Dementia affects an estimated 54 million people worldwide. There is no cure, but reports indicate that approximately a third of dementia cases may be preventable, which is why many researchers have begun to focus on identifying risk factors. This would allow for better personalized interventions that may be able to reduce the risk of developing the disease, delay onset, or even prevent dementia for some people altogether.
Current research shows that genetics, high blood pressure, and smoking are all risk factors for developing dementia. But many people don’t realize that there is also a relationship between mental ill-health and higher dementia risk too. Studies have shown that depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder are all linked to a higher risk of developing dementia in older age. Our recent study builds on this research by examining whether a style of thinking that is common to these mental health conditions is associated with indicators of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia.
