Study: Lack of purpose in life accelerates memory loss Lifestyle

Older people who feel a lack of purpose in their lives may be more prone to memory loss and thinking problems as they age, a study suggests.

The new study adds to the growing body of evidence linking mental well-being to healthy ageing.

A new paper, published in the journal Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, examined longitudinal data on hundreds of older adults in the US state of Illinois. About 910 people were followed for an average of 14 years to assess whether they developed mild cognitive impairment or dementia.

Subjects received an annual psychological well-being assessment, and these assessments gathered information about purpose in life, positive relationships with others, personal growth, self-acceptance, independence, and “environmental mastery.”

During a review, about 29% of them were diagnosed with cognitive impairment, the stage between age-related decline in memory and thinking and dementia.

Among this group, 34% were diagnosed with dementia. The international team of researchers found that people with cognitive impairment had a faster decline in cognitive well-being than people who were “fully cognitive.”

The experts found that this led to lower overall well-being scores two years before they were diagnosed with cognitive impairment.

Looking at different components of psychological well-being, researchers found that people who developed cognitive impairment (MCI) about 3 years before their diagnosis lacked purpose in life. They had lower levels of personal development about 6 years before their diagnosis.

“Psychological well-being (especially purpose in life and personal growth) became significantly lower before the diagnosis of cognitive impairment,” the research team said.

“A decrease in mental well-being could be a sign of poor mental functioning.