Scientists reveal the 3 most harmful risk factors for dementia – and ALL can be prevented
DIABETES, air pollution and alcohol are among the most harmful preventable risk factors for dementia, a study suggests.
The study of around 40,000 Brits narrowed down on the three most harmful factors by examining 161 behaviours or illnesses that are linked to the memory-loss condition.
They found the factors contributed to specific “weak spots” in the brain that are vulnerable to Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia degenerating in old age.
Professor Gwenaelle Douaud, of the University of Oxford, said: “We know that a constellation of brain regions degenerates earlier in ageing.
“In this new study we have shown that these specific parts of the brain are most vulnerable to diabetes, traffic-related air pollution — increasingly a major player in dementia — and alcohol, of all the common risk factors for dementia.
“We have found that several variations in the genome influence this brain network, and they are implicated in cardiovascular deaths, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.”
Around 944,000 Brits are currently living with dementia and experts predict the numbers will exceed one million by the end of the decade.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of the condition, and is thought to be caused by build-ups of proteins in the brain, including tau and amyloid.
There is currently no cure for the disease, although three promising drugs to slow down its progress are currently in trials.
Previous research has identified 11 risk factors that can help predict if someone will be diagnosed in the next 14 years.
The latest study, published in Nature Communications, looked at brain scans from Brits aged 44 to 83 to see how risk factors affect particular regions of the brain linked to the condition.
They classified these so-called modifiable risk factors — as they can potentially be changed throughout life to reduce the risk of dementia — into 15 broad categories.
These were blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, weight, alcohol consumption, smoking, depressive mood, inflammation, pollution, hearing, sleep, socialisation, diet, physical activity, and education.
The findings suggest that these specific parts of the brain are most vulnerable to alcohol, diabetes and traffic-related air pollution.
Professor Anderson Winkler, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, said: “What makes this study special is that we examined the unique contribution of each modifiable risk factor by looking at all of them together to assess the resulting degeneration of this particular brain ‘weak spot’.
“It is with this kind of comprehensive, holistic approach — and once we had taken into account the effects of age and sex — that three emerged as the most harmful: diabetes, air pollution, and alcohol.”
What are the early symptoms of cognitive decline?
WE all notice a natural decline in memory and thinking as we age.
This will be more pronounced in some people, as they experience memory and thinking problems that are mild but still noticeable.
This is described as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Unlike dementia sufferers, people with MCI can still get on with day-to-day life.
Research suggests that two out of 10 people over the age
of 65 have MCI, according to Alzheimer’s Research UK.
About one in 10 people who’ve received an MCI diagnosis will go on to develop dementia.
Symptoms of MCI include:
Memory – Misplacing items or having trouble
remembering recent conversations.
- Attention problems – finding it difficult to concentrate,
e.g. while watching a TV programme or carrying out
duties at work - Disorientation – confusion about time, date or place
- Thinking skills – problems with planning or completing
tasks, e.g. managing money, or cooking a meal - Problems with communication and finding the right words
- Mood and behaviour changes – becoming irritable, anxious,
or feeling low
These symptoms may affect someone with MCI all the
time, or they might come and go.
There are steps we can take to keep our brains as healthy as possible. These include:
- Not smoking
- Doing regular physical activity
- Staying mentally and socially active
- Eating a healthy balanced diet
- Limiting the amount of alcohol we drink
- Having your hearing checked regularly
- Keeping blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol
levels in check