Uncovering Potential Dementia Prevention: Three Fresh, Changeable Elements Discovered
In a groundbreaking report by the 2024 Lancet Commission, three new modifiable risk factors for dementia have been identified, adding to the list of previously known ones. These new risk factors are diabetes, living alone, and vision impairment.
Diabetes, characterised by high fasting plasma glucose, is a significant contributor to dementia risk and is also a major cause of death. Effective management of blood sugar levels through a healthy diet, regular physical activity, medication adherence, and regular medical checkups can reduce the risk of dementia.
Living alone can lead to social isolation and loneliness, which are linked to increased dementia risk. Addressing this involves promoting social engagement and connection. Community programs, social activities, support groups, and facilitating family involvement can help reduce social isolation and its harmful effects.
Vision impairment, another new risk factor, can be addressed by early detection and treatment of common vision problems. Corrective measures like glasses, cataract surgery, or treatment for eye diseases can help maintain sensory input and cognitive function, potentially lowering dementia risk.
These new risk factors join other established modifiable factors such as low education, depression, physical inactivity, obesity, and hypertension, among others. A comprehensive approach to dementia prevention involves improving education and lifelong cognitive engagement, promoting physical exercise, maintaining a nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory diet, controlling cardiovascular risk factors, avoiding head trauma, protecting mental health, and managing depression effectively.
By addressing these factors comprehensively through public health measures and individual lifestyle changes, it is estimated that up to 40% of dementia cases could potentially be prevented or delayed.
In addition to these factors, other studies have linked heavy drinking, head injuries, and air pollution to an increased risk of dementia. Heavy drinking is associated with changes in the brain, learning and memory problems, and dementia. Moderate drinking may not provide protection against dementia, and starting to drink is not recommended for prevention. Public health initiatives such as ad campaigns could help lower harmful alcohol drinking and reduce dementia cases.
Single, severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is related to widespread loss of normal tau function, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. Minimising TBIs could potentially reduce the risk of young-onset and later-life dementia. Exposure to air pollutants like high nitrogen dioxide concentration, fine ambient particulate matter, and second-hand smoke increases the risk of dementia. Reducing exposure to air pollution and second-hand tobacco smoke can help lower the risk of developing dementia due to air pollution.
Programs that teach healthy relationship skills can potentially prevent violence, reducing the risk of dementia caused by domestic violence and child abuse. A 5-year study found that 56.6% of participants with earlier onset dementias had an alcohol use disorder. Starting to drink less than 21 units of alcohol per week might be associated with a lower risk of dementia.
In summary, managing diabetes, reducing social isolation, and treating vision problems are crucial steps in a broader strategy to reduce dementia risk across the lifespan. Public health initiatives and individual lifestyle changes can potentially prevent or delay up to 40% of dementia cases.
- Science has identified diabetes, living alone, and vision impairment as new modifiable risk factors for dementia prevention.
- Diabetes, characterized by high fasting plasma glucose levels, increases the risk of dementia and is a leading cause of death.
- Managing blood sugar levels through a healthy diet, exercise, medication adherence, and regular medical checkups can reduce the risk of dementia.
- Living alone can lead to social isolation and loneliness, which are linked to increased dementia risk.
- Addressing social isolation involves promoting social engagement and connection, through community programs, social activities, support groups, and family involvement.
- Vision impairment, another new risk factor, can be addressed by early detection and treatment of common vision problems.
- Corrective measures like glasses, cataract surgery, or treatment for eye diseases can help maintain sensory input and cognitive function, potentially lowering dementia risk.
- Other established modifiable factors include low education, depression, physical inactivity, obesity, and hypertension.
- A comprehensive approach to dementia prevention involves improving education, lifelong cognitive engagement, promoting physical exercise, maintaining a nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory diet, controlling cardiovascular risk factors, avoiding head trauma, and managing depression effectively.
- By addressing these factors, up to 40% of dementia cases could potentially be prevented or delayed.
- Other studies have linked heavy drinking, head injuries, and air pollution to an increased risk of dementia.
- Heavy drinking is associated with changes in the brain, learning and memory problems, and dementia.
- Public health initiatives such as ad campaigns could help lower harmful alcohol drinking and reduce dementia cases.
- Single, severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is related to widespread loss of normal tau function, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.
- Exposure to air pollutants like high nitrogen dioxide concentration, fine ambient particulate matter, and second-hand smoke increases the risk of dementia.
- Programs that teach healthy relationship skills can potentially prevent violence, reducing the risk of dementia caused by domestic violence and child abuse.
- Starting to drink less than 21 units of alcohol per week might be associated with a lower risk of dementia.
- In conclusion, managing diabetes, reducing social isolation, and treating vision problems are crucial steps in a broader strategy to reduce dementia risk across the lifespan.
- Public health initiatives and individual lifestyle changes can potentially prevent or delay up to 40% of dementia cases.
