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 If
you are a constant worrier or don't handle stress in a healthy manner,
you may be in a higher bracket of developing Alzheimer's disease
later in life. While the origin of the link between stress and Alzheimer's
remains unclear, researchers stated that it is likely that chronic
high levels of stress hormones may result in damage to the regions
of the brain that are responsible for regulating behavior under
stress and memory.
The study consisted of asking over 1000 people about their tendencies
to experience bouts of worry and stress. The participants were evaluated
after three to six years to see whether or not they developed Alzheimer's
disease.
The study revealed two key findings:
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The participants who were more prone to feelings of stress
were more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease
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The link between stress and Alzheimer's was more predominant
in white participants
It was also discovered that each individual is able to deal with
psychological stress in varying degrees. Researchers advised that
if you know a loved one who seems to be unhappy on a regular basis
to urge them to seek out a qualified mental health professional.
One expert noted that this was the first study to examine the possible
connection between stress and Alzheimer's disease among the African
American population and stated that the findings underscore the
importance of including racial and ethic minorities in these types
of studies.
Neurology
January 25, 2005;64(2):380-2
Reuters
Health February 5, 2005
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