People working these two jobs 'less likely' to die from Alzheimer's disease
Share:
People who work two specific jobs are less likely to die from Alzheimer’s disease, a new study has found. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia in the UK, leading to the progressive decline of the brain. This results in symptoms such as memory loss, personality changes, and problems with speech. It is thought to be caused by an abnormal build up of proteins in and around brain cells, although it is not known exactly why this happens.
Now research has suggested that the type of job you have can have an affect on your likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s. More specifically, the findings suggest that those working two types of jobs are least at risk from the condition. The study, which has been published in the British Medical Journal, found that taxi driving and ambulance driving were associated with a lower rate of death from Alzheimer's disease compared to other professions.
It is thought that the fact these jobs require frequent spatial processing, such as working out a taxi route or the best way to navigate to a hospital, could help keep the brain healthier. As part of the study, researchers from Mass General Brigham in the US, analysed national data on the occupations of people who had died to evaluate risk of death from Alzheimer's disease across 443 professions. Lead author and resident physician Vishal Patel, explained: "The same part of the brain that's involved in creating cognitive spatial maps - which we use to navigate the world around us - is also involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease.
