Challenging work prevents dementia

People who have highly challenging jobs with various opportunities for responsibility may be less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia.Researchers from the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany found that challenging work with high control possibilities and high social demands might prevent the development of dementia.Other psychosocial factors have also been linked with an increased risk of dementia among adults. Previous studies have found that adults who live alone, have never married, have no close social ties, or who rarely participate in social and leisure activities have an increased risk of dementia.

Investigators looked at the possible influence of work-related factors on dementia risk. They studied the work histories of 195 dementia patients, aged between 55 to 99 years, who visited 23 general practices between 1998 and 2000. For comparison, the study also included 229 seniors without dementia.Dementia patients were less likely to have had challenging work experiences or high possibilities for control at their jobs than those in the comparison group. They were more likely to work in positions, where there was a high risk of making errors.

The reason for this is unknown, but researchers speculate that jobs that have a high risk for error, (like) building occupations, farmers, motor vehicle and train drivers, are associated with an increased head trauma risk, which is a risk factor for dementia.
It is unclear whether psychosocial factors cause dementia. But if they are associated, then dementia could be prevented by the improvement of working conditions.

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