A recent study suggests that a decline in psychological well-being, especially a lack of purpose in life and opportunities for personal growth, may be an early sign of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults.
MCI is often seen as a precursor to dementia, and the findings from this research, published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, indicate that these declines in well-being can occur several years before any cognitive symptoms become apparent.
The study focused on various aspects of psychological well-being, not just the commonly studied sense of purpose. The researchers also looked at self-acceptance, autonomy, the ability to manage one’s environment, meaningful connections with others, and personal growth.
They found that declines in these areas can start 2 to 6 years before a diagnosis of MCI, regardless of whether the individual later develops dementia.
This research builds on a growing body of evidence linking psychological well-being to brain health and aging. However, much of the past research has focused mainly on the sense of purpose, leaving other aspects of well-being underexplored.
To fill this gap, the researchers examined changes in psychological well-being over time, both before and after diagnoses of MCI and dementia, in a group of 910 older adults who were initially cognitively healthy.
These participants were part of the Rush Memory and Aging Project, an ongoing study that began in 1997. The project includes older adults from various living situations in northeastern Illinois, such as senior housing, retirement communities, and individual homes.
Participants undergo yearly check-ups, including neurological exams, cognitive tests, and assessments of their psychological well-being. Since 2008, these assessments have included all six components of well-being mentioned earlier.
During the study’s average follow-up period of 14 years, 265 participants (29%) developed MCI, and 89 of them (34%) eventually progressed to dementia.
The researchers compared the psychological well-being of those who developed MCI with those who remained cognitively healthy. They found that those who developed MCI were generally older, weighed less, and had lower levels of psychological well-being and fewer symptoms of depression.
Interestingly, a faster decline in psychological well-being was observed in those who developed MCI, particularly in the areas of purpose in life and personal growth. These declines began 3 and 6 years, respectively, before their MCI diagnosis.
Even after accounting for factors like age, lifestyle, social activities, and feelings of loneliness, the pattern remained clear: those who eventually developed MCI experienced a noticeable drop in their psychological well-being in the years leading up to their diagnosis.
The researchers also found that the decline in well-being continued at a similar rate before and after an MCI diagnosis, except in the area of meaningful connections with others, which declined even faster after the diagnosis.
This may be because individuals with cognitive impairments are less likely to engage in social and leisure activities, leading to further isolation and a breakdown in relationships.
These findings suggest that a decrease in psychological well-being, even before any cognitive symptoms appear, could be an early warning sign of dementing disorders like MCI. However, the study has some limitations.
Since it’s observational, it can’t establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Additionally, the participants were mostly well-educated, white, and female, which might limit the general applicability of the results.
The researchers also noted that the exact reasons why well-being and cognitive function are linked remain unclear.
It’s possible that the relationship between well-being and cognitive health goes both ways: poorer cognitive function could lead to a decline in well-being, while greater well-being might protect cognitive health.
The study also suggests that different aspects of well-being may require different levels of cognitive effort.
For example, maintaining a sense of purpose or experiencing personal growth might be more cognitively demanding, making these areas more sensitive indicators of cognitive aging.
In light of these findings, the researchers advocate for psychological support for people diagnosed with dementing disorders.
Helping these individuals maintain or improve their psychological well-being could play a crucial role in managing their cognitive health and overall quality of life.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about inflammation that may actually slow down cognitive decline in older people, and low vitamin D may speed up cognitive decline.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about common exercises that could protect against cognitive decline, and results showing that this MIND diet may protect your cognitive function, prevent dementia.
The research findings can be found in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.
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