Study Reveals The Biggest Risk Factors For Getting Early Dementia
As I get older, I am seeing the effects of dementia on my family so I continue to read all the articles I can find on the subject.
Summary:
The recent study by the University of Exeter and Maastricht University, published in JAMA Neurology, has shed light on the key risk factors for early-onset dementia. This groundbreaking research involved over 350,000 participants under 65 years old in the United Kingdom, focusing on young-onset dementia which occurs before the age of 65. The study identified 15 common issues contributing to early dementia, including a mix of genetic factors and modifiable behaviors. The significance of this study lies in its approach, which, as noted by Dr. Kevin Bickart from UCLA Health's David Geffen School of Medicine, mirrors the methodologies previously used only in late-onset dementia research. The comprehensive analysis, involving a large sample size tracked from a healthy baseline to a diagnosis of dementia, provides valuable insights into early dementia risk factors.
Key findings of the study highlight 15 major risk factors for young-onset dementia. These include social isolation, lower levels of formal education, lower socioeconomic status, carrying two copies of the APOE gene (linked to Alzheimer's risk), vitamin D deficiency, hearing impairment, alcohol use disorder, and abstaining from alcohol. Other significant factors are depression, high levels of C-reactive protein, lower handgrip strength (indicating physical frailty), orthostatic hypotension (a type of low blood pressure), stroke, diabetes, and heart disease. While some of these factors, such as genetic predisposition (APOE gene) or socioeconomic status, are beyond individual control, the study emphasizes that many can be addressed through lifestyle changes. This distinction between modifiable and non-modifiable factors is crucial, offering a pathway for prevention and better management of young-onset dementia risks.
Source:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/study-reveals-biggest-risk-factors-130054246.html