The research on young-onset dementia conducted by the University of Exeter and Maastricht University has unveiled a diverse range of risk factors beyond genetic predisposition. This challenges the prevailing notion that genetics is the sole contributor to the disease and opens up possibilities for innovative preventive measures. The study, published in JAMA Neurology, sheds light on a relatively underexplored area, considering there are approximately 370,000 new cases of young-onset dementia worldwide each year.
Examining over 350,000 participants under the age of 65 from the UK Biobank study, the researchers identified 15 risk factors for young-onset dementia, mirroring those associated with late-onset dementia. This groundbreaking finding suggests that, contrary to previous beliefs, the risk of developing young-onset dementia may be mitigated through targeted interventions addressing health and lifestyle factors.
The identified risk factors include lower formal education, lower socioeconomic status, genetic variations, and lifestyle elements such as alcohol use disorder and social isolation. Health issues such as vitamin D deficiency, depression, stroke, hearing impairment, and heart disease were also linked to a significantly increased risk of young-onset dementia.
This comprehensive understanding of risk factors not only expands our knowledge of the causes of young-onset dementia but also provides a foundation for developing preventive strategies. By addressing these factors, which encompass genetic, lifestyle, and environmental influences, there may be opportunities to reduce the incidence of young-onset dementia. The implications of this research extend beyond genetics, paving the way for a more holistic approach to dementia prevention in younger individuals.
Professor David Llewellyn of the University of Exeter emphasized the importance of the findings: “This breakthrough study illustrates the crucial role of international collaboration and big data in advancing our understanding of dementia. There’s still much to learn in our ongoing mission to prevent, identify, and treat dementia in all its forms in a more targeted way. This is the largest and most robust study of its kind ever conducted. Excitingly, for the first time it reveals that we may be able to take action to reduce risk of this debilitating condition, through targeting a range of different factors.”
Dr Stevie Hendriks, Researcher at Maastricht University, stated: “Young-onset dementia has a very serious impact, because the people affected usually still have a job, children, and a busy life. The cause is often assumed to be genetic, but for many people we don’t actually know exactly what the cause is. This is why we also wanted to investigate other risk factors in this study.”
Sebastian Kohler, Professor of Neuroepidemiology at Maastricht University, stated: “We already knew from research on people who develop dementia at older age that there are a series of modifiable risk factors. In addition to physical factors, mental health also plays an important role, including avoiding chronic stress, loneliness and depression. The fact that this is also evident in young-onset dementia came as a surprise to me, and it may offer opportunities to reduce risk in this group too.”
The study received support from various organizations and institutions, reflecting a collaborative effort in the field of Alzheimer’s research. The contributing entities include Alzheimer’s Research UK, The Alan Turing Institute/Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Alzheimer Nederland, Gieskes Strijbis Fonds, the Medical Research Council, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Southwest Peninsula (PenARC), the National Health and Medical Research Council, the National Institute on Aging, and Alzheimer Netherlands. This diverse support network highlights the importance of collective efforts and funding from multiple sources to advance research and understanding in the field of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr 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.”
Dr Leah Mursaleen, Head of Clinical Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, which co-funded the study, stated: “We’re witnessing a transformation in understanding of dementia risk and, potentially, how to reduce it on both an individual and societal level. In recent years, there’s been a growing consensus that dementia is linked to 12 specific modifiable risk factors such as smoking, blood pressure and hearing loss. It’s now accepted that up to four in 10 dementia cases worldwide are linked to these factors.”
“This pioneering study shines important and much-needed light on factors that can influence the risk of young-onset dementia. This starts to fill in an important gap in our knowledge. It will be important to build on these findings in broader studies.”
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