William Atkins
Wednesday, 22 October 2008 21:16
Science -
Health
Page 1 of 2
An Italian study has found that a mentally challenging college education and a mentally stimulating job helps to reduce the risk of memory problems, which can lead to dementia and other serious age-related memory loss problems. You might consider changing your major or your job if you are bored!
Dr. Valentina Garibotta, from
San Raffaele University (
Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele), in Milan, Lombardy, Italy, led the research team performing this study.
The article summarizing their work appears in the journal
Neurology.
The Garibotta team found that a rigorous college education, with plenty of intense studying and examinations, and later a mentally challenging and stimulating job helps to protect the brain from memory loss problems.
They discovered that such a combination of education and profession helps such people to counteract age-related diseases such as dementia.
Dr. Garibotta stated,
“The theory is that education and demanding jobs create a buffer against the effects of dementia on the brain, or a cognitive reserve. The brains are able to compensate for the damage and allow them to maintain functioning in spite of damage." [BBC News: “
Job choice 'affects Alzheimer's'”]
He adds,
“There are two possible explanations - the brain could be made stronger through education and occupational challenges, or, genetic factors that enabled people to achieve higher education and occupational achievement might determine the amount of brain reserve.” [BBC News]
Page two continues with details of the study, along with some suggestions on how to make your present education or job more interesting and mentally challenging.
