New research indicates that a lack of purpose and personal growth in older adults might be an early sign of dementia. This adds to the increasing evidence that links psychological well-being with memory decline.
As of 2014, over 5 million Americans aged 65 and older were living with dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most prevalent form. Dementia impacts memory, thinking, and decision-making abilities.
The exact causes behind dementia are still uncertain, though various genetic and environmental factors have been associated with the condition.
Prior studies have highlighted connections between depression, psychological well-being, and memory decline. Now, researchers from China Agricultural University, Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago have investigated how psychological well-being fluctuates alongside cognitive decline and dementia.
The study tracked 910 cognitively healthy older adults from the Rush Memory and Aging Project for 14 years. Researchers assessed six aspects of psychological well-being—self-acceptance, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, positive relations with others, and personal growth—alongside signs of mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
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Results indicated that participants who developed mild cognitive impairment experienced a quicker decline in psychological well-being compared to those who remained cognitively healthy. Notably, feelings of purpose and personal growth showed a decline as early as three to six years prior to clear cognitive impairment.
The study suggests that diminished psychological well-being could serve as an early warning for future cognitive difficulties, even before major symptoms emerge. The researchers note that purpose in life and personal growth might require more cognitive resources, making them sensitive indicators of cognitive aging.
While these findings are significant, the research remains associative, and the underlying mechanisms are still being explored. It is recognized that stress and depression can alter brain structures essential for memory. Conversely, concerns about cognitive decline can lead to feelings of helplessness and isolation.
Further research is essential to understand these relationships better and to develop strategies to potentially slow or prevent cognitive decline.
References
Yin J, John A, Cadar D. Bidirectional Associations of Depressive Symptoms and Cognitive Function Over Time. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(6).
Guo, J., Wang, J., Dove, A., Bennett, D. A., & Xu, W. (2024). Psychological well-being trajectories preceding incident mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 95(9).