There may be a new reason to stay in school. A recent study suggests that the more education a person has, the better that person recovers from head injury.

In a similar way to how Alzheimer’s patients with more education tend to have fewer symptoms, scientists believe that further education results in a larger “cognitive reserve” that helps the brain function better after an injury.

For the study, 769 people (23 years of age or older) who had suffered a TBI were followed through their recovery for one year. Of those studied, 24% had not finished high school, 51% had completed high school (some in this group also had up to three years of further education), and 25% had attained at least an undergraduate degree.

A full year after their injuries, only 10% of those who hadn’t finished high school were fully recovered. In the second group, 31% were disability-free, and of those who had at least an undergrad degree, 39% were fully recovered.

Plenty of research has been dedicated recently to the agents involved in brain injury recovery, and this is likely just one of many variables. There is still much to learn, but this discovery is an encouraging step towards understanding head injuries and better helping their victims.

*Scientists have no conclusive evidence as to whether or how the reduction of g-forces during impacts reduces the number or degree of concussions and head injuries. GelDefender products provide supplemental padding as well as cooling and comfort benefits when used with helmets and caps. Participants in activities in which head impacts can occur should always use tested and approved helmets for protection. However, no helmet or supplemental padding can protect the user from all serious head or neck injuries that can result from impacts.