Introduction to Dementia and Curiosity
More than 6 million Americans have dementia, which affects memory, language and problem-solving skills. Several lifestyle changes can lower dementia risk, including a healthy diet, exercise, social interaction, blood pressure management and adequate sleep.
Now, a new study suggests that a curious mind may actually help reduce dementia risk, too.
The Importance of Curiosity in Older Adults
“A lot of older adults will go back to take classes or pick up hobbies or engage in bird watching,” UCLA psychologist and senior study author Alan Castel said. “I think it shows that this level of curiosity, if maintained, can really keep us sharp as we age.” Castel and his colleagues wanted to explore the effect of age on two types of curiosity — trait and state curiosity.
Understanding Trait and State Curiosity
State curiosity is a momentary desire to learn something new when a topic grabs your attention. Trait curiosity, meanwhile, is a lifelong passion for learning and trying new experiences. The study authors had 1,200 adults between 20 and 84, with an average age of 44, complete an online questionnaire assessing their curiosity. Each volunteer was asked 63 questions and given 20 seconds for every answer. Participants also rated their curiosity to learn the answer and their confidence that they had the right answer.
Sample Questions and Findings
Sample questions included:
- “What is added to white sugar to make brown sugar?” Answer: molasses
- “What is the name of the biggest constellation in the sky?” Answer: Hydra
The researchers found that participants’ interest in learning new information from trivia — a measure of state curiosity — declined in early adulthood, spiked after middle age and continued upward into old age.
A new study suggests that a curious mind may actually help reduce dementia risk.
The Relationship Between Age and Curiosity
The study explained that young adults acquire the knowledge, skills and opportunities they need to succeed at school, work and home. Paying the mortgage and raising a family tend to be the focus in middle age, which is when many people report being less happy. But once their children leave the nest and they retire, seniors can indulge in certain interests and their state curiosity increases.
Research has suggested that brain-challenging activities like puzzles and games may help lower the risk of dementia by helping to maintain cognitive function. pressmaster – stock.adobe.com
Conclusion
The findings were published this week in the journal PLOS One. Other research has suggested that brain-challenging activities like puzzles and games may help lower the risk of dementia by helping to maintain cognitive function. “Anecdotally, a lot of older adults I speak to say that it’s important to stay curious,” Castel said. “That fits with some of the research that shows that people who have early stages of dementia might show disinterest in things that they once enjoyed.”
FAQs
Q: What is dementia?
A: Dementia is a condition that affects memory, language and problem-solving skills.
Q: How many Americans have dementia?
A: More than 6 million Americans have dementia.
Q: What lifestyle changes can lower dementia risk?
A: A healthy diet, exercise, social interaction, blood pressure management and adequate sleep can lower dementia risk.
Q: What is trait curiosity?
A: Trait curiosity is a lifelong passion for learning and trying new experiences.
Q: What is state curiosity?
A: State curiosity is a momentary desire to learn something new when a topic grabs your attention.
