People with a positive outlook on life are less likely to suffer memory problems in middle age, suggests a new study.
The Monty Python team were right when they sang “Always look on the bright side of life” – as it helps protect memory function, say scientists.
The research by British, American and Spanish experts tracked more than 10,000 people over 50-year-olds for 16 years.
The findings, published in the journal Aging & Mental Health, showed that participants who said they had higher well-being were more likely to subsequently have better scores on memory tests.
Those people – all of whom were determined as having “healthy brains” – also reported a greater sense of control, independence, and freedom to make choices.
The researchers said the association between psychological well-being and better recall was “small but significant” – and independent of depressive symptoms.
But the team found no evidence to suggest better memory was linked with later higher well-being, although they say the possibility cannot be discounted.
They believe interventions to promote psychological well-being – such as mindfulness – could maintain mental functions such as memory as people grow older.
Study lead author Prof. Amber John, a lecturer in psychology at the University of Liverpool, said: “In the context of an aging population, understanding factors that may protect and maintain healthy cognitive function is critical for enhanced population health and health policy development.
“While, in this research, we can’t examine and understand the relationship between causes and effects, determining if one event leads to another, our findings are important in proposing that good well-being predates better memory rather than vice versa.
“This suggests that the link between well-being and memory is not just because people with poor memory have poor well-being and that, if causality is demonstrated, improving well-being could protect against subsequent memory decline.”
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“It offers new insights into how self-rated well-being is associated with memory and vice versa.
“While our findings are preliminary, they highlight the importance of considering psychosocial influences on brain health such as memory.”
The researchers said that anxiety and depression are now widely recognized as risk factors in the faster decline of brain health and dementia.
They explained that well-being is defined as emotional health combined with being able to function effectively.
Happiness, confidence, a sense of purpose and control over life are among the elements of well-being.
But most previous studies had only tested the link between well-being and memory in one direction or another.
The aim of the new study was to provide longer-term insights into the relationship between well-being and memory in people who have yet to experience significant cognitive decline.
The study was based on data from 10,760 men and women participating in a long-term research project involving UK adults over the age of 50.
They were assessed for well-being and memory every two years – a total of nine times during the 16-year study period going back to 2002.
Researchers used a learning task to check the participants’ ability to recall 10 words immediately and after a delay.
Well-being was assessed using a quality-of-life questionnaire.
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By Talker
The researchers excluded anyone with a dementia diagnosis at the start of the study.
They say biological factors such as cardiovascular disease and those linked to lifestyle – including physical activities – are among possible reasons for the effect of well-being on memory.
The team also believes that age, gender, lifestyle, and socio-economic status may also have a negative or positive impact on the relationship between well-being and memory function.
Despite the lack of evidence for memory affecting well-being, the researchers said it can’t be ruled out.
They say lower psychological well-being may be a sign of “oncoming cognitive impairment” before symptoms become apparent.
Emma Taylor, of Alzheimer’s Research UK which part-funded the research, said: “Loving your heart, staying sharp and keeping connected are key to protecting our brain health as we age.
“There are 14 established health and lifestyle risk factors for dementia, including lack of physical exercise, social isolation, and depression, which are linked to well-being.
“This study found that people over 50 who reported they felt happier and more fulfilled in life had a better memory over time.
“However, this research is observational – and more work is needed to understand how a positive well-being and memory are connected and whether this has a knock-on effect on dementia risk.
“Looking after our mental well-being plays an important part in our overall health.
“And it’s never too late to start taking steps to keep our brains healthy throughout our lives and lessen the devastating impact of dementia.”
The research team says their findings could provide the basis for further research into what factors can enhance brain health.
Co-author Dr. Emily Willroth, of Washington University, St Louis, added: “Going forward, it would be fantastic if this research can build on the foundations of ongoing memory research to potentially inform strategies supporting cognitive health in ageing populations – that is the aim.”
