Study Finds Link Between Chronic Negative Thoughts & Dementia

Mental health resources are vital at any stage of life, including late adulthood. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, "having persistent thoughts and memories you can't get out of your head," is one early warning sign of mental health problems. For adults older than 55, repetitive negative thoughts may also increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, a recent study finds. 

Previous studies have linked later-life depression1 and anxiety2 with a greater risk of dementia. "Here, we found that certain thinking patterns implicated in depression and anxiety could be an underlying reason why people with those disorders are more likely to develop dementia," lead author Natalie Marchant, Ph.D., says in a news release. 

To analyze the role of those thinking patterns, researchers surveyed participants' cognitive functioning, memory, attention, and language through both questionnaires and brain scans. 

There is currently no treatment for Alzheimer's disease or dementia. However, researchers say mental health resources, like mindfulness, meditation, and therapy, should be studied to see if they might reduce the risks of cognitive decline. 

It's also important to note that this study had some limitations. Many participants were already at higher risk of developing Alzheimer's. To verify whether the link is consistent, researchers need to look at the general population. Further research needs to be done to identify effective interventions.