FSU expert available to discuss latest findings on Alzheimer’s during awareness month
Florida – November marks Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about one of the most devastating diseases affecting older adults in the United States. Nearly seven million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s disease, and the statistics are stark: one in three seniors dies from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, according to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation. While a definitive cure remains elusive, groundbreaking research continues to shed light on how the disease develops, who is at risk, and what steps may help preserve cognitive health.
At the forefront of these efforts is Florida State University faculty member Angelina Sutin, a leading researcher focused on understanding how psychological and social factors shape risk and resilience for Alzheimer’s disease. Professor Sutin is available to speak with the media this November about her work and the insights it offers into mitigating dementia risk. Media representatives can reach her via email at [email protected].
Professor Sutin’s research explores the complex interplay between personality traits, daily behavior, and long-term cognitive outcomes. “We find that personality traits, particularly neuroticism and conscientiousness, are associated with the risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” she explained. Neuroticism, characterized by moodiness, anxiety, and heightened stress sensitivity, is linked to increased dementia risk. Individuals high in neuroticism often lead sedentary lifestyles, are more likely to smoke, and frequently experience chronic health conditions and depression—all factors that elevate Alzheimer’s risk.
Conversely, conscientiousness offers a protective effect. “Individuals higher in conscientiousness tend to exercise more, are less likely to smoke or use other substances, have better sleep habits, and are less likely to develop chronic diseases such as obesity or diabetes that increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” Sutin noted. This trait—marked by organization, self-discipline, and a sense of responsibility—appears to promote healthier aging and better cognitive outcomes across the lifespan.
Understanding how personality traits manifest in daily life has become a critical focus of Sutin’s work. “Most of the research on psychological factors and cognition has focused on how personality traits predict long-term outcomes, like Alzheimer’s disease. This research has been important for identifying which psychological factors contribute to the development of the disease over time. From other research, we know a lot about how personality traits are expressed in daily life,” she said. By studying how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors tied to personality influence day-to-day cognitive function, Sutin and her team aim to develop interventions that can protect memory and thinking skills before significant decline occurs.
These interventions are especially important because Alzheimer’s does not affect all communities equally. “One reason that we study cognitive aging is to find ways to intervene so that people can maintain healthy cognition for as long as possible. Cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease happen across all cultural and social groups. There may be differences, however, in risk and protective factors,” Sutin said. She explained that identifying which factors are most influential for specific populations could help tailor prevention strategies more effectively. Conscientiousness, for example, appears to reduce Alzheimer’s risk across multiple cultural groups, though strategies to encourage this trait may need to be culturally adapted.
In addition to personality, Sutin’s research highlights the importance of emotional well-being and social connection in maintaining cognitive health. “We have done a lot of research on the role of emotional well-being and social connection and cognition. We find, for example, that individuals who have more purpose in life—the feeling that one has a life that is goal-oriented and has direction—are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Even before Alzheimer’s disease, purpose is associated with having better memory, better attention and faster processing speed—all cognitive functions that are necessary for moving through daily life,” she said.
Loneliness, by contrast, poses a serious threat to brain health. In a meta-analysis involving over 600,000 people worldwide, Sutin and her colleagues found that social isolation increased the risk of all-cause dementia by 30%. Loneliness was linked not only to Alzheimer’s but also to other dementias, including vascular dementia. “We recently found loneliness to be associated with worse memory, processing speed, and reasoning and that similar associations were found in countries from very different parts of the world: Africa, Asia, Europe, North, Central, and South America. These findings indicate how harmful loneliness can be no matter where one lives,” she said.
The implications of Sutin’s research extend far beyond academic theory. By pinpointing the psychological and social factors that contribute to cognitive decline, her work provides a roadmap for practical interventions. Daily habits, social networks, emotional resilience, and lifestyle choices all play a role in shaping brain health. Strategies that target these areas may help reduce risk, support cognitive resilience, and improve quality of life for millions of older adults.
As Alzheimer’s Awareness Month continues, Sutin emphasizes the importance of public engagement and education. By understanding the nuanced relationships between personality, social life, emotional well-being, and brain health, communities can begin to implement approaches that foster resilience and reduce dementia risk. Her research underscores a vital point: cognitive health is not determined solely by genetics. Daily choices, social interactions, and purposeful living can profoundly influence long-term brain function.
Florida State University encourages media outlets, healthcare organizations, and community groups to take advantage of Professor Sutin’s expertise during this awareness month. Her insights can inform discussions on prevention strategies, intervention programs, and lifestyle changes that may help mitigate the impact of Alzheimer’s disease across populations. With nearly seven million Americans affected and numbers expected to rise as the population ages, these conversations are more urgent than ever.
“Media may reach out to Professor Sutin via email at [email protected],” the university notes, highlighting the opportunity for journalists to bring attention to cutting-edge research that could shape the future of Alzheimer’s care. For families, caregivers, and seniors themselves, understanding risk factors, protective traits, and the daily dynamics of cognition is an essential step toward preserving memory and maintaining independence.
Alzheimer’s Awareness Month serves as a critical reminder that research, awareness, and informed action are essential tools in confronting one of the most challenging public health crises of our time. By combining scientific rigor with practical application, experts like Professor Sutin are helping to ensure that the fight against Alzheimer’s is guided not only by knowledge but also by actionable strategies that improve real-world outcomes. As the month progresses, her findings on personality, social connection, and cognitive resilience provide both hope and direction for those seeking to navigate the complexities of aging and brain health.
