They identify factors that significantly increase the chances of developing early-onset dementia – in people under 65 years of age – and that improving lifestyle and physical and mental health would help reduce the risk.
One of the main factors associated with the development of some type of dementia is aging, and perhaps that is why early onset dementia – before the age of 65 – has been studied less. Now, research by scientists at the University of Exeter and Maastricht University has identified 15 risk factors similar to those for late-onset dementia and indicates that it would be possible to reduce the chances of early onset of the disease with interventions that improve lifestyle and health.
The results of the study have been published in JAMA Neurology and cast doubt on the hypothesis that genetics is the only cause of this pathology, establishing the basis for designing new prevention strategies. Researchers followed 356,052 UK Biobank study participants under the age of 65 and who were cognitively healthy at the start of the study and assessed a wide range of risk factors: from genetic predispositions to lifestyle and environmental influences.
The study revealed that lower educational and socioeconomic status, genetic variation, lifestyle factors such as alcohol use disorder and social isolation, and health problems such as vitamin D deficiency, depression, stroke , hearing impairment and heart disease significantly increase the risk of early-onset dementia.
Factors that increase the risk of early onset dementia
Researchers have noted that little research has been done on early-onset dementia despite around 370,000 new cases being detected globally each year. Dr. Stevie Hendriks, a researcher at Maastricht University, studies this phenomenon and in previous research she had found that in the five years prior to diagnosis, people with early-onset dementia experienced symptoms that could indicate that they were developing dementia.
“Early onset dementia has a very serious impact, because affected people usually still have a job, children and an active life. The cause is often assumed to be genetic, but for many people we actually don’t know exactly what the cause is. That is why we also wanted to investigate other risk factors in this study,” stated the expert.
“In addition to physical factors, mental health also plays an important role (in preventing early dementia), including avoiding chronic stress, loneliness and depression.”
Professor David Llewellyn from the University of Exeter highlighted the importance of the findings: “This ground-breaking study illustrates the crucial role of international collaboration and big data in advancing our understanding of dementia. There is still much to learn in our continuing mission to more specifically prevent, identify and treat dementia in all its forms. This is the largest and most robust study of its kind ever conducted. “Interestingly, for the first time it reveals that we can take steps to reduce the risk of this debilitating condition, by focusing on a variety of different factors.”
Sebastian Köhler, Professor of Neuroepidemiology at Maastricht University, says: “We already knew from research on people who develop dementia at an older age that there are a number of modifiable risk factors. In addition to physical factors, mental health also plays an important role, including avoiding chronic stress, loneliness and depression. “I was surprised by the fact that this is also evident in early-onset dementia and may offer opportunities to reduce risk in this group.”
“Our research breaks new ground by identifying that the risk of early-onset dementia can be reduced. “We believe this could herald a new era in interventions to reduce new cases of this condition,” said Dr Janice Ranson, lead researcher at the University of Exeter.
“At Alzheimer’s Research UK we are committed to funding research into how to prevent dementia, as well as how to diagnose and treat it. so we can help achieve a world free from the fear, harm and distress of this devastating condition,” concludes Dr Leah Mursaleen, head of clinical research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, which co-funded the study.
