Strategies for Maintaining Memory Health in Midlife, as per a Research Involving 10,000 Individuals
A groundbreaking 16-year study involving over 10,000 adults aged 50 and above in England has found that higher levels of psychological wellbeing are associated with better memory function and may help protect against memory loss in middle age [1][2][3].
The research, co-authored by Dr Amber John, a psychology lecturer at the University of Liverpool, and Prof Joshua Stott, professor of ageing and clinical psychology at University College London, was conducted by researchers in the UK, US, and Spain. The study was partially funded by Alzheimer's Research UK and published in the journal Aging & Mental Health [1].
**Key Findings**
Individuals who reported greater wellbeing—including happiness, confidence, a sense of purpose, and control over their lives—were more likely to score higher on memory tests throughout the study period [1][3][2]. This positive association remained significant even after accounting for symptoms of depression, indicating that the effect is not merely an absence of depressive symptoms [1][2][3].
Participants with higher wellbeing also reported feeling more in control of their lives, more independent, and freer to make choices [1][5]. However, the study found evidence that higher wellbeing predicts better memory, but not necessarily that better memory leads to higher wellbeing [1][2][3].
**Implications for Brain Health**
The study highlights the importance of psychological and social factors in maintaining brain health as people age [1][5]. The findings suggest that interventions aimed at promoting psychological wellbeing, such as mindfulness practices, could help maintain cognitive functions like memory in aging populations [1][5].
**Summary**
In summary, this research underlines the value of fostering mental wellbeing as a strategy for preserving memory and cognitive health in middle-aged and older adults [1][2][3]. Alzheimer's Research UK encourages taking steps to keep our brains healthy to lessen the impact of dementia. The study authors also suggest that lower psychological wellbeing could be an early warning sign of oncoming cognitive impairment.
[1] John, A., Stott, J., et al. (2022). Psychological well-being and memory function in older age: A 16-year longitudinal study. Aging & Mental Health. [2] Alzheimer's Research UK (2022). Large study shows link between wellbeing and memory in middle age. Retrieved from https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/ [3] University of Liverpool (2022). Study reveals link between wellbeing and memory in middle age. Retrieved from https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/ [4] University College London (2022). Study reveals link between wellbeing and memory in middle age. Retrieved from https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ [5] BBC News (2022). Study links wellbeing to better memory in middle age. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/
- The study, published in the journal Aging & Mental Health, reveals that higher levels of psychological wellbeing could potentially protect against memory loss in middle age.
- The research highlights the significance of psychological and social factors in maintaining brain health as people age and suggests that interventions aimed at promoting psychological wellbeing could help maintain cognitive functions like memory in aging populations.
- Alzheimer's Research UK encourages taking steps to keep our brains healthy to lessen the impact of dementia, inspired by the findings that foster mental wellbeing as a strategy for preserving memory and cognitive health in middle-aged and older adults.
- The study findings indicate that the positive association between wellbeing and memory remains significant even after accounting for symptoms of depression, suggesting that the effect is not just an absence of depressive symptoms.
- The study authors also suggest that lower psychological wellbeing could be an early warning sign of oncoming cognitive impairment, making it crucial to prioritize mental health in health-and-wellness and mental-health discussions, especially in the context of space science and future discoveries.
