Bottom Line:
Author: Prashanthi Vemuri, Ph.D., of the Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, Minn., and colleagues.
Background: Previous research has linked intellectual enrichment with possible protection against cognitive decline. The authors examined lifetime intellectual enrichment with baseline performance and the rate of cognitive decline in older patients without dementia and estimated the protection provided against cognitive decline.
How the Study Was Conducted:
Results:
Discussion: "Lifetime intellectual enrichment might delay the onset of cognitive impairment and be used as a successful preventive intervention to reduce the impending dementia epidemic."
( JAMA Neurol . Published online June 23, 2014. doi:10.1001/.jamaneurol.2014.963. Available pre-embargo to the media at http://media.jamanetwork.com .)
Editor's Note:
Authors made conflict of interest disclosures. This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health and other sources. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.
Media Advisory:
To contact author Prashanthi Vemuri, Ph.D., call Duska Anastasijevic at 507-538-7003 or email anastasijevic.duska@mayo.edu .
JAMA Neurology