Year: 2020
Type: dissertation
Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
Abstract: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that causes a decline in cognitive functioning. It is projected that by 2050 more than 14 million people will be living with AD. Although there is no current cure for AD, research is being done looking at both physiological and modifiable risk factors for the disease. This meta-analysis is aimed at assessing the association between educational attainment and AD incidence, hypothesizing that individuals who obtain a higher level of education will have a decreased risk for developing AD. Seven epidemiological studies were included in the analysis. As a measure of association between education level and AD, estimates of relative risk were calculated for each study and meta-analyzed using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model. As expected, it was found that those with less than a college education are 2.09 times more likely to be diagnosed with AD as compared to those with college education or greater (p= <0.001). Thus, it is concluded that there is a relationship between level of education attained and the incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease. Further research should be aimed at understanding the mechanism of this relationship whether it be physiological or social.
Author: Fontana, Julia
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7009404970