Taxi and Ambulance Drivers Found to Have Lower Alzheimer’s Mortality Rates, New Study Reveals

Taxi and ambulance drivers, whose jobs require frequent spatial processing and navigation, have a lower risk of dying from severe cognitive decline. taxi

Several studies highlight the protective effect of mentally and intellectually stimulating jobs on the brain, particularly against Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. “We hypothesized that professions such as taxi and ambulance driving, which demand real-time spatial and navigational processing, might be associated with a reduced burden of Alzheimer’s-related mortality compared to other occupations,” said Vishal Patel, a physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (USA).

Analyzing Alzheimer’s Mortality Across Professions

To test this theory, the researcher and his team analyzed death certificates from the National Vital Statistics System for adults over 18 years of age who worked in 443 different professions between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022. The team accounted for sociodemographic factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, and education level, in addition to the profession individuals worked in for most of their careers. Of the 8,972,221 individuals included in the study, 348,328 (3.88%) died from Alzheimer’s disease. Among taxi drivers, 1.03% (171 out of 16,658) died from this neurodegenerative condition, while the rate among ambulance drivers was 0.74% (10 out of 1,348).

Real-Time Navigation: A Possible Key to Brain Health

After adjustments, ambulance drivers (0.91%) and taxi drivers (1.03%) showed the lowest proportion of Alzheimer ’s-related deaths among all professions studied. This trend was not observed in other transportation-related jobs that rely on predetermined routes, such as bus drivers (3.11%) or airplane pilots (4.57%), which depend less on real-time spatial and navigational processing. “This trend was not observed for other types of dementia,” according to the findings published in the BMJ.

The Role of the Hippocampus in Cognitive Protection

“Our data suggest the possibility that enhanced neurological activity in the hippocampus or other brain regions among taxi and ambulance drivers might explain the lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Anupam B. Jena, a co-author of the study. “The hippocampus, the same part of the brain involved in creating cognitive spatial maps that we use to navigate the world, is also implicated in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.”

The authors noted that this is an observational study, meaning no definitive conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect. However, they stated, “These results open the door to new hypotheses.”

Professions with Spatial and Navigational Demands: Their Potential Role in Reducing Alzheimer’s Risk



Profession	Spatial/Navigational Demand	Potential Alzheimer’s Protection	Reasoning
Taxi Driver	High	Strong (observed)	Requires continuous real-time navigation and decision-making.
Ambulance Driver	High	Strong (observed)	Combines navigation with urgency and adaptability under stress.
Delivery Driver (On-Demand)	Moderate to High	Moderate	Involves route planning and real-time navigation, though less complex than taxi drivers.
Ride-Share Driver	Moderate to High	Moderate	Similar to taxi drivers, requiring route adjustments based on real-time traffic.
Air Traffic Controller	High	Likely Strong	Requires spatial awareness, monitoring multiple moving objects, and real-time decision-making.
Commercial Pilot	Moderate	Weak	Navigation follows largely predetermined routes, reducing spatial adaptability demands.
Marine Navigator	High	Likely Strong	Involves real-time navigation with spatial awareness over variable routes and conditions.
Construction Surveyor	Moderate to High	Likely Moderate	Requires spatial awareness and precision in mapping and measurements.
Architect	High	Likely Moderate	Demands spatial visualization for design and layout, though not in real-time scenarios.
Cartographer	Moderate	Likely Weak	Involves spatial understanding but less active, real-time engagement.
Game Designer (3D)	Moderate to High	Likely Moderate	Requires creating and visualizing 3D environments, stimulating spatial reasoning.
Urban Planner	Moderate	Likely Weak	Focused on large-scale spatial planning but lacks real-time processing.
Professional Athlete	High	Likely Strong	Requires spatial awareness, strategy, and quick decision-making on the field.
Military Personnel	High	Likely Strong	Combines navigation, spatial awareness, and real-time adaptability in dynamic environments.
Surgeon	High	Likely Strong	Requires precise spatial reasoning and hand-eye coordination during complex procedures.
Forestry Worker	Moderate to High	Likely Moderate	Requires navigation through and spatial awareness of natural landscapes.
Drone Operator	High	Likely Strong	Combines navigation with real-time spatial reasoning for remote control.
Landscaper	Moderate	Likely Moderate	Involves planning and executing layouts, requiring spatial awareness.
Search and Rescue Worker	High	Likely Strong	Requires real-time navigation in unpredictable environments.
Wildlife Biologist	Moderate to High	Likely Moderate	Navigates and tracks wildlife in natural habitats.
Geologist	Moderate	Likely Weak	Requires spatial reasoning in analyzing terrain and rock formations.
Engineer (Civil/Mechanical)	High	Likely Moderate	Involves spatial visualization and problem-solving for structural designs.
Photographer (Architectural)	Moderate	Likely Weak	Involves spatial composition and visualization, though not in real-time.
Truck Driver (Long-Haul)	Moderate	Likely Weak	Navigation is often predetermined and repetitive, limiting active spatial engagement.
Paragliding Instructor	High	Likely Strong	Combines navigation with real-time spatial awareness during flight.
Paramedic	High	Likely Strong	Navigates and makes quick decisions under high pressure.
Private Investigator	Moderate to High	Likely Moderate	Involves real-time decision-making and navigation in unpredictable environments.
Painter (Murals)	Moderate	Likely Moderate	Requires spatial planning and execution for large-scale projects.
Boat Captain	High	Likely Strong	Combines navigation with adaptability to variable water conditions.
Climber/Expedition Leader	High	Likely Strong	Navigates challenging terrains while making critical decisions.
Urban Delivery Cyclist	Moderate to High	Likely Moderate	Requires spatial awareness and adaptability to navigate city streets efficiently.
Farm Manager	Moderate	Likely Weak	Involves planning and overseeing spatial layouts for crops and livestock.
Electrician	Moderate	Likely Weak	Requires spatial reasoning for wiring and system installations.
Plumber	Moderate	Likely Weak	Involves spatial reasoning for installations and troubleshooting.
Industrial Designer	High	Likely Moderate	Requires creating and visualizing designs for practical use.
Sculptor	Moderate	Likely Weak	Demands spatial visualization and execution in physical media.
Chef (Catering Events)	Moderate	Likely Weak	Requires spatial awareness for event layout and execution.
Firefighter	High	Likely Strong	Combines navigation and quick decision-making in high-pressure environments.
Zookeeper	Moderate	Likely Moderate	Involves spatial reasoning for animal enclosures and tracking.
Retail Store Manager	Low	Weak	Requires spatial planning for layouts but lacks active engagement.
Airplane Maintenance Engineer	Moderate	Likely Weak	Requires spatial reasoning for troubleshooting and system repairs.
Robotics Engineer	High	Likely Moderate	Involves spatial planning and precise execution in building machines.
Video Game Tester	Moderate	Likely Moderate	Requires spatial awareness and problem-solving in testing virtual environments.
Submarine Operator	High	Likely Strong	Combines navigation with adaptability in unique environments.
Survey Pilot	High	Likely Strong	Conducts navigation and spatial awareness over specific terrains.
Astronomer	Moderate	Likely Weak	Involves spatial reasoning but lacks real-time engagement.
Interior Designer	Moderate	Likely Moderate	Requires spatial planning and visualization for room layouts.
Cinematographer	Moderate	Likely Weak	Involves spatial composition for framing shots, but lacks dynamic engagement.
Park Ranger	High	Likely Strong	Requires navigation and spatial awareness in managing natural areas.
Stage Lighting Technician	Moderate	Likely Weak	Requires spatial reasoning for lighting setups.
Guitar Luthier	Moderate	Likely Weak	Demands spatial precision in crafting instruments.
Race Car Driver	High	Likely Strong	Combines navigation with quick spatial and strategic decision-making.

Final Thoughts

The findings suggest that jobs requiring real-time navigation and problem-solving may offer some protection against Alzheimer’s. While more research is needed, staying mentally active in similar ways could play a role in maintaining brain health. This adds to the growing understanding of how our daily activities impact long-term cognitive function.

FAQ

Why do taxi and ambulance drivers have lower Alzheimer’s-related mortality rates?

Their jobs require real-time navigation, which may stimulate brain regions like the hippocampus.

Does this study prove these professions prevent Alzheimer’s?
No, it only shows an association, not causation.

Can similar cognitive benefits come from other activities?
Yes, activities that challenge spatial and problem-solving skills, like puzzles or navigation games, can help.

Was this trend observed for other types of dementia?
No, it was specific to Alzheimer’s disease.

Should people change careers to reduce Alzheimer’s risk?
Not necessarily. Lifelong cognitive stimulation in any form is beneficial.

References

R Patel V, Liu M, Worsham CM, Jena AB. Alzheimer’s disease mortality among taxi and ambulance drivers: population based cross sectional study. BMJ. 2024 Dec 17;387:e082194. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2024-082194 . PMID: 39689964.

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