Given the steep rise in individual and societal costs associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), there is a need to better understand the etiology of dementia.1 Age is clearly associated with increasing incidence of AD, and there is strong evidence that apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 variant is associated with higher risk of AD.1 A number of other genetic, medical, psychological, and social factors have also been linked to AD.2–4 Among the psychological factors, there has been an interest in the role of personality traits. Personality traits are enduring dispositions that underlie individuals’ cognitive, emotional, and behavioral tendencies.5 These traits are related to individuals’ lifestyles and have been implicated in physical and mental health,6–12 including risk of AD.13–17 The present study extends the research on personality traits and risk of incident AD in two ways. First, we examine the association in one of the longest running prospective studies in the United States using a comprehensive and detailed assessment of the domain and facets of the five-factor model of personality. Second, we pooled findings from published studies and performed meta-analyses to summarize evidence
