Study identifies intriguing personality factors that raise dementia risk – do you have any of them?
Scientists claim to have pinpointed the key factors putting people at higher risk of developing dementia — and some could lie in our personality.
US researchers analysed over 20,000 adults over 50 to estimate their likelihood of developing the memory-robbing condition.
Including unavoidable factors, like the onset of ageing people’s genetic makeup, experts said there were 12 key variables that impacted risk.
Suffering a stroke, having poor physical health, diabetes or a BMI over 35 — classed as obese — were among the signs. Studies have long suggested this is the case.
But three, all linked to personality, were also identified by the economists at Californian-based thinktank RAND.
These included not being career driven — ‘never having worked or only having worked for a few years’ — being less conscientious and having low engagement in hobbies.
Other risks included rarely drinking alcohol or drinking excessively, never exercising, scoring low on physical tests, having lower cognitive abilities or having functional limitations — being restricted from fully performing daily activities.
However, they cautioned their findings merely showed a link between the factors and dementia. They did not cause the condition.
US researchers analysed over 20,000 adults over 50, to estimate their likelihood of the memory-robbing condition
Being unable to learn new tasks and struggling to stay focused on a single task can be a sign of dementia — the memory-robbing condition plaguing nearly 1million Brits and seven million Americans
Writing in the report, they said: ‘Older individuals striving to maintain high cognitive function for a longer time might benefit from early lifestyle modifications, such as performing physical exercise, working additional years, engaging in hobbies and novel information activities after retirement, and maintaining good physical health.’
However, they added: ‘The estimated effects of the psychosocial measures vary widely across models assessed, and we did not see a clear pattern.
‘For example, engaging in hobbies and novel information activities is protective against dementia incidence in two years but not in four years.
‘Having a conscientious personality is estimated to be protective against dementia incidence in four years but not in two years.
‘Therefore, these results are somewhat sensitive.’
But they hope that by raising awareness of risk factors – which change as we age – people can take steps to reduce their chances of getting the disease.
It comes as a landmark study in July suggested almost half of all Alzheimer’s cases could be prevented by tackling 14 lifestyle factors from childhood.
World-leading experts found two new risk factors — high cholesterol and suffering vision loss — were, combined, behind almost one in ten dementia cases globally.
Around 900,000 Brits are currently thought to have the memory-robbing disorder. But University College London scientists estimate this will rise to 1.7million within two decades as people live longer. It marks a 40 per cent uptick on the previous forecast in 2017
They join 12 existing factors, ranging from genetics to smoking status, that experts have identified as increasing the risk a person would suffer dementia.
Discounting unavoidable factors, like the onset of ageing people’s genetic makeup, experts said smoking, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, social isolation and air pollution accounted for four in ten cases of the condition.
Experts claimed the study, published in the prestigious journal The Lancet, provided more hope than ‘ever before’ that the memory-robbing disorder that blights the lives of millions can be tackled.
Recent analysis by the Alzheimer’s Society estimates the overall annual cost of the dementia to the UK is £42billion a year, with families bearing the brunt.
An ageing population means these costs — which include lost earnings of unpaid carers — are set to soar to £90billion in the next 15 years.
Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia and affects 982,000 people in the UK.
It is thought to be caused by a build-up of amyloid and tau in the brain, which clump together and from plaques and tangles that make it harder for the brain to work properly.
Eventually, the brain struggles to cope with this damage and dementia symptoms develop.
Memory problems, thinking and reasoning difficulties and language problems are common early symptoms of the condition, which then worsen over time.
Alzheimer’s Research UK analysis found 74,261 people died from dementia in 2022 compared with 69,178 a year earlier, making it the country’s biggest killer.
WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders
A GLOBAL CONCERN
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour.
There are many types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.
Some people may have a combination of different types of dementia.
Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK today. This is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 per cent of those diagnosed.
In the US, it’s estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.
As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.
Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.
IS THERE A CURE?
Currently there is no cure for dementia.
But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted, the more effective treatments can be.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society
