%0 Journal Article %J J Alzheimers Dis %D 2021 %T Relation of Literacy and Music Literacy to Dementia in Older Black and White Brazilians. %A Capuano, Ana W %A Wilson, Robert S %A Leurgans, Sue E %A Sampaio, Carolina %A Farfel, Jose M %A Barnes, Lisa L %A Bennett, David A %X

BACKGROUND: Literacy is more consistently reported than education as protective against dementia in developing regions.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association of verbal literacy, numeracy, and music literacy with dementia in older Black and White Brazilians with a broad spectrum of education.

METHODS: We studied 1,818 Black, Mixed-race, and White deceased Brazilians 65 years or older at death (mean = 79.64). Data were retrospectively obtained within 36 hours after death in a face-to-face interview with an informant, usually a family member. Dementia was classified using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. Three forms of literacy were ascertained: verbal literacy (10 questions: reading and writing), numeracy (3 questions: multiplication, percentages, and use of a calculator), and music literacy (1 question: reading music). Black (11%) and Mixed-race (23%) older adults were combined in analyses. Models adjusted for age and sex.

RESULTS: Dementia was identified in 531 people. Participants had 0 to 25 years of education (median = 4). More literacy was associated with lower odds of dementia (all p≤0.039). Participants that read music had about half the odds of having dementia. Participants in the highest quartile of numeracy and verbal literacy had respectively 27%and 15%lower odds of having dementia compared to the lowest quartile. Literacy was lower in Blacks (p <  0.001, except music p = 0.894) but the effect of literacy on dementia was similar (interaction p >  0.237). In secondary analyses, playing instruments without reading music was not associated with dementia (p = 0.887).

CONCLUSION: In a large sample of Brazilians, verbal literacy, numeracy, and music literacy were associated with lower odds of dementia. The effect was similar across races.

%B J Alzheimers Dis %V 84 %P 737-744 %8 2021 Nov 09 %G eng %N 2 %R 10.3233/JAD-210601