Researchers from the University of Exeter in the U.K. and Maastricht University in the Netherlands have identified 15 risk factors associated with young-onset dementia, challenging the prevailing belief that genetics are the sole culprit, paving the way for innovative prevention strategies.
Young-onset dementia, a term describing the development of dementia before the age of 65, accounts for approximately 370,000 new dementia cases globally each year, leaving sufferers struggling to complete daily tasks and live life independently.
Reporting in JAMA Neurology, the largest and most robust study of its kind, involved over 350,000 participants under the age of 65 from the UK Biobank study—a large-scale biomedical database containing anonymized data. Researchers examined a diverse range of risk factors, encompassing genetic predispositions, lifestyle choices, and environmental influences. Noteworthy factors include lower formal education, socioeconomic status, genetic variation, alcohol use disorder, social isolation, and health issues like vitamin D deficiency, depression, stroke, hearing impairment, and heart disease, all of which significantly elevate the risk of young-onset dementia.
Professor David Llewellyn of the University of Exeter underscored the study’s significance, emphasizing the critical role of international collaboration and big data in advancing our understanding of dementia. He remarked, “Excitingly, for the first time, it reveals that we may be able to take action to reduce the risk of this debilitating condition through targeting a range of different factors.”
Stevie Hendriks from Maastricht University highlighted the severe impact of young-onset dementia on individuals who are still actively engaged in their careers and family life. He pointed out that while the cause is often assumed to be genetic, this study aimed to investigate other risk factors, recognizing the importance of understanding the broader spectrum of contributors to the condition.
Surprisingly, the study found that modifiable risk factors associated with older-age dementia, such as physical and mental health, chronic stress, loneliness, and depression, also play a significant role in young-onset dementia. Professor Sebastian Köhler of Maastricht University expressed his astonishment at this discovery, suggesting that it may open up opportunities to reduce risk in this younger age group as well.
Janice Ranson, senior research fellow at the University of Exeter, stated, “Our research breaks new ground in identifying that the risk of young-onset dementia can be reduced. We think this could herald a new era in interventions to reduce new cases of this condition.”
Leah Mursaleen, Head of Clinical Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, which co-funded the study, emphasized the transformative nature of the findings. She concluded, “This pioneering study shines important and much-needed light on factors that can influence the risk of young-onset dementia. It will be important to build on these findings in broader studies as we witness a transformation in understanding dementia risk and potential avenues for reduction on both an individual and societal level.”
