Recent groundbreaking research published in BMC Psychiatry sheds light on a lesser- explored yet potentially pivotal psychological mechanism: repetitive negative thinking (RNT). This study reveals a compelling association between persistent negative thought patterns and deteriorating cognitive function in older adults.
The concept of repetitive negative thinking, characterized by persistent and recurrent focus on distressing or worrisome content, has gained traction as a core feature of various psychological disorders, including anxiety and depression.
Deploying the Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire (PTQ), researchers meticulously assessed the intensity and frequency of RNT symptoms among 424 participants. Cognitive ability was concurrently evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a widely respected clinical instrument for detecting cognitive impairment. The results showed that higher levels of repetitive negative thinking correlate significantly with diminished cognitive performance,
even after adjusting for confounding variables such as age, education, and other demographic factors.
Older adults aged between 60 and 79, particularly those with education levels above junior high school, manifested stronger associations between elevated RNT and cognitive impairment.
The biological underpinnings linking RNT to cognitive decline can be hypothesized through the lens of neuropsychological stress theories. Chronic engagement in negative repetitive thought may lead to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, elevating cortisol levels and provoking neuroinflammatory responses. Such physiological stress can, over time, exert neurotoxic effects on brain structures critical for memory, attention, and executive function, notably the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Thus, RNT embodies not only a marker but also a potential causal mechanism accelerating neurodegenerative processes.
Repetitive negative thinking, being modifiable through psychotherapeutic interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness training, and acceptance-based approaches, could become a targeted focal point to addressing both mental health and cognitive preservation.
Source: BMC Psychiatry, 2025
