Repetitive negative thinking

Repetitive negative thinking has been studied in 6 papers since 2024: 6 observational studies in people; 1 in the past year. The newest story, Oct 31, 2026: “Recurring negative thoughts linked to Alzheimer’s protein buildup”.

Intervention

6 papers study it4 findingsUpdated Oct 31, 2026

1 new paper in 30 daysSee all 6 papers on repetitive negative thinking

At a glance

The findings reach people, from one lab or study. 3 independent labs in 5 countries.

“the participants in the Q3 and Q4 groups exhibited lower cognition scores (Q3:β = -0.180, 95%CI -2.849~-0.860; Q4:β = -0.164, 95% -2.611~-0.666) compared to the Q1 group”

Repetitive negative thinking is associated with cognitive function decline in older adults: a cross-sectional studyBMC psychiatry2025doi:10.1186/s12888-025-06815-2

None of its findings points the other way.

3 independent labs in 5 countries

Funders: Alzheimer's Society and others
1 of 4 findings with company ties

Humans6

What did studies of repetitive negative thinking find?

Studies of repetitive negative thinking measured 1 outcome; the most studied are allostatic load (1 study).

Allostatic load

no changein humans1

1 study

Repetitive negative thinking was not clearly linked with allostatic load in humans.
“No associations were observed between worry/ruminative brooding and allostatic load.”
Humans
Sex differences in the association between repetitive negative thinking and neurofilament light
Npj mental health researchNov 11, 2024

What is repetitive negative thinking linked with?

Studies link repetitive negative thinking with 3 measures, most often cognitive function (1 study), white matter lesion volume (1) and NfL (1).

Cognitive function

downin humans1

1 study

Repetitive negative thinking is associated with cognitive function in humans (β = -0.180, 95%CI -2.849~-0.860).
“the participants in the Q3 and Q4 groups exhibited lower cognition scores (Q3:β = -0.180, 95%CI -2.849~-0.860; Q4:β = -0.164, 95% -2.611~-0.666) compared to the Q1 group”
Humansn = 424
Repetitive negative thinking is associated with cognitive function decline in older adults: a cross-sectional study
BMC psychiatryJun 2, 2025

White matter lesion volume

upin humans1

1 study

Repetitive negative thinking is associated with white matter lesion volume in SCD individuals.
“Only the SCD group demonstrated positive associations in the CTh-PACC5, CTh-RNT, and WML-RNT relationships.”
Humansin SCD individualsn = 89
Impact of repetitive negative thinking on subjective cognitive decline: insights into cognition and brain structure
Frontiers in aging neuroscienceAug 13, 2024

NfL

upin humans1

1 study

Repetitive negative thinking is associated with NfL in humans.
“higher brooding associated with greater NfL levels in women”
Humansfemalesn = 134
Sex Differences in the Association between Repetitive Negative Thinking, Allostatic Load and Neurofilament Light
Research SquareApr 17, 2024Preprint

Latest

1 paper in 12 months

medRxivOct 31

Recurring negative thoughts linked to Alzheimer’s protein buildup

The observational study followed 94 cognitively healthy adults aged 21–89 over three years; the link remained after accounting for anxiety and depression.The observational study followed 94 cognitively healthy adults aged 21–89 over three years; the link remained after accounting for anxiety and depression.

Preprint: cohort · 94 peopleAlzheimer's disease