Recent evidence has shown that a person’s lifestyle contributes more to dementia risk than aging. Risk factors, including smoking and diabetes, have been found to have a more significant effect on acquiring this disease than the aging process.1 Studies looked at participants from 18-89 years old and found that identifying and modifying these risk factors earlier in life can prevent a decrease in brain function in the long term.1 This research is outstanding since it is one of the first studies to look at risk factors from all stages of adulthood, as opposed to only the later years.1
Researchers specifically looked at eight risk factors: low education (less than a high school diploma), hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, alcohol/substance abuse, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, and depression.2 Each of these factors led to a decrease in cognitive performance equivalent to three years of aging.2 Each additional risk factor adds on another three years of aging. That being so, having two risk factors, for example, would lead to a combination of six years of aging as it relates to decreasing cognitive performance.1
The results of this research are crucial since these risk factors leading to dementia can be modified.1 In addition, studies have shown that age-related cognitive decline begins in early adulthood.2 Knowing this, individuals can begin to modify their risk factors at an earlier age.1 For example, research showed that younger adults were more likely to have smoking as a risk factor.2 Therefore, this group of younger adults could potentially preserve brain function by quitting smoking at an earlier age.2 In addition, in whatever age group, health factors such as diabetes can be managed, and hearing loss can be addressed.1
Hope for Aging
Another positive outcome of this research was that older adults with no risk factors had a higher chance of preserving their brain function than those with risk factors.2 In fact, those aged forty to seventy with no risk factors had similar cognitive performance to those that were 10-20 years younger than them with risk factors.2
This research did find that those in the older age group were more likely to have at least one risk factor and that risk factors have a more significant effect with increasing age.2 However, since the risk factors are modifiable, the research suggests that adults can maintain their cognitive performance as they age.1
Steps for the Future
Dementia is considered the most prominent global health challenge in this era.2 In addition, evidence has shown which risk factors are more prevalent in certain age groups – for example, smoking in younger adults and hypertension in older adults.2 According to researchers, we can address dementia risk factors.2 Having this information is significant because it shows: 1) Individuals can take steps to modify their risk factors at an early age to prevent or delay the onset of dementia, and 2) Prevention messages can be directed towards specific age groups, e.g., anti-smoking messages geared toward younger adults.2
This research highlights the necessity for studying dementia prevention and contributing modifiable risk factors.2
References
- EurekAlert!. (2022, July 13). EurekAlert! official website, viewed 19 July 2022, <https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/958611>.
- LaPlume AA, McKetton L, Levine B, Troyer AK, Anderson ND. The adverse effect of modifiable dementia risk factors on cognition amplifies across the adult lifespan. Alzheimers Dement (Amst). 2022;14(1):e12337. Published 2022 Jul 13. doi:10.1002/dad2.12337
Image by MableAmber from Pixabay https://pixabay.com/photos/person-man-woman-people-couple-3553814/