A positive outlook ‘reduces the risk by HALF’ of high-risk OAPs developing dementia, study claims
Research carried out by Yale School of Public Health shows that OAPs who are more optimistic can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's
POSITIVE pensioners can slash their chances of dementia by more than half, a study claims.
US experts examined whether outlook had an impact on high-risk OAPs.
They looked at people in their 70s with a faulty gene called APOE4, which doubles the likelihood of Alzheimer’s.
It found those with a gloomy view on ageing had a 6.1 per cent chance of developing the disease over four years.
But optimistic OAPs saw their risk fall to just 2.7 per cent – a drop of 56 per cent.
The faulty gene is found in at least a quarter of Brits.
Experts believe positive pensioners are less stressed than negative oldies.
Stress can inflame the brain and cause depression – both of which are linked to developing dementia.
Lead researcher Becca Levy, from Yale School of Public Health, said: “We found that positive age beliefs can reduce the risk of one of the most established genetic risk factors of dementia.
“This makes a case for implementing a public health campaign against ageism and negative age beliefs.”
The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Around 850,000 Brits have dementia and the figure is expected to hit two million in the next three decades.
There is currently no cure but some drugs can control the symptoms.
Dr Doug Brown, Chief Policy and Research Officer at Alzheimer’s Society said: “This study suggests that people with a positive outlook on ageing are less likely to develop dementia.
However, it is likely to be more complex than this and it is unclear whether healthy lifestyle habits motivated by a positive outlook on ageing were actually responsible for their reduced risk of developing dementia.
“What we do know is that following a healthy diet, enjoying an active social life, not smoking and doing regular exercise are all positive ways that we can all try and reduce our risk of dementia in later life.”
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Dr Sara Imarisio, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “A few studies suggest a link between psychological factors and brain health.
“We know that some of the early changes associated with dementia can happen over a decade before symptoms show, and while the researchers tried to take this into account, it’s possible these early changes could be having a negative impact on people’s views about getting older.”