THE troubles neurocognitifs are today underdiagnosed or diagnosed at a late stage, recalls the Health Insurance website, which does not allow health professionals to develop interventions to slow the development of the disease. If aging brain While age-related and the mild decline in short-term memory that accompanies it are normal, according to the MSD Manual, mild cognitive impairment causes more memory impairment and may also affect speech, thinking, or judgment. More Half of cases of mild cognitive impairment progress to a dementia within 3 years, also indicates the MSD Manual. It is therefore essential to know how to detect signs of cognitive decline as soon as possible, in order to be able to support the patient and slow the progression of their illness.
Cognitive decline: what is the link between psychological well-being and cognitive disorders?
A study published on August 13, 2024 in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry was interested in link between mental health and cognitive. Indeed, several studies have already established the link between psychological well-being and brain aging, including the development of cases of dementia. For this study, the researchers have analyzed the evolution over time of psychological well-being before and after possible diagnoses of mild cognitive disorders in 910 cognitively intact people with an average age of 79 years. These participants underwent annual check-ups that included neurological examinations, cognitive testing, medical history, and assessment of psychological well-being.
After observing them for an average of 14 years, the scientists noted that 265 participants developed mild cognitive impairment, and 89 of them developed dementia. They noted that, compared with those who remained cognitively intact, participants with mild cognitive impairment were more likely to be older, lighter, and with lower levels of psychological well-being.
Purpose in life and personal fulfillment could predict future cognitive impairment, researchers say
In addition, the researchers observed that people affected by mild cognitive impairment had experienced a more rapid decline in their psychological well-beingwith levels lower than those in good cognitive health almost two years before diagnosisThis was particularly true with regard to two feelings related to the purpose in life and personal developmentdont levels were lower 3 and 6 years before diagnosis respectivelyin patients with cognitive impairment. According to the scientists, these results indicate that lower levels of psychological well-being, in particular having no purpose in life and few opportunities for personal development, could be predictors of later cognitive impairment.
The researchers explain that this may be because these two feelings can be more cognitively demanding than other components of well-being. They would therefore be better able and more accurately to indicate possible cognitive problems. According to them, interventions aimed at to improve well-being should be implemented as early as possible, before the onset of cognitive disorders, in order to maximize their effects on cognitive health.
More research needed on link between well-being and cognitive function, researchers say
However, scientists point out that this is from an observational studywhich is unable to draw definitive conclusions regarding the cause-effect relationship and the mechanisms underlying the association between well-being and cognitive functions. Indeed, they suggest that these two elements could be bidirectional, that is, poor cognitive health could influence psychological well-being and vice versa. They therefore conclude that further research is needed to explore this link.
Sources :
- Psychological well-being trajectories preceding incident mild cognitive impairment and dementia – Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry – 13 aout 2024
- Lack of purpose and personal growth may precede mild cognitive impairment – EurekAlert! – 13 aout 2024
- Severe neurocognitive disorders – Ameli.fr
- Dementia – MSD Manual
