Nov 22, 2016 10:42 AM EST By Jane Reed, UniversityHerald Reporter

Dementia is just one of the many illnesses that is plaguing older and senior Americans. Dementia and Alzheimer's are looked at as the top two illnesses that is said to decline the health of so many.

However, according to a recent study, the rate of Dementia is smaller compared to previous. In a study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine, Dementia research members are looking at education as the reason for the positive numbers.

The researchers looked at data from the year 2000 and 2012. Both records had over ten thousand Americans who are aged 65 years old and above. The 2000 record showed that 11.6 percent had been diagnosed with some form of Dementia. While the 2012 record showed an 8.8 percent rate.

John Haaga, the director of the Division of Behavioral and Social Research at the National Institute on Aging, says that in terms of millions, that is over a million people when measured. He is referring to those who do not have Dementia, cites KPBS. To correlate their study, the team looked at the rate of education as the population in the country increased.

In the 2000 record, an average rate of 11.8 years of education was recorded. Comparing it to 2012 where a recorded average rate of 12.7 was recorded. The average numbers considers both high school and college numbers.

Dr. Kenneth Langa, the lead researcher of the study from the University of Michigan, Medicine Department, is still not clear as to why education plays a part in the decrease of Dementia. Langa theorizes that it must have something to do with the brain's ability to connect. He further explains that educational attainment plays a part in all aspects of life. Which means that there is a certain exercise to the brain that is preventing or minimizes Dementia.

However, the research does not point to education being the key to preventing Dementia. Langa also points out medical factors that can be minimized to prevent Dementia, such as lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and obesity.

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