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Chronic and new anxiety are associated with an increased risk of developing dementia
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that both chronic and new-onset anxiety were associated with an increased risk of dementia. However, if anxiety was resolved, there was no association with dementia risk.
The study included 2,132 people with an average age of 76 years participating in the Hunter Community Study in Australia, who were followed for an average of 10 years. Having chronic anxiety and new-onset anxiety were associated with a 2.8- and 3.2-fold increased risk of developing dementia, respectively. Even higher risks were seen in adults with anxiety up to age 70. People whose anxiety had resolved had no higher risk of developing dementia compared with people without current or past anxiety.
Although this type of question cannot be the subject of a randomized controlled trial, this prospective cohort study used causal analysis methods to examine the role of anxiety in the development of dementia.
The study findings suggest that anxiety may be a new risk factor to target for preventing dementia, and found that treating anxiety may reduce the risk.
"The study suggests that anxiety may be a new risk factor worth targeting to prevent dementia, and also suggests that treating anxiety may reduce this risk," said Kay Khaing, MMed, lead author of the study from Newcastle University.