Allison R Kaup1,2,3, Alexandrea L Harmell4, Kristine Yaffe5,4,6. 1. Research Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA, allison.kaup@ucsf.edu. 2. Mental Health Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA, allison.kaup@ucsf.edu. 3. Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA, allison.kaup@ucsf.edu. 4. Mental Health Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA. 5. Research Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA. 6. Department of Neurology and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: While some personality traits may reduce risk of dementia, this is controversial and has not been studied as much among diverse populations. We examined associations between 2 traits - Conscientiousness and Openness to Experience - and risk of dementia among black and white older adults. METHODS: We studied 875 older adults (ages 71-82, 47% black) without prevalent dementia from the Health, Aging and Body Composition study, who completed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory for Conscientiousness and Openness to Experience. Incident dementia over 8 years (mean = 6.9 years) was determined by hospital records, medications, or ≥1.5 SD race-specific decline on the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination. In adjusted models, we investigated associations between each trait and risk of dementia, including for race interactions. RESULTS: Associations between personality traits and dementia risk did not differ by race (interactions: p > 0.7). Higher Conscientiousness was associated with lower dementia risk (adjusted HR per 1SD = 0.78; 95% CI 0.65-0.94). There was no association for Openness to Experience (adjusted HR per 1SD = 0.88; 95% CI 0.71-1.08). CONCLUSIONS: Higher Conscientiousness is associated with lower dementia risk, even among diverse populations. Higher Conscientiousness may be protective, or lower Conscientiousness may be an early symptom of neurodegenerative disease.
BACKGROUND: While some personality traits may reduce risk of dementia, this is controversial and has not been studied as much among diverse populations. We examined associations between 2 traits - Conscientiousness and Openness to Experience - and risk of dementia among black and white older adults. METHODS: We studied 875 older adults (ages 71-82, 47% black) without prevalent dementia from the Health, Aging and Body Composition study, who completed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory for Conscientiousness and Openness to Experience. Incident dementia over 8 years (mean = 6.9 years) was determined by hospital records, medications, or ≥1.5 SD race-specific decline on the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination. In adjusted models, we investigated associations between each trait and risk of dementia, including for race interactions. RESULTS: Associations between personality traits and dementia risk did not differ by race (interactions: p > 0.7). Higher Conscientiousness was associated with lower dementia risk (adjusted HR per 1SD = 0.78; 95% CI 0.65-0.94). There was no association for Openness to Experience (adjusted HR per 1SD = 0.88; 95% CI 0.71-1.08). CONCLUSIONS: Higher Conscientiousness is associated with lower dementia risk, even among diverse populations. Higher Conscientiousness may be protective, or lower Conscientiousness may be an early symptom of neurodegenerative disease.
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