More 60 million people Estimated to live with dementia, it costs more than 1.5 million deaths per year, and annual costs for the surrounding global health economy. 1.3 trillion US$ (nearly 1 trillion pounds).
Despite decades of scientific research and billions of pounds investment, dementia still has no treatment. But what about the old proverb that prevention is better than treatment? Is it possible to prevent dementia? If so, at what age should we take steps to do so?
Despite many believe, dementia is not simply an inevitable consequence of aging or genetics. It is estimated Up to 45% Cases of dementia may be potentially prevented by reducing exposure to 14 modifiable risk factors common worldwide.
Many of these risk factors include obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, etc. – have traditionally been studied since middle age (approximately 40-60 years old). As a result, some of the world’s leading health organizations and dementia charities recommend that strategies aimed at reducing the risk of dementia should be used. Ideally target this age To enjoy the greatest benefits.
We insistBut targeting targets even at younger ages still likely to bring greater benefits. But how young are we? And why is exposure to risk factors important decades ago when dementia symptoms appear to be traditionally important?
To explain, start with 30 years covering adolescents and young adults (ages 10-40), and work in the opposite direction from middle age.
Many lifestyle-related risk factors for dementia appear during teenagers and then continue into adulthood. For example, 80% of young people Living with obesity This is how they stay when they are adults. The same applies Hypertension and Lack of exercise. Similarly, almost every adult will have smoking or drinks I’ve started these unhealthy habits Adolescents or surroundings.
This raises two potential questions in viewing middle-aged adults as the best starting point for dementia perturbation strategies. First, it is notoriously difficult to change the already established health behavior. Second, most high-risk individuals targeted in middle-aged age will almost certainly be exposed to the damaging effects of these risk factors.
So, the most effective behaviour may be that aimed at preventing unhealthy behavior in the first place, rather than trying to change long-established habits decades later.
The root of dementia
But what about early in people’s lives? Can dementia roots go back to childhood or early childhood? Increased evidence It suggests yes, and exposure to that risk factor can affect your lifelong risk of dementia during the first decade of life (or even in the uterus).
To understand why this is why, it is important to remember that our brains have experienced three major periods during our lives – early development, periods of relative stability in adulthood, and decline (in some functions) in old age.
Most dementia studies, of course, focus on changes associated with late-stage declines. But there is Increased evidence Many of the differences in brain structure and function associated with dementia in older adults may have been present at least in part from childhood.
For example, in longitudinal studies in which people track their cognitive abilities throughout their lives, One of the most important factors Explaining someone’s cognitive abilities at age 70 is cognitive abilities at age 11. In other words, older adults with low cognitive skills often have lower differences not only due to lower age, but also lower these skills from childhood.
A similar pattern can be seen when searching for evidence of dementia-related damage Brain scansome changes appear to be more closely related Exposure to risk factors in childhood More than the current unhealthy lifestyle.
Taken together, it’s probably time to think of dementia prevention as a lifelong goal, not just a focus on old age.
Lifetime prevention plan
But how do you actually achieve this? Complex problems require complex solutions and no quick fixes to address this challenge. Many factors contribute to an increase or decrease in the risk of dementia in individuals. There is no “fit all sizes” approach.
But one thing I generally agree with is that mass drugs for young people are not the answer. Instead, we have recently been published along with 33 other leading international researchers in the field of dementia. A set of recommendations For actions that can be taken at the individual, community and national level to improve brain health from an early age.
The consensus statement and recommendations provide two clear messages. First, meaningful reduction in the risk of dementia for as many people as possible can be achieved through a coordinated approach that connects healthier environments, better education and smarter public policies.
Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, it is not too late to take steps to reduce your risk of dementia, but it is also not too early to get started.
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