Certain Personality Traits may Protect Against Dementia
Recent studies indicate that certain personality traits can elevate the likelihood of being diagnosed with dementia, while others can mitigate this risk. Notably, there is no uniform correlation between personality and brain pathology associated with dementia. The results propose that addressing specific personality traits through interventions in earlier stages of life could potentially decrease the long-term risk of dementia.
Dementia is associated with various pathologies, with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) being the most recognized, marked by the buildup of amyloid beta plaques and tau tangles. However, research indicates a discrepancy between the extent of brain pathology and the clinical expression of cognitive decline. Approximately one-third of individuals aged 75 and older exhibit significant amyloid beta and tau levels that meet the criteria for AD but do not display cognitive impairment.
UC Davis Meta-Analysis Explores How Personality Traits and Well-Being Connect with Cognitive Aging and Dementia
Multiple meta-analyses suggest that engaging in physical, social, and cognitive activities plays a role in promoting healthier cognitive aging. These aspects align with the ‘Big Five’ personality traits: conscientiousness, extraversion, openness to experience, neuroticism, and agreeableness. A recent meta-analysis conducted by UC Davis researchers explores the connection between personality traits, subjective well-being, neuropathology, and the diagnosis of dementia.
Lead and corresponding author Emorie Beck stated, “We aimed to utilize new technology to synthesize these studies and assess the strength and consistency of these associations.”
The researchers conducted an analysis using data from eight longitudinal studies spanning two continents and four countries. The combined participant pool totaled 44,531 individuals, with 1,703 eventually developing dementia. The investigation focused on the Big Five personality traits and three facets of subjective well-being—positive and negative affect, as well as life satisfaction. These measures were compared against clinical dementia symptoms derived from cognitive tests and brain pathology observed during autopsy.
Results revealed that conscientiousness, extraversion, and positive affect acted as protective factors against dementia diagnosis, whereas neuroticism and negative affect were identified as risk factors. Additionally, openness to experience, agreeableness, and life satisfaction demonstrated protective effects in a smaller subset of studies.
The Strong Association Between Negative Affect and Dementia Diagnosis, Explored in Relation to Neuroinflammation and Psychological Factors
A noteworthy discovery was the robust link between negative affect and dementia diagnosis. Negative affect, characterized by adverse mood states like anger, anxiety, disgust, guilt, and fear, is closely associated with neuroticism. Previous research has suggested that negative affect correlates with neuroinflammation, especially in individuals with elevated levels of amyloid beta. This inflammation might predispose individuals to depressive symptoms, establishing a bidirectional relationship between inflammation and psychological factors. In other words, depressive symptoms are linked to inflammation, and inflammation may induce depressive symptoms.
Surprisingly, the researchers discovered a lack of consistent connections between personality traits and the neuropathological features observed in post-mortem brains of individuals with dementia.
Lead author Beck expressed their astonishment, stating, “This was the most surprising finding to us. If personality is indicative of cognitive test performance but not associated with pathology, what could be occurring?”
The researchers posit that certain personality traits might enhance individuals’ resilience to cognitive impairment in dementia. Those with elevated levels of these traits may potentially cope with and navigate around such impairment.
Exploring potential moderating factors in the relationship between personality, dementia risk, and neuropathology, such as age, gender, and education, the researchers found limited associations.
Beck noted, “We found almost no evidence for effects, except that conscientiousness’ protective effect increased with age.”
Restricted Access to Neuropathological Data, With Geographic Bias in Sample Origins
A crucial limitation of the study was the restricted access to neuropathological markers, with half of the samples lacking autopsy data, and all samples with neuropathology markers originating from the United States.
This meta-analysis not only reproduced but also extended previous research, providing robust evidence that dementia diagnoses are linked to neuroticism, conscientiousness, and negative affect across various samples, measures, and time periods. Further investigation is essential to delve into the timing of these associations and the underlying mechanisms.
The implications of the findings propose that addressing personality traits through intervention in earlier stages of life could potentially mitigate the long-term risk of dementia.
Future research by the team aims to broaden its scope, encompassing individuals with neuropathology but minimal cognitive impairment. Additionally, the researchers aspire to explore other everyday factors that may contribute to the development of dementia.
Read the original article on: New Atlas
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