ArticleNeurology2016
Associations between education and brain structure at age 73 years, adjusted for age 11 IQ.
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Article in Neurology, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 41 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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41citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
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41 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 63 citations in OpenAlex.
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- Identification of metabolic correlates of mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease using magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging and machine learning.Magma (New York, N.Y.) · 2022Article
- Effect of Aging on Educational Differences in the Risk of Cognitive Impairment: A Gender-Specific Analysis Using Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2016).Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Article
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Authors and funding
15 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.
Simon R CoxFrom the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., J.M.S., M.E.B., J.M.W., I.J.D.), Department of Psychology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D.,N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), University of Edinburgh; Scottish Imaging Network (S.R.C., D.A.D., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (S.K., A.C.E.), McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal; Department of Psychiatry (S.K.), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada; and Department of Computer Science (B.S.A.), Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria. simon.cox@ed.ac.uk.
David Alexander DickieFrom the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., J.M.S., M.E.B., J.M.W., I.J.D.), Department of Psychology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D.,N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), University of Edinburgh; Scottish Imaging Network (S.R.C., D.A.D., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (S.K., A.C.E.), McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal; Department of Psychiatry (S.K.), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada; and Department of Computer Science (B.S.A.), Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria.
Stuart J RitchieFrom the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., J.M.S., M.E.B., J.M.W., I.J.D.), Department of Psychology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D.,N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), University of Edinburgh; Scottish Imaging Network (S.R.C., D.A.D., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (S.K., A.C.E.), McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal; Department of Psychiatry (S.K.), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada; and Department of Computer Science (B.S.A.), Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria.
Sherif KaramaFrom the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., J.M.S., M.E.B., J.M.W., I.J.D.), Department of Psychology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D.,N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), University of Edinburgh; Scottish Imaging Network (S.R.C., D.A.D., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (S.K., A.C.E.), McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal; Department of Psychiatry (S.K.), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada; and Department of Computer Science (B.S.A.), Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria.
Alison PattieFrom the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., J.M.S., M.E.B., J.M.W., I.J.D.), Department of Psychology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D.,N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), University of Edinburgh; Scottish Imaging Network (S.R.C., D.A.D., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (S.K., A.C.E.), McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal; Department of Psychiatry (S.K.), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada; and Department of Computer Science (B.S.A.), Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria.
Natalie A RoyleFrom the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., J.M.S., M.E.B., J.M.W., I.J.D.), Department of Psychology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D.,N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), University of Edinburgh; Scottish Imaging Network (S.R.C., D.A.D., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (S.K., A.C.E.), McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal; Department of Psychiatry (S.K.), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada; and Department of Computer Science (B.S.A.), Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria.
Janie CorleyFrom the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., J.M.S., M.E.B., J.M.W., I.J.D.), Department of Psychology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D.,N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), University of Edinburgh; Scottish Imaging Network (S.R.C., D.A.D., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (S.K., A.C.E.), McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal; Department of Psychiatry (S.K.), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada; and Department of Computer Science (B.S.A.), Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria.
Benjamin S AribisalaFrom the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., J.M.S., M.E.B., J.M.W., I.J.D.), Department of Psychology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D.,N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), University of Edinburgh; Scottish Imaging Network (S.R.C., D.A.D., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (S.K., A.C.E.), McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal; Department of Psychiatry (S.K.), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada; and Department of Computer Science (B.S.A.), Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria.
Maria Valdés HernándezFrom the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., J.M.S., M.E.B., J.M.W., I.J.D.), Department of Psychology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D.,N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), University of Edinburgh; Scottish Imaging Network (S.R.C., D.A.D., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (S.K., A.C.E.), McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal; Department of Psychiatry (S.K.), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada; and Department of Computer Science (B.S.A.), Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria.
Susana Muñoz ManiegaFrom the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., J.M.S., M.E.B., J.M.W., I.J.D.), Department of Psychology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D.,N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), University of Edinburgh; Scottish Imaging Network (S.R.C., D.A.D., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (S.K., A.C.E.), McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal; Department of Psychiatry (S.K.), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada; and Department of Computer Science (B.S.A.), Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria.
John M StarrFrom the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., J.M.S., M.E.B., J.M.W., I.J.D.), Department of Psychology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D.,N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), University of Edinburgh; Scottish Imaging Network (S.R.C., D.A.D., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (S.K., A.C.E.), McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal; Department of Psychiatry (S.K.), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada; and Department of Computer Science (B.S.A.), Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria.
Mark E BastinFrom the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., J.M.S., M.E.B., J.M.W., I.J.D.), Department of Psychology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D.,N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), University of Edinburgh; Scottish Imaging Network (S.R.C., D.A.D., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (S.K., A.C.E.), McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal; Department of Psychiatry (S.K.), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada; and Department of Computer Science (B.S.A.), Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria.
Alan C EvansFrom the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., J.M.S., M.E.B., J.M.W., I.J.D.), Department of Psychology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D.,N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), University of Edinburgh; Scottish Imaging Network (S.R.C., D.A.D., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (S.K., A.C.E.), McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal; Department of Psychiatry (S.K.), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada; and Department of Computer Science (B.S.A.), Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria.
Joanna M WardlawFrom the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., J.M.S., M.E.B., J.M.W., I.J.D.), Department of Psychology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D.,N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), University of Edinburgh; Scottish Imaging Network (S.R.C., D.A.D., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (S.K., A.C.E.), McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal; Department of Psychiatry (S.K.), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada; and Department of Computer Science (B.S.A.), Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria.
Ian J DearyFrom the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., J.M.S., M.E.B., J.M.W., I.J.D.), Department of Psychology (S.R.C., S.J.R., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D.,N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, and Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), University of Edinburgh; Scottish Imaging Network (S.R.C., D.A.D., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (S.K., A.C.E.), McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal; Department of Psychiatry (S.K.), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, Quebec, Canada; and Department of Computer Science (B.S.A.), Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria.
Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital · CADouglas Mental Health University Institute · CAImaging Center · USMcGill University · CA
Funding
Medical Research Council G0701120Medical Research Council G1001245Medical Research Council MR/K026992/1Medical Research Council MR/M013111/1Medical Research Council MR/N027558/1Wellcome Trust
Abstract
objectiveTo investigate how associations between education and brain structure in older age were affected by adjusting for IQ measured at age 11.
methodsWe analyzed years of full-time education and measures from an MRI brain scan at age 73 in 617 community-dwelling adults born in 1936. In addition to average and vertex-wise cortical thickness, we measured total brain atrophy and white matter tract fractional anisotropy. Associations between brain structure and education were tested, covarying for sex and vascular health; a second model also covaried for age 11 IQ.
resultsThe significant relationship between education and average cortical thickness (β = 0.124, p = 0.004) was reduced by 23% when age 11 IQ was included (β = 0.096, p = 0.041). Initial associations between longer education and greater vertex-wise cortical thickness were significant in bilateral temporal, medial-frontal, parietal, sensory, and motor cortices. Accounting for childhood intelligence reduced the number of significant vertices by >90%; only bilateral anterior temporal associations remained. Neither education nor age 11 IQ was significantly associated with total brain atrophy or tract-averaged fractional anisotropy.
conclusionsThe association between years of education and brain structure ≈60 years later was restricted to cortical thickness in this sample; however, the previously reported associations between longer education and a thicker cortex are likely to be overestimates in terms of both magnitude and distribution. This finding has implications for understanding, and possibly ameliorating, life-course brain health.
Indexed as
AssociationEducational StatusAgedAnisotropyAtrophyBrainCohort StudiesFemaleHumansIndependent LivingIntellectual DisabilityIntelligenceIntelligence TestsMagnetic Resonance ImagingMale
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