Common Health Risks You Can Change May Be Accelerating Dementia—Study Finds
Summary
A study from Lund University in Sweden found that nearly half of dementia cases may be linked to health risks that people can change, like smoking and high blood pressure. Managing these risks could help slow down different types of brain damage, even in people without memory problems yet.Key Facts
- The study followed about 500 people aged 65 on average for four years, all without cognitive problems at the start.
- Researchers looked at brain changes related to vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
- Smoking, high blood pressure, heart disease, and high blood lipids were tied to damage in the brain's white matter.
- Diabetes was linked to faster buildup of amyloid beta protein, connected to Alzheimer's.
- Lower body weight was associated with quicker tau protein accumulation, another Alzheimer's marker.
- The study suggests controlling lifestyle risks may reduce several types of brain damage at once.
- Age, gender, and genetics also play a big role, but lifestyle changes can influence brain health.
- Experts highlight that good heart health supports brain health, as small blood vessels in the brain are affected by cardiovascular risks.
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