After adjusting for depressive symptoms, individuals with high anxiety appear to have a greater risk for dementia later in life. Researchers used data from the Swedish Adoption Twin Study of Aging, a multi-decade study that has followed twins who were separated early in life. They found when only one twin (either identical or fraternal) had a history of high levels of anxiety, they were 6-11% more likely than their sibling to be diagnosed with dementia three decades later.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia, November 2015