A longitudinal study out of Finland has produced evidence that those who view humanity with optimism could be three times less likely to develop dementia than those who take a more cynical approach to their fellow homo sapiens.

These results came after an 8 year study followed close to 1,500 men and women whose ages averaged 71 years old. At the beginning of the study, participants were asked to take a psychological test meant to measure their levels of cynicism. Items included in the questionnaire were statements like, “It is safer to trust nobody,” “I think most people would lie to get ahead,” and “most people will use somewhat unfair reasons to gain profit or an advantage rather than lose it.” Participants were asked to rate how much or how little they agreed with these types of statements.

Once initial assessments were done, participants were followed for the next 8 years. Over the course of that time, 46 developed dementia. After controlling for other risk factors that contribute to dementia, such as high cholesterol or blood pressure and a history of smoking, there was still a more prevalent rate of dementia or Alzheimer’s development in those with high cynicism scores. Of the 212 participants with low cynicism scores, nine developed some form of dementia. In contrast, 14 of the 164 people scoring high in cynicism were diagnosed with dementia of some kind.

According to the scientists involved in the study, numbers like this translate to triple the risk of dementia in those who view others through cynical lenses.

Experts on dementia caution against the conclusions drawn by the study. They point out that cynicism could be the result of early stages of the developing disease. They also indicate that the rate of dementia development was too low for data to be conclusive. While this study does indicate the possibility of a trend, more research would be needed before causation could be definitively established.