A recent study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that parental education may have a significant impact on the cognitive function of middle-aged and older adults. The study, conducted by Shengyu Luo and colleagues from Sun Yat-Sen University in China, examined the association between maternal and paternal education levels and cognitive decline in participants from China, the United States, England, and Mexico.
The researchers analyzed data from over 35,000 participants and found that higher levels of maternal and paternal education were associated with slower rates of cognitive decline over time. Specifically, maternal education at the upper secondary level or higher was linked to slower cognitive decline in participants from China, the United States, and England. In Mexico, only primary maternal education showed a similar association.
Similarly, paternal education at the upper secondary level or higher was associated with slower cognitive decline in participants from China, the United States, and England. In Mexico, primary paternal education was also linked to slower cognitive decline.
Interestingly, the study also found that the participants’ own education levels played a role in mediating the association between parental education and cognitive decline, except in the Mexican cohort. This suggests that improving educational attainment could potentially reduce intergenerational disparities in late-life cognitive health.
Overall, the findings highlight the long-term impact of parental education on offspring’s cognitive health and suggest that improving educational attainment could have benefits for cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms underlying these associations and to determine the most effective strategies for improving educational attainment to promote cognitive health in later life.
