Dementia Risk May Begin in Early Life

Dementia is typically thought of as a condition affecting the elderly, yet it doesn’t just materialize without warning.

Certain risk factors can actually develop before birth, while others arise as we move through childhood and into young adulthood.

Research suggests that this period may be the ideal time to begin preventative measures.

Previous studies have pinpointed various modifiable risk factors associated with dementia. Unfortunately, by the time neurodegeneration occurs, making changes may not offer much assistance. This has prompted researchers to focus on life’s early stages for potential interventions that could yield benefits down the road.

A recent study from 2023, conducted by researchers in Sweden and the Czech Republic, found a few birth-related factors that could slightly elevate the risk of dementia later in life.

While some factors, like being a twin, are out of our control, others—such as short intervals between births or pregnancies after age 35—could influence parental choices.

Another study published in late 2024 assessed risk factors among younger adults, specifically those aged 18 to 39. A team from the Global Brain Health Institute in Ireland collaborated with experts from 15 countries to outline a lifelong strategy for enhancing brain health.

Francesca Farina, a neuroscientist at GBHI, noted, “Young adulthood represents a crucial window for interventions that could greatly mitigate the risk of dementia in later years.”

She added that involving young adults as essential contributors to research and policy-making could lead to better brain health outcomes.

The risk factors identified span lifestyle issues—like heavy drinking, smoking, physical inactivity, and social isolation—to environmental factors such as exposure to pollution, brain injuries, sensory losses, or low education levels. Additionally, health concerns like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and depression often stem from lifestyle choices.

The researchers propose that many identified factors could be addressed to lower the chances of dementia, which might start to develop earlier in life than most people realize.

They pose a thought-provoking question: “Could the origins of dementia trace back to childhood or even infancy?” Evidence is increasingly pointing in that direction, suggesting that risk factors encountered in the first ten years of life—or even while still in the womb—could have lasting impacts on dementia risk.

Notably, much dementia research tends to center on age-related cognitive decline in older adults, but there’s a growing body of evidence indicating that many brain structure and function variances seen in older individuals may have their roots in childhood.

The study authors remark that in long-term assessments, an individual’s cognitive abilities at age 70 significantly correlate with their abilities at age 11. In other words, older adults who struggle with cognitive skills often exhibited those lower skills early on, rather than merely experiencing a rapid decline in later years.

They also highlight how signs of brain damage or abnormalities observed later might connect back to earlier life incidents or behaviors.

Additionally, findings from brain scans indicate that certain changes tied to dementia could relate more closely to early-life risk factor exposures than to current unhealthy behaviors.

Combining these insights, the research suggests that perhaps it’s time to view dementia prevention as a lifelong endeavor instead of merely a concern for old age.

Some of the identified risk factors might seem obvious—drinking, smoking, and brain injuries are already known to be detrimental to health. However, others are less direct; for instance, losing hearing or vision is also linked to dementia, likely due to social isolation or brain health deterioration.

Tackling these risks is a complex task. The researchers propose addressing them on multiple levels—individual, community, and national.

Improving individual awareness about brain health and its risks is essential, they suggest. Public health campaigns and educational programs in schools might help, potentially funded by taxes on harmful substances like alcohol and cigarettes.

On a community level, forming advisory councils of diverse young adults could assist local governments in understanding brain health needs.

At a national level, the focus should shift towards establishing a dedicated charter for brain health to guide individuals towards improved brain wellness throughout their lives.

There appears to be significant interest among young adults in learning about brain health; many are conscious of cognitive and neurodiversity issues, often identifying with conditions such as ADHD or autism. This growing awareness fuels their desire to understand and enhance their brain health.

Lastly, the research acknowledges that additional emerging risk factors—which include ultra-processed foods, drug use, excessive screen time, stress, and microplastics exposure—warrant further study.

The findings of this research were published in The Lancet: Healthy Longevity.