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Illiteracy and dementia.
1MD, Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine and Hospital Santa Marcelina, São Paulo SP, Brazil.
Illiteracy is a significant risk factor for dementia, impacting cognitive test performance. Addressing this requires improved diagnostic tools and considering factors beyond basic education levels.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Lower educational levels and illiteracy are increasingly recognized as potential risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia.
- Understanding the specific relationship between illiteracy and dementia is crucial for public health initiatives and clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the association between illiteracy and dementia.
- To describe neuropsychological findings in illiterate populations.
Main Methods:
- A literature search was conducted on the PubMed database.
- Search terms included "dementia", "illiteracy", "neuropsychological evaluation", "educational levels", and "education".
- Papers published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish were reviewed.
Main Results:
- Illiteracy is an incontestable risk factor for dementia.
- Illiteracy significantly influences performance on most cognitive tests.
- Factors contributing to high dementia prevalence in illiterates include low cognitive reserve, poor cerebrovascular disease risk factor control, and challenges in cognitive evaluation.
Conclusions:
- Illiteracy is a confirmed risk factor for dementia.
- Neuropsychological test adaptation and the use of functional tests alongside cognitive assessments are necessary to improve diagnostic accuracy in illiterate individuals.

