Can Certain Professions Reduce The Risk Of Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s is one of the main manifestations of dementia in older people, characterized by the progressive loss of memory and other cognitive abilities. Although its prevalence increases with age, research has shown that factors such as genetics, lifestyle and mental health influence its appearance. However, in recent decades, studies have begun to explore the influence of certain professions on the risk of developing this disease.

A study has revealed that taxi and ambulance drivers, who face cognitive challenges on a daily basis, have lower Alzheimer’s mortality rates than other occupations. This discovery suggests that consistent mental work and physical exercise, combined with social interaction, could play a crucial role in protecting and preventing Alzheimer’s. Let’s see how these types of professions could contribute to reducing the risk of this neurodegenerative disease.

Alzheimer’s and its risk factors

Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease that mainly affects older people, although its symptoms can begin to appear years before its diagnosis. It is characterized by a progressive loss of memory, thinking and other cognitive abilities that make daily life difficult for those who suffer from it. As it progresses, people with Alzheimer’s lose the ability to recognize loved ones, carry out daily activities, and maintain their independence.

Although the exact cause of the disease is not yet fully understood, several factors are known to influence its development. The most important is age, since Alzheimer’s risk increases significantly after age 65. Additionally, family history plays a crucial role; those with close relatives who have had Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop it. Genetics, particularly the APOE-e4 gene, has been associated with increased risk, although it is not a determining factor on its own.

Other risk factors include lifestyle. Diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol, as well as lack of physical exercise, can increase the chances of developing Alzheimer’s. Mental health is also a crucial factor: depression and anxiety have been linked to an increased risk of dementia in later life. Likewise, social isolation and low cognitive stimulation in daily life can contribute to cognitive decline.

Research has shown that Alzheimer’s prevention is not based on a single factor but on a comprehensive approach that considers both genetics and lifestyle habits. In this sense, it is relevant to examine how certain professions, which involve different types of cognitive stimulation and physical activity, could influence the onset of the disease.

Research on professions and Alzheimer’s risk

A recent study explored mortality linked to Alzheimer’s among people professionally dedicated to driving taxis and ambulances, two occupations that require a high level of spatial processing and navigation. The researchers analyzed data on 8.97 million people who died between 2020 and 2022, using death certificates linked to both occupations. The results showed that taxi drivers (1.03%) and ambulance drivers (0.74%) had significantly lower Alzheimer’s mortality rates compared to other occupations.

The study highlights that both taxi and ambulance drivers face real-time navigation and decision-making challenges on a daily basis. These jobs require complex cognitive skills, such as the use of the mental map to orient yourself and adapt quickly to changes in the environment. These types of activities could have protective effects for the brain, keeping areas of the brain related to spatial memory and problem solving active.

Importantly, these Alzheimer’s mortality rates were the lowest among the 443 occupations analyzed, suggesting that professions that require continuous processing of spatial information could be associated with a lower risk of developing this disease. The study also showed that this pattern was not replicated in other transportation-related occupations that involve less use of spatial skills, such as freight truck drivers.

The reason behind this phenomenon could be related to constant cognitive stimulation. When performing tasks that require real-time guidance and spatial problem solving, drivers’ brains are constantly being challenged, which could promote neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is understood as the brain’s ability to reorganize itself and form new neural connections, a key factor in preventing cognitive decline.

In addition, physical work and social interaction, common in these professions, could also positively influence brain health. Ambulance drivers, for example, must make decisions quickly in emergency situations, which requires both cognitive and physical skills, contributing to healthier brain aging.

Mechanisms behind cognitive protection

The finding that professions such as taxi and ambulance drivers could have an impact on reducing Alzheimer’s can be understood in part thanks to psychological concepts such as cognitive stimulation and neuroplasticity. These jobs, which require constant use of spatial and problem-solving skills, promote mental activity, which may have protective effects on the brain.

Cognitive stimulation, that is, the activation of cognitive skills and abilities, is key to maintaining brain health. Activities that require making decisions quickly, having specific maps or routes in mind, or constant social interaction help strengthen neural networks. involved in processes such as memory and information processing.

This constant brain activity can somewhat slow down the cognitive decline linked to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and cognitive impairments. Continuous stimulation could also help generate new connections and neural networks, a process called neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity maintains brain organization and reorganization, creating new neural pathways, which can compensate for the loss of function in areas of the brain affected by neurodegenerative diseases.

Additionally, the physical activity that often accompanies these professions plays an important role in activating and maintaining brain health. Regular physical activity has shown an impact on improving blood circulation and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, factors that undoubtedly also benefit brain health. Different studies suggest that physical exercise not only improves memory and cognition, but also promotes the production of neurotrophic proteins that promote the health of neurons.

Social interaction, another common aspect in these professions, is also associated with a lower long-term risk of Alzheimer’s. Constant contact with other people, whether in the context of a work team or interacting with clients, keeps social and cognitive networks active, which can reduce isolation, a risk factor for cognitive decline.

Other professions with possible protective effects

In addition to taxi and ambulance drivers, other professions have been studied that could have protective effects against Alzheimer’s, mainly due to the cognitive and physical demands they include. For example, doctors, especially those who work in high-pressure environments such as surgeons, must make quick decisions, solve complex problems, and maintain high concentration for long periods of time. This constant mental stimulation could contribute to greater brain health.

Professions that involve teamwork, such as firefighters or social workers, are also linked to greater social interaction and team problem solving, which may have protective effects on their cognition. Collaboration in stressful situations and the constant challenge of solving complex problems require the use of executive functions of the brainsuch as planning, working memory and decision making.

Likewise, professions whose content includes regular physical activity, such as personal trainers or construction workers, can benefit brain health by promoting healthy aging and reducing cardiovascular risk factors, which are closely related to Alzheimer’s. We could say that any occupation that combines cognitive stimulation, physical exercise and interpersonal interaction could have a protective effect against Alzheimer’s, reducing its risk and improving the quality of life of these people.