Researchers have pinpointed various risk factors associated with young-onset dementia, refuting the belief that genetics alone is responsible for the condition. This challenges the established notion and opens the door to innovative prevention approaches.
A comprehensive study identified 15 risk factors, mirroring those linked to late-onset dementia. Significantly, this suggests the potential to lower the risk of young-onset dementia by focusing on health and lifestyle elements.
Despite the relatively limited research on young-onset dementia, it is noteworthy that there are approximately 370,000 new cases globally each year.
Published in JAMA Neurology, the recent research conducted by the University of Exeter and Maastricht University monitored over 350,000 participants below the age of 65 across the United Kingdom, utilizing data from the UK Biobank study. The team conducted a comprehensive assessment of a wide range of risk factors, spanning from genetic predispositions to lifestyle and environmental influences. The study disclosed that factors such as lower formal education, reduced socioeconomic status, genetic variations, lifestyle aspects like alcohol use disorder and social isolation, as well as health issues including vitamin D deficiency, depression, stroke, hearing impairment, and heart disease, significantly amplify the risk of young-onset dementia.
Professor David Llewellyn from the University of Exeter underscored the significance of these findings, stating, “This groundbreaking study underscores the vital role of international collaboration and extensive data in advancing our comprehension of dementia. Despite ongoing efforts to prevent, identify, and treat dementia comprehensively, there is still much to be learned. Remarkably, this represents the most extensive and robust study of its kind, offering the exciting prospect of taking targeted action to reduce the risk of this debilitating condition by addressing various factors.”
Dr. Stevie Hendriks, a Researcher at Maastricht University, highlighted the profound impact of young-onset dementia, emphasizing that affected individuals typically juggle work, parenting responsibilities, and a busy lifestyle. While the cause is often presumed to be genetic, the study aimed to explore other potential risk factors, given the uncertainty about the exact causes for many individuals.
Sebastian Köhler, a Professor of Neuroepidemiology at Maastricht University, remarked, “Previous research on individuals developing dementia later in life has established a set of modifiable risk factors. Beyond physical considerations, mental health, encompassing the avoidance of chronic stress, loneliness, and depression, also plays a crucial role. The surprising revelation that these factors are similarly evident in young-onset dementia opens up potential avenues for risk reduction in this demographic.”
Dr. Janice Ranson, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Exeter, noted, “Our research represents a significant advancement in recognizing the possibility of reducing the risk of young-onset dementia. This breakthrough may usher in a new era of interventions aimed at curbing the incidence of this condition.”
Dr. Leah Mursaleen, Head of Clinical Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, a co-funder of the study, stated, “We are witnessing a paradigm shift in our comprehension of dementia risk and, potentially, strategies for its reduction at both individual and societal levels. In recent years, a consensus has emerged linking dementia to 12 specific modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, blood pressure, and hearing loss. It is now acknowledged that as many as four in 10 dementia cases worldwide are associated with these factors. This groundbreaking study sheds crucial light on factors influencing the risk of young-onset dementia, addressing a significant gap in our knowledge. Future studies should build upon these findings for a more comprehensive understanding.”
