Could nearly half of dementia cases be prevented?
The majority of the clients I see for capacity assessments have dementia, and most of the people instructing me are their relatives, usually their children. I am thus often asked how to go about protecting themselves from developing dementia.
The greatest risk factor for the development of dementia is advanced age, and genetics can play a role, too. However, The 2024 Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care¹ concluded that up to 45% of cases of dementia could be delayed or prevented. In other words, looking after our brain health in earlier life can make a significant difference in the future. The Lancet Commission identified 14 potentially modifiable factors.
The most important childhood factor is education 📖. A good educational foundation when the brain is still developing is essential for building cognitive reserve, i.e. the brain’s ability to cope with age-related changes.
Most of the other risk factors can be addressed in mid-life (40-60). They include : high blood pressure, diabetes, high LDL (bad) cholesterol, smoking, alcohol excess, obesity, physical inactivity, hearing loss, depression and traumatic brain injuries. If these are addressed, dementia risk goes down!
The risk factors identified in older adults (over 60) are air pollution🏭, untreated vision loss and social isolation.
What can we do?
Most of the risk factors identified are also implicated in heart ❤️ disease - high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, alcohol excess, obesity and inactivity. When the arteries are healthy the brain receives optimal blood flow.
The greatest benefits come from taking care of your health consistently throughout life :
❤️ Care for your heart
🕺🏻 Stay active
🦻🏼 Protect your hearing
👁️ Look after your vision
🫶🏼 Stay connected
🧩 Keep learning
1 Livingston G, Huntley J, Liu KY, et al.Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission.The Lancet. 2024;404(10452):572–628. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01296-0.