Pessimism raises dementia risk

Pessimism raises dementia risk, study finds
Research based on standardized personality tests

Updated: 12:09 p.m. ET April 15, 2005

WASHINGTON - Pessimistic, anxious and depressed people may have a higher risk of dementia, U.S. researchers reported Thursday.

A study of a group of 3,500 people showed that those who scored high for pessimism on a standardized personality test had a 30 percent increased risk of developing dementia 30 to 40 years later.

Those scoring very high on both anxiety and pessimism scales had a 40 percent higher risk, the study showed. more...