As if people with anxiety donβt have enough to worry about, a new study is adding to that list β suggesting the disorder may nearly triple the risk of developing dementia years later.
The research, to the authorsβ knowledge, is the first to look into the association between different severities of anxiety and dementia risk over time, and the effect of the timing of anxiety on this risk, according to the study published Wednesday in the .
βAnxiety can now be considered a non-traditional risk factor for dementia,β said Dr. Kay Khaing, lead study author and a specialist geriatrician at Hunter New England Health in Newcastle, Australia, via email.
More than have dementia, a number expected to increase to 139 million by 2050. With the condition also being a leading cause of death, researchers and health professionals have directed their focus toward prevention, particularly by addressing risk factors such as anxiety or lifestyle habits.
Previous studies exploring the relationship between anxiety and dementia have largely measured participantsβ anxiety at one point in time, providing mixed conclusions β but how long someoneβs anxiety lasts is an important aspect worth considering, the authors argued.
The team studied 2,132 participants recruited from the Newcastle-based Hunter Community Study between December 2004 and December 2007. They were ages 60 to 81 or older, and at the studyβs start provided health data such as tobacco use or alcohol intake, or whether they had conditions such as hypertension or diabetes.
There were three assessments, also called waves, each five years apart. Researchers measured participantsβ anxiety at the first and second assessments. Chronic anxiety was defined as having anxiety at both the first and second waves. Someoneβs anxiety was considered resolved if they had anxiety only at the time of the first wave. New-onset anxiety refers to anxiety identified only at the second wave.
Dementia was identified using codes from the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, or pharmaceutical benefits data showing purchase of drugs for dementia, provided by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care.
Ultimately, 64 participants developed dementia. Chronic and new anxiety were associated with a nearly thrice higher risk of dementia from any cause β with an average time to diagnosis of 10 years, the authors found.
Anxiety that resolved within the first five years was so unassociated with greater risk that the odds were similar to those without anxiety β a finding that Dr. Glen R. Finney, an American Academy of Neurology fellow, called βa welcome addition to our knowledge about anxiety and dementia.β Finney, director of the Geisinger Memory and Cognition Program in Pennsylvania, wasnβt involved in the study.
The results were also largely driven by participants under 70.
βWe have known for a long time that stress increases risk for Alzheimerβs disease,β said Dr. Rudolph Tanzi, director of the McCance Center for Brain Health at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, who wasnβt involved in the study, via email. βThis study agrees with earlier studies that therapy aimed at alleviating anxiety can help reduce risk for (Alzheimerβs disease). But, itβs the size of this study that is particularly compelling.β
The authors of the latest research did not have information on what helped some participants overcome their anxiety.
The findings highlight βthe importance of addressing anxiety early and consistently,β said neurologist Dr. Joel Salinas, founder and chief medical officer of Isaac Health, a virtual and in-home clinical service for dementia and other brain health conditions. Salinas wasnβt involved in the research.
The study has a few limitations, including that measurements of participantsβ anxiety were based on the four weeks before the assessments, the authors said. The team also lost 33% of participants who had a higher rate of anxiety at the beginning of the study; not knowing what ultimately happened to those people could result in an underestimate of the effect of anxiety on dementia.
βIn the future,β Finney said, βhaving the findings followed up with a prospective study using cognitive measures and biologic measures of stress hormones, inflammation and neurodegeneration including for Alzheimerβs disease would be useful.β
The association between anxiety and dementia may be partly explained by the formerβs link to vascular disease β a cause of dementia β and harmful effects on cells, experts said.
Stress increases cortisol in the brain and inflammation, and both kill nerve cells, said Tanzi, also the director of the genetics and aging research unit at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Anxiety is also associated with buildup of beta-amyloid, Khaing said, which is a hallmark sign of Alzheimerβs.
The disorder has also been linked with structural brain changes βsuch as brain and hippocampal atrophy, all processes which are also associated with dementia,β Khaing added. Atrophy refers to the wasting away of a tissue or organ, especially as a result of cell degeneration.
However, the study βmight also suggest the possibility that anxiety may be an early manifestation of underlying brain disease,β Salinas, clinical assistant professor of neurology at NYU Langone Health, said via email. βSomeoneβs early cognitive decline may contribute to someoneβs anxiety (e.g., making mistakes or being embarrassed in social situations).β
At the beginning of the study, the authors excluded people who already had cognitive impairment, but they acknowledged that undetected decline is still possible.
People with anxiety are also more likely to make unhealthy choices, such as having a poor diet or smoking, the authors said.
Anxiety is a normal response to stressors, but if itβs excessive, βplease seek help,β Khaing said.
Talk with your doctor or a mental health professional about your options, which can include lifestyle changes such as stress management, healthy diet, exercise and better sleep, all of which also separately influence your dementia risk, experts said. Important forms of treatment also include different types of therapy or antidepressant medications.
βBut I recommend avoiding certain brain-impairing medications including tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines and strong antihistamines,β Finney said.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is the treatment of choice for many anxiety disorders. It works by uncovering βunhealthy patterns of thought and how they may be causing self-destructive behaviours and beliefs,β according to the .
Additionally, βtry to take on a meditation practice and limit the expectations from others and yourself to respond to emails, texts and social media,β Tanzi said. βWe also recommend avoiding people you really dislike and interacting with those who have a positive effect β¦ on your well-being.β
Tanzi stressed that anxiety is a result of our brainβs βoldest and more primitive partsβ being aimed only at survival.
βIt is important to always try to be mindful and self aware of whether your brain is bullying you to over-emphasize those survival needs,β he said.
A $2.14-billion federal loan for an Ottawa-based satellite operator has Canadian politicians arguing about whether American billionaire Elon Musk poses a national security risk.
Twenty-seven year ΒιΆΉΣ°ΚΣ reporter and anchor John Vennavally-Rao shares his story of what it was like to have an ostomy bag as part of his health-care battle. 'Iβm grateful for what it did to extend my life,' he writes in a personal column for CTVNews.ca.
For some young people, a popular method for getting a quick high is by misusing laughing gas β and lately, thatβs in the form of nitrous oxide from products sold by the company Galaxy Gas.
An Ontario woman is among the dozens of people who have come forward to allege that they were sexually abused by London-based businessman Mohamed Al Fayed, the former chairman and owner of Harrods.
Looking after an adult with severe autism can be a full-time job. Ask any parent who has a child severely affected by autism spectrum disorder β itβs a job that can get more difficult as the child becomes an adult.
The death of the Tragically Hipβs lead singer Gord Downie united fans across Canada in their grief, but in many ways pulled his bandmates apart.
A man is facing numerous drug trafficking charges after Dufferin OPP seized a large assortment of drugs and weapons in Orangeville earlier this week.
Tattoos are becoming more common in today's society and, as a result, appear to be more acceptable in the workplace than they used to be.
A man is facing numerous drug trafficking charges after Dufferin OPP seized a large assortment of drugs and weapons in Orangeville earlier this week.
Mattea Roach among the Maritimers honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal Friday.
Montrealers can get used to taking a stroll on several car-free streets during the summer in the years to come thanks to a new commitment from the city.
An Ontario woman is among the dozens of people who have come forward to allege that they were sexually abused by London-based businessman Mohamed Al Fayed, the former chairman and owner of Harrods.
Advocates have identified the woman who died this week after being shot by police in Surrey, B.C., as a South American refugee who was raising a young daughter.
Three men were injured after trying to subdue a man armed with a knife during afternoon prayers at a Montreal-area mosque Friday afternoon.
The death toll from an Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb has risen to 31, including seven women and three children, Lebanon's health minister said on Saturday.
Voting has ended Saturday in Sri Lanka's presidential election as the country seeks to recover from the worst economic crisis in its history and the resulting political upheaval.
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris on Thursday issued a warning to any potential home intruder: 'If somebody breaks in my house, they're getting shot.'
An 11-year-old boy died Monday after subway surfing in New York City. He's the fourth person to die from subway surfing in the city this year.
Kamala Harris blasted Donald Trump as a threat to women's freedoms and their very lives, warning in a speech in the battleground state of Georgia on Friday that Republicans would continue to choke off access to abortion if he returns to the White House.
A $2.14-billion federal loan for an Ottawa-based satellite operator has Canadian politicians arguing about whether American billionaire Elon Musk poses a national security risk.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says close to 45,000 Canadians are in Lebanon, months after warning there is no guarantee Ottawa can evacuate them if the situation deteriorates further.
The federal firearm buyback program has cost taxpayers nearly $67.2 million since it was announced in 2020, but it still hasn't collected a single gun.
For some young people, a popular method for getting a quick high is by misusing laughing gas β and lately, thatβs in the form of nitrous oxide from products sold by the company Galaxy Gas.
Looking after an adult with severe autism can be a full-time job. Ask any parent who has a child severely affected by autism spectrum disorder β itβs a job that can get more difficult as the child becomes an adult.
Canada is setting aside $151 million for the fight to eradicate polio worldwide. International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen announced the news at a Rotary International conference in Toronto.
If something looks too good to be true, it might be. That's the message from Saskatchewan horticulturists after customers have come into their stores hoping to buy purple apple trees this month.
The owner of the shuttered Three Mile Island nuclear power plant said Friday that it plans to restart the reactor under a 20-year agreement that calls for tech giant Microsoft to buy the power to supply its data centers with carbon-free energy.
Lebanese authorities on Thursday banned walkie-talkies and pagers from being taken on flights from Beirut airport, the National News Agency reported, after thousands of such devices exploded during a deadly attack on Hezbollah this week.
'Saturday Night Live' will have a slew of famous faces to help kick off its historic 50th season when the show returns later this month.
The death of the Tragically Hipβs lead singer Gord Downie united fans across Canada in their grief, but in many ways pulled his bandmates apart.
Sean "Diddy" Combs, who was arrested this week on charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, pleaded not guilty Tuesday and was ordered to remain in custody until his federal trial in New York. CNN spoke to several legal experts to try to understand what lies ahead for Combs and for those in his orbit.
It is not a great time to be a coffee drinker. In general, coffee bean prices are the highest they've been in more than a decade.
Experts say rising team valuations and the desire to forge a legacy are likely at the heart of what motivated Rogers Communications Inc. executive chair Edward Rogers to bolster the company's portfolio of Toronto professional sports teams.
Boeing said on Friday the head of the company's troubled defence, space and security unit is leaving the planemaker effective immediately.
Tattoos are becoming more common in today's society and, as a result, appear to be more acceptable in the workplace than they used to be.
The end of the day β when school, extracurricular activities and homework are (hopefully) finally done β is the window that many kids have for downtime. It can be a struggle to convince them not to go on their phones.
While slang may come and go, experts say the phenomenon behind them, which constantly churns out brand-new bon mots, is as old as language itself.
Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.
Andre De Grasse, fresh off of winning Olympic gold in the 4x100-metre rally in Paris 2024, has been in Toronto for the latest few weeks as part of the Toronto International Film Festival.
Heading into Fridayβs game against the Calgary Stampeders, quarterback Trevor Harris said he and his Saskatchewan Roughriders were "ready to rock."
General Motors (GM) has issued a recall for 38,000 vehicles for safety risks related to a software glitch, Transport Canada reported in a notice on Wednesday.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has accused Tesla CEO Elon Musk of 'remotely disabling' his Cybertruck, which had been sent to the frontline of Russia's war in Ukraine.
An Ontario man says it is 'unfair' to pay a $1,500 insurance surcharge because his four-year-old SUV is at a higher risk of being stolen.
Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.
Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.
An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.
They say a dog is a manβs best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.
A growing group of brides and wedding photographers from across the province say they have been taken for tens of thousands of dollars by a Barrie, Ont. wedding photographer.
Paleontologists from the Royal B.C. Museum have uncovered "a trove of extraordinary fossils" high in the mountains of northern B.C., the museum announced Thursday.
The search for a missing ancient 28-year-old chocolate donkey ended with a tragic discovery Wednesday.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is celebrating an important milestone in the organization's history: 50 years since the first women joined the force.
It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.
The British Columbia election campaign is set to officially start today, with Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin issuing the writ for the Oct. 19 vote.
British Columbia Conservative Party Leader John Rustad was at a low point in his life two years ago, both personally and politically.
The leader of British Columbia's Green Party faces an uphill battle one month before the provincial election as she faces off against an incumbent cabinet minister in a Victoria riding that's long been held by a New Democrat.
Toronto police say they have now identified a third person who they believe was involved in a shooting that left two men dead in North York earlier this week.
A man is fighting for his life in hospital a day after a vehicle smashed into several others in and around an intersection in Milton before flipping over.
Toronto police say an officer was injured after police pursued a robbery suspect onto the tracks at Bloor-Yonge Station late last night.
Heading into Fridayβs game against the Calgary Stampeders, quarterback Trevor Harris said he and his Saskatchewan Roughriders were "ready to rock."
The man charged with fatally stabbing lifelong Banff resident Ethan Enns-Goneau in 2022 has been convicted of second-degree murder.
Lethbridge County has rescinded its fire restriction as a result of the recent cool, wet weathr.
The family of a 30-year-old woman from eastern Ontario and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are renewing a call asking for help finding her, one year after she went missing.
An Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 173 km/h on Highway 417 near Palladium Drive, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa and eastern Ontario this weekend.
Montrealers can get used to taking a stroll on several car-free streets during the summer in the years to come thanks to a new commitment from the city.
Montreal Police (SPVM) say residents of a home in the Saint-Laurent borough were evacuated early Saturday morning after a vehicle fire spread to the house.
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating a suspected arson attack that occurred early Saturday morning in the Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc Extension borough.
Tattoos are becoming more common in today's society and, as a result, appear to be more acceptable in the workplace than they used to be.
The death of the Tragically Hipβs lead singer Gord Downie united fans across Canada in their grief, but in many ways pulled his bandmates apart.
The Lethbridge Hurricanes kicked off the 2024-25 season on a winning note Friday night, defeating the Edmonton Oil Kings 3-1 in a game played at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.
New Brunswickβs Green Party leader David Coon announced his commitment to restore services cut by previous Liberal and Conservative governments to rural parts of the province on Saturday.
Halifax Regional Police warned the public of a series of high-value thefts targeting retail stores Friday.
It is not a great time to be a coffee drinker. In general, coffee bean prices are the highest they've been in more than a decade.
The search for a missing six-year-old boy in Shamattawa is continuing Friday as RCMP hope recent tips can help lead to a happy conclusion.
While slang may come and go, experts say the phenomenon behind them, which constantly churns out brand-new bon mots, is as old as language itself.
Winnipeg police are investigating after a home invasion in the cityβs River East neighbourhood early Friday morning.
Regina police arrested three youths in connection to a bear mace incident at a Regina high school on Friday.
Heading into Friday's game against the Calgary Stampeders, quarterback Trevor Harris said he and his Saskatchewan Roughriders were "ready to rock."
Wynyard RCMP responded to a serious collision on Highway 16 just north of Dafoe, Sask. on Friday night.
Protests were held in front of Kitchener City Hall on Friday, both for and against LGBTQ2S+ inclusive education and queer rights in schools.
The provincial government is considering new rules to restrict a municipalityβs ability to install new bike lanes if it means traffic lanes would be removed.
A new scam is being reported in communities across the country.
Heading into Friday's game against the Calgary Stampeders, quarterback Trevor Harris said he and his Saskatchewan Roughriders were "ready to rock."
The City of Saskatoon is proposing changes to the proposed downtown shelter site plan following feedback from nearby residents and businesses.
The 75-year-old building, formerly the Waskesiu Chamber of Commerce building, was relocated to the Parks Canada compound on the edge of the townsite.
Emergency crews in northern Ontario found the bodies of four people inside a home where a fire broke out Thursday night.
A $2.14-billion federal loan for an Ottawa-based satellite operator has Canadian politicians arguing about whether American billionaire Elon Musk poses a national security risk.
An Ontario woman is among the dozens of people who have come forward to allege that they were sexually abused by London-based businessman Mohamed Al Fayed, the former chairman and owner of Harrods.
A motorcyclist has died following a serious collision that took place in Londonβs south end on Friday afternoon.
The London Police Service (LPS) is currently investigating a suspicious death in the east end.
The St. Thomas police is asking the public for help locating a missing man.
A man is facing numerous drug trafficking charges after Dufferin OPP seized a large assortment of drugs and weapons in Orangeville earlier this week.
One person is in hospital after an e-bike crash in Orillia on Thursday.
GO Transit will be using buses on the Barrie Line this weekend due to track upgrades and repairs.
A LaSalle high school is celebrating its emerald anniversary this weekend, with everyone who has ever walked its halls invited to return.
A new report released by Statistics Canada has analyzed the rate of post-secondary attendance between young immigrants and domestic students.
The final phase of investigation in downtown Wheatley is nearing completion over three years after a major gas explosion.
The British Columbia election campaign is set to officially start today, with Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin issuing the writ for the Oct. 19 vote.
British Columbia Conservative Party Leader John Rustad was at a low point in his life two years ago, both personally and politically.
The leader of British Columbia's Green Party faces an uphill battle one month before the provincial election as she faces off against an incumbent cabinet minister in a Victoria riding that's long been held by a New Democrat.
A pair of runaway pigs are in the custody of an animal sanctuary in the Okanagan after evading police and volunteers for hours earlier this week.
The Red Bridge, a historic landmark in Kamloops, B.C., was completely destroyed by fire early Thursday morning.
Animal protection officers in British Columbia have rescued three pit bulls β including one that gave birth to 10 puppies β from a rat-infested home in Kelowna.
Despite the heavy rain, plenty of muscle turned up for United Wayβs annual Pull the Bus fundraiser in Lethbridge Friday.
Lethbridge County has rescinded its fire restriction as a result of the recent cool, wet weathr.
The Lethbridge Hurricanes kicked off the 2024-25 season on a winning note Friday night, defeating the Edmonton Oil Kings 3-1 in a game played at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.
A 26-year-old driver from Surrey, B.C., has been charged with three counts of criminal negligence causing death and bodily harm in a crash that killed two youths in northern Ontario last year.
Ontario Provincial Police say three suspects from southern Ontario have been charged and drugs worth $300,000 have been seized following a traffic stop Sept. 16.
A Brampton driver, 27, was charged this week when northern Ontario police stopped the SUV he was driving on Highway 17 after a reported shooting and found more than $100,000 in cash.
Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical officer is monitoring the rise of whooping cough infections across the province as cases of the highly contagious disease continue to grow across Canada.
A 16-year-old biennial event aimed at fostering business in the country's eastern Arctic and northern regions has been cancelled indefinitely as a dispute unfolds between Inuit in Canada and a Labrador group claiming to share their heritage.
Jim Lesterβs farm hopped on the cow-cuddling trend in early August, and his time slots have been pretty well sold out ever since.
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at ΒιΆΉΣ°ΚΣ. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop.Β Read about us.
