Do you know: Researchers identify three psychological profiles that may determine the evolution of mental, cognitive and brain health in aging
in 2025
An international study published in the journal Nature Mental Health identified three psychological profiles associated with different patterns of cognitive and brain decline in aging. The study, which analyzed more than 1,000 middle-aged and older adults, shows that the specific psychological characteristics of each profile can influence the risk of developing dementia, as well as factors such as the speed of decline brain and sleep quality. These findings open new perspectives for designing more personalized prevention strategies.
According to the research team, the findings highlight “the need for comprehensive psychological assessments of patients to identify different psychological profiles and thus enable the implementation of more specific and tailored behavior change strategies.”
The study is being led by David Bartrés-Faz, a researcher at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Institute of Neurosciences (UBneuro) of the University of Barcelona. He is also a member of the August Pi Biomedical Research Institute in Sunyer (IDIBAPS) and a principal researcher at the Institut Guttmann Barcelona Brain Health Initiative (BBHI), which aims to maintain and understand brain health.
Risk and protective factors for cognitive decline
Recent studies have identified psychological characteristics that may be associated with increased risk or protection against cognitive decline, neurodegeneration and clinical dementia. For example, after repetitive negative thoughts, a tendency to experience perceived distress and stress is associated with greater risk, and a sense of purpose in life or self-reflection would be protective factors against such deterioration.
In this study, which was conducted on data from more than 1,000 volunteers of the BBHI and the international Medit-Aoisu study, the research team examined whether these factors — protective and risk factors — come together in similar psychological profiles in two independent cohorts of middle age. adults and the elderly without cognitive impairment.
Bartrés-Faz emphasizes that “so far, psychological risk and protective factors have been examined almost independently: this approach is limited, because psychological characteristics do not exist alone.”
The team then analyzed the association of each of these profiles with indicators of mental health, cognition, lifestyle and brain integrity — measured by cortical thickness — as well as cognitive evolution and brain atrophy over time. “The aim was to clarify how different combinations of psychological characteristics relate to mental, cognitive and brain health,” notes the UB and Gutmann Institut researcher.
Mental and cognitive health implications
The results show that a “well-balanced” psychological profile, with relatively high protective factors and relatively low risk factors, is associated with better cognitive and mental health in all indicators measured. “These associations were observed in all age groups studied, which reinforces the relevance of considering the balance of a wide range of psychological aspects as determinants of mental, cognitive and brain health in adults and older,” says Bartrés-Faz.
On the other hand, a psychological profile with low levels of protective characteristics — such as a sense of purpose, extraversion or openness to new experiences — was associated with poorer cognition (especially in the elderly), more significant brain atrophy ( already noticeable). in middle-aged adults) and lower adherence to healthy lifestyles.
Finally, the third profile identified, characterized by high levels of negative or risky psychological traits, such as a high tendency towards distress and negative thoughts, “may increase the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia through a psychotic pathway -effective, including the expression of. symptoms such as depression, anxiety, cognitive complaints, loneliness and sleep disorders,” says the researcher.
Future prevention interventions
When validated in larger sample studies, these findings may have important implications for the development of future preventive interventions designed to modify psychological factors and lifestyles. “For example, people with characteristics compatible with the psychological profile with low levels of protective factors may benefit more from psychological therapies that include the identification or re-identification of valued behaviors and life goals, such as acceptance therapy and commitment,” Bartrés-Faz. notes.
However, “people who meet the criteria of the third profile identified may have a better response to therapies aimed at reducing the symptoms of distress, which have also recently been shown to have potential benefit,” says the researcher. The expert emphasizes the importance of “comprehensive psychological assessments, including analysis of both risk and protective factors, to more accurately assess each person’s risk profile.”