Positive attitude linked to lower risk of dementia in older adults, study finds

New research has identified a possible link between a person’s outlook on life and their risk of developing dementia.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, examined whether having high levels of optimism could reduce the likelihood of cognitive decline over time.

The researchers analyzed data from more than 9,000 adults who were mentally healthy at the start of the study. Participants were followed for up to 14 years, and more than 3,000 developed dementia during that time.

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Those who reported high levels of hope on the questionnaire had about a 15% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those with low hope, even after adjusting for factors such as age, education, stress and major health conditions, according to the study’s news release.

Findings were consistent across population groups and remained unchanged after accounting for health behaviors and mental health status.

The results suggest that emotional and psychological factors may play a role in brain health as people age, the researchers noted.

“Our personal emotional and social resources — such as how positive and optimistic we feel about the future — may be related to keeping our brains healthy,” said lead study author Säde Stenlund, a social and behavioral science researcher at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, in a release.

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The findings are consistent with previous research linking optimism to other health benefits.

People with a positive outlook have been shown to have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and are more likely to live longer.

Study limitations

The researchers note that the study was observational, meaning it only shows an association and cannot prove that optimism directly reduces the risk of dementia.

Other factors not measured in the study may have influenced the results, and mood swings may be an early sign of dementia rather than its cause, they added.

Researchers say that staying positive and optimistic can help protect brain health as you age. (Stock)

Nevertheless, the findings point to a potential area for future research.

“Since hope can be increased through simple, low-cost programs, it’s helpful to understand how it relates to health in aging,” Stenlund said.

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More research, including clinical trials, is needed to determine whether increasing hope can have a measurable effect on the long-term risk of dementia.

Fox News Digital previously reported that although cases of dementia are on the rise, certain lifestyle habits can help reduce the risk.

Experts recommend addressing conditions such as hearing loss, reducing alcohol consumption and quitting smoking, as these factors have been linked to cognitive decline. (Our minds matter)

New York neurologist Dr. Joel Salinas previously told Fox News Digital that factors such as diet, exercise and social interaction play an important role in brain health.

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“It’s about making yourself less likely to develop one of these conditions, or at least delaying the onset of symptoms,” she said.

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Experts also recommend dealing with conditions such as hearing loss, reducing alcohol consumption and quitting smoking, as these factors have been linked to cognitive decline.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the researchers for comment.

Melissa Rudy of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.