Could an individual’s personality be a factor influencing their susceptibility to dementia? A recent meta-analysis, featured in Alzheimer’s and Dementia, the journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, explores the connection between specific personality traits and the risk of developing dementia. The study amalgamates data from eight smaller studies, encompassing 44,531 participants aged 49 to 81, with 1,703 individuals in the group developing dementia. Personality assessments and post-mortem brain examinations were conducted on the participants.
The investigation delved into the correlation between dementia diagnoses and the “big five” personality traits: agreeableness, openness, extroversion, conscientiousness, and neuroticism. Additionally, the study scrutinized the impact of positive affect (traits associated with joy, enthusiasm, and confidence) and negative affect (traits characterized by emotions like anger, nervousness, and fear).
Dr. Joel Salinas, a clinical assistant professor of neurology at NYU Langone Health and the chief medical officer of Isaac Health, not involved in the study, remarked that individuals exhibiting high levels of neuroticism and those with a negative affect faced an elevated risk of long-term dementia. Furthermore, individuals with low levels of conscientiousness, extroversion, and positive affect were also associated with an increased risk.
Conversely, the study revealed that those with a positive affect or traits like extroversion and conscientiousness had a lower risk of developing dementia. Extroverted individuals, characterized by a robust social life and deriving energy from social interactions, and conscientious individuals, perceived as responsible, organized, and goal-oriented, displayed a decreased risk.
However, it is important to note that although an association was found between personality traits and dementia risk, no clear link was established between personality and evidence of underlying disease. Dr. Salinas emphasized that while the study implies correlation, it does not confirm whether personality type is a direct cause of dementia.
Dr. Riddhi Patira, leader of the frontotemporal dementia consortium at the University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, not affiliated with the study, highlighted some limitations. The study focused on clinical diagnoses of dementia without specifying the type of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s or general memory problems. Additionally, the second part of the study, which measured participants’ brain changes, relied on data from fewer participants than the first part.
Patira suggested potential mediators associated with neuroticism or negative affect, such as sleep issues impacting brain drainage and increased inflammation, as factors contributing to dementia risk. Moreover, individuals with negative affect may face isolation and higher rates of depression, affecting lifestyle habits like diet and exercise, crucial for reducing dementia risk.
Salinas proposed that negative affect or anxiety could impact cognitive test performance, potentially leading to more dementia diagnoses based on these results. The study, while shedding light on associations, leaves room for further exploration to ascertain causation and the underlying mechanisms connecting personality traits and dementia risk.
