Education and other socioeconomic determinants of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract

The association between low education level and poor peformance on mental status examinations has long been recognized. Several recent community-based prevalence and incidence studies of dementia have shown a strong association between lower education level and the risk of both Alzheimer's disease and dementia. In this article, evidence regarding the status of education and other indicators of socioeconomic status as risk factors for poor cognitive performance, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease is reviewed