Staying curious can protect against Alzheimer's risk
A new study from the University of California Los Angeles suggests that fostering curiosity and eagerness to learn into old age can protect against Alzheimer's disease.
The study found that older adults who remained eager to learn not only kept their minds active but also protected their brains against Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, while a lack of curiosity could increase the risk of cognitive decline.
Psychologist Alan Castel, a co-author of the study, noted that while general curiosity tends to decline with age, some older adults remain engaged and interested in learning.
The study distinguished between 'trait curiosity' (a person's general level of curiosity) and 'state curiosity' (momentary curiosity about a specific topic), finding that state curiosity declines in early adulthood but increases sharply after middle age.
Researchers suggest that state curiosity increases after middle age as people retire from work and indulge specific interests, indicating that maintaining curiosity can keep individuals sharp as they age.
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