Anxiety is challenging to manage, and it’s something we all experience to some degree, no matter how mentally strong we might be. Research shows that individuals with chronic anxiety have increased activity in the limbic system, which includes the hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus, and thalamus—regions responsible for emotional processing. Over time, chronic anxiety can cause damage to these brain structures.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that chronic anxiety was linked to a 2.8-fold higher risk of dementia, while new-onset anxiety was associated with a 3.2-fold increased risk. Participants under 70 with chronic anxiety had an even higher 4.6-fold increased risk. Interestingly, no significant risk was found in participants whose anxiety had resolved. The researchers attributed the increased dementia risk to unhealthy lifestyle choices. While this is an interesting conclusion, it seems to overlook the potential physiological changes caused by chronic anxiety, which could also play a role. The researchers suggest that individuals with anxiety may be more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as poor diet, smoking, and drinking—all of which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, a major risk factor for dementia.
I’ve always believed that the key to effective dementia treatment lies in prevention, and lifestyle modification can be a powerful tool in this battle.
Link to the article: https://agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jgs.19078
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