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| Nine lifestyle changes can reduce dementia risk, study says | Nine lifestyle changes can reduce dementia risk, study says |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| One in three cases of dementia could be prevented if more people looked after their brain health throughout life, according to an international study in the Lancet. | One in three cases of dementia could be prevented if more people looked after their brain health throughout life, according to an international study in the Lancet. |
| It lists nine key risk factors including lack of education, hearing loss, smoking and physical inactivity. | It lists nine key risk factors including lack of education, hearing loss, smoking and physical inactivity. |
| The study is being presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in London. | The study is being presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in London. |
| By 2050, 131 million people could be living with dementia globally. | By 2050, 131 million people could be living with dementia globally. |
| There are estimated to be 47 million people with the condition at the moment. | There are estimated to be 47 million people with the condition at the moment. |
| Nine lifestyle factors that contribute to the risk of dementia | |
| These risk factors - which are thought to be modifiable - add up to 35%. The other 65% of dementia risk is beyond the individual's control. | |
| Source: Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care | |
| "Although dementia is diagnosed in later life, the brain changes usually begin to develop years before," said lead author Prof Gill Livingston, from University College London. | "Although dementia is diagnosed in later life, the brain changes usually begin to develop years before," said lead author Prof Gill Livingston, from University College London. |
| "Acting now will vastly improve life for people with dementia and their families and, in doing so, will transform the future of society." | "Acting now will vastly improve life for people with dementia and their families and, in doing so, will transform the future of society." |
| The report, which combines the work of 24 international experts, says lifestyle factors can play a major role in increasing or reducing an individual's dementia risk. | The report, which combines the work of 24 international experts, says lifestyle factors can play a major role in increasing or reducing an individual's dementia risk. |
| It examines the benefits of building a "cognitive reserve", which means strengthening the brain's networks so it can continue to function in later life despite damage. | It examines the benefits of building a "cognitive reserve", which means strengthening the brain's networks so it can continue to function in later life despite damage. |
| Failure to complete secondary education was a major risk factor, and the authors suggest that individuals who continue to learn throughout life are likely to build additional brain reserves. | Failure to complete secondary education was a major risk factor, and the authors suggest that individuals who continue to learn throughout life are likely to build additional brain reserves. |
| Another major risk factor is hearing loss in middle age - the researchers say this can deny people a cognitively rich environment and lead to social isolation and depression, which are among other modifiable risk factors for dementia. | Another major risk factor is hearing loss in middle age - the researchers say this can deny people a cognitively rich environment and lead to social isolation and depression, which are among other modifiable risk factors for dementia. |
| Another key message from the report is that what is good for the heart is good for the brain. | Another key message from the report is that what is good for the heart is good for the brain. |
| Not smoking, doing exercise, keeping a healthy weight, treating high blood pressure and diabetes can all reduce the risk of dementia, as well as cardiovascular disease, and cancer. | Not smoking, doing exercise, keeping a healthy weight, treating high blood pressure and diabetes can all reduce the risk of dementia, as well as cardiovascular disease, and cancer. |
| The researchers say they did not have enough data to include dietary factors or alcohol in their calculations but believe both could be important. | The researchers say they did not have enough data to include dietary factors or alcohol in their calculations but believe both could be important. |
| Dr Doug Brown, director of research at Alzheimer's Society, said: "Though it's not inevitable, dementia is currently set to be the 21st Century's biggest killer. We all need to be aware of the risks and start making positive lifestyle changes." | Dr Doug Brown, director of research at Alzheimer's Society, said: "Though it's not inevitable, dementia is currently set to be the 21st Century's biggest killer. We all need to be aware of the risks and start making positive lifestyle changes." |
| Dr David Reynolds, chief scientific officer at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "Alongside prevention research, we must continue to invest in research to find a life-changing treatment for people with this devastating condition." | Dr David Reynolds, chief scientific officer at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "Alongside prevention research, we must continue to invest in research to find a life-changing treatment for people with this devastating condition." |
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| What measures are you taking to prevent dementia? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | |
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