July 31, 2024 from Medscape
According to the latest report from the Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care, nearly half of all dementia cases worldwide could potentially be prevented or delayed by addressing 14 modifiable risk factors throughout life. These findings provide new hope in the fight against dementia, which affects millions of people globally.
The 2024 report adds two new risk factors — high cholesterol and vision loss — to the 12 already identified in the Commission’s previous report in 2020. Together, these factors account for approximately 40% of all dementia cases. Among the new additions, high cholesterol is linked to about 7% of cases, and untreated vision loss contributes to 2%.
Lead author Dr. Gill Livingston emphasized the importance of acting at any stage of life to reduce dementia risk, stating, “It’s never too early or too late to act, with opportunities to make an impact at any stage of life.”
Key Risk Factors
The report highlights a range of factors that contribute to dementia, including:
- High LDL Cholesterol: Linked to 7% of dementia cases, it underscores the connection between vascular and brain health. As Dr. Shaheen Lakhan noted, “The intricate connection between vascular health and brain health is one we can now target more effectively.”
- Vision Loss: Untreated vision impairment can lead to cognitive decline, social isolation, and reduced physical activity, contributing to about 2% of dementia cases. As Lakhan explained, “It’s not just a matter of seeing clearly; it’s a matter of thinking clearly.”
Additional risk factors include lower education levels, hearing loss, hypertension, obesity, smoking, diabetes, physical inactivity, depression, excessive alcohol consumption, traumatic brain injury (TBI), air pollution, and social isolation.
Prevention: A Global and Personal Challenge
The report outlines 13 recommendations for both individuals and governments to mitigate dementia risk. These include managing hearing and vision loss, addressing high cholesterol, promoting cognitive engagement, and creating supportive social environments. According to Dr. Tara Spires-Jones, a healthy lifestyle — incorporating education, social activities, and physical and cognitive exercises — is key to building brain resilience.
While the potential to prevent nearly half of dementia cases is promising, the report highlights the need for a coordinated effort. “Preventing dementia is not just a medical imperative — it’s an economic and humanitarian one,” said Lakhan, stressing the importance of addressing health disparities that disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities.
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