New Research On Personality And Dementia Risk: Exploring Cognitive Health Factors

Dementia is a cognitive condition that can significantly impact well-being and daily functioning. Symptoms typically affect older adults but are not a normal part of aging. However, millions of people develop dementia, which may contribute to the reason dementia prevention is a popular topic in 2025. Below, examine 2025 research that sheds new light on specific personality traits that may increase or decrease the risk of qualifying for a dementia diagnosis. In addition, find steps individuals can take to potentially reduce their chances of developing dementia.

What are dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?

More than 55 million people worldwide currently have dementia, and progressive dementia can be a profoundly distressing experience for the individual and their loved ones. Per the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is “a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that is severe enough to interfere with daily life.” 

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, but not the only one. Other common causes include vascular dementia (due to strokes that affect blood flow in the brain), frontotemporal dementia (due to progressive degeneration of the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes), and mixed dementia (which can be attributable to multiple causes). 

There's currently no known cure for Alzheimer's disease or most other causes of dementia, and the progression is typically fatal, though there are some treatments available that may slow symptoms and reduce dementia-related impairments. For this reason, there is a strong public health interest in preventing various forms of dementia through interventions earlier in life. 

Common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia

Some memory changes are not pathology but are a natural part of aging. However, dementia is not a normal part of aging, and those experiencing symptoms are often encouraged to meet with their doctor. Symptoms that dementia patients may experience can vary depending on the cause, the severity, the stage, and the individual, but common examples include:

• Getting lost in a familiar area
• Forgetting the names of close loved ones 
• Having trouble with planning and problem-solving
• Misplacing items in strange places and not being able to retrace one's steps to find them
• Social withdrawal
• Mood changes 

Risk factors vs. protective factors

In mental health, researchers often speak about risk factors and protective factors. A risk factor is an element of a person's genetic makeup, personality, or lifestyle that might put them at increased risk of developing a certain illness. A protective factor is the opposite: an element that decreases a person's risk of developing a certain illness. Both risk factors and protective factors may affect the chances of a person experiencing a specific type of disorder. Still, they're not guaranteed, as contributing elements can be difficult or impossible to measure and predict. 

For example, consider the mental illness post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in which an individual develops strong anxiety symptoms and avoidance behaviors after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. Research suggests that protective factors like having strong social support and finding positive meaning in the experience could decrease a person's risk of developing PTSD after a traumatic event. However, the person also having risk factors like a genetic predisposition, a pre-existing mental illness, or additional past experience of trauma could increase their risk.  

It may be impossible to predict exactly how these factors may balance out and affect a person's mental health. However, being aware of them—especially the factors that relate to behaviors a person can change—could result in more positive health outcomes. The same can be true for risk and protective factors related to dementia.

New research on personality and dementia risk

A study published in the journal Nature Mental Health in 2025 sheds new light on the topic of dementia risk—particularly as it relates to personality traits and elements of emotional health. The study involved 823 older adults without a current cognitive impairment. The research team conducted psychological interviews and brain pathology scans on each participant to better understand their personality traits and emotional health. According to their findings, they divided the group into three cohorts based on their traits. Just over two years later, the team followed up with all the participants to measure brain changes and check for signs of dementia.

The researchers assigned each group of participants a profile according to their traits. Per the study:

• Profile one was characterized by lower levels of protective psychological characteristics, or personality traits
• Profile two was characterized by higher psychological risk characteristics in the form of certain emotional traits and challenges
• Profile three was characterized by a balance of moderately high protective and moderately low-risk characteristics

Below, explore the traits the researchers identified for each group and their potential effects on dementia risk.

The study’s findings on personality and dementia risk

The researchers identified a few key personality traits as potentially protective factors against developing dementia: conscientiousness, openness to experience, extraversion, and agreeableness. Individuals in profile one scored low in all of these traits. In turn, the researchers found that, at the two-year follow-up, this group also:

• Showed significantly worse global cognitive function than the other groups
• Had the highest levels of brain atrophy according to brain scans
• Showed the lowest adherence to healthy lifestyle habits (e.g., exercise, not smoking, etc.)
• Reported lower sleep quality and higher loneliness 

The study’s findings on emotional health challenges and risk of dementia

The participants that the researchers categorized as profile two were primarily identified as having certain “negative risk traits” for dementia. Most significantly, they had higher levels of both depression and anxiety than those who fit the other two profiles. These manifested as repetitive negative thoughts and a tendency toward perceiving situations as stressful. At the two-year follow-up, these participants showed the most memory challenges and the highest risk scores for dementia—a link also supported by past research—although they didn't display notable differences in terms of their cognitive tests or cortical thickness in brain scans. 

Interpreting the findings: Suggested approaches for decreasing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

In contrast to those with profiles one or two, those categorized as profile three showed high protective factors in terms of personality: a strong sense of purpose, openness to new experiences, extraversion, and self-reflection as well as lower depressive and anxiety-related traits. As a whole, the researchers refer to this as a “well-balanced psychological profile” and linked it to the lowest risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia among the three groups.

The researchers involved in this study recommend that more research be done to support their most surprising findings and conclusions. Regardless, their findings suggest that it's not just anxiety and depression in midlife that may increase dementia risk, but also the absence of certain personality traits. They indicate a potential link between low conscientiousness, lack of extraversion, lack of openness to new experiences, and low agreeableness with loneliness, unhealthy habits, and increased dementia risk. 

Recommended future studies and treatments 

Given these findings, the researchers recommend certain types of therapy for individuals who may fit psychological profiles one or two. Those in profile one who showed low levels of certain protective traits were recommended modalities like acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). ACT therapy may help an individual identify a sense of purpose, which may improve their scores in terms of various protective personality traits and, in turn, help them cultivate healthy habits and potentially reduce dementia risk. For those who fit profile two, therapies that help individuals learn to manage stress and address clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety may be most helpful in terms of improving mental health and reducing dementia risk. 

Other factors that may help reduce the risk of dementia

In addition to seeking therapy to reduce stress, address anxiety and depression, and cultivate a sense of purpose, various other approaches may decrease an individual’s dementia risk. According to other research, examples include:

• Manage high blood pressure and diabetes, if applicable
• Do not smoke 
• Get regular physical activity 
• Limit or avoid alcohol
• Protect eyesight and hearing
• Avoid head injuries, such as by wearing a helmet when biking or skiing
• Stay or become socially engaged 

Research on eating patterns also offers insights for potentially reducing dementia risk. For example, a 2022 study by the Rush University Medical Center suggests that eating foods rich in flavonoids may decrease the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The University Medical Center study indicates that flavonoids can be found in leafy greens, broccoli, apples, and berries. Consult with your doctor or nutritionist before making significant changes to your eating habits. Each individual's risk and protective factors are different. If you're worried about dementia risk, meeting with your doctor to discuss your unique situation may be helpful. 

The BetterHelp platform is not intended to provide any information regarding which health advice or treatment may be appropriate for you. The content provides generalized information that is not specific to one individual. Do not take any action without consulting a qualified medical professional.

Seeking mental health support to address personality traits or challenges linked to dementia

As the researchers in the 2025 study cited above suggest, certain forms of talk therapy may reduce dementia risk. If you're looking to reduce dementia risk by addressing depression, stress, or anxiety, cultivating a stronger sense of purpose and life satisfaction, building up your social skills, or targeting personality traits or habits, seeking the support of a therapist may be a positive next step.

Exploring online therapy as a more convenient form of support

While therapy can be helpful to many, not everyone can attend regular in-person therapy sessions. Some people may live in a rural area with few nearby providers, while others may not be comfortable meeting with a therapist face to face at all. In such cases, online therapy can often represent a more convenient option for receiving quality care. 

You can take advantage of an online therapy platform like BetterHelp to get matched and then meet with a licensed therapist remotely. You can speak with your provider via phone, video, and chat from anywhere you have an internet connection, and you can switch providers at any point if needed for no additional cost. Studies suggest that online and in-person talk therapy can often be equally effective.

Takeaway

New research suggests that certain personality traits may affect a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or another cause of dementia. Literature indicates that extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness to new experiences, a strong sense of purpose, and more positive affect in general may act as protective factors against developing dementia. The researchers also indicate that untreated anxiety and depression, high stress levels, and overall negative affect could be risk factors for dementia. Talk therapy may help a person develop more positive traits and learn to manage strong emotions, which could potentially reduce their risk of developing dementia later in life.