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Sutin AR, Gamaldo AA, Terracciano A, Evans MK, Zonderman AB. Personality and cognitive errors in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN PERSONALITY 2024; 109:104449. [PMID: 38312326 PMCID: PMC10836197 DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2023.104449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
This study examines the association between personality and cognitive errors in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study, a sample diverse across race (Black, White) and SES (above, below 125% of the federal poverty line). Participants (N=1,062) completed a comprehensive personality questionnaire and were administered a brief mental status screener of cognitive errors. Higher neuroticism was associated with more cognitive errors, whereas higher openness and conscientiousness were associated with fewer errors. These associations were independent of age, sex, race, poverty status, and education and were generally not moderated by these factors. These findings support the associations between personality and cognition across race and SES.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alyssa A. Gamaldo
- Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University
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Beck ED, Yoneda T, James BD, Bennett DA, Hassenstab J, Katz MJ, Lipton RB, Morris J, Mroczek DK, Graham EK. Personality predictors of dementia diagnosis and neuropathological burden: An individual participant data meta-analysis. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:1497-1514. [PMID: 38018701 PMCID: PMC10947984 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The extent to which the Big Five personality traits and subjective well-being (SWB) are discriminatory predictors of clinical manifestation of dementia versus dementia-related neuropathology is unclear. METHODS Using data from eight independent studies (Ntotal = 44,531; Ndementia = 1703; baseline Mage = 49 to 81 years, 26 to 61% female; Mfollow-up range = 3.53 to 21.00 years), Bayesian multilevel models tested whether personality traits and SWB differentially predicted neuropsychological and neuropathological characteristics of dementia. RESULTS Synthesized and individual study results indicate that high neuroticism and negative affect and low conscientiousness, extraversion, and positive affect were associated with increased risk of long-term dementia diagnosis. There were no consistent associations with neuropathology. DISCUSSION This multistudy project provides robust, conceptually replicated and extended evidence that psychosocial factors are strong predictors of dementia diagnosis but not consistently associated with neuropathology at autopsy. HIGHLIGHTS N(+), C(-), E(-), PA(-), and NA(+) were associated with incident diagnosis. Results were consistent despite self-report versus clinical diagnosis of dementia. Psychological factors were not associated with neuropathology at autopsy. Individuals with higher conscientiousness and no diagnosis had less neuropathology. High C individuals may withstand neuropathology for longer before death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emorie D. Beck
- Department of Medical Social SciencesNorthwestern UniversityFeinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of CaliforniaDavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Tomiko Yoneda
- Department of Medical Social SciencesNorthwestern UniversityFeinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of CaliforniaDavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Bryan D. James
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease CenterDepartment of Internal MedicineRush University Medical CenterChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - David A. Bennett
- Department of NeurologyRush Alzheimer's Disease CenterRush University Medical CenterChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Jason Hassenstab
- Department of NeurologyWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Mindy J. Katz
- Department of NeurologyAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxNew YorkUSA
| | - Richard B. Lipton
- Department of NeurologyAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxNew YorkUSA
| | - John Morris
- Department of NeurologyRush Alzheimer's Disease CenterRush University Medical CenterChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Daniel K. Mroczek
- Department of Medical Social SciencesNorthwestern UniversityFeinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Department of PsychologyNorthwestern UniversityWeinberg College of Arts & SciencesEvanstonIllinoisUSA
| | - Eileen K. Graham
- Department of Medical Social SciencesNorthwestern UniversityFeinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
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Terracciano A, Walker K, An Y, Luchetti M, Stephan Y, Moghekar AR, Sutin AR, Ferrucci L, Resnick SM. The association between personality and plasma biomarkers of astrogliosis and neuronal injury. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 128:65-73. [PMID: 37210782 PMCID: PMC10247521 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Personality traits have been associated with the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease neuropathology, including amyloid and tau. This study examines whether personality traits are concurrently related to plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker of astrogliosis, and neurofilament light (NfL), a marker of neuronal injury. Cognitively unimpaired participants from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging (N = 786; age: 22-95) were assayed for plasma GFAP and NfL and completed the Revised NEO Personality Inventory, which measures 5 domains and 30 facets of personality. Neuroticism (particularly vulnerability to stress, anxiety, and depression) was associated with higher GFAP and NfL. Conscientiousness was associated with lower GFAP. Extraversion (particularly positive emotions, assertiveness, and activity) was related to lower GFAP and NfL. These associations were independent of demographic, behavioral, and health covariates and not moderated by age, sex, or apolipoprotein E genotype. The personality correlates of astrogliosis and neuronal injury tend to be similar, are found in individuals without cognitive impairment, and point to potential neurobiological underpinnings of the association between personality traits and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Terracciano
- Department of Geriatrics, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA; Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Keenan Walker
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yang An
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Martina Luchetti
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | | | - Abhay R Moghekar
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Angelina R Sutin
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Luigi Ferrucci
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Susan M Resnick
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Terracciano A, Piras MR, Sutin AR, Delitala A, Curreli NC, Balaci L, Marongiu M, Zhu X, Aschwanden D, Luchetti M, Oppong R, Schlessinger D, Cucca F, Launer LJ, Fiorillo E. Facets of Personality and Risk of Cognitive Impairment: Longitudinal Findings in a Rural Community from Sardinia. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 88:1651-1661. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-220400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Few studies have examined the associations between personality facets and dementia risk and rarely included individuals from rural settings or with low education. Objective: To examine the association between personality and the risk of cognitive impairment. Methods: Participants (N = 1,668; age 50 to 94 at baseline; 56.4% women; 86.5% less than high school diploma) were from a rural region of Sardinia (Italy) who completed the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) during the first wave (2001–2004) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at waves two to five (2005–2021). Cox regression was used to test personality and covariates as predictors of cognitive impairment based on MMSE education-adjusted cutoffs. Results: During the up to 18-year follow-up (M = 10.38; SD = 4.76), 187 individuals (11.2%) scored as cognitively impaired. Participants with higher neuroticism (particularly the depression facet [HR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.06–1.40]), and lower agreeableness (particularly the modesty facet [HR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.71–0.97]) and lower conscientiousness (particularly the dutifulness facet [HR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.67–0.92]) were at higher risk of cognitive impairment. Lower warmth ([HR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.65–0.87], facet of extraversion) and ideas ([HR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.65–0.89], facet of openness) were also associated with increased risk of impairment. These associations were virtually unchanged in models that accounted for other risk factors, including smoking, depression, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and apolipoprotein E (APOE) ɛ4 carrier status. Across the five domains, sex and the APOE variant did not moderate the associations. Conclusion: In a sample with demographic characteristics underrepresented in dementia research, this study identifies personality domains and facets most relevant to the risk of cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Rita Piras
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, c/o Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Delitala
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, c/o Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nicolò Camillo Curreli
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, c/o Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Lenuta Balaci
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, c/o Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Michele Marongiu
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, c/o Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Xianghe Zhu
- Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | | | - Martina Luchetti
- Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Richard Oppong
- National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David Schlessinger
- National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Francesco Cucca
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, c/o Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Lenore J. Launer
- National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Edoardo Fiorillo
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, c/o Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
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Personality Associations With Amyloid and Tau: Results From the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging and Meta-analysis. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:359-369. [PMID: 34663503 PMCID: PMC8792161 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness are risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, but the underlying neuropathological correlates remain unclear. Our aim was to examine whether personality traits are associated with amyloid and tau neuropathology in a new sample and meta-analyses. METHODS Participants from the BLSA (Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging) completed the Revised NEO Personality Inventory and underwent amyloid (11C-labeled Pittsburgh compound B) and tau (18F-flortaucipir) positron emission tomography. RESULTS Among cognitively normal BLSA participants, neuroticism was associated with higher cortical amyloid burden (odds ratio 1.68, 95% CI 1.20-2.34), and conscientiousness was associated with lower cortical amyloid burden (odds ratio 0.61, 95% CI 0.44-0.86). These associations remained significant after accounting for age, sex, education, depressive symptoms, hippocampal volume, and APOE ε4. Similar associations were found with tau in the entorhinal cortex. Random-effects meta-analyses of 12 studies found that higher neuroticism (N = 3015, r = 0.07, p = .008) and lower conscientiousness (N = 2990, r = -0.11, p < .001) were associated with more amyloid deposition. Meta-analyses of 8 studies found that higher neuroticism (N = 2231, r = 0.15, p < .001) and lower conscientiousness (N = 2206, r = -0.14, p < .001) were associated with more tau pathology. The associations were moderated by cognitive status, with stronger effects in cognitively normal compared with heterogeneous samples, suggesting that the associations between personality and proteopathies are not phenomena that emerge with neuropsychiatric clinical symptoms. CONCLUSIONS By aggregating results across samples, this study advances knowledge on the association between personality and neuropathology. Neuroticism and conscientiousness may contribute to resistance against amyloid and tau neuropathology.
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Adaralegbe AA, Egbuchiem H, Adeoti O, Abbasi K, Ezeani E, Adaralegbe NJF, Babarinde AO, Boms M, Nzeako C, Ayeni O. Do Personality Traits Influence the Association Between Depression and Dementia in Old Age? Gerontol Geriatr Med 2022; 8:23337214211068257. [PMID: 35071694 PMCID: PMC8772013 DOI: 10.1177/23337214211068257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression and personality traits are independent predictors of dementia or cognitive impairment. Despite the well-established relationship between these two psychosocial factors and dementia, no research has been documented on how personality traits can influence dementia in older adults exhibiting depressive symptoms. This study explores the influence of personality traits on the association between change in depression and dementia in old age. A population-based longitudinal cohort study involving two waves of data collected 5 years apart, containing 2210 American older adults, from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project to explore if personality traits influence how change in depression predicts the development of dementia. We assessed these relationships while adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Change in depression increased the likelihood of dementia at T2 by 4.2% (AOR = 1.04, p = 0.019) in the co-variate adjusted model. Personality traits, overall, did not influence how depression predicts the development of dementia. However, agreeableness individually nullified the effect of depression on the development of dementia, whereas extraversion was the only personality trait that significantly predicted dementia. Prosocial behaviors should be promoted in old age as these appear to be protective. In addition, early life education and a strong social support can keep the depression–dementia spectrum at bay in old age.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Khuzeman Abbasi
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Esther Ezeani
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Maureen Boms
- School of Public Health Tuscaloosa, The University of Alabama System, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | | | - Olumide Ayeni
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Aschwanden D, Sutin AR, Ledermann T, Luchetti M, Stephan Y, Sesker AA, Zhu X, Terracciano A. Subjective Cognitive Decline: Is a Resilient Personality Protective Against Progression to Objective Cognitive Impairment? Findings from Two Community-Based Cohort Studies. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 89:87-105. [PMID: 35848026 PMCID: PMC9843496 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is related to personality functioning and risk of subsequent objective cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine whether lower neuroticism and higher conscientiousness-resilient personality traits-protect against conversion from SCD to objective cognitive impairment in two longitudinal community-based cohorts. METHODS Data from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 1,741, Mean age = 68.64 years, Follow-up mean = 7.34 years) and the National Health and Aging Trends Survey (N = 258, Mean age = 79.34 years, Follow-up mean = 4.31 years) were analyzed using Cox regression analysis, controlling for sociodemographic covariates, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and apolipoprotein ɛ4. RESULTS The pooled results showed that lower neuroticism and higher conscientiousness were associated with decreased risk of conversion from SCD to objective cognitive impairment. CONCLUSION Among individuals with SCD, those with a resilient personality may have more cognitive and psychological reserve to maintain cognitive functioning and delay conversion to objective cognitive impairment. The findings further contribute to a better understanding of personality along the cognitive continuum: The observed effect sizes were smaller than those reported in cognitively normal individuals but larger than in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. Personality could provide useful information to identify individuals with SCD who may develop objective cognitive impairment-namely those who hold a vulnerable personality (higher neuroticism, lower conscientiousness).
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Affiliation(s)
- Damaris Aschwanden
- Department of Geriatrics, Florida State University College of Medicine, Florida, USA
| | - Angelina R. Sutin
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine, Florida, USA
| | - Thomas Ledermann
- Department of Human Development and Family Science, Florida State University College of Health and Human Sciences, Florida, USA
| | - Martina Luchetti
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine, Florida, USA
| | | | - Amanda A. Sesker
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine, Florida, USA
| | - Xianghe Zhu
- Department of Geriatrics, Florida State University College of Medicine, Florida, USA
| | - Antonio Terracciano
- Department of Geriatrics, Florida State University College of Medicine, Florida, USA
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Sutin AR, Aschwanden D, Stephan Y, Terracciano A. The association between facets of conscientiousness and performance-based and informant-rated cognition, affect, and activities in older adults. J Pers 2021; 90:121-132. [PMID: 34169528 DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify facets of conscientiousness associated with objective cognitive performance, informant-rated cognitive decline, and informant-rated affect and activities implicated in cognitive health. METHOD Health and Retirement Study participants (N = 2,516) reported on their personality, completed a comprehensive cognitive assessment, and had knowledgeable informants report on their cognition, affect, and activities. RESULTS Industriousness and responsibility were associated with better cognitive performance; order was associated with less informant-rated cognitive decline. The facets were also associated with more positive affect, less negative affect, greater engagement in cognitive activities and activities outside the house, and less engagement in passive activities, as rated by a knowledgeable informant. Informant-rated engagement in cognitive activities mediated the association between self-reported responsibility and objective cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS Tendencies toward achievement and accountability were associated with healthier cognitive performance and daily profiles that support cognitive health, whereas organization was associated with cognition as reported by a knowledgeable informant. The differential pattern of correlates is informative for the theoretical processes that link distinct facets of conscientiousness to healthier cognitive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina R Sutin
- Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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Aschwanden D, Strickhouser JE, Luchetti M, Stephan Y, Sutin AR, Terracciano A. Is personality associated with dementia risk? A meta-analytic investigation. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 67:101269. [PMID: 33561581 PMCID: PMC8005464 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This study provides a quantitative synthesis of the prospective associations between personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness) and the risk of incident Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. We conducted five separate meta-analyses with 8-12 samples (N = 30,036 to 33,054) that were identified through a systematic literature search following the MOOSE guidelines. Higher neuroticism (HR = 1.24, 95% CI [1.17, 1.31]) and lower conscientiousness (HR = 0.77, 95% CI [0.73, 0.81]) were associated with increased dementia risk, even after accounting for covariates such as depressive symptoms. Lower extraversion (HR = 0.92, 95% CI [0.86, 0.97]), openness (HR = 0.91, 95% CI [0.86, 0.96]), and agreeableness (HR = 0.90, 95% CI [0.83, 0.98]) were also associated with increased risk, but these associations were less robust and not significant in fully adjusted models. No evidence of publication bias was found. The strength of associations was unrelated to publication year (i.e., no evidence of winner's curse). Meta-regressions indicated consistent effects for neuroticism, openness, and conscientiousness across methods to assess dementia, dementia type, follow-up length, sample age, minority, country, and personality measures. The association of extraversion and agreeableness varied by country. Our findings indicate robust associations of neuroticism and conscientiousness with dementia risk.
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Strickhouser JE, Sutin AR. Personality, Retirement, and Cognitive Impairment: Moderating and Mediating Associations. J Aging Health 2021; 33:187-196. [PMID: 33100104 PMCID: PMC7906949 DOI: 10.1177/0898264320969080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: Five-factor model (FFM) personality traits, including higher conscientiousness and lower neuroticism, are associated with lower risk of dementia and cognitive impairment. In this research, we test whether retirement status moderates and/or mediates the relation between personality and cognitive impairment. Method: We used data from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 9899), a longitudinal study of Americans over the age of 50 years, to examine moderating and mediating associations between personality traits and retirement status on risk of dementia and cognitive impairment not dementia (CIND) over an 8-10 year follow-up. Results: Personality and retirement each had strong, independent associations with risk of dementia and CIND. There were not, however, strong or consistent, moderating or mediating associations between personality and retirement predicting impairment risk. Discussion: Overall, these results indicate that personality and retirement are independent risk factors for incident cognitive impairment. Mechanisms other than retirement are likely to explain this association.
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Zufferey V, Gunten AV, Kherif F. Interactions between Personality, Depression, Anxiety and Cognition to Understand Early Stage of Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 20:782-791. [PMID: 32066361 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200211110545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The multifaceted nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can lead to wide inter-individual differences in disease manifestation in terms of brain pathology and cognition. The lack of understanding of phenotypic diversity in AD arises from a difficulty in understanding the integration of different levels of network organization (i.e. genes, neurons, synapses, anatomical regions, functions) and in inclusion of other information such as neuropsychiatric characteristics, personal history, information regarding general health or subjective cognitive complaints in a coherent model. Non-cognitive factors, such as personality traits and behavioral and psychiatric symptoms, can be informative markers of early disease stage. It is known that personality can affect cognition and behavioral symptoms. The aim of the paper is to review the different types of interactions existing between personality, depression/anxiety, and cognition and cognitive disorders at behavioral and brain/genetic levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Zufferey
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Neuroimagerie (LREN), Departement des Neurosciences Cliniques, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Universite de Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.,Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Age Avance (SUPAA), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, 1008 Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland.,Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL Valais), Clinique Romande de Réadaptation, 1951 Sion, Switzerland
| | - Armin von Gunten
- Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Age Avance (SUPAA), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, 1008 Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ferath Kherif
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Neuroimagerie (LREN), Departement des Neurosciences Cliniques, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Universite de Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Graham EK, James BD, Jackson KL, Willroth EC, Boyle P, Wilson R, Bennett DA, Mroczek DK. Associations Between Personality Traits and Cognitive Resilience in Older Adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2021; 76:6-19. [PMID: 32969474 PMCID: PMC8574296 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbaa135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The goal of this paper was to examine associations between personality traits and resilience to neuropathologic burden. METHOD Using data from the Religious Orders Study and the Rush Memory and Aging Project, we identified a total of 1,375 participants with personality, cognitive, and post-mortem neuropathology data. We regressed cognition onto pathology and extracted the residuals as an indicator of cognitive resilience. We then modeled the effect of Big Five personality traits on cognitive resilience, adjusting for demographics, APOE status, medical comorbidities, and cognitive activity. The analytic plan was preregistered prior to data access or analysis, and all scripts and outputs are available online. RESULTS Higher neuroticism was associated with greater vulnerability to pathology. Results from exploratory analyses suggest that higher conscientiousness was associated with less cognitive decline relative to the amount of pathology, or greater resilience. Education and cognitive activity did not moderate these associations. DISCUSSION Personality may have a pathoplastic effect on neuropathology, as low neuroticism and high conscientiousness are associated with better function despite neuropathologic burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen K Graham
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Bryan D James
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kathryn L Jackson
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Emily C Willroth
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Patricia Boyle
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Robert Wilson
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Daniel K Mroczek
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
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Aschwanden D, Sutin AR, Luchetti M, Stephan Y, Terracciano A. Personality and Dementia Risk in England and Australia. GEROPSYCH 2020; 33:197-208. [PMID: 34326756 PMCID: PMC8318004 DOI: 10.1024/1662-9647/a000241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Evidence for the relation between personality and dementia risk comes mainly from American samples. We tested whether personality-dementia links extend to populations from England and Australia. Data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA; N = 6,887; Follow-up mean: 5.64 years) and the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA; N = 2,778; Follow-up mean: 10.96 years) were analyzed using Cox PH models. In both samples, higher neuroticism was associated with increased dementia risk. In ELSA, lower conscientiousness was related to increased risk. In HILDA, conscientiousness had a similar effect but did not reach statistical significance. The present work found a consistent association for neuroticism and suggests similar personality-dementia links across demographic groups and high-income countries.
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Schlosser M, Demnitz-King H, Whitfield T, Wirth M, Marchant NL. Repetitive negative thinking is associated with subjective cognitive decline in older adults: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20:500. [PMID: 33036587 PMCID: PMC7547434 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02884-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the absence of a cure or effective treatment for dementia, attention has shifted towards identifying risk factors for prevention. Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) describes self-perceived worsening of cognition despite unimpaired performance on neuropsychological tests. SCD has been associated with an increased dementia risk and steeper memory decline. Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) is a transdiagnostic process that manifests across several mental health disorders associated with increased vulnerability to dementia. RNT has thus been proposed as a candidate marker of risk for dementia and, relatedly, could contribute to the manifestation of SCD. We aimed to investigate the relationship between SCD and RNT alongside other proposed psychological risk/protective factors for dementia and cognitive decline. METHODS In a cross-sectional online survey, 491 older adults (mean = 64.9 years, SD = 4.2; 63.1% female) completed measures of RNT, personality traits, purpose in life, worry, rumination, and meditation practice. SCD was assessed continuously via self-perceived cognitive function (Neuro-QoL) and categorically via endorsement (yes/no) of memory complaints. Regression models, using a stepwise backwards elimination, were built to assess associations between SCD, demographics, and all risk/protective factors. RESULTS A total of 24.2% of participants reported memory complaints. In the final prediction models, RNT was the only psychological variable associated with lower self-perceived cognitive function and with a higher likelihood of memory complaints. CONCLUSIONS This study empirically corroborates the theoretical relationship between SCD and RNT. Longitudinal studies are needed to establish whether RNT is a prodromal symptom or an independent risk factor, and whether RNT can be a promising construct for future research on SCD and dementia risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Schlosser
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, 6th Floor, Wing A, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK. .,Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Harriet Demnitz-King
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, 6th Floor, Wing A, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF UK
| | - Tim Whitfield
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, 6th Floor, Wing A, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF UK
| | - Miranka Wirth
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Natalie L. Marchant
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, 6th Floor, Wing A, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF UK
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Ayers E, Gulley E, Verghese J. The Effect of Personality Traits on Risk of Incident Pre-dementia Syndromes. J Am Geriatr Soc 2020; 68:1554-1559. [PMID: 32488931 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Personality traits have been shown to be associated with the risk of dementia; less is known about their association with pre-dementia syndromes. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of personality traits as predictors of incident pre-dementia, motoric cognitive risk (MCR), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) syndromes. DESIGN We prospectively examined the association between five personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness) and the risk of incident MCR or MCI. MCR builds on MCI operational definitions, substituting the cognitive impairment criterion with slow gait, and it is associated with increased risk for both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. SETTING Community based. PARTICIPANTS Nondemented participants (n = 524; 62% women) aged 65 years and older. MEASUREMENTS Cox proportional hazard analysis, adjusted for demographics and disease burden, was used to evaluate the risk of each pre-dementia syndrome based on baseline personality traits, measured using the Big Five Inventory. RESULTS Over a median follow-up of 3 years, 38 participants developed incident MCR, and 69 developed incident MCI (41 non-amnestic and 28 amnestic subtypes). Openness was associated with a reduced risk of developing incident MCR (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = .94; 95% confidence interval [CI] = .89-.99), whereas neuroticism was associated with an increased risk of incident non-amnestic MCI (aHR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.01-1.11). These associations remained significant even after considering the confounding effects of lifestyle or mood. None of the personality traits were associated with MCI overall or amnestic MCI. CONCLUSION These findings provide evidence of a distinct relationship between personality traits and development of specific pre-dementia syndromes. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1554-1559, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmeline Ayers
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Emma Gulley
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Joe Verghese
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.,Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
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Stephan Y, Sutin AR, Canada B, Terracciano A. Personality and Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome. J Am Geriatr Soc 2020; 68:803-808. [PMID: 31880326 PMCID: PMC7156302 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine whether five major personality traits are related to the motoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome, a pre-dementia syndrome characterized by cognitive complaints and slow gait speed. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the National Health and Aging Trends Survey (NHATS). PARTICIPANTS Dementia-free older adults aged 65 to 107 years (N > 8000). MEASUREMENTS In both samples, participants provided data on personality, cognitive complaints, and measures of gait speed, as well as on demographic factors, physical activity, depressive symptoms, and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS Across the two samples and a meta-analysis, higher neuroticism was related to higher risk of MCR (combined odds ratio [OR] = 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.21-1.45; P < .001), whereas higher extraversion (combined OR = .71; 95% CI = .65-.79; P < .001) and conscientiousness (combined OR = .70; 95% CI = .62-.78; P < .001) were associated with a lower likelihood of MCR. Higher openness was also related to a lower risk of MCR in the HRS and the meta-analysis (combined OR = .77; 95% CI = .70-.85; P < .001), whereas agreeableness was protective only in the HRS (OR = .83; 95% CI = .74-.92; P < .001). Additional analyses indicated that physical activity, depressive symptoms, and BMI partially accounted for these associations. CONCLUSION This study adds to existing research on the factors related to the risk of MCR by showing an association with personality traits. Personality assessment may help to identify individuals who may be targeted by interventions focused on reducing the risk of MCR and ultimately of dementia. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:803-808, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angelina R. Sutin
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, College of Medicine, Florida State University, USA
| | | | - Antonio Terracciano
- Department of Geriatrics, College of Medicine, Florida State University, USA
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17
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Hill NL, Mogle J, Bhargava S, Bell TR, Wion RK. The influence of personality on memory self-report among black and white older adults. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219712. [PMID: 31306444 PMCID: PMC6629149 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-reported memory problems are often the first indicator of cognitive decline; however, they are inconsistently associated with objective memory performance and are known to be influenced by individual factors, such as personality. The current study examined the relationships between personality traits and self-reported memory problems in cognitively intact older adults, and whether these associations differ across Black and White older adults. Data were collected annually via in-person comprehensive medical and neuropsychological examinations as part of the Einstein Aging Study. Community-dwelling older adults in an urban, multi-ethnic area of New York City were interviewed. The current study included a total of 425 older adults (Mage = 76.68, SD = 4.72, 62.59% female; 72.00% White). Multilevel modeling tested the associations of neuroticism, conscientiousness, extraversion, openness, and agreeableness with self-reported memory problems. Results showed that neuroticism was positively related to frequency of memory problems and perceived ten-year memory decline only when other personality traits were not accounted for. Extraversion was negatively related to frequency of memory problems and perceived ten-year decline for both White and Black participants. However, conscientiousness was negatively related to perceived ten-year decline for Black participants only. Our findings highlight the importance of examining the association of all five personality traits with self-reported memory problems, as well as examining whether these associations differ for participants from different race/ethnicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki L. Hill
- College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jacqueline Mogle
- College of Health & Human Development, Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Sakshi Bhargava
- College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Tyler Reed Bell
- College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Rachel K. Wion
- College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Sutin AR, Stephan Y, Damian RI, Luchetti M, Strickhouser JE, Terracciano A. Five-factor model personality traits and verbal fluency in 10 cohorts. Psychol Aging 2019; 34:362-373. [PMID: 31070400 DOI: 10.1037/pag0000351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Personality traits, such as Neuroticism and Conscientiousness, are associated with cognitive outcomes across the life span, including cognitive function in young adulthood and risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in old age. Research on personality and age-related cognition has focused primarily on memory-related tasks and outcomes. The purpose of this research is to address the relation between Five Factor Model personality traits and another critical marker of cognitive function that has received less attention-verbal fluency. We examine this relation across adulthood in 10 cohorts (11 samples) that totaled more than 90,000 participants (age range 16-101). Participants in all samples reported on their personality traits and completed at least one fluency task (semantic and/or letter). A meta-analysis of semantic fluency (N = 86,044) indicated that participants who scored lower in Neuroticism, and higher in Extraversion, Openness, and Conscientiousness, retrieved more words, independent of age, gender, and education. These associations generally replicated for the letter fluency task (3 samples; N = 11,551). Moderation analysis indicated that the associations between personality and semantic fluency were stronger in older samples (except for Openness) and among individuals with lower education. This pattern suggests that these associations are stronger in groups vulnerable to severe cognitive impairment. Personality traits have pervasive associations with fluency tasks that are replicable across samples and age groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina R Sutin
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine
| | | | | | - Martina Luchetti
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine
| | - Jason E Strickhouser
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine
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Sutin AR, Stephan Y, Aschwanden D, Luchetti M, Strickhouser JE, Terracciano A. Evaluations of a Previous Day as a Pathway Between Personality and Healthy Cognitive Aging. J Aging Health 2019; 32:642-653. [PMID: 31030604 DOI: 10.1177/0898264319843451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To examine the association between Five-Factor Model personality traits and how individuals evaluate a recent day in their lives (yesterday) and whether these evaluations mediate personality and cognitive function over time. Methods: Participants were a subsample from the Health and Retirement Study who completed personality measures in 2008/2010, the day evaluation in 2011, and cognitive tasks in 2012 (N = 3,454). Results: Lower Neuroticism and Higher Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness were associated with a more engaging day, fewer negative feelings, better subjective health, and less time spent alone. Active engagement and subjective health were associated with cognitive function and mediated the prospective associations between Neuroticism, Openness, and Conscientiousness and cognitive function. Discussion: Personality is associated with how individuals evaluated their previous day, which contributes to cognition over time. The present research contributes to a mechanistic model that aims to identify pathways through which personality contributes to cognitive aging.
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