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Research on the so -called “blue areas” – regions of the world where people tend to live more – show that Having a sense of purpose in life can help people live more. Now, a new research from the University of California (UC Davis), in the United States, shows that having a sense of purpose in life can have another benefit as people grow old, such as reducing the risk of dementia.
The new study, published in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatryfollowed more than 13,000 adults of 45 years or more for up to 15 years. The researchers discovered that people who reported having a greater sense of purpose in life had approximately one 28% less likely to develop cognitive impairmentincluding mild cognitive deterioration.
The protective effect of having a purpose was observed in All racial and ethnic groups. In addition, it remained significant even after considering education, depression and APOE4 gene, a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
“Our findings show that having a sense of purpose helps the brain to stay resilient with age –He explains Aliza Wingomain author and professor of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences of UC Davis. Even in people with genetic risk of Alzheimer’s, the sense of purpose was associated with a later appearance and a lower probability of developing dementia. “
Participants were not specifically asked about the activities that gave them a purpose in life. However, previous studies on aging have discovered that a wide range of activities provides older adults a sense of purpose in life, sometimes called Ikigai.
What activities
These activities may be linked to relations (Take care to the family, spend time with grandchildren or support a spouse or friend); The work or volunteer (Continue working professionally, advising or contributing to community causes); spirituality or faith (Religious beliefs, spiritual practices or participation in communities based on faith); Personal goals (Develop hobbies, learn new skills or establish and achieve personal goals); either help others (acts of goodness, philanthropy, care or defense work).
The researchers also discovered that the greatest purpose had to experience cognitive impairment later than those with less purpose. On average, The delay in the appearance was very moderate: Around 1.4 months over a period of eight years, after considering the effects of age, education, depressive symptoms and genetic risk. However, it is significant compared to current treatments.
“While medications such as Lecanemab and Donanemab can slightly delay the symptoms of cognitive deterioration in Alzheimer’s disease, they carry risks and costs,” says Nicholas C. Howard, first author and public health researcher at UC Davis. The purpose in life is free, safe and accessible. It is something that people can build through significant relationships, goals and activities. “
Study participants were part of the Health and Retirement Studya national survey at the national level financed by the National Institute on Aging. Everyone had normal cognitive health at the beginning of the study and their cognitive health was monitored by a telephone test every two years.
The researchers say that The study presents numerous strengthsincluding the size of the population studied. However, a key limitation is that, although an association was observed, the study did not demonstrate that a greater degree of purpose was the cause of the reduction of dementia rates.
Even so, the findings support the idea that psychological well -being plays a fundamental role in healthy aging, it highlights Thomas WingoCo -author of the study and teacher and neurologist of UC Davis Health. Wingo expects future studies to explore if purpose -oriented interventions can help prevent dementia.
“The exciting thing about this study is that people could be able to” think “of themselves to improve their health. The purpose in life is something that we can cultivate -remember-. It is never too soon, not too late, to start thinking about what gives meaning to life. “
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