Beijing: A financial blow, such as losing a job or losing a savings account in middle age, can increase the risk of dementia, a study has found.
A study conducted at China’s Zhejiang University School of Medicine studied 8,000 people between the ages of 50 and 65 who had lost 75 percent of their wealth over a two-year period. These people from the US were followed for an average of 14 years to see if they developed dementia.
Research has shown that the stress of losing large amounts of money is associated with an increased rate of decline in mental performance.
The study found that people who had experienced financial setbacks were 27 percent more likely to develop dementia than those who were financially stable.
The assessment was based on a telephonic examination with a medical expert to assess the performance of the individual’s thinking skills.
The test also found that people who had lost more money had a faster decline in mental performance. However, the association between sudden financial shocks and mental performance and dementia was only seen in people up to age 65. .
The authors of the study reported that people over the age of 65 are better able to cope with stressful events.
Study lead author Dr Jung Guo said the shock of losing wealth can affect health. Decline in wealth and taking on new debt account for this setback.
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