Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, is a growing public health concern. According to the World Health Organization, 50 million people worldwide are currently living with dementia, and this number is expected to triple by 2050.

While there are currently no known cures for dementia, research has shown that certain lifestyle factors can lower the risk of developing the condition, such as maintaining a healthy diet, staying physically active, and engaging in social activities. However, recent studies have also linked certain personality traits exhibited during adolescence to an increased risk of developing dementia later in life.

In this article, we explore those links and what they mean for our understanding of dementia prevention strategies.

What are the Personality Traits Linked to Dementia?

There are several personality traits thought to be associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. These include:.

1. Anxiety

A study published in the journal Neurology found that individuals with higher levels of anxiety during adolescence were more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease later in life.

Experts believe that chronic stress, such as that caused by anxiety, may contribute to the development of dementia by causing inflammation in the brain and accelerating the accumulation of amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Neuroticism

Neuroticism refers to a tendency to experience negative emotions, such as anxiety, sadness, and anger, more frequently and intensely than others.

A study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry found that people who scored high on measures of neuroticism during adolescence had a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life, even after controlling for other factors such as age and education.

3. Low Conscientiousness

Conscientiousness refers to the tendency to be organized, responsible, and reliable.

A study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry found that individuals who scored lower on measures of conscientiousness during adolescence had an increased risk of developing dementia later in life. Experts believe that this may be because conscientious individuals are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors, such as exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet, which may lower their risk of developing dementia.

4. Low Agreeableness

Agreeableness refers to the tendency to be cooperative, empathetic, and compassionate.

A study published in the journal Aging and Mental Health found that individuals who scored lower on measures of agreeableness during adolescence had a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment in later life. Experts believe that this may be because agreeable individuals are more likely to engage in social activities, which have been shown to lower the risk of developing dementia.

What Does This Mean for Dementia Prevention?

While these studies do not definitively prove that these personality traits directly cause dementia, they do suggest that certain behaviors and lifestyle habits associated with those traits may play a role in the development of the condition.

Therefore, it may be worthwhile to consider them when developing dementia prevention strategies, in addition to the more traditional lifestyle factors like diet and exercise.

For example, targeting anxiety and stress during adolescence may be a worthwhile strategy for lowering the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life.

This could involve implementing stress-reduction techniques, such as mindfulness meditation or cognitive-behavioral therapy, into school curriculums or encouraging young people to engage in stress-reducing activities like yoga or sports.

Similarly, encouraging young people to engage in social activities and be more agreeable and conscientious may also help lower their risk of developing dementia later in life.

For example, schools could implement programs that encourage students to volunteer in their community, take part in team sports or other group activities, or participate in programs that promote empathy and compassion.

Conclusion

While it is still too early to definitively say that personality traits directly cause dementia, the studies linking anxiety, neuroticism, low conscientiousness, and low agreeableness to an increased risk of developing the condition later in life do provide valuable information that can help us better understand the condition and develop more effective prevention strategies.

While traditional lifestyle factors like diet and exercise are still important for preventing dementia, targeting certain personality traits during adolescence may also be a worthwhile strategy for lowering the risk of developing the condition in later life.