Copyright (c) 2007 The Brain Code LLC
Conscientiousness refers to your willful desire to work in a dependable manner with attention to detail. Since the 1940s, the psychology field has considered conscientiousness as one of five major personality traits, the others being neuroticism, extraversion, openness and agreeableness. Now, new research shows that your level of conscientiousness may affect your level of Brain Fitness.
A little extra effort may be good for your brain
Researchers tested nearly a thousand older adults that were free of any kind of dementia, rated them on the five personality traits and then followed them for 12 years. They discovered that high scores in conscientiousness were protective against developing Alzheimer's disease down the road.
Previous studies had already shown that Alzheimer's disease patients have lower scores of conscientiousness. What was not known, is whether conscientiousness simply declined with the disease or whether having low conscientiousness scores in the first place put you at higher risk for getting the disease, which the new data confirms.
The reason high conscientiousness might protect you from late-life dementia is not clear, but the research team offered some speculation. They first considered that people with higher degrees of conscientiousness take better care of themselves and are therefore in better cardiovascular health, which also relates to Alzheimer's disease. However, when they controlled for this by comparing high and low conscientious people in similar cardiovascular health, it did not explain the difference.
Another area they speculated on related more to the idea of cognitive reserve, which I have discussed in the past. They used the term
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Health Articles
Stress Relief Made Easy and Fun With the Right Exercise
By: Cindy Papp | 11/10/2008
How to get stress relief through exercise
Stress - Types, Causes and Cures (part Five)
By: Andrew Tomkinson | 11/10/2008
This article is part five of my article series What is Stress? It is written in order to introduce you to the types and causes of stress and suggest possible cures.
Acid Reflux Weight Loss Part 5: Maintaining Weight Loss For Long Term Heartburn Acid Reflux Relief
By: Kathryn Whittaker | 11/10/2008
Heartburn acid reflux symptoms aren't the only reason to exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight, but they can be an important motivator. As you develop new habits and maintain the weight loss, you'll find that the exercises you include as part of your lifestyle for improving your acid reflux...
Treat Gout Before Incurring Permanent Joint Damage
By: Lisa McDowell | 11/10/2008
If you suffer from the condition, then you likely don't need any additional motivation to treat gout than to simply make the pain and discomfort go away. It is a very unpleasant sensation which can cause substantial frustration and inconvenience in your life. However, worse than that is...
Climate: A Gout Cause You Never Suspected
By: Lisa McDowell | 11/10/2008
You may have heard people complain about the weather outside affecting certain conditions such as arthritis, but you may never have suspected that the climate in which you live could be a gout cause. Over the last few years, it is becoming commonly accepted that previous hypotheses that said the...
Finding the Right Plastic Surgeon Begins With Asking the Right Questions
By: Mariet Smart | 11/10/2008
While many have experienced the ongoing benefits of a mineral essential facial or body work at the nearby spa, you may be in the market for something more in depth and permanent, such as a mini-face lift, liposuction, or overall full-body lift. If you are considering plastic surgery patient, or...
8 Offbeat Spa Treatments
By: Mariet Smart | 11/10/2008
For most spa goers, indulging in a treatment incorporating exotic mineral essential ingredients or visiting a spa in a unique location is about as exotic as things get. But for those in search of something truly unique, consider these 8 bizarre spa treatments, according to Forbes Traveler:
1. Snake Massage
In Northern...
Muscle Building Guide - You Can Build Muscle Without Weights
By: Chris Jensen | 11/10/2008
Though most people do not even consider this option it is actually very easy to build muscles without the use of weights. There are various kinds of exercises which can be done so that the body can get the ideal shape that you desire and that without the use of weights.
More from Simon Evans
Is Fish Oil a Quick Fix for Your Memory?
By: Simon Evans | 23/09/2008 | Health
Fish has been touted as brain food for a long time. New research shows that people with high levels of omega-3s in their blood are have greater brain health in old age. However, there's no quick fix.
Is Kevin Bacon Controlling Your Health?
By: Simon Evans | 04/09/2008 | Health
How much are your friends and relatives controlling your health? New studies suggest it may be more than you think.
Are Kid's Growing Bellies Increasing Their Odds of Alzheimer's?
By: Simon Evans | 10/06/2008 | Health
Belly fat and brain fitness are related. Adult obesity increase odds for late-life dementia and Alzheimer's. Childhood obesity sets kids up for a life-long battle with a weight problem. It's not much of a stretch to say that weight problems in adolescence set kids up for increased odds of Alzheimer's disease down the road.
Climbing the Corporate Ladder of Brain Fitness
By: Simon Evans | 14/05/2008 | Health
Higher levels of education and more intellectually challenging careers associate with lower rates of Alzheimer's disease. However, this doesn't mean you need a PhD to stave off cognitive decline. Commitment to life-long learning can be done without formal education and boost your brain fitness as well.
There's More Than Meets the Taste Buds
By: Simon Evans | 02/05/2008 | Health
Sugar activates pleasure centers in your brain, which causes you to crave sweet foods. New research shows it goes beyond the taste buds to light up these brain circuits
Easy Living - Good or Bad for Brain Fitness?
By: Simon Evans | 01/05/2008 | Health
With the ease of which we find food today, we may be robbing ourselves of the rewarding feelings that our ancestors used to get after the hunt. Research suggests that this may be a factor in modern rates of depression.
Feed Your Brain - Keep Your Mind
By: Simon Evans | 09/04/2008 | Health
The blood supply that feeds your brain is crucial for life-long brain fitness and mental health. A new study shows that small blood vessel disease may account for on third of dementia cases. One of the best things you can do to protect your brain is to eat right and get regular physical activity.
A Donut is not Always a Donut - Timing is Everything
By: Simon Evans | 13/03/2008 | Health
New studies suggest that we are more sensitive to spikes in blood sugar from high carbohydrate foods in the morning than we are later in the day. Timing is everything.
Health 
