Does your personality determine whether you'll get dementia?
The authors examined the relationship between personality and cognitive impairment in 4,039 members of the Swedish Twin Registry. Neuroticism and extraversion scores were collected in 1973 at midlife, and cognitive impairment was assessed in the same group 25 years later. Data were analyzed with case-control and co-twin control designs. Greater neuroticism was associated with higher risk of cognitive impairment in the results from case-control, but not from co-twin, analyses. Compared with both extraversion and introversion, moderate extraversion was associated with lower risk of cognitive impairment in both case-control and co-twin designs, as was the combination of high neuroticism and low extraversion. Findings are discussed in the context of theories related to personality, psychological distress, arousal, and cognitive function.
Source: "Personality and Risk of Cognitive Impairment 25 Years Later" from Psychology and Aging
I haven't read the paper but here's my guess: Greater neuroticism means you're worrying a lot, stressing out and that isn't good for you. Moderate extraversion means you have friends and social support which is good. High neuroticism and low extraversion... that one doesn't make any immediate specious theories leap to mind.
If you're a regular reader, you know my feelings on getting old and avoiding dementia and other health issues: Don't retire. Everything I've been reading points in one direction: Never stop challenging yourself.
I'm not saying this is possible but this isn't out of the question.
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Across the board, it really pays to keep living like you're young. Just your attitude toward aging can affect how you age. Even better is to literally think and behave like your younger self. Having a mid-life crisis is avoidable and you can keep an aging brain sharp.
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