Lack of purpose in life increases the risk of dementia in older adults

A lack of life purpose and personal growth in older adults may be an early warning sign of dementia, a new study suggests. These findings may help in early identification of people at risk of cognitive decline, although more research is needed.

An international research group followed 910 cognitively healthy older adults for an average of 14 years. During that time, 29% of the participants developed mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This is a condition in which a person has noticeable problems with memory or thinking that are more severe than normal aging, but not enough to be diagnosed as dementia. Of the 265 people with MCI, a third, or 89, later developed dementia. The researchers found that participants with MCI showed a faster decline in mental health than those who remained cognitively healthy.

Note for three to six years
Remarkable result the study The decline in the need for life purpose and personal growth became evident three to six years before the diagnosis of MCI. These aspects of psychological well-being declined significantly even before the onset of overt cognitive symptoms. In addition to life purpose and personal growth, the researchers also examined other aspects of well-being, such as self-acceptance, autonomy, environmental control, and meaningful relationships with others. These aspects also declined before the onset of MCI and dementia, but at a slower rate.

No causal relationship has been shown.
Although the study cannot prove causality, the findings suggest that poor mental health, particularly a lack of life purpose and personal growth, may be an indicator of later cognitive problems. “Our findings suggest that personal growth and life purpose may be more cognitively demanding than other components of well-being and therefore may serve as more sensitive indicators of cognitive aging,” the researchers say.

“In addition, we found that positive relationships with others declined rapidly after a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment,” they add. “People with poor cognitive function may engage in less (social) activities than before, which could lead to further deterioration in their relationships with friends or others.”

Study limitations
The study has some limitations, such as a possible selection effect due to the higher education of the participants, who were also mostly white and female. Additionally, the exact mechanisms behind the relationship between well-being and cognitive function are not yet fully understood. The researchers suggest that this relationship may be twofold: Poor cognitive function can lead to lower psychological well-being, while poor well-being can also negatively impact cognition.

However, the researchers stress the importance of psychological support for people diagnosed with dementia. According to them, this could contribute to better care for older adults who are at increased risk of cognitive decline. Future research should determine whether promoting mental health in older adults could help delay or prevent cognitive decline.

Other risk factors
Earlier this year, researchers from the University of Oxford identified risk factors for dementia and not less. 161 factors Three particularly harmful risk factors emerged: diabetes, air pollution, and alcohol consumption. These factors significantly affect the vulnerable network in the brain involved in complex thinking and which ages faster than other brain regions.

A healthy lifestyle is therefore crucial to preventing dementia. Although there is not much you can do about air pollution, reducing your alcohol consumption and eating a healthy diet can make a big difference. Also make sure you have clear goals in life, even later in life, to reduce your chances of developing dementia as much as possible.