A new analysis conducted by researchers at the University of California, Davis and Northwestern University reveals that certain personality traits are associated with a reduced risk of dementia diagnosis. The study, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, highlights the connection between personality traits and individuals' ability to navigate dementia-related impairments.

While previous studies have explored the correlations between personality traits and dementia risk, they were often limited in scope and represented specific populations. Emorie Beck, assistant professor of psychology at UC Davis and the first author of the paper, explained that the researchers aimed to synthesize the findings from these studies and test the strength and consistency of the associations.

The research team analyzed data from eight published studies encompassing over 44,000 individuals, out of which 1,703 developed dementia. The focus was on the "big five" personality traits: conscientiousness, extraversion, openness to experience, neuroticism, and agreeableness, as well as subjective well-being, including positive and negative affect and life satisfaction. These were compared to clinical symptoms of dementia, such as performance on cognitive tests, and brain pathology observed during autopsies.

Traditionally, personality has been thought to be related to dementia risk through behavior. For instance, individuals who score high in conscientiousness might be more likely to adopt healthy habits and prioritize their overall well-being, leading to better long-term health outcomes. Surprisingly, the researchers discovered that there was no connection between these personality traits and brain pathology in deceased individuals.

Emorie Beck noted that this finding was unexpected, stating, "If personality is predictive of performance on cognitive tests but not pathology, what might be happening?" The researchers speculate that certain personality traits might make individuals more resilient to the damage caused by diseases like Alzheimer's. Individuals with higher levels of these traits may find ways to cope with and work around impairments, even if they are not consciously aware of it. This aligns with previous research showing that individuals with significant pathology can exhibit minimal cognitive impairment.

The study also examined additional factors that could impact the relationship between personality and dementia risk, including age, gender, and educational attainment. However, the researchers found minimal evidence of these factors influencing the association, except for conscientiousness, which had an increased protective effect with age.

While many factors contribute to the development of dementia, this study represents an important step in understanding the role of personality traits in the disease. The researchers plan to expand their work, including investigating individuals who demonstrate minimal impairment despite significant brain pathology. Additionally, they aim to explore other everyday factors that may contribute to the development of dementia.

The study was conducted during Emorie Beck's tenure as a postdoctoral researcher at Northwestern University in Chicago. Co-authors of the research include Tomiko Yoneda of UC Davis and Northwestern University, Daniel Mroczek and Eileen Graham from Northwestern University, Bryan James, David Bennett, and John Morris from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Jason Hassenstab from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and Mindy Katz and Richard Lipton from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx.