According to a review published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (1), long-term stress may affect the brain through biological processes.
The researcher and author Dharma Singh Khalsa explains that chronic stress is associated with elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Research links this to changes in the hippocampus, the area of the brain that is important for memory.
The review also notes that stress is often associated with sleep problems, depression, anxiety, and metabolic disorders, each of which is linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline.
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Lifestyle matters
The review highlights that preventing cognitive decline is not only about medication.
As an example, it refers to the FINGER study published in The Lancet, in which older participants followed a program involving dietary changes, physical exercise, mental training, and social activities.
The study showed an overall improvement in cognitive function compared with the control group.
According to Dharma Singh Khalsa, this supports the idea that multiple lifestyle factors together may play a role in brain aging.
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Meditation
Dharma Singh Khalsa mentions meditation as a possible preventive measure against stress that can lead to cognitive decline, including short daily meditation sessions.
In smaller studies published in, among others, Geriatric Psychiatry and the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (2), the method was tested in people with memory complaints and in stressed caregivers.
In these studies, researchers found improvements in certain memory tests, as well as better well-being and sleep.
Another study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology found changes in biological markers related to stress and immune function.
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However, the results are based on small studies and cannot be used as proof that meditation prevents Alzheimer’s disease, but they may provide an indication that meditation can be helpful.
Sources: Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (1), The Lancet, Geriatric Psychiatry, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (2) og Psychoneuroendocrinology.
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