Is there a link between anxiety and dementia?

Is there a link between anxiety and dementia?

Substantial research shows a link between anxiety and an increased risk of developing dementia.[1][2][3][4][5]

Research also shows a link between chronic stress and an increased risk of developing dementia.[6][7][8]

However, research is mixed about the link between elevated cortisol and dementia. For instance, research in 2020 found no link between elevated cortisol and dementia,[6] indicating the dementia link involves other factors, such as emotional responses rather than how cortisol affects the body.

This conclusion seems to be confirmed by recent research that suggests emotional dysregulation, common for anxiety disorder, affects pathological aging, which can increase the risk of developing dementia.[9]

This research suggests emotional dysregulation can adversely affect the posterior cingulate cortex and the amygdala, brain regions heavily involved in managing emotions and autobiographical memory.

Other explanations for the link between anxiety and stress and an increased dementia risk include stress increasing activity in the Emotional Brain, adversely affecting memory (the hippocampus), and suppressing activity in the Rational Brain, the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Since chronic stress can cause ongoing suppression of the (PFC) and atrophy of the hippocampus, this combination could account for the increased risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders, such as dementia.

Other research[10] suggests that emotional dysregulation and stress shorten telomere length, which can interfere with cellular aging and DNA repair. Anxiety has been linked to shortened telomeres, accelerating aging.

However, other research found a strong link between elevated cortisol and increased dementia risk.[11][12][13]

No matter the specific cause, anxiety is linked to an increased risk of developing dementia, especially in older ages.

But there is good news!

Research also shows we can mitigate and even reverse the risk by being proactive and changing our lifestyle by:

• engaging in lifelong learning (which stimulates activity in the PFC and hippocampus);
• reducing stress and increasing rest and pleasure (which reduces activity in the Emotional Brain and increases PFC and hippocampus activity);
• regular exercise (which increases blood flow to the brain and improves cardiovascular health);
• eating a healthy diet of whole natural foods (which aids in the maintenance of a healthy body and brain);
• regular deep relaxation/meditation (which strengthens the Rational Brain, reduces activity in the Emotional Brain, and reduces the negative effects of stress overall);
• addressing unhealthy, anxious behavior;
• learning to manage emotions in healthy ways; and
• developing a healthy spiritual life (research has shown many physical and mental health benefits associated with a healthy spiritual life,[14] and Christianity in particular[15][16][17][18]).

Since there is a lot we can do to prevent cognitive decline in our elder years, there isn’t any reason to worry.

And based on the research, it’s especially important to work at Level Two recovery since it addresses many factors that can increase the risk of developing dementia. Learning healthy emotional regulation and behaviors that significantly reduce stress can bring benefits beyond just overcoming unhealthy anxiety, including reducing the risk of developing dementia.[19]

Since each of us determines our lifestyle, we have a great say in how our physical and mental health fares over time. Healthy lifestyle changes can make a sizeable difference in the years ahead.

It’s never too soon to live a healthy lifestyle and one that is geared toward living a long and healthy life, especially as we age.

Worry serves no good purpose. Being proactive does.