Biological imprint of education and rights-based brain capital

Recent findings on the biological embedding of educational disparities in aging and dementia, evidence that access to high-quality education is both a human rights imperative and a critical public health strategy. Education quantity and quality and related factors shape cognitive health and vulnerability to dementia. These factors are particularly salient in low- and middle-income countries, where austerity policies and systemic disparities frequently compromise brain capital. We advocate for a transdisciplinary approach linking education, social justice, and neuroscience within a rights-based framework. Addressing structural determinants through education policy can promote healthy brain aging and reduce inequities.

TF is supported by an Atlantic Fellowship at the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) at Trinity College Dublin. AI is supported by grants from CONICET; ANID/FONDECYT Regular (1210195 and 1210176 and 1220995); ANID/FONDAP/15150012; ANID/PIA/ANILLOS ACT210096; FONDEF ID20I10152, ANID/FONDAP 15150012; Takeda CW2680521 and the MULTI-PARTNER CONSORTIUM TO EXPAND DEMENTIA RESEARCH IN LATIN AMERICA [ReDLat, supported by Fogarty International Center (FIC), National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Ageing (AG075775, AG057234, AG082056 and AG083799, CARDS-NIH 75N95022C00031), Alzheimer's Association (SG-20-725707), Rainwater Charitable Foundation – The Bluefield project to cure FTD, and Global Brain Health Institute)]. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the stakeholders. Author disclosures are available in the Supporting Information.