@article {598, title = {Relation of education to brain size in normal aging: implications for the reserve hypothesis.}, journal = {Neurology}, volume = {53}, year = {1999}, month = {1999 Jul 13}, pages = {189-96}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relations between education and age-related changes in brain structure in a nonclinical sample of elderly adults.

BACKGROUND: Education may protect against cognitive decline in late life--an observation that has led to the "reserve" hypothesis of brain aging. Little is known, however, about the effect of education on age-related changes in brain structure.

METHODS: Quantitative MRI of the brain was performed in 320 elderly volunteers (age range, 66 to 90 years) living independently in the community (Mini-Mental State Examination scores > or =24), all of whom were participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study. Blinded measurements of global and regional brain size were made from T1-weighted axial images using computer-assisted edge detection and trace methodology. High measurement reliabilities were obtained.

RESULTS: Regression analyses (adjusting for the effects of intracranial size, sex, age, age-by-sex interactions, and potential confounders) revealed significant main effects of education on peripheral (sulcal) CSF volume-a marker of cortical atrophy. Each year of education was associated with an increase in peripheral CSF volume of 1.77 mL (p<0.03). As reported previously, main effects of age (but not education) were observed for all of the remaining brain regions examined, including cerebral hemisphere volume, frontal region area, temporoparietal region area, parieto-occipital region area, lateral (Sylvian) fissure volume, lateral ventricular volume, and third ventricle volume.

CONCLUSIONS: The authors{\textquoteright} findings demonstrate a relation between education and age-related cortical atrophy in a nonclinical sample of elderly persons, and are consistent with the reserve hypothesis as well as with a small number of brain imaging studies in patients with dementia. The neurobiological basis and functional correlates of this education effect require additional investigation.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Atrophy, Brain, Cerebral Cortex, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Educational Status, Female, Functional Laterality, Health Status, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Mental Status Schedule, Regression Analysis, Sex Characteristics}, issn = {0028-3878}, doi = {10.1212/wnl.53.1.189}, author = {Coffey, C E and Saxton, J A and Ratcliff, G and Bryan, R N and Lucke, J F} }