Advancing in life is the key.
New research from Japan suggests that individuals who experience social and economic upward mobility throughout their lives may be significantly benefiting their brain health. Led by Professor Ryoto Sakaniwa from Osaka University, the study revealed that individuals who demonstrated high levels of “climbing the ladder” tended to either avoid dementia entirely or develop it much later than those who did not experience such upward mobility.
Drawing from data collected in the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, which tracked nearly 9,200 participants aged 65 and older from 2010 to 2016, the research team examined changes in participants’ socioeconomic status over their lifetimes. These changes were then compared to national data on nursing care to assess dementia diagnoses.
The study uncovered clear patterns: Individuals with declining socioeconomic status were more susceptible to developing dementia. Conversely, those who achieved upward social and financial mobility experienced lower rates of dementia compared to those whose socioeconomic status remained stagnant.
The link between social mobility and dementia risk was influenced by various factors, including lifestyle choices, health conditions, and social circumstances, according to the researchers.
Published in JAMA Network Open on May 22, the study’s findings suggest that enhancing socioeconomic conditions throughout one’s life could play a crucial role in dementia prevention and promoting healthier aging. Professor Sakaniwa emphasized that the prolonged period of dementia-free aging associated with upward social mobility underscores the potential significance of improving socioeconomic circumstances for overall brain health and longevity.
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