Originally published May 5 2005
Dementia risk associated with anxiety and pessimistic outlook
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Individuals who do not have clinical psychiatric problems but who score high on measures of anxiety or depression have a significantly increased risk of developing dementia much later in life, according to a study by a team of researchers from the Mayo Clinic. The association with dementia was particularly strong for those who scored high in both depression and anxiety. The researchers urged caution in interpreting the study results, but said the study showed the importance of promoting health by encouraging a positive outlook. The researchers studied a sample of about 3,500 individuals in Minnesota who took the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) as part of a research project in the 1960s.
ROCHESTER, Minn., April 14 (AScribe Newswire) -- Individuals who do not have psychiatric problems but score very high on a personality test pessimism scale have a 30 percent increased risk of developing dementia several decades later.
The same is true of individuals who score very high on the test's depression scale.
The three most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia.
Although it's common to see personality changes such as pessimism, depression, agitation or withdrawal once a person develops dementia, the Mayo Clinic investigators believe that pessimism and depression are more likely to be risk factors for dementia rather than early manifestations of the disease due to the significant time gap between the time of the personality test (in the 1960s) and the appearance of dementia or cognitive impairment (anytime between the 1960s and 2004).
"One has to be cautious in interpreting a study like this," says Dr. Geda.
The investigators are not recommending any specific intervention.
"We are reporting our findings in an era where there are empirically validated interventions to modify 'personality' toward emotional health; hence, we are optimistic about the future.
Dr. Geda and colleagues conducted this study to determine what types of personality or cognitive style -- one's habitual way of perceiving, remembering, behaving and experiencing emotions -- were associated with the development of dementia or cognitive impairment 30 or 40 years later.
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