Relationship between Brain Age-Related Reduction in Gray Matter and Educational Attainment

Author(s):Show less -

Rzezak, Patricia ^{[1, 2]} ; Squarzoni, Paula ^{[1, 2]} ; Duran, Fabio L. ^{[1, 2]} ; Ferraz Alves, Tania de Toledo ^{[1, 2]} ; Tamashiro-Duran, Jaqueline ^{[1, 2]} ; Bottino, Cassio M. ^[3] ; Ribeiz, Salma ^[3] ; Lotufo, Paulo A. ^{[4, 5]} ; Menezes, Paulo R. ^[6] ; Scazufca, Marcia ^[7] ; Busatto, Geraldo F. ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Lab Psychiat Neuroimaging, Dept & Inst Psychiat, Fac Med, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Interdisciplinary Res Appl Neurosci, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Old Age Res Grp PROTER, Dept & Inst Psychiat, Fac Med, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Clin & Epidemiol Res, Univ Hosp, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Prevent Med, Fac Med, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[7] Univ Sao Paulo, Lab Psychopharmacol & Clin Psychophysiol LIM 23, Fac Med, Inst Psychiat, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 10, n. 10 OCT 16 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 11

Abstract

Inter-subject variability in age-related brain changes may relate to educational attainment, as suggested by cognitive reserve theories. This voxel-based morphometry study investigated the impact of very low educational level on the relationship between regional gray matter (rGM) volumes and age in healthy elders. Magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired in elders with low educational attainment (less than 4 years) (n = 122) and high educational level (n = 66), pulling together individuals examined using either of three MRI scanners/acquisition protocols. Voxelwise group comparisons showed no rGM differences (p<0.05, family-wise error corrected for multiple comparisons). When within-group voxel-wise patterns of linear correlation were compared between high and low education groups, there was one cluster of greater rGM loss with aging in low versus high education elders in the left anterior cingulate cortex (p<0.05, FWE-corrected), as well as a trend in the left dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (p<0.10). These results provide preliminary indication that education might exert subtle protective effects against age-related brain changes in healthy subjects. The anterior cingulate cortex, critical to inhibitory control processes, may be particularly sensitive to such effects, possibly given its involvement in cognitive stimulating activities at school or later throughout life. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/13065-0 - The use of neurobiological signatures for the determination of elderly subject to Alzheimer’s disease
• Grantee: Patricia Rzezak Tencer
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 12/50329-6 - Translational neuroscience of Alzheimer's disease: preclinical and clinical studies of b-amyloid peptide and other biomarkers
• Grantee: Geraldo Busatto Filho
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/03231-3 - Patterns of cortical atrophy and cognitive deficits associated with healthy aging: a structural magnetic resonance imaging study
• Grantee: Paula Squarzoni da Silveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate