Objective
A life course epidemiologic approach suggests that personality may have lifelong pathways
of influence on risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This article
aimed to systematically review case–control and prospective studies on the association
between personality and risk of these cognitive disorders.
Methods
Studies were identified through Scopus, Medline, PubMed, and PsycINFO. Searches combined
terms for personality with those for dementia and MCI. Data were extracted and checked
by a second reviewer, systematically reviewed, and meta-analyzed where appropriate.
Results
Twelve longitudinal and three case–control studies were included. Five of nine studies
found that higher neuroticism was associated with greater dementia risk (pooled hazard
ratio [HR] per unit increase on neuroticism score, HR = 1.13, 95% confidence interval
[CI] = 1.08–1.18, z = 5.11, p <0.001, N = 3,285), and two studies showed it increased
risk of MCI. Three of four studies showed that higher conscientiousness was protective
against dementia (pooled HR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.81–0.97, z = 3.34, p = 0.001, N = 1,687),
and one of two studies suggested it reduced risk of MCI. Three of four studies found
no association between openness and dementia; however, pooled data suggested openness
was protective (HR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.81–0.97, z = 2.34, p = 0.008, N = 1,687). Seven
studies indicated that extraversion was not linked with dementia, and four found no
association between agreeableness and dementia.
Conclusions
Neuroticism increased risk for dementia, and conscientiousness reduced risk. The protective
effect of openness was tentative. Extraversion and agreeableness were not associated
with dementia. Personality should be incorporated in conceptual models of dementia
risk. Clinicians and public health professionals should consider personality when
planning dementia risk reduction strategies.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 28, 2013
Accepted:
August 1,
2012
Received in revised form:
July 1,
2012
Received:
November 11,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
