Dementia Risk May Look Different for One Group of Americans, Study Finds
Summary
A new study shows that the risk factors for dementia can be different for American Indians compared to the general U.S. population. The research found that education, depression, high blood pressure, and past brain injuries are key risks for dementia in this group.Key Facts
- The study was done by Boston University and published on August 24 in Alzheimer's & Dementia journal.
- Researchers looked at 808 American Indians in middle and older age.
- Common dementia risk factors in this group included obesity, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, brain injury, and depression.
- Compared to the general population, American Indians had higher rates of depression (2.4 times), brain injuries (2.6 times), and hypertension (4.2 times).
- Some common risks in the general population, like high cholesterol and low physical activity, were less common among American Indians.
- Experts say these differences come from varied social, historical, and environmental conditions, not race itself.
- Dementia can be caused by multiple diseases linked to brain damage from protein buildup.
- About 42% of Americans over 55 are expected to develop dementia, which currently affects over 6 million people in the U.S.
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