Risk of early-onset dementia could be reduced by targeting health and lifestyle factors, study finds

Researchers have identified a wide range of risk factors for early-onset dementia. The findings challenge the idea that genetics are the sole cause of disease, laying the foundation for new prevention strategies.

The large-scale study identified 15 risk factors, similar to those for late-onset dementia. For the first time, they indicate that it may be possible to reduce the risk of early-onset dementia by targeting health and lifestyle factors.

Relatively little research has been done on young-onset dementia, although there are approximately 370,000 new cases of young-onset dementia each year worldwide.

The new research led by the University of Exeter and Maastricht University followed more than 350,000 participants under the age of 65 across the UK as part of the UK Biobank study. The team assessed a wide range of risk factors ranging from genetic predispositions to lifestyle and environmental influences. The study is titled “Risk factors for early dementia in the UK Biobank: a prospective population-based study” and is published in JAMA Neurology.

The study found that lower formal education, lower socioeconomic status, genetic variation, lifestyle factors such as alcohol use disorders and social isolation, as well as health conditions such as vitamin D deficiency, depression, stroke, hearing loss and heart disease, significantly increase the risk of early onset. dementia

Professor David Llewellyn from the University of Exeter highlighted the importance of the findings, saying: “This groundbreaking study illustrates the crucial role of international collaboration and Big Data in advancing our understanding of dementia. identify and treat dementia in all its forms in a more targeted manner.

“This is the largest and most robust study of its type ever conducted. Interestingly, it reveals for the first time that we may be able to take steps to reduce the risk of this debilitating disease, targeting a range of different factors.”

Dr Stevie Hendriks, researcher at Maastricht University, said: “Early-onset dementia has a very serious impact, as those affected usually still have jobs, children and busy lives. The cause is often assumed to be genetic, but for many people we don’t know exactly what the cause is. This is why we also wanted to investigate other risk factors in this study.

Sebastian Köhler, professor of neuroepidemiology at Maastricht University, said: “We already knew from research on people who develop dementia in old age that there are a range of modifiable risk factors. In addition to physical factors, mental health also plays an important role. including avoiding chronic stress, loneliness and depression. The fact that this is also evident in early dementia surprised me, and it may also offer opportunities to reduce risk in this group.

Dr Janice Ranson, lead researcher at the University of Exeter, said: “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 aimed at reducing new cases. of this state.”

Dr Leah Mursaleen, head of clinical research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We are seeing a transformation in understanding the risk of dementia and, potentially, how to reduce it, both at an individual and societal level. a growing consensus that dementia is linked to 12 specific modifiable risk factors such as smoking, blood pressure and hearing loss. It is now accepted that up to four in ten cases of dementia worldwide are linked to these factors.

“This pioneering study highlights important and critical factors that may influence the risk of early-onset dementia. This begins to fill an important gap in our knowledge. It will be important to build on these findings in larger studies. “