Researchers found a significant link between chronic or persistent anxiety and an increased risk of developing dementia later in life, according to a recently published study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
The study suggests individuals with chronic anxiety have a 2.8 times higher risk of developing dementia, while those who experience new anxiety onset before age 70 have a 3.2 times higher risk compared to those without anxiety.
The potential mechanisms linking anxiety and dementia risk include the impact of anxiety on blood vessels, brain cells, structural changes like hippocampal atrophy, inflammation, cell death, unhealthy behaviors, increased cortisol levels, beta-amyloid buildup, and other structural brain changes associated with dementia.
Anxiety is now considered a non-traditional risk factor for dementia. Addressing it early through continuous treatment, lifestyle changes, cognitive-behavioral therapy may help prevent dementia.
Previous studies on the relationship between anxiety and dementia risk have provided mixed conclusions. The new study adds the duration of anxiety as an important factor, investigating the impact of ongoing or persistent anxiety on dementia risk.
More than 55 million people worldwide have dementia, a number expected to increase to 139 million by 2050.
Practices like meditation, positive social interactions, stress management, and cognitive behavioral therapy can help reduce anxiety.
Sources: CNN, Catraca Livre, India TV News, Economic Times, Portfolio, News 24, SciTechDaily, MedPage Today, Scientias, Geo TV
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
