Research in the News

01/08/2024

New evidence presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC 2024) this week highlights two new potentially modifiable risk factors in dementia prevention, in addition to the 12 factors previously identified.  

The 2024 Report of The Lancet Commission on Dementia Report, from a team of 27 global experts on dementia, highlights the addition of two potentially modifiable risk factors; untreated vision loss and high cholesterol.  

These risk factors are now added to the existing list of 12 potentially modifiable risk factors outlined in the Lancet’s 2020 report which includes poor education, head injury, physical inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol use, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, hearing loss, depression, lack of social contact/engagement and air pollution.  

This new report tells us that up to 45% of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by targeting these risk factors throughout the life course. People at all stages of life can take steps to reduce their risk of developing the disease. While there is no sure way to prevent dementia and there are risk factors we can’t control – such as getting older and genetics – there are things we can do to manage risk, namely addressing these 14 modifiable factors.   

It is important that the concept of ‘brain health’ is used to inform government policies aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles which, it is believed, could prove significant in reducing dementia risk. It is never too early or too late to take action and look after our physical health and brain health. 

There are an estimated 64,000 people living with dementia in Ireland; cases are predicted to increase to 150,000 by 2045. Currently, more than 55 million people live with the condition worldwide; the figure is expected to rise to 153 million by 2050.  

The Lancet Report also makes 13 recommendations to reduce dementia risk throughout life.

To read the Lancet Report in full, please follow this link: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01296-0/abstract  

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