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Brain over brawn

by Christine Kennard
for About.com

Created: August 11, 2004

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Occupation associated with Alzheimer risk

Brain over brawn wins out when it comes to the risk of getting Alzheimer's. In a recent study from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, the employment history of 357 people over four decades was reviewed. The majority of those who did not go on to develop Alzheimer's (68%) came from managerial or professional backgrounds. Of those who did develop Alzheimer's, 35% worked at technical, sales or administrative jobs.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Neurology, further endorses the view that like other organs in the body, the brain needs stimulation and challenge in order to keep it healthy. This study represents probably the most detailed examination of job demands and the risk of Alzheimer's to date.

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