More than 55 million people worldwide have dementia, a number that鈥檚 expected to nearly triple by 2050. But addressing 14 risk factors over the course of one鈥檚 life 鈥 starting in childhood 鈥 could prevent or delay nearly half of cases, according to a large report by 27 dementia experts.
Based on reviews of the latest evidence, the Wednesday report by The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care adds two risk factors 鈥 high cholesterol and vision loss 鈥 to 12 others previously identified in its 2020 report. Those existing risk factors are less education, head injury, physical inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, hearing loss, depression, air pollution and infrequent social contact.
The research team wanted to compile and 鈥渁dd to evidence to give individuals and government accessible, reliable information and to help set a research agenda by highlighting what we don鈥檛 know,鈥 said the report鈥檚 lead author Dr. Gill Livingston via email. 鈥淭he progress in preventing and treating dementia is accelerating.鈥
The initial 12 risk factors were linked with 40 per cent of cases, but the new report suggests addressing the 14 risk factors could help eliminate or delay 45 per cent of dementia cases, said Livingston, a professor of psychiatry of older people at University College London.
High cholesterol in midlife from around age 40 was linked with 7 per cent of dementia cases, and untreated vision loss in late life was associated with 2 per cent of cases.
The risk factors associated with the greatest proportion of people developing dementia worldwide were high cholesterol, hearing impairment, less education in early life and social isolation in later life, the authors found.
This 鈥渃ritical鈥 update calls attention to two risk factors that preventive neurologist Dr. Richard Issacson says his clinical practice has been evaluating for over a decade. 鈥淣ow the evidence has caught up to what we recommend to patients,鈥 said Isaacson, director of research at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Florida, who wasn鈥檛 involved in the new study.
The report doesn鈥檛 establish with certainly that these risk factors directly cause dementia, experts said. It鈥檚 also possible that some risk factors may be early signs of a dementia diagnosis yet to come, meaning eliminating those factors may not always reduce risk of developing the disease, said Dr. Klaus Ebmeier, Foundation Chair of Old Age Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, in a news release. Ebmeier wasn鈥檛 involved in the study.
But other research has provided theories on the link between these vulnerabilities and dementia risk.
The link between excess body fat and dementia, for one, may be due to the involvement of body fat in metabolic and vascular processes associated with the buildup of beta-amyloid protein, a hallmark sign of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease.
Exercise may help keep dementia at bay by increasing levels of a protein known to strengthen communication between brain cells, according to a January 2022 study. Exercise can also reduce inflammation, which kills nerve cells. And being socially engaged can help someone reduce stress and better access health care.
Education is also vital for several reasons. 鈥淢ost importantly it makes the brain more resilient to damage, so people can have changes but still function well,鈥 Livingston said. 鈥淚t also helps people make good choices by enabling them to think about evidence in a more educated way, and it is related to getting better jobs, and money gives more choices, for example, in health care and where to live.鈥
The full mechanisms of these risk factors need to be further investigated, said American Academy of Neurology fellow Dr. Glen R. Finney, who wasn鈥檛 involved in the study.
Explanations for the findings could boil down to a 鈥渃ombination of promoting the physical development and health of the brain, preventing damage to the brain, and enhancing and maintaining stimulation of the brain, which in and of itself aids brain health and function,鈥 added Finney, director of the Geisinger Memory and Cognition Program in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.
That may explain the increased risk potentially imparted by vision or hearing loss and air pollution.
How well a person can hear or see influences their ability to engage with their surroundings, have meaningful interactions with other people and be physically active, all of which are sensory inputs that stimulate the brain and build up its cognitive reserve, Isaacson said.
鈥淚f you don鈥檛 use it, you lose it,鈥 he said, adding that giving patients hearing aids or glasses often provides them with a new lease on life.
Researchers are still trying to understand what components of air pollution may be responsible for the connection to dementia risk, but particles have been found in the buildup of amyloid plaques in the brains of people with Alzheimer鈥檚, Isaacson said. Living near a highway has also been associated with a higher risk of dementia.
Many of these risk factors can be addressed by individuals on their own, said Dr. Susan Kohlhaas, executive director of research at Alzheimer鈥檚 Research UK, in a news release.
鈥淏ut others, like air pollution and early childhood education, are bigger than individuals and communities,鈥 said Kohlhaas, who wasn鈥檛 involved in the study. 鈥淭ackling them will need structural changes to society to give everyone the best chance of a healthy life, free from the impact of dementia. Public health leaders must not ignore this message.鈥
Based on the risk factors, the authors also recommended 13 policy and lifestyle changes to help prevent or better manage dementia.
Policy guidance for government agencies includes ensuring quality education is available to all and providing information about the risks of cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol consumption and how to stop, as well as controlling prices and preventing smoking in public places.
Individuals should engage in cognitively stimulating activities, use head protection in contact sports or while riding bikes, and exercise regularly.
Maintaining a healthy weight and treating obesity as early as possible also helps prevent diabetes risk. The authors also recommended people maintain a systolic blood pressure of 130 mmHg 鈥 millimetres of mercury 鈥 or less beginning at age 40.
Treatment for depression, hearing loss, vision loss and high cholesterol is also important.
If you can鈥檛 move to an area with less air pollution, what you can do in your house and avoid using wood- or coal-burning ovens or heating, experts said.
The health and social impact of dementia worldwide has been estimated to cost over $1 trillion per year. But implementing some of these guidelines could save England, for example, around 鈧4.2 billion, according to published alongside the report.
鈥淓ven in the cases of dementia these steps don鈥檛 prevent, quality of life is better for people 鈥 who have had these risks addressed,鈥 Finney said via email. 鈥淎nd the dementia specific medications like the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine can help and should be used. We have to fight neurologic nihilism 鈥 we can protect and help the brain and should!鈥
A $2.14-billion federal loan for an Ottawa-based satellite operator has Canadian politicians arguing about whether American billionaire Elon Musk poses a national security risk.
Twenty-seven year 麻豆影视 reporter and anchor John Vennavally-Rao shares his story of what it was like to have an ostomy bag as part of his health-care battle. 'I鈥檓 grateful for what it did to extend my life,' he writes in a personal column for CTVNews.ca.
For some young people, a popular method for getting a quick high is by misusing laughing gas 鈥 and lately, that鈥檚 in the form of nitrous oxide from products sold by the company Galaxy Gas.
An Ontario woman is among the dozens of people who have come forward to allege that they were sexually abused by London-based businessman Mohamed Al Fayed, the former chairman and owner of Harrods.
Looking after an adult with severe autism can be a full-time job. Ask any parent who has a child severely affected by autism spectrum disorder 鈥 it鈥檚 a job that can get more difficult as the child becomes an adult.
The death of the Tragically Hip鈥檚 lead singer Gord Downie united fans across Canada in their grief, but in many ways pulled his bandmates apart.
A man is facing numerous drug trafficking charges after Dufferin OPP seized a large assortment of drugs and weapons in Orangeville earlier this week.
Tattoos are becoming more common in today's society and, as a result, appear to be more acceptable in the workplace than they used to be.
A man is facing numerous drug trafficking charges after Dufferin OPP seized a large assortment of drugs and weapons in Orangeville earlier this week.
Mattea Roach among the Maritimers honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal Friday.
Montrealers can get used to taking a stroll on several car-free streets during the summer in the years to come thanks to a new commitment from the city.
An Ontario woman is among the dozens of people who have come forward to allege that they were sexually abused by London-based businessman Mohamed Al Fayed, the former chairman and owner of Harrods.
Advocates have identified the woman who died this week after being shot by police in Surrey, B.C., as a South American refugee who was raising a young daughter.
Three men were injured after trying to subdue a man armed with a knife during afternoon prayers at a Montreal-area mosque Friday afternoon.
The death toll from an Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb has risen to 31, including seven women and three children, Lebanon's health minister said on Saturday.
Voting has ended Saturday in Sri Lanka's presidential election as the country seeks to recover from the worst economic crisis in its history and the resulting political upheaval.
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris on Thursday issued a warning to any potential home intruder: 'If somebody breaks in my house, they're getting shot.'
An 11-year-old boy died Monday after subway surfing in New York City. He's the fourth person to die from subway surfing in the city this year.
Kamala Harris blasted Donald Trump as a threat to women's freedoms and their very lives, warning in a speech in the battleground state of Georgia on Friday that Republicans would continue to choke off access to abortion if he returns to the White House.
A $2.14-billion federal loan for an Ottawa-based satellite operator has Canadian politicians arguing about whether American billionaire Elon Musk poses a national security risk.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says close to 45,000 Canadians are in Lebanon, months after warning there is no guarantee Ottawa can evacuate them if the situation deteriorates further.
The federal firearm buyback program has cost taxpayers nearly $67.2 million since it was announced in 2020, but it still hasn't collected a single gun.
For some young people, a popular method for getting a quick high is by misusing laughing gas 鈥 and lately, that鈥檚 in the form of nitrous oxide from products sold by the company Galaxy Gas.
Looking after an adult with severe autism can be a full-time job. Ask any parent who has a child severely affected by autism spectrum disorder 鈥 it鈥檚 a job that can get more difficult as the child becomes an adult.
Canada is setting aside $151 million for the fight to eradicate polio worldwide. International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen announced the news at a Rotary International conference in Toronto.
If something looks too good to be true, it might be. That's the message from Saskatchewan horticulturists after customers have come into their stores hoping to buy purple apple trees this month.
The owner of the shuttered Three Mile Island nuclear power plant said Friday that it plans to restart the reactor under a 20-year agreement that calls for tech giant Microsoft to buy the power to supply its data centers with carbon-free energy.
Lebanese authorities on Thursday banned walkie-talkies and pagers from being taken on flights from Beirut airport, the National News Agency reported, after thousands of such devices exploded during a deadly attack on Hezbollah this week.
'Saturday Night Live' will have a slew of famous faces to help kick off its historic 50th season when the show returns later this month.
The death of the Tragically Hip鈥檚 lead singer Gord Downie united fans across Canada in their grief, but in many ways pulled his bandmates apart.
Sean "Diddy" Combs, who was arrested this week on charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, pleaded not guilty Tuesday and was ordered to remain in custody until his federal trial in New York. CNN spoke to several legal experts to try to understand what lies ahead for Combs and for those in his orbit.
It is not a great time to be a coffee drinker. In general, coffee bean prices are the highest they've been in more than a decade.
Experts say rising team valuations and the desire to forge a legacy are likely at the heart of what motivated Rogers Communications Inc. executive chair Edward Rogers to bolster the company's portfolio of Toronto professional sports teams.
Boeing said on Friday the head of the company's troubled defence, space and security unit is leaving the planemaker effective immediately.
Tattoos are becoming more common in today's society and, as a result, appear to be more acceptable in the workplace than they used to be.
The end of the day 鈥 when school, extracurricular activities and homework are (hopefully) finally done 鈥 is the window that many kids have for downtime. It can be a struggle to convince them not to go on their phones.
While slang may come and go, experts say the phenomenon behind them, which constantly churns out brand-new bon mots, is as old as language itself.
Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.
Andre De Grasse, fresh off of winning Olympic gold in the 4x100-metre rally in Paris 2024, has been in Toronto for the latest few weeks as part of the Toronto International Film Festival.
Heading into Friday鈥檚 game against the Calgary Stampeders, quarterback Trevor Harris said he and his Saskatchewan Roughriders were "ready to rock."
General Motors (GM) has issued a recall for 38,000 vehicles for safety risks related to a software glitch, Transport Canada reported in a notice on Wednesday.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has accused Tesla CEO Elon Musk of 'remotely disabling' his Cybertruck, which had been sent to the frontline of Russia's war in Ukraine.
An Ontario man says it is 'unfair' to pay a $1,500 insurance surcharge because his four-year-old SUV is at a higher risk of being stolen.
Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.
Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.
An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.
They say a dog is a man鈥檚 best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.
A growing group of brides and wedding photographers from across the province say they have been taken for tens of thousands of dollars by a Barrie, Ont. wedding photographer.
Paleontologists from the Royal B.C. Museum have uncovered "a trove of extraordinary fossils" high in the mountains of northern B.C., the museum announced Thursday.
The search for a missing ancient 28-year-old chocolate donkey ended with a tragic discovery Wednesday.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is celebrating an important milestone in the organization's history: 50 years since the first women joined the force.
It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.
The British Columbia election campaign is set to officially start today, with Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin issuing the writ for the Oct. 19 vote.
British Columbia Conservative Party Leader John Rustad was at a low point in his life two years ago, both personally and politically.
The leader of British Columbia's Green Party faces an uphill battle one month before the provincial election as she faces off against an incumbent cabinet minister in a Victoria riding that's long been held by a New Democrat.
Toronto police say they have now identified a third person who they believe was involved in a shooting that left two men dead in North York earlier this week.
A man is fighting for his life in hospital a day after a vehicle smashed into several others in and around an intersection in Milton before flipping over.
Toronto police say an officer was injured after police pursued a robbery suspect onto the tracks at Bloor-Yonge Station late last night.
Heading into Friday鈥檚 game against the Calgary Stampeders, quarterback Trevor Harris said he and his Saskatchewan Roughriders were "ready to rock."
The man charged with fatally stabbing lifelong Banff resident Ethan Enns-Goneau in 2022 has been convicted of second-degree murder.
Lethbridge County has rescinded its fire restriction as a result of the recent cool, wet weathr.
The family of a 30-year-old woman from eastern Ontario and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are renewing a call asking for help finding her, one year after she went missing.
An Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 173 km/h on Highway 417 near Palladium Drive, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa and eastern Ontario this weekend.
Montrealers can get used to taking a stroll on several car-free streets during the summer in the years to come thanks to a new commitment from the city.
Montreal Police (SPVM) say residents of a home in the Saint-Laurent borough were evacuated early Saturday morning after a vehicle fire spread to the house.
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating a suspected arson attack that occurred early Saturday morning in the Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc Extension borough.
Tattoos are becoming more common in today's society and, as a result, appear to be more acceptable in the workplace than they used to be.
The death of the Tragically Hip鈥檚 lead singer Gord Downie united fans across Canada in their grief, but in many ways pulled his bandmates apart.
The Lethbridge Hurricanes kicked off the 2024-25 season on a winning note Friday night, defeating the Edmonton Oil Kings 3-1 in a game played at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.
New Brunswick鈥檚 Green Party leader David Coon announced his commitment to restore services cut by previous Liberal and Conservative governments to rural parts of the province on Saturday.
Halifax Regional Police warned the public of a series of high-value thefts targeting retail stores Friday.
It is not a great time to be a coffee drinker. In general, coffee bean prices are the highest they've been in more than a decade.
The search for a missing six-year-old boy in Shamattawa is continuing Friday as RCMP hope recent tips can help lead to a happy conclusion.
While slang may come and go, experts say the phenomenon behind them, which constantly churns out brand-new bon mots, is as old as language itself.
Winnipeg police are investigating after a home invasion in the city鈥檚 River East neighbourhood early Friday morning.
Heading into Friday's game against the Calgary Stampeders, quarterback Trevor Harris said he and his Saskatchewan Roughriders were "ready to rock."
Wynyard RCMP responded to a serious collision on Highway 16 just north of Dafoe, Sask. on Friday night.
Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.
Protests were held in front of Kitchener City Hall on Friday, both for and against LGBTQ2S+ inclusive education and queer rights in schools.
The provincial government is considering new rules to restrict a municipality鈥檚 ability to install new bike lanes if it means traffic lanes would be removed.
A new scam is being reported in communities across the country.
Heading into Friday's game against the Calgary Stampeders, quarterback Trevor Harris said he and his Saskatchewan Roughriders were "ready to rock."
The City of Saskatoon is proposing changes to the proposed downtown shelter site plan following feedback from nearby residents and businesses.
The 75-year-old building, formerly the Waskesiu Chamber of Commerce building, was relocated to the Parks Canada compound on the edge of the townsite.
Emergency crews in northern Ontario found the bodies of four people inside a home where a fire broke out Thursday night.
A $2.14-billion federal loan for an Ottawa-based satellite operator has Canadian politicians arguing about whether American billionaire Elon Musk poses a national security risk.
An Ontario woman is among the dozens of people who have come forward to allege that they were sexually abused by London-based businessman Mohamed Al Fayed, the former chairman and owner of Harrods.
A motorcyclist has died following a serious collision that took place in London鈥檚 south end on Friday afternoon.
The London Police Service (LPS) is currently investigating a suspicious death in the east end.
The St. Thomas police is asking the public for help locating a missing man.
A man is facing numerous drug trafficking charges after Dufferin OPP seized a large assortment of drugs and weapons in Orangeville earlier this week.
One person is in hospital after an e-bike crash in Orillia on Thursday.
GO Transit will be using buses on the Barrie Line this weekend due to track upgrades and repairs.
A LaSalle high school is celebrating its emerald anniversary this weekend, with everyone who has ever walked its halls invited to return.
A new report released by Statistics Canada has analyzed the rate of post-secondary attendance between young immigrants and domestic students.
The final phase of investigation in downtown Wheatley is nearing completion over three years after a major gas explosion.
The British Columbia election campaign is set to officially start today, with Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin issuing the writ for the Oct. 19 vote.
British Columbia Conservative Party Leader John Rustad was at a low point in his life two years ago, both personally and politically.
The leader of British Columbia's Green Party faces an uphill battle one month before the provincial election as she faces off against an incumbent cabinet minister in a Victoria riding that's long been held by a New Democrat.
A pair of runaway pigs are in the custody of an animal sanctuary in the Okanagan after evading police and volunteers for hours earlier this week.
The Red Bridge, a historic landmark in Kamloops, B.C., was completely destroyed by fire early Thursday morning.
Animal protection officers in British Columbia have rescued three pit bulls 鈥 including one that gave birth to 10 puppies 鈥 from a rat-infested home in Kelowna.
Despite the heavy rain, plenty of muscle turned up for United Way鈥檚 annual Pull the Bus fundraiser in Lethbridge Friday.
Lethbridge County has rescinded its fire restriction as a result of the recent cool, wet weathr.
The Lethbridge Hurricanes kicked off the 2024-25 season on a winning note Friday night, defeating the Edmonton Oil Kings 3-1 in a game played at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.
A 26-year-old driver from Surrey, B.C., has been charged with three counts of criminal negligence causing death and bodily harm in a crash that killed two youths in northern Ontario last year.
Ontario Provincial Police say three suspects from southern Ontario have been charged and drugs worth $300,000 have been seized following a traffic stop Sept. 16.
A Brampton driver, 27, was charged this week when northern Ontario police stopped the SUV he was driving on Highway 17 after a reported shooting and found more than $100,000 in cash.
Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical officer is monitoring the rise of whooping cough infections across the province as cases of the highly contagious disease continue to grow across Canada.
A 16-year-old biennial event aimed at fostering business in the country's eastern Arctic and northern regions has been cancelled indefinitely as a dispute unfolds between Inuit in Canada and a Labrador group claiming to share their heritage.
Jim Lester鈥檚 farm hopped on the cow-cuddling trend in early August, and his time slots have been pretty well sold out ever since.
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at 麻豆影视. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop.聽Read about us.
