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Being married for many years in midlife reduces the risk of developing dementia in old age, according to a recently published study based on health survey data from the HUNT Study in Nord-Trøndelag.
According to Vegard Skirbekk of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH/FHI), being married can influence dementia risk factors.
The researchers looked at different types of marital status in people over a 24-year period, from ages 44 to 68, and tested whether this was associated with a clinical diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) after age 44.
The results show that the group that was continuously married throughout the period had the lowest incidence of dementia.
While the highest incidence was found in divorced and single people.
Asta Håberg is a physician at St. Olav’s Hospital and a professor at NTNU, as well as a researcher at NIPH/FHI. She says the survey results contained surprises.
“Exactly what causes dementia is a mystery. This survey indicates that being married and a lower risk of dementia are linked, but we don’t know whysays Haberg.
Other factors affect dementia
According to the specialist, one theory has been that people who are married live healthier lives and that this explains the differences in the risk of various diseases.
“In this survey we found no support for differences in health between married and single people that explain the difference in dementia risk.”
The researchers used the survey data to compare the incidence of dementia with health factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes, psychological problems, and having close friends.
However, the researchers found that having children was important and reduced the risk of dementia by 60% among single people in the study.
“Some people have theorized that if you have children, you stay more cognitively engaged. For example, you have to deal with people and participate in activities that you would not otherwise have to do. This stimulates your brain to possibly work better. That way you build a kind of cognitive reserve.says Haberg.
So far, the study does not consider whether there is any difference between being a single versus a married couple. Less than 1% of single people in the survey were cohabiting with a partner.
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