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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Many factors can eventually lead to dementia. Some, such as age, can't be changed. Others can be addressed to reduce your risk.

Risk factors that can't be changed

  • Age. The risk of Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and several other dementias increases significantly with age. However, dementia isn't a normal part of aging.
  • Family history. People with a family history of dementia are at greater risk of developing it. However, many people with a family history never develop symptoms, and many people without a family history do. If you have specific genetic mutations, you're at significantly greater risk of developing certain types of dementia. Tests to determine whether you have such genetic mutations are only available for the disorders in which the specific mutation is known, for example Huntington's disease.

Risk factors you can change
To reduce your risk of dementia, you can take steps to control the following factors.

  • Alcohol use. Consuming large amounts of alcohol appears to increase the risk of dementia. Although studies have shown that moderate amounts of alcohol — one drink a day for women and two for men — especially red wine, have a protective effect, abuse of alcohol puts you at increased risk of developing dementia.
  • Atherosclerosis. This buildup of fats and other substances in and on your artery walls (plaques) is a significant risk factor for vascular dementia because it interferes with blood flow to your brain. This can lead to stroke. Studies have also shown a possible link between atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.
  • Blood pressure. Blood pressure that's too high, and also possibly too low, can put you at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
  • Cholesterol. High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol, can significantly increase your risk of developing vascular dementia. Some research has also linked it to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
  • Depression. Although not yet well understood, late-life depression, especially in men, may be an indication for the development of Alzheimer's-related dementia.
  • Diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes, you're at increased risk of developing both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
  • High estrogen levels. High levels of total estrogen in women have been associated with greater risk of developing dementia. This can be determined through a blood test.
  • Homocysteine blood levels. Elevated blood levels of homocysteine — a type of amino acid produced by your body — may increase your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. When working properly, your body breaks down homocysteine using vitamins B-6, B-12 and folic acid. If this isn't happening properly, it may be because you don't metabolize these vitamins well, or you don't have enough of them in your diet. Blood tests can determine whether you have elevated homocysteine levels.
  • Smoking. Smoking likely increases the risk of developing dementia because it puts you at a higher risk of atherosclerosis and other types of vascular disease.
Complications Causes
References
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  2. Feldman HH, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of dementia: 2. Dementia. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2008;178:825.
  3. Dementia: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementias/detail_dementia.htm#1318919213. Accessed Jan. 3, 2009.
  4. National Institute on Aging. Frontotemporal dementia: Growing interest in a rare dementia. http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/FTDreprint.htm. Accessed Jan. 11, 2009.
  5. Ersek M, et al. Tube feeding decisions for people with advanced dementia. The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging. http://www.healthinaging.org/public_education/pef/tube_feeding.php. Accessed Jan. 24, 2009.
  6. Dementia Guidelines for Early Detection, Diagnosis and Management of Dementia. New York, N.Y.: The American Geriatrics Society. http://www.americangeriatrics.org/products/positionpapers/aan_dementiaPF.shtml. Accessed Jan. 24, 2009.
  7. Farlow M. Moderate to severe Alzheimer disease — definition and clinical relevance. Neurology. 2005;65(suppl):S1.
  8. Hsiung G-YR, et al. Genetics and dementia: Risk factors, diagnosis, and management. Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2007;3:418.
  9. Patterson C, et al. General risk factors for dementia: A systematic evidence review. Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2007;3:341.
  10. Fuhrer R, et al. Exploring sex differences in the relationship between depressive symptoms and dementia incidence: Prospective results from the PAQUID study. Journal of the American Geriatric Society. 2003;51:1055.
  11. Wang H-X, et al. Late-life engagement in social and leisure activities is associated with a decreased risk of dementia: A longitudinal study from the Kungsholmen project. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2002:155:1081.
  12. Barberger-Gateau P. Diet and risk of dementia or cognitive decline. Alzheimers & Dementia. 2008;4(suppl):T181.
  13. Xu W-L, et al. Mid- and late-life diabetes in relation to the risk of dementia: A population-based twin study. Alzheimers & Dementia. 2008;4(suppl):T119.
  14. Biessels GJ, et al. Risk of dementia in diabetes mellitus: A systemic review. The Lancet Neurology. 2006;5:64.
  15. Kramer A, et al. Inflammation and Alzheimer's disease: Possible role of periodontal disease. Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2008;4;242.
  16. Tyas SL, et al. Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease: A population-based, longitudinal study in Manitoba, Canada. International Journal of Epidemiology. 2001;30:590.
  17. Hogan DB, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of dementia: 4. Approach to management of mild to moderate dementia. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2008;179:787.
  18. Hogan DB, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of dementia: 5. Nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapy for mild to moderate dementia. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2008;179:1019.
  19. Dementia. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_dementia.asp. Accessed Feb. 8, 2009.
  20. Steps to diagnosis. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_steps_to_diagnosis.asp#physexam. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
  21. Haan MN, et al. Homocysteine, B vitamins, and the incidence of dementia and cognitive impairment: Results from the Sacramento area Latino study on aging. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007;85:511. http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/reprint/85/2/511. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
  22. Alternative treatments. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_alternative_treatments.asp#Coenzyme_Q10. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.

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April 17, 2009

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