Ross Andel and James Mortimer from the University of South Florida have been examining the relationship between occupations and the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia in general. There findings seem to indicate that people engaging in "complex work" had a reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer's. "Occupations with high mental demands may provide a form of 'mental exercise' that supports brain function into older adulthood," said Andel, whose findings appear in the Journal of Gerontology.
While most recent research has focused on issues like smoking, drinking and exercise - and the roles they may play in the risk for dementia - occupation has not been studied closely. But occupation as an intellectual stimulus, said Andel, is yet another factor that needs consideration, particularly given the amount of time people spend at their job.
Previous research had found that occupations with low social status have been found to be a risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer's, but occupational complexity as a source of intellectual stimulation has not been looked at sufficiently, contend the researchers.
Andel and Mortimer studied the risk of dementia in cases and controls and in complete twin pairs using data from a Swedish Twin Registry, through which sets of twins were followed for more than 40 years and whose main occupations were recorded. Within the twins, one twin was diagnosed with dementia and the co-twin was dementia-free.
The researchers found that those who performed complex work with data or people had a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. They believe that intellectually demanding activity at work may facilitate brain health in old age. "Those performing complex work with people, such as speaking to, instructing or negotiating with people, appeared particularly protected," said Andel.
Based on a media release from the University of South Florida
