title: Exploring the role of cognitive reserve in early-onset dementia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cognitive reserve (CR) is important in protecting the brain from injury and has not been investigated in people with early-onset dementia (EOD).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective case control study of 44 patients with dementia onset prior to 65 years of age: Alzheimer's disease (AD) = 23; frontotemporal dementia (FTD) = 21. Groups were matched for age, education, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), premorbid IQ, sex and APOE ε4 genotype. Years of formal education were used as a marker of CR. Relationships between education and neuropsychological data was examined using linear regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no demographic differences between the AD and FTD groups. Significant associations were found between education and attention, working memory and visuospatial abilities. There was an effect of CR for the EOD group and selective effects in FTD and AD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest CR is operational in patients with FTD and AD.
authors.affiliation: Neurosciences Unit, Graylands Hospital and Health Services, Mt Claremont, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Fairjones
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Vuletich
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pestell
authors.forename: Peter K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Panegyres
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D057180:Frontotemporal Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies