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Dementia risk study finds 11 key factors behind condition

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Summary

Scientists from the University of Oxford have identified 11 risk factors for dementia and used them to develop a tool that can predict whether someone will develop the condition in the next 14 years. The risk score, called the UKBDRS-APOE tool, looks at factors such as age, education, a history of diabetes, a history of depression, a history of stroke, parental history of dementia, levels of deprivation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, living alone and being male. It was found to "significantly outperform" similar risk assessments currently available. It is hoped that by targeting key risk factors, which are mostly modifiable, about 40% of cases could be averted.

Q&As

What are the 11 key risk factors for dementia identified by researchers?
The 11 key risk factors for dementia identified by researchers are age, education, a history of diabetes, a history of depression, a history of stroke, parental history of dementia, levels of deprivation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, living alone and being male.

How can the new dementia risk score be used?
The new dementia risk score can be used as an initial screening tool for dementia to put people in “risk groups”, and those identified as high risk could then benefit from more time-intensive follow-up assessments such as cognitive assessments, brain scans and blood tests.

What is the estimated risk for someone with all identified risk factors?
The estimated risk for someone with all identified risk factors is approximately three times higher than that of a person of the same age who doesn’t have any.

How could targeting key risk factors potentially avert about 40% of cases?
Targeting key risk factors could potentially avert about 40% of cases by modifying certain lifestyle factors, such as stopping smoking, reducing high blood pressure, losing weight and reducing alcohol intake.

How can modifiable risk factors be modified or treated to reduce the risk of dementia?
Modifiable risk factors can be modified or treated to reduce the risk of dementia by stopping smoking, reducing high blood pressure, losing weight and reducing alcohol intake.

AI Comments

👍 This new dementia risk score is incredibly innovative and could help avert about 40% of dementia cases. It's great to see that researchers are focusing on modifiable lifestyle factors that could reduce the risk of dementia.

👎 The findings of the study are concerning, as they suggest that the number of people living with dementia is forecast to nearly triple by 2050. This highlights the need for further research to develop better preventative measures.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about a new study that identifies 11 risk factors for dementia, including things like age, diabetes, depression, and the APOE gene. They also developed a predictive tool that can help identify someone's risk of developing the condition within the next 14 years.

Friend: Wow, that's really interesting. It sounds like this could be a big step in helping to prevent dementia.

Me: Absolutely! It could be a game-changer in terms of helping to avert around 40% of cases. And since some of the risk factors are modifiable, it could be a great tool for encouraging lifestyle changes that could reduce the risk of developing dementia.

Action items

Make lifestyle changes to reduce risk factors for dementia, such as quitting smoking, reducing high blood pressure, losing weight, and reducing alcohol intake.
Get tested for the APOE gene, which is a known risk factor for dementia.
Consider getting a dementia risk score to identify if you are at risk of developing the condition in the next 14 years.

Technical terms

Dementia: A progressive decline in cognitive function due to damage or disease in the brain beyond what might be expected from normal aging.
APOE gene: A gene that is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
UK Biobank study: A long-term study of 500,000 people in the UK that is used to research the causes of a wide range of serious and life-threatening illnesses.
Whitehall II study: A long-term study of 10,000 British civil servants that is used to research the causes of a wide range of health and social issues.
BMJ Mental Health: An open access journal that publishes research on mental health and related topics.
Deprivation: A lack of resources or opportunities.
Cognitive assessments: Tests that measure a person's ability to think, remember, and reason.
Brain scans: Imaging tests that allow doctors to see inside the brain.
Blood tests: Tests that measure the levels of various substances in the blood.