Researchers from the University of Newcastle have conducted a study that found a correlation between chronic and new-onset anxiety in older age and an increased risk of dementia. The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, analyzed data from about 2,000 participants with an average age of 76. Chronic anxiety was associated with a 2.8 times higher risk of dementia, while new-onset anxiety had a 3.2 times increased risk. When a participant’s anxiety was resolved, the increased dementia risk association disappeared, suggesting that timely management of anxiety may reduce the risk of dementia.
Anxiety disorders affect about 4% of the world’s population and have been linked to various health concerns such as cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal issues, and impaired immune function. Previous studies have also found a connection between anxiety and increased risk of dementia. The new study adds to this body of research by demonstrating the link between chronic and new-onset anxiety in older age and dementia risk. However, when anxiety was resolved, the dementia risk was no longer heightened, highlighting the importance of managing anxiety in reducing dementia risk.
According to Kay Khaing, from the University of Newcastle, the findings of the study provide significant implications for clinicians and older adults. Successful management of anxiety can reduce the risk of dementia in later life, underscoring the importance of addressing mental health concerns in older patients. As the number of people living with dementia continues to rise, finding new ways to decrease dementia risk is crucial. Addressing anxiety proactively in older adults through early detection and intervention may help mitigate the long-term risk of developing dementia.
Shannel Kassis Elhelou, a geropsychology and neuropsychology fellow, emphasized the need for comprehensive mental health management in older patients to address the link between chronic anxiety and increased dementia risk. Providers should be encouraged to screen for anxiety and refer patients to mental health professionals specialized in anxiety and neurodegenerative diseases. Kassis Elhelou called for future research to explore the mechanisms by which anxiety contributes to dementia risk and investigate effective interventions for anxiety that could reduce dementia risk, especially in younger populations.
Karen D. Sullivan, a board-certified neuropsychologist, highlighted the importance of assessing mental health symptoms in older adults, particularly anxiety. She pointed out the need for more intensive assessment and interventions to address modifiable risk factors for dementia, such as untreated anxiety. Sullivan suggested further research to isolate the syndrome of anxiety as a cause of increased dementia risk and to analyze the different domains of anxiety that may contribute to the risk. Understanding specific aspects of anxiety and their impact on dementia risk could inform interventions to improve cognitive health in at-risk populations.
