Science is making us live longer.
Living a longer life leads to cognitive dementia.
The population is aging - which is bringing on cognitive dementia like never before.
This is giving brain research a lot of energy.
Read on to find out more about an intriguing study.
The study explores how a purpose in life could affect cognitive dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
There is more and more research on Alzheimer's disease.
They are getting closer to determining the causes, risk factors and prevention.
That is great news.
Especially for those of us who are at a stage where we can reverse or prevent the onset of cognitive dementia.
Cognitive dementia is the precursor to Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study looked at the senses of happiness, purpose, and well being.
These are positive aspects of life.
They wanted to know if they would affect cognitive dementia.
Specifically, they wanted to know if they would decrease the risk.
The study is the Rush Memory and Aging Project.
They used 951 people without dementia.
They were asked questions about their sense of purpose, well being and happiness.
They followed up for about four years.
They found that: - People less likely to develop cognitive dementia were more positive about their lives.
- People who had more purposeful lives were less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment.
They also had a slower rate of decline.
Why there seems to be a cause and effect is debatable.
More research is needed.
They need to find the biological basis.
Depression is linked with an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Study after study has shown this link.
Some believe purpose in life is associated with depression.
A lower score in purpose of life may also be a higher score in the depression category.
The study raises the following questions, among others: - Could low purpose in life be clinically treated as depression is treated? - Could low purpose in life be an early symptom of cognitive dementia? - Could there be more cognitive dementia because people have a lower sense of purpose? More and more studies like this show a link between disease and behavior.
The following factors that appear to be linked with longer life, decreased mortality, and decreased disabilities are: - Social activity - Physical activity - Higher cognitive abilities - High purpose in life Many of these are life style factors we can control.
Studies like these are fascinating.
They can result in more questions than they answer.
But they are leading us in a good direction.
We are getting a better understanding of our minds and our bodies.
This understanding can lead us to greater independence, freedom, and control as we age.
We now know more about preventing dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
More than ever before.
Getting your mind tuned up can delay or reverse cognitive dementia.
Keeping your mind sharp and in shape can build up reserves for when you need them.
Building up your mind may lead you to never experience the nightmare that is Alzheimer's disease.