Personality shifts in midlife can be early warning signs of dementia, often appearing years before cognitive decline becomes apparent. According to Gill Livingston, a professor of the psychiatry of older people at University College London, family members frequently notice behavioral changes before a dementia diagnosis. A recent paper by Livingston and colleagues, based on a major study of civil servants in Whitehall, identified a series of personality changes in midlife that signal greater dementia risk. Antonio Terracciano, a professor in the department of geriatrics at Florida State University College of Medicine, notes that “when researchers ask family members about a loved one who has gone on to develop dementia, they often say that the first change related to their behaviour and personality, more than the typical symptoms of the condition.”
Seven key personality shifts have been linked to dementia. Loss of confidence can reflect the brain becoming less flexible and resilient as key regions shrink, while also driving self-isolation and loneliness, which increases dementia risk. Becoming less open to new experiences and ideas correlates with greater vulnerability to cognitive decline. Inability to face problems reflects steadily shrinking brain regions, reducing cognitive reserve or capacity to cope. Impulsiveness, particularly sudden increases, can be an early sign of frontotemporal dementia caused by erosion of cells in the brain’s frontal regions. Becoming less conscientious—losing the ability to be organized and plan—correlates strongly with dementia risk. Feeling more nervous or highly strung relates to neuroticism and may result from chronic stress, which increases inflammation affecting brain health. Becoming less warm or affectionate can signal mental health conditions like depression, which themselves increase dementia risk.
Distinguishing Normal Aging
Personality changes can be mistaken for midlife crises or menopause effects. The key distinction, according to Livingston, is whether the change represents how the person would have reacted in the past. If they’ve responded similarly during previous stress, it’s likely situational. If it’s a change in how they react, there is concern about a less resilient brain.
Recent blood tests such as p-tau217, which measures levels of a protein fragment released when brain nerve cells are damaged, are becoming available to assess early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. However, these tests are not currently available on the NHS, though it is hoped they will be by the end of the decade. Experts note that as a standalone test, these can increase worry without offering proven treatments to stop disease progression.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://health.yahoo.com/conditions/neurological/dementia/articles/seven-midlife-personality-changes-warning-060000757.html