According to a new study, the lifetime risk of developing dementia is higher than previously estimated. The findings suggest that individuals may have up to a 4 in 10 chance of developing dementia if they live long enough, starting from age 55.

However, several steps can help reduce the risk of dementia, such as managing high blood pressure and addressing other health conditions that negatively affect brain health. It is never too late to try to reduce this risk, even in middle age.

Joseph Koresh from Langone Health at New York University, a co-author of the study published in Nature Medicine, emphasized that their research indicates actions taken during middle age play a crucial role in determining long-term brain health.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Silent brain changes that eventually lead to Alzheimer’s may begin as early as 20 years before symptoms appear.

Other forms of dementia include vascular dementia, which occurs when heart disease or minor strokes affect blood flow to the brain. Many people experience a combination of different causes, meaning that vascular problems can exacerbate developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Source:
World View Thai News – Researchers Predict Longevity May Increase Dementia Risk