There may be a simple way to reduce dementia risk

Staying active as you age – not just physically but mentally – may pay off. Researchers also now believe that having a strong sense of purpose in life may protect the brain from dementia. 

Their study, published in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, followed more than 13,000 adults who were at least 45 years old. The subjects were monitored for 15 years. 

Researchers at the University of California, Davis discovered that those who reported a greater sense of purpose were about 28% less likely to develop cognitive impairment, including both mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

“Our findings show that having a sense of purpose helps the brain stay resilient with age,” said Dr. Aliza Wingo, senior author and professor in the UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. 

The protective effect was evident across racial and ethnic groups and remained significant even when accounting for education level, depression, and the APOE4 gene, a well-known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

Purpose appeared to delay the onset of decline as well. On average, adults with higher levels of purpose experienced symptoms about 1.4 months later over an eight-year period than those with lower levels. While modest, researchers emphasized that the finding is meaningful when compared to pharmaceutical treatments.

“While medications…can modestly delay symptoms of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease, they come with risks and costs,” said lead author Nicholas Howard, a UC Davis public health researcher. “Purpose in life is free, safe, and accessible. It’s something people can build through relationships, goals, and meaningful activities.”

How do you get a sense of purpose?

Participants weren’t asked about specific sources of purpose, but past research shows older adults find meaning in many ways, whether through relationships, volunteering, spirituality, hobbies, caregiving, or personal goals. In Japanese culture, the concept is often described as ikigai, or “a reason for being.”

To assess purpose, researchers used a seven-item survey from the Ryff Measures of Psychological Well-being. Participants responded to statements such as “I have a sense of direction and purpose in my life” on a scale from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Their cognitive health was then tracked every two years using telephone-based tests.

The study’s large, nationally representative sample is a strength, but researchers caution that the findings show an association rather than direct proof that purpose causes lower dementia risk. Still, the results add weight to a growing body of evidence that psychological well-being influences brain health.

“What’s exciting about this study is that people may be able to ‘think’ themselves into better health,” said Dr. Thomas Wingo, co-author and neurologist at UC Davis Health. “Purpose in life is something we can nurture. It’s never too early – or too late – to start thinking about what gives your life meaning.”