Researchers Discover 15 Everyday Factors That Increase Early Dementia Risk
Early-onset dementia before age 65 has long been blamed on genetics alone. But groundbreaking new research reveals it's not just genes at play. A team of scientists has identified 15 lifestyle and environmental factors that can significantly raise one's risk of developing dementia early in life.
The study, published in JAMA Neurology, analyzed health data from over 350,000 participants under 65 in the UK Biobank. It highlights influences like alcohol use disorder, hearing loss, social isolation, depression, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. According to the researchers, these factors point to new prevention strategies beyond genetic screening.
As Dr. Stevie Hendriks of Maastricht University explains, "Young-onset dementia has a serious impact because people affected are still...
