Dementia is commonly perceived as a condition affecting older individuals, yet its roots can often be traced back much earlier. Some risk factors may even surface before birth, while others develop during childhood and young adulthood. Research suggests that these earlier stages of life could be crucial for initiating preventive measures.
Previous investigations have pinpointed various risk factors for dementia, highlighting the limited effectiveness of interventions once neurodegeneration has already started. This has spurred researchers to focus on early life for potential preventive actions.
A 2023 study from researchers in Sweden and the Czech Republic shed light on several birth-related factors linked to a slight uptick in dementia risk later in life. Some factors, like sharing a womb with a twin, are unavoidable, while others—such as shorter intervals between births or conceiving after age 35—may influence parents’ choices.
In late 2024, another study looked at risk factors in younger adults aged 18 to 39. This initiative, led by the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) in Ireland, involved experts from 15 countries aiming to devise a lifelong strategy to enhance brain health.
According to Francesca Farina, a neuroscientist at GBHI, “Young adulthood is a critical time for interventions that could greatly mitigate dementia risk down the line.” She emphasized involving young adults in research and education to ensure better brain health outcomes.
Among the identified risk factors, some stem from lifestyle choices: heavy drinking, smoking, lack of physical activity, and social isolation. Environmental issues also feature, including pollution, traumatic brain injuries, and a lack of educational attainment. Furthermore, health problems like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, high LDL cholesterol, and depression are often linked to lifestyle decisions.
The researchers indicate that many of these risk factors are actionable steps individuals can take to potentially lower their dementia risk, which may begin much earlier than some might realize. They posit that perhaps, just perhaps, the beginnings of dementia could be traced as far back as childhood or even infancy. Various studies suggest that early exposures to risk factors during the first decade of life or while in the womb could have lasting effects on dementia susceptibility.
According to the research team, “Most dementia studies have understandably focused on age-related cognitive decline later in life, but an increasing body of evidence points to foundational differences in brain structure and function dating back to childhood.” They provide examples, like long-term studies showing that cognitive abilities observed at age 70 often correlate strongly with those at age 11.
There are also signs of brain injury or abnormalities in later life potentially linked to earlier incidents or behaviors. Changes visible in brain scans seem increasingly associated with early life risk factors rather than just current unhealthy habits.
This brings up an intriguing idea: dementia prevention could be viewed more as a lifelong objective rather than something to address only in old age.
While some of the identified risk factors, such as smoking and drinking, may appear obvious, others are perhaps more nuanced—like the links between sensory losses and dementia risks, possibly due to social isolation or brain decline.
The challenge, however, lies in how to effectively manage these risks. The research team suggests tackling the issue from individual, community, and national perspectives. On an individual level, raising awareness about brain health risks through public health initiatives and school education could be vital. Funding could also focus on taxing substances harmful to brain health, like tobacco or alcohol.
At the community level, forming an advisory council of diverse young adults could create a bridge with local governments to provide insight into regional brain health issues.
On a national scale, proposing and committing to a brain health charter could help guide long-term strategies for improving brain health.
There seems to be a genuine interest among young adults to learn more about their brain health. Many recognize cognitive and neurodiversity, with some identifying with conditions like ADHD or autism. This awareness fuels their desire to improve their brain health.
Interestingly, the identified risk factors are not fixed. The researchers note that emerging factors like ultra-processed foods, substance use, screen time, stress, and microplastics need further exploration.
This research was featured in The Lancet: Healthy Longevity.
