Study Finds 15 Early Dementia Risk Factors

Although dementia typically affects older adults, hundreds of thousands of individuals receive a diagnosis of young-onset dementia (YOD) each year, and a major 2023 study provides valuable insights into its causes.

Key Lifestyle and Health Factors in Young-Onset Dementia

Previous studies have focused on genetics, but this team identified 15 lifestyle and health factors linked to young-onset dementia (YOD) risk.

Epidemiologist David Llewellyn of the University of Exeter called the December 2023 findings the largest and most comprehensive study of its kind.

“Excitingly, for the first time, it shows that we may be able to reduce the risk of this debilitating condition by addressing various factors.”

The research team examined data from 356,052 individuals under the age of 65 in the UK.

Therefore, researchers linked factors such as low socioeconomic status, social isolation, hearing loss, stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and depression to an increased risk of young-onset dementia (YOD).

Researchers linked vitamin D deficiency, high C-reactive protein levels, and two ApoE4 ε4 gene variants to a higher risk.

The researchers characterized the connection between alcohol and YOD as “complex.”

In fact of, Alcohol abuse raised the risk, but moderate to heavy drinking likely lowered it due to the better health of drinkers (as non-drinkers often avoid alcohol for medical reasons).

Researchers found that higher education and stronger handgrip strength lower the risk of YOD, bridging gaps in our understanding.

Modifiable Dementia Risk Factors: Insights from Sebastian Köhler

Neuroepidemiologist Sebastian Köhler from Maastricht University said, “Research on older individuals with dementia has shown several modifiable risk factors.”

“Along with physical factors, mental health is also crucial, including the importance of managing chronic stress, loneliness, and depression.”

Many of these factors are modifiable, offering hope for those seeking to overcome dementia, not just manage it.

In the end, dementia may be something we can reduce the risk of by adopting healthier lifestyles. As with all research, understanding the causes can help develop better treatments and prevention strategies.

Consequently, “Young-onset dementia deeply affects those still working, raising children, and managing busy lives,” said neuroscientist Stevie Hendriks from Maastricht University.

To conclude, “People often believe the cause is genetic, but for many individuals, we still don’t know the exact cause. This is why we aimed to explore other risk factors in this study.”

Read the original article on: Sciencealert

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