I don’t want to sound too cynical, but recent research findings in dementia seem hard to believe. A study of over 1,000 people has found people who scored higher on a measure of cynicism during late life were three times more likely to develop dementia.
The researchers who did the work took into account the major known risk factors for dementia, such as sedentary lifestyles, smoking, high levels of cholesterol, body weight and alcohol use. Even after correcting for all of these, high levels of cynical distrust remained a risk factor for dementia.
This kind of epidemiological study examines a range of different measures in a large collection of people and looks for significant correlations that are not expected to occur by chance. It’s often challenging to draw definitive conclusions regarding cause and effect from such work.
Nevertheless, these findings are consistent with some of what we know about the power of the mind over the body, and the body over the mind. If we consider our bodies as “temples”, then our brains might be considered “high altars”.
Brains, Minds and Bodies
Brains, which generate all behaviours as well as thoughts and emotions, don’t exist in isolation. Rather, they’re in a dynamic bidirectional interplay with our bodies. This has major implications for the health of both our brains and bodies, as well as a vast array of diseases of brain, mind and body.
Like all brain disorders, dementia results from a complex combination of genes and environments; nature and nurture. We now know that healthy lifestyles, including a balanced, nutritious diet and high levels of physical activity and mental stimulation, can help protect from diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Similarly, recent studies performed in disease models (involving laboratory mice and rats) that examine cause and effect suggest specific negative environmental factors, including high levels of chronic stress, may accelerate the onset of dementia associated with genetically-induced brain degeneration. This could, perhaps, relate to the negative aspects of a highly cynical mindset.
Indeed, it might be expected that people who score more highly on the measures of cynical distrust might also experience more negative thoughts and associated psychological stress.
