A team of Japanese researchers has demonstrated that climbing the social ladder can reduce the risk of developing dementia by 40 percent. However, this ascent must not only be successful but also steep.
The most significant protective effect against dementia is observed in individuals who were born into low-income families with minimal social support but managed to become wealthy and attain a high status throughout their lives. Researchers refer to these individuals as true social climbers.
Conversely, those who remain on the lower rungs, those who have moved down from a higher position, and those who find themselves stuck in the middle are more likely to develop dementia than social climbers.
According to the researchers, social mobility may enhance the brain’s resilience to stress, as reported by the Daily Mail. It’s important to remember that stress is considered one of the key risk factors for developing dementia.
In their report, the scientists referenced a study from Rutgers University (USA), which found that individuals who have experienced stressful situations tend to have better memory. This could be linked to the idea that stressful experiences train the brain, making it stronger and more capable of resisting age-related changes.
What Else Did the Scientists Discover?
The Japanese team was led by Professor Hiroyasu Iso, an epidemiologist and director of the Institute for Global Health Policy Research (iGHP). He noted that the more social support a person has, the lower their likelihood of developing dementia. However, he mentioned that scientists have known this for a long time. For instance, a French study showed that lonely elderly individuals are 30 percent more likely to suffer from dementia than those with a rich social life.
Despite this, very few previous studies have explored whether changes in social status can protect against the development of dementia.
Professor Iso’s team utilized data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES), which tracked the living conditions of approximately 200,000 individuals aged 65 and older over six years. The researchers were primarily interested in identifying factors that help people live healthier and longer lives.
The scientists categorized respondents based on average income, education level, and self-assessment of their social life. The lowest income averaged around $7,217 per year or less, while the highest reached $38,690.
Individuals on the lower rungs often exhibited insufficient weight, were more likely to live alone, suffered from mental health issues, and had minimal chances of obtaining a degree. They also reported having less support from family and fewer friends, and they were more likely to reside in rural areas.
Those who climbed to higher rungs were more educated, engaged in sports more frequently, socialized often, and lived in urban areas. Additionally, they felt supported by family and friends.
The new findings resonate with conclusions from a recent study conducted by University College London. Its authors discovered that individuals who have ascended the social ladder have a 50 percent lower likelihood of developing dementia compared to those who have descended.
The article detailing the research conducted by the Japanese scientists was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open.