New research from UC Davis suggests that having a sense of purpose in life can reduce the risk of dementia in older adults. The study followed over 13,000 participants and found a 28% lower likelihood of cognitive impairment among those with higher life purpose.
Groundbreaking research from the University of California, Davis, indicates that having a strong sense of purpose in life may significantly reduce the risk of dementia as people age.
Published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, the study followed over 13,000 adults aged 45 and older for up to 15 years.
The researchers discovered that participants who reported a higher sense of purpose were about 28% less likely to develop cognitive impairment, including mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
Importantly, this protective effect was consistent across various racial and ethnic groups, and persisted even after adjusting for factors such as education, depression and the presence of the APOE4 gene, a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
“Our findings show that having a sense of purpose helps the brain stay resilient with age,” senior author Aliza Wingo, a professor in the UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, said in a news release. “Even for people with a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease, sense of purpose was linked to a later onset and lower likelihood of developing dementia.”
The study utilized data from the Health and Retirement Study, funded by the National Institute on Aging.
The participants’ sense of purpose was assessed using the Ryff Measures of Psychological Well-being, which includes statements like, “I have a sense of direction and purpose in my life.” Higher scores indicated a stronger sense of purpose.
The participants’ cognitive health was monitored biennially through telephone-based tests.
Although the delay in onset of cognitive decline associated with higher purpose was modest — about 1.4 months over an eight-year period — it was still significant when compared to the minimal benefits and potential risks of current Alzheimer’s treatments.
“While medications like lecanemab and donanemab can modestly delay symptoms of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease, they come with risks and costs,” added first author Nicholas C. Howard, a public health researcher at UC Davis. “Purpose in life is free, safe and accessible. It’s something people can build through relationships, goals and meaningful activities.”
Studies on aging have identified numerous activities that older adults find purposeful, often referred to as “ikigai.”
These activities include caring for family, engaging in professional work or volunteering, participating in spiritual practices, pursuing personal hobbies, and helping others through acts of kindness or advocacy.
Despite the promising findings, the researchers acknowledge that the study demonstrates an association rather than causation. However, the sizable population and robust data collection methods lend credibility to the outcomes.
“What’s exciting about this study is that people may be able to ‘think’ themselves into better health. Purpose in life is something we can nurture,” added co-author Thomas Wingo, a professor and neurologist at UC Davis Health. “It’s never too early — or too late — to start thinking about what gives your life meaning.”
Source: UC Davis Health