Dementia: almost half of cases can be avoided by focusing on prevention

It is one of the evils of the century that global and national health authorities have taken on head on and are trying to stem through improved prevention. Dementia affects more than 55 million people worldwide, with nearly 10 million new cases each year, according to data shared by World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023. A figure that could rise to 78 million in 2030 and 139 million in 2050, according to the world health authority, recalling the importance of focusing on research and prevention, and improving care for those affected.

Preventing dementia is possible!

Preventing dementia: this is precisely the subject of a new study led by researchers from University College London (UCL). Which suggests focusing on fourteen specific risk factors, starting in childhood, to avoid, or delay, almost half of dementia cases. Published in the scientific journal The Lancetthis work results in new recommendations for governments and the public to significantly reduce the risk.

“Our new report reveals that much more can and must be done to reduce the risk of dementia. It is never too early or too late to act, and it is possible to have an impact at every stage of life.“, explains Gill Livingston, professor of psychiatry at UCL and lead author of this research, in a press releaseIn total, no fewer than 27 world experts on dementia, forming the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Management, worked hand in hand to list these risk factors and formulate these new recommendations.

“Bad cholesterol” blamed

These are in fact two new risk factors that have just been identified, adding to the twelve others implicated by the Commission in 2020, namely a low level of education, hearing impairment, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, depression, a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, traumatic brain injuries, air pollution and social isolation. According to experts, these already known factors are associated with 40% of dementia cases worldwide.

This list is now completed by two new factors to take into account to prevent the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease: a high level of low-density lipoproteins, commonly called “bad cholesterol”, and untreated vision loss at an advanced age. These two causes are linked to 9% of cases of dementia (7% for “bad cholesterol” and 2% for vision loss). It should be noted that hearing loss (7%), “bad cholesterol” (7%), a low level of education (5%) and social isolation (5%) are among the main risk factors.

“There is now stronger evidence that prolonged exposure to risks has a greater effect and that risks are more acute among vulnerable people. This is why it is essential to step up prevention efforts for those who need them most, including people in low- and middle-income countries and socio-economically disadvantaged groups. Governments must reduce inequalities in risk by making healthy lifestyles as accessible as possible to all.“, continues Professor Gill Livingston.

Treating depression, promoting social ties

In order to minimise the risk of dementia, world experts have made new recommendations to governments and populations. They call in particular for actions to be taken to treat depression as effectively as possible, improve the management of hearing loss and reduce exposure to harmful noise, treat “bad cholesterol” from the age of 40, reduce public exposure to air pollution and smoking, and promote social relationships.

“Healthy lifestyles involving regular exercise, no smoking, cognitive activity in midlife and no excessive alcohol consumption can not only reduce the risk of dementia, but also delay the onset of dementia. (…) This has enormous implications for the quality of life of individuals and saves societies money.” concludes the expert on dementia.

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