脳の老化を防ぐ「好奇心」の神経科学的研究(Are You Curious? It Might Help You Stay Sharp as You Age)

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2025-05-07 カリフォルニア大学ロサンゼルス校(UCLA)

UCLAを含む国際研究チームは、加齢と好奇心の関係を調査し、中年以降に「特定の好奇心(state curiosity)」が再び高まり、認知機能の維持やアルツハイマー病予防に寄与する可能性があると発見しました。20~84歳の1,200人を対象に評価した結果、一般的な好奇心は年齢とともに減少する一方、特定の好奇心は老年期に再上昇。研究者は、読書や講座参加などの活動が脳を活性化し、認知症予防につながるとしています。

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成人の生涯にわたる好奇心: 好奇心の状態と特性の年齢による違い Curiosity across the adult lifespan: Age-related differences in state and trait curiosity

Mary C. Whatley,Kou Murayama,Michiko Sakaki,Alan D. Castel
PLOS One  Published: May 7, 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320600

脳の老化を防ぐ「好奇心」の神経科学的研究(Are You Curious? It Might Help You Stay Sharp as You Age)

Abstract

Maintaining curiosity in older age may be a key predictor of successful aging, but prior research on the relationship between curiosity and age is mixed, with mounting evidence showing that curiosity declines with age. However, there is evidence suggesting that state curiosity – a situational feeling of curiosity in response to information – may increase with age. Prior work has largely not adequately differentiated state and trait curiosity when examining its relationship with age. In a large lifespan sample (pilot study N = 193; preregistered main study N = 1,218), we assess trait curiosity and state curiosity (using a trivia rating task) to examine the relationship between each construct and age. The results show that, in line with prior work, trait curiosity shows a negative relationship with age, but state curiosity shows a positive relationship with age, while controlling for demographic variables. The results suggest that curiosity may have a more complex relationship with age than previously considered, which can have implications for engagement in cognitive activities in everyday life.

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