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Medical professionals are sounding the alarm. While dementia typically affects older adults, hundreds of thousands of people are diagnosed with early-onset dementia (EOD) each year. A large-scale study by researchers at the University of Exeter (UK) and Maastricht University (Netherlands) sheds light on why.
Most prior research has focused on inherited genetics rather than everyday risk factors. This study, by contrast, looked at a much broader range of health and lifestyle factors linked to the risk of developing EOD.
“This is the largest and most compelling study of its kind ever conducted. It is the first to show that steps can be taken to reduce the risk of this debilitating disease by addressing various factors,” said epidemiologist David Llewellyn, a co-author of the study.
What Did the Researchers Discover?
The team analyzed health and lifestyle data from 356,052 Britons under the age of 65. They found that the highest risk of developing EOD was linked to low socioeconomic status, social isolation, hearing impairment, stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and depression.
Low vitamin D and high levels of C-reactive protein (a marker the liver produces in response to inflammation) were also associated with a substantially higher risk. So was having two copies of the APOE ε4 allele, a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
Meanwhile, the relationship between alcohol consumption and EOD was described by researchers as “complex,” according to Science Alert. Heavy alcohol misuse raised the risk, while moderate drinking correlated with a lower risk—possibly because people who drink moderately tend to be healthier overall.
Higher levels of education and lower physical frailty, measured by stronger handgrip strength, were associated with a reduced risk of EOD.
“In addition to physical factors, mental health plays a crucial role, especially in relation to chronic stress, loneliness, and depression,” said neuroepidemiologist Sebastian Keller.
All of this helps fill gaps in our understanding of early-onset dementia. With these insights, medical professionals can develop better treatment approaches and preventive measures.
The fact that many of these factors are modifiable offers hope to people trying to lower their risk. In other words, adopting a healthier lifestyle can help reduce the chances of developing early-onset dementia.
“Young-onset dementia has very serious consequences because people affected often have jobs, children, and busy lives,” said neurobiologist Stevie Hendrix.
The study’s findings were published in JAMA Neurology.
