People who live in the so-called “Blue Zones,” regions of the world where lifespans are often longer than average, share many lifestyle habits.
One common theme is that they have a strong sense of purpose, often described in Japan as “ikigai,” or a reason to get up in the morning.
Now, new research suggests that this sense of purpose may do more than extend life—it may also help protect the brain against dementia.
A study from UC Davis, published in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, followed more than 13,000 adults aged 45 and older for up to 15 years.
Researchers found that people who reported having a stronger sense of purpose in their lives were about 28% less likely to develop cognitive impairment, including mild cognitive impairment and dementia, compared with those who had lower purpose scores.
The protective effect was seen across all racial and ethnic groups and remained even after accounting for factors such as education, depression, and the APOE4 gene, which is a known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
“Our findings show that having a sense of purpose helps the brain stay resilient with age,” said senior author Aliza Wingo, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at UC Davis.
“Even for people at higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s, purpose was linked to a later onset and a lower chance of developing dementia.”
Interestingly, participants in the study were not asked about what specifically gave their life meaning.
Previous studies have shown that purpose can come from many sources: family relationships, volunteering, faith, pursuing hobbies, or helping others. For many, these activities provide motivation, emotional strength, and a sense of belonging—factors that may strengthen brain health over time.
The researchers also noted that people with higher purpose experienced slower cognitive decline. On average, dementia symptoms appeared about 1.4 months later over an eight-year period compared to those with lower purpose.
Although this delay may sound modest, it is meaningful when compared with new Alzheimer’s drugs, such as lecanemab or donanemab, which can delay symptoms by a similar margin but come with high costs and potential side effects.
“Purpose in life is free, safe, and accessible,” said first author Nicholas C. Howard, a public health researcher at UC Davis. “It’s something people can build through relationships, goals, and meaningful activities.”
The participants came from the long-running Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative survey. Researchers measured their sense of purpose using a psychological well-being questionnaire and tracked their cognitive health every two years with telephone-based tests.
While the study shows an association rather than proof of cause and effect, the findings strengthen the idea that psychological well-being plays an important role in healthy aging.
“It’s never too early—or too late—to think about what gives your life meaning,” said co-author Thomas Wingo of UC Davis Health.
“Purpose is something we can all nurture, and it may be one of the simplest ways to protect our brain as we age.”
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