Study identifies three psychological profiles to gauge dementia risk

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Researchers have identified three psychological profiles that can help estimate an individual's risk of dementia, by analysing how characteristics, such as having a sense of purpose in life or constant brooding combine to influence the risk.

Previous studies have suggested that psychological traits, such as a tendency for distress and negative thoughts, are potential risk factors for cognitive decline and neurodegeneration, while having a sense of purpose and self-reflection could offer protection against mental decline.

In a study involving 1,000 middle-aged adults and older people in Europe without cognitive impairment, researchers led by those at the University of Barcelona, Spain, examined how the combination of risky and protective psychological factors form 'psychological profiles'.

The analysis also assessed how each profile related to mental health, cognition, lifestyle and brain integrity, thickness of the brain's cortex -- which helps with higher functions such as planning and decision-making -- was measured, along with how cognition evolved or declined with time.

The results, published in the journal Nature Mental Health, showed that having a "well-balanced" psychological profile -- with moderately high levels of protective factors and low of risky traits -- is associated with better cognitive and mental health.

"These associations were observed in all age groups studied, which reinforces the relevance of considering the balance of a wide range of psychological aspects as determinants of mental, cognitive and brain health in adulthood and older age," lead researcher David Bartrés-Faz, a researcher at the University of Barcelona, said.

The second psychological profile featuring low levels of protective factors, such as a sense of purpose, being extraverted or open to new experiences, was associated with poorer cognition and more pronounced brain decline.

However, individuals in the third profile marked by high levels of risky traits, such as distress and negative thoughts, including "brooding" and "worry", were found to display significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety symptoms, along with more memory problems, compared to those in the other two profiles.

Brooding and worry are core components of repetitive negative thinking, and neuroticism has also been related to a higher risk of dementia, the authors said.

The individuals displayed the "highest levels of depression, anxiety, loneliness, subjective cognitive concerns and the worst perceived sleep quality", compared to the other two profiles, the authors added.

Bartrés-Faz stressed the importance of conducting "comprehensive psychological assessments, including analysis of both risk and protective factors, in order to more accurately estimate each person's (dementia) risk profile"

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