If you have a big head then you might just steer clear of a possible dementia.

Researchers have stated that people who had Alzheimer's and had bigger skulls were able to show better memory and thinking skills than those who had smaller skulls.

A big head means that there is more brain to act as a shield for dementia-related brain cell death, the Munich University team stated.

In Greece, US, Germany and Canada, about 270 patients were recruited for the study through research registries or specialist memory clinics.

Their head size was measured before the study began and they were also handed cognitive and memory skill tests and a brain scan to estimate the extent of their disease.

It was noted that those who had larger heads performed much better in the tests and this was there despite the same amount of Alzheimer's-related brain cell loss.

Researchers say that the brain size is largely effected by genetics but it can also be determined by a lifestyle. Growth of the brain can be compromised by poor nutrition or disease in early life

lead researcher Dr Robert Perneczky said, "Improving prenatal and early life conditions could significantly increase brain reserve, which could have an impact on the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or the severity of symptoms of the disease."