
Schützt Bildung vor Demenz?