Living with the purpose may protect your mind from dementia

Now, the new research from the University of California Davis shows that having a sense of goal in life may have another benefit as people age: reducing the risk of dementia.

The new study, published in The American Journal of Psychiatry AgingMore than 13,000 adults aged 45 years and over for up to 15 years.

The researchers found that people who reported a higher -goal feeling in life were 28 % less likely to develop poor perception – including moderate perceptions and dementia.

The preventive effect of the presence of a purpose through ethnic and ethnic groups was seen. It also remained important even after the education and depression account APOE4 Jin, a well -known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

The purpose of life helps the brain to stay flexible

“The results that we have reached show that having a sense of goal helps the brain to stay flexible with age,” said Alyza Wingo, a author, professor and professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences and behavioral sciences at the University of California. “Even for people with a genetic risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the feeling of the goal has been associated with the subsequent beginning and the possibility of dementia is less.”

Participants did not specifically ask about the activities that gave their lives. Nevertheless, previous studies on aging found that the wide activities that give the older adults a feeling of life, sometimes referred to as “Ikigai”. These include:

• Relationships: family care, spending time with grandchildren, support for a husband or friend.
• Work or volunteering: continuous professional work, guidance or contributing to the causes of society.
• Spiritualism or faith: religious beliefs, spiritual practices or participation in societies of faith.
• Personal goals: follow -up hobbies, learn new skills or define and achieve personal landmarks.
• Help others: kindness, charitable work, care or invitation.

The purpose of delay is the emergence of cognitive decline

The researchers have also found that people with a higher purpose tend to experience the cognitive decline later than those with fewer purpose. On average, the delay was initially very modest-about 1.4 months over eight years, after considering the effects of age, education, symptoms of depression, and genetic risks. However, it is meaningful compared to current treatments.

“While drugs like Lecaneemab and Donaneemab can delay symptoms of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease, they come with risks and costs,” said Nicholas Howard, the first author and general health researcher at the University of California Davis. “The purpose of life is free, safe and accessible. It is something that people can build through relationships, goals and targeted activities.”

Study methods and restrictions

The study participants were part of the study of health and retirement, a representative survey at the national level, funded by the National Institute of Agency. They were all natural cognitive health at the beginning of the study.

The researchers used a survey of seven elements of RYFF psychological well -being. The participants had six possible responses (who I strongly agreed “to” not agreeing strongly “) for statements such as:” I am an active person in implementing the plans that I set for myself “and” I have a feeling of direction and purpose of my life. ” Their answers were recorded for a luxury number between 1 and 6, with higher values ​​indicating a strong feeling of life.

Their cognitive health was tracked using a phone test every two years.

The researchers pointed out that the study has many strengths, including the size of the population studied. However, the main restriction is that although there is an association, the study did not prove that higher levels of purpose caused low dementia rates.

The results support the role of psychological well -being

However, the results support the idea that psychological welfare plays a major role in healthy aging. Wingo hopes that future studies will explore whether the purpose building interventions can help prevent dementia.

“What is exciting in this study is that people may be able to” think “in better health. The purpose of life is something we can take care of,” he said. “It was not too early – or it is too late – to start thinking about what gives the meaning of your life.”