A recent study from Sweden found that people diagnosed with chronic stress in their 30s to 50s were over twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease or cognitive impairment over the next decade.
- The risk jumped to four times higher for those with chronic stress and depression combined.
- Related: Research has confirmed that mild, moderate, and severe hearing loss increases the risk of dementia two, three, and fivefold.
Some view chronic stress as an unavoidable nuisance of modern living. This is similar to how some regard hearing loss — as a pesky feature of aging.
But the new research from the Karolinska Institute reveals that chronic stress threatens long-term brain health. Like the health risks of hearing loss, chronic stress is not benign either.
As the new research shows, chronic stress is more than an oddity of modern living — it can severely impact our long-term brain health.
The context: The researchers focused on patients between 18 and 65.
“It’s very uncommon for people in this age group to develop dementia, so we need to identify all possible risk factors for the disease. We show here that the diagnosis is more common in people who have suffered chronic stress or depression, but more studies will be required if we’re to demonstrate any causality there.” —Dr. Axel C. Carlsson, Karolinska Institute
Why it matters
Chronic stress may increase the risk of dementia, even in individuals under 65.
Details
- The researchers examined medical records of over 45,000 middle-aged adults diagnosed with chronic stress or depression.
- After following them for eight years, they found a clear link between chronic stress and increased rates of Alzheimer's and cognitive decline later in life.
- While the actual risk was still small in this age group, the results are concerning given the young age of those affected.
The mystery: The exact connection between chronic stress and dementia is unclear.
- Stress hormones like cortisol can damage brain cells over time and impact memory centers.
- Stress also leads to inflammation, another culprit in Alzheimer's.
The takeaway
- Chronic stress is a severe threat to your current and future health.
- Take steps to manage it now for long-term mental clarity.
- Consider stress-relieving practices like meditation, exercise, and counseling.
