Individuals in the top quartile of neuroticism (HR 3.1; 95% CI 1.6-6.0) or lowest quartile of conscientiousness (HR 3.3; 95% CI 1.4-7.4) had a threefold increased risk of incident Alzheimer's disease.
Meta-Analysis (n=6,725)
Are specific personality traits associated with an increased risk of incident Alzheimer's disease?
Personality traits such as high neuroticism and low conscientiousness are associated with a significantly increased risk of incident Alzheimer's disease.
Effect estimate: HR 3.1 (95% CI 1.6-6.0)
p-value: p=2 × 10(-9)
BACKGROUND: We examine whether broad factors and specific facets of personality are associated with increased risk of incident Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a long-run longitudinal study and a meta-analysis of published studies. METHODS: Participants (n = 1671) were monitored for up to 22 years from a baseline personality assessment. The meta-analysis pooled results from up to five prospective studies (n = 5054). RESULTS: Individuals with scores in the top quartile of neuroticism (hazard ratio = 3.1; 95% confidence interval = 1.6-6.0) or the lowest quartile of conscientiousness (hazard ratio = 3.3; 95% confidence interval = 1.4-7.4) had a threefold increased risk of incident AD. Among the components of these traits, self-discipline and depression had the strongest associations with incident AD. The meta-analysis confirmed the associations of neuroticism (P = 2 × 10(-9)) and conscientiousness (P = 2 × 10(-6)), along with weaker effects for openness and agreeableness (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The current study and meta-analysis indicate that personality traits are associated with increased risk of AD, with effect sizes similar to those of well-established clinical and lifestyle risk factors.
Terracciano et al. (Tue,) conducted a meta-analysis in Alzheimer's disease (n=6,725). High neuroticism and low conscientiousness vs. Lower neuroticism and higher conscientiousness was evaluated on Incident Alzheimer's disease (HR 3.1, 95% CI 1.6-6.0, p=2 × 10(-9)). Individuals in the top quartile of neuroticism (HR 3.1; 95% CI 1.6-6.0) or lowest quartile of conscientiousness (HR 3.3; 95% CI 1.4-7.4) had a threefold increased risk of incident Alzheimer's disease.