People who are anxious and prone to frequent emotional changes have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
- Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia characterized by memory loss and cognitive impairment.
- Its appearance can be linked to genetic and environmental factors.
- Neurosis can have different forms such as phobia or obsessive compulsive disorder.
Alzheimer’s disease and its causes still raise many questions. Several factors contribute to the risk of developing the pathology. Recently, researchers at the University of Florida School of Medicine found that personality was one of the risk factors. They publish the results of their research in Biological psychiatry.
Are you “conscious” or neurotic?
To observe the influence of personality on the risk of Alzheimer’s, the researchers analyzed the results of several studies. In total, the sample constituted brought together more than 3,000 participants. They focused on two personality traits: neuroticism and conscientiousness. The first refers to the predisposition to negative emotions, anxiety and mood changes, and the second corresponds to the ability to be responsible, organized and careful. American scientists found higher amounts of amyloid and Tau proteins, responsible for the characteristic plaques of Alzheimer’s disease, in patients whose tests showed low scores for conscientiousness and high scores for neuroticism. These associations between neuroticism and Alzheimer’s-related proteins were particularly significant in people without cognitive impairment.
Protection against neurodegenerative diseases
“This study shows that even before clinical dementia, personality predicts the accumulation of pathologies associated with dementia“Concludes Antonio Terracciano, professor of geriatrics at the University of Florida School of Medicine. According to him, personality can help protect against Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological pathologies. “Such protection against neuropathology may come from a difference in people’s emotions and behaviorshe added. Previous research has shown that low neuroticism helps manage stress and reduces the risk of common mental health disorders. Similarly, a high level of consciousness is consistently linked to healthy lifestyles, such as physical activity.” Over the years, personality traits said to be more “adaptive“may help support metabolic and immunological functions, and ultimately prevent or delay the process of neurodegeneration.
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