Poor memory in highly educated people is a risk factor for stroke. This could be related to the fact that their defenses against cognitive decline have eroded. In the scientific journal Stroke, researchers at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, point to this increased risk of stroke in people who have long complained of memory lapses.
Their findings are based on the observation of 9,000 adults followed for more than 20 years. At the start of the study, all were over 55 years old and in good health. They took a questionnaire to find out if they had memory problems. In 2012, 1,134 strokes were recorded in the group of volunteers. The earlier adults suffered from memory impairment, the more exposed they were to stroke.
Another interesting fact is that this increased risk of stroke affected adults with a high level of training or education more.
An a priori paradoxical observation since in educated people, the cognitive reserve of the brain, that is to say the capacity to protect the brain from dementia, is in principle higher. “In cultivated people, the brain takes longer to be damaged and have dementia, says the study.
Problem, when these people start complaining of memory problems, it means that the process of cognitive decline is already underway, continue the researchers. “This may be an indicator that patients have reached an advanced stage of degeneration, which cognitive reserve is unable to compensate,” Dr. Ikram, professor of neuroepidemiology and author of the study, told the BBC.
Exercise your young memory
Therefore, memory problems are an important warning signal for the risk of stroke, which should be taken into consideration. When a stroke occurs, part of the brain can no longer supply itself with blood and oxygen, which causes neuronal cells to die. Train your memory throughout his life, would count as much as a healthy lifestyle (no tobacco, physical activity, good diet, meditation), in the prevention of the risk of stroke.
Read also : Playing on your smartphone trains the brain
