Relaxed and outgoing people less likely to develop dementia
23 January 2009
It's a chicken and egg scenario; do these personality traits increase risk of dementia in older people or are they an early sign of the disease? 
Dr Susanne Sorensen, Head of Research, Alzheimer's Society
People who are calm and outgoing are less likely to develop dementia, according to a study published this week in the medical journal Neurology.
The research, carried out by scientists at the Karolinska Institutet and other research centres in Sweden and America, looked at the relationship between personality traits, lifestyle and dementia.
For their study, the researchers recruited 506 elderly people who didn't have dementia. They asked them to fill out a personality questionnaire that measured neuroticism - a term meaning easily distressed - and extraversion, meaning an openness to talking to people. The scientists also asked the volunteers about their lifestyle during a personal interview.
Three years later, and again after six years, the researchers contacted the volunteers and asked them about their medical history and examined them for signs of dementia.
Over a period of six years, 144 people developed dementia. Those who had low levels of neuroticism (calm) and high levels of extraversion (outgoing) were at a lower risk of developing dementia compared to those with high neuroticism and high extraversion. The researchers also found that among those who were socially isolated, low neuroticism seemed to reduce the risk of dementia.
Dr Susanne Sorensen, Head of Research at the Alzheimer's Society said: "Doctors have always believed that personality traits are linked to the risk of dementia. This compelling new evidence suggests people who are easily stressed or not very outgoing should make every effort to be socially active."
Dr Hui-Xin Wang, who led the study, told the Bupa health information team: "Old people should be encouraged to be sociable, active, optimistic and calm, and not worry easily. If this is impossible, they should be encouraged to have an active lifestyle."
However, Dr Susanne Sorensen said: "It's a chicken and egg scenario; do these personality traits increase risk of dementia in older people or are they an early sign of the disease?"
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