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In a significant shift from focusing solely on genetics, a recent study from University College London (UCL) has highlighted how socioeconomic factors—namely education, occupation, and wealth—can influence the risk of developing dementia. The research, published in Scientific Reports, reveals that these factors may not only reduce the likelihood of cognitive decline but also increase the chance of recovery from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to a healthy state.
The study examined the time people spent in various cognitive states, such as healthy, mildly impaired, and fully demented. By assessing transitions between these stages, the researchers mapped out how factors like wealth, educational attainment, and job type could affect both the progression and potential reversibility of cognitive decline.
Lead researcher Aswathikutty Gireesh from UCL’s Epidemiology and Health Care department suggests that intellectually stimulating environments, fostered by higher education and demanding occupations, could create a “brain reserve.” This reserve may help protect against cognitive impairment and dementia by keeping the brain active and engaged, potentially staving off decline.
According to senior author Dr. Dorina Cadar, from the UCL Department of Behavioural Science and Health and the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, “The findings underscore the importance of wealth, education, and occupation not only in reducing dementia risk but also in increasing the probability of reversing cognitive impairment.” Dr. Cadar explained that the results emphasize the possibility of shifting from a cognitive impairment state back to a healthy one—an outcome that holds promise for those facing early signs of cognitive issues.
The researchers discovered that individuals from socioeconomically advantaged backgrounds were less likely to transition from a healthy cognitive state to MCI or from MCI to dementia. For instance, people with education beyond secondary school had a 43% lower risk of moving from a healthy state to MCI, while those in the wealthiest third of the population had a 26% lower risk of progressing from MCI to dementia. Interestingly, recovery was also more likely among advantaged groups: wealthy individuals were 56% more likely, and those with higher education and skilled occupations were 81% more likely, to return to a healthy cognitive state from MCI than their less advantaged counterparts.
The study further noted that individuals with greater socioeconomic resources likely have better access to healthcare and resources such as nutritious diets, regular exercise, and preventive care—all of which contribute to maintaining cognitive health over time.
These findings provide a broader understanding of dementia risk, suggesting that addressing socioeconomic factors may be key to reducing cognitive impairment and even helping those with early signs of dementia regain cognitive health. The study advocates for policies that improve access to education, create intellectually stimulating work opportunities, and reduce economic disparities, thereby potentially contributing to a decrease in dementia rates across populations.
