Does education affects cognitive functions in older people?

It is reported in scientific literature that more educated persons have more cognitive reserve in comparison to less educated person.  It may be because more educated persons think more, plan more, act more and ready to learn more in their life.  These cognitive stimulating activities stimulate brain cells and they remain active to give their best at even in old age.

Predictors of Healthy and Unhealthy Aging in North Indian Older Adults with Reference to Mental Health

Rakesh Kumar Tripathi, S. C. Tiwari, Aditya Kumar

Reference: Tiwari, S.C., Tripathi, R.K., Kumar A. Predictors of healthy and unhealthy aging in north Indian Older adults with reference to mental health awarded as IAGMH / INTAS award-2010 at  3^rd place in 6^th Annual National Conference of IAGMH held on 4^th-5^th Sep. 2010, Mumbai.  Indian Journal of Geriatric Mental Health, Vol. 7 (1); 24-35; 2011.

Introduction: Scientific reports regarding specific socio–demographic and personal characteristics of individuals with ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ (with mental health problems) aging in their life time are inconclusive. Present study attempts to address these issues. Methods: Sample consisted of 1368 subjects aged 55 years and above giving informed consent, drawn from urban localities of Lucknow, India. Subjects were initially assessed for their socio-demographic and personal history along with their physical and neurological condition.  After screening through Mini Mental Status Examination and Survey Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for ‘cognitive’ and ‘neuropsychiatric disorders’, subjects were assessed in detail on Cambridge Mental Disorder of the Elderly Examination- Revised for ‘cognitive disorders’(C.D.) and Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry for ‘neuropsychiatric disorders other than cognitive disorders’(N.P.). Subjects were categorized into N.P.(n=258), C.D.(n= 148), ‘Sub-syndromal mental health problems’(n= 91) and ‘Normal aging’(n=871) groups. Older adults were subdivided into two major groups - Pre-elderly group(55-59years) and Elderly group(60 years and above).   Comparison among the above groups was done on socio-demographic and personal variables. Results:  Unmarried male, aged less than 60 years with higher education, employed, financially independent, living in joint family, belonging to reserved caste categories, having better perception of health, highly satisfied with their quality of life, involved in group activities and health check up as per need and those without any significant life events were found to be ageing significantly healthy in comparison to unhealthy aging subjects.  Conclusions: Identified predictors of healthy and unhealthy aging can be intervened to promote healthy aging.

The Findings are based on an ICMR, New Delhi funded research project.  The published paper is available on www.ijgmh.com