Fears significantly increase the risk of all types of dementia. It is therefore important to address existing fears as early as possible and to take effective measures to prevent their occurrence.
Two studies have examined the association between anxiety, including chronic and new-onset anxiety, and dementia risk. The results of both studies highlight the association between anxiety and dementia risk.
Are anxiety and dementia connected?
It is well known that fears and anxiety disorders are widespread. However, less is known about how fears affect the risk of dementia. The new study results help to close this knowledge gap.
A study with a total of 2,132 participants with an average age of 76, the results of which can be read in the “Journal of the American Geriatrics Society”, found that chronic anxiety and newly emerging anxiety are associated with an increased risk of all forms of dementia.
Subgroup analyses showed that chronic and newly emerging anxiety in particular had a significant impact on participants under the age of 70.
Early treatment of anxiety reduces risk
It also became clear that successful treatment that eliminated existing anxiety contributed to a reduction in the risk of dementia, the researchers explain. This suggests that early treatment of anxiety could be a viable strategy to reduce the risk of dementia.
In a second independent research paper, the results of studies published up to 2020 were evaluated. The meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine included nine prospective cohorts from eight studies with a total of 29,608 participants.
The results confirm that the presence of anxiety is significantly associated with an increased risk of all types of dementia. The experts involved therefore also assume that successful treatment of anxiety can reduce the risk of dementia.
Take fears seriously and seek help
The two studies illustrate the negative influence of anxiety on the risk of dementia, but also show that the risk of the disease can be successfully reduced if the anxiety is prevented or treated as early as possible. (as)