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Updated: May 12, 2026
09:38
Generalized Psychophysiological Interaction (PPI) Analysis of Memory Related Connectivity in Individuals at Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: November 14, 2017
Does personality affect risk for dementia? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Lee-Fay Low1, Fleur Harrison, Steven M Lackersteen
1Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia.
Summary
Higher neuroticism increases dementia risk, while conscientiousness offers protection. Openness may also be protective, but extraversion and agreeableness show no association with dementia risk.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Personality traits may influence long-term cognitive health.
- A life course perspective suggests personality impacts dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review studies on the association between personality traits and the risk of dementia and MCI.
- To synthesize evidence from case-control and prospective studies.
Main Methods:
- Searched Scopus, Medline, PubMed, and PsycINFO for relevant studies.
- Combined terms for personality with dementia and MCI.
- Systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed data from 15 studies (12 longitudinal, 3 case-control).
Main Results:
- Higher neuroticism was associated with increased dementia risk (HR=1.13) and MCI.
- Higher conscientiousness was linked to reduced dementia risk (HR=0.88) and potentially MCI.
- Openness showed a tentative protective effect against dementia (HR=0.88); extraversion and agreeableness were not associated with dementia risk.
Conclusions:
- Personality traits significantly influence dementia risk.
- Neuroticism is a risk factor, while conscientiousness and openness may be protective.
- Incorporate personality into dementia risk models and prevention strategies.
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