2023-09-07 22:47:25
A study has been published showing that education has a preventive effect that outweighs major genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. (Photo = DB)
[메디컬투데이=한지혁 기자] Education has been shown to have a protective effect that outweighs major genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
The results of a study investigating the effect of education on the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease were published in the journal Nature Communications.
Recently, researchers at Harvard Medical School challenged the notion that genes are the only factor determining the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, and investigated the effect a person’s level of education may have on this.
They studied 675 participants with a mutation in the gene called PSEN1 E280A, which is known to cause early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. It is known that people with this mutation usually show symptoms of dementia around the age of 49.
After analyzing the initial data, the researchers confirmed that participants with the ‘APOE e4’ gene mutation, along with the mutation, experienced more rapid cognitive decline.
In these subjects, the researchers investigated how education level affected the rate of cognitive decline. As a result, participants with high final education or educational achievement showed a significant cognitive preservation effect even when they had these major gene mutations.
The research team said, “The cognitive ability of patients with Alzheimer’s disease caused by the PSEN1 E280A mutation was found to be influenced by other genetic factors and educational achievement.”
They argued that the level of education of the participants provided protection once morest the strongest genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, so education might be one important preventive measure for those at risk.
Experts also positively evaluated the results of the study, saying, “Several follow-up studies will be needed to explain the biological mechanism underlying the association observed in this study and to develop prevention strategies tailored to individual risk profiles.”
Equity issues in education, including access to higher education, are complex issues involving multiple interests, including government agencies, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and communities. However, this study suggests that generalization of education is a very important factor not only from a pedagogical point of view, but also from a health and well-being point of view.
Medical Today Reporter Han Ji-hyeok (hanjh3438@mdtoday.co.kr)
[저작권자ⓒ 메디컬투데이. 무단전재-재배포 금지]
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