The Mayo Clinic Diet Book, learn more

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

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

Risk factors that can't be changed

  • Age. As you age, the risk of Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and several other dementias greatly increases, especially after age 65. However, dementia isn't a normal part of aging, and dementia can occur in younger people.

  • Family history. If you have a family history of dementia, you're at greater risk of developing the condition. 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 certain genetic mutations are available, but doctors don't generally recommend testing because the tests aren't always accurate.

  • Down syndrome. By middle age, many people with Down syndrome develop the plaques and tangles in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer's disease. Some may develop dementia.

Risk factors you can change
You may be able to take steps to control the following risk factors of dementia.

  • Alcohol use. People who consume large amounts of alcohol may have a higher risk of dementia. Although studies have shown that moderate amounts of alcohol may have a protective effect, abuse of alcohol increases your risk of developing dementia.
  • Atherosclerosis. This buildup of fats and other substances in and on your artery walls (plaques) can reduce the blood flow to your brain and lead to stroke. Reduced blood flow to your brain can also cause vascular dementia. Some research shows there may be an association between blood vessel (vascular) conditions and Alzheimer's disease.
  • Blood pressure. Several studies show high or low blood pressure may increase your risk of developing dementia.
  • Cholesterol. If you have high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, you may have an increased risk of developing vascular dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Researchers continue to study how cholesterol may affect dementia.
  • 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 diabetes, you may have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
  • High estrogen levels. Women taking estrogen and progesterone years after menopause are at greater risk of developing dementia.
  • Homocysteine blood levels. Elevated blood levels of homocysteine, a type of amino acid produced by your body, may increase your risk of developing vascular dementia. However, studies have had varying results in determining whether elevated homocysteine levels are a risk factor of dementia.
  • Obesity. Being overweight or obese during the middle of your life may increase your risk of developing dementia when you're older.
  • Smoking. Smoking may increase your risk of developing dementia and blood vessel (vascular) diseases.
Complications Causes
References
  1. Dementia: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementias/detail_dementia.htm?css=. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  2. What is dementia? Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/what-is-dementia.asp. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  3. Shadlen MF, et al. Evaluation of cognitive impairment and dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 1, 2013.
  4. Hake AM, et al. Epidemiology, pathology, and pathogenesis of dementia with Lewy bodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  5. Hake AM, et al. Clinical features and diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  6. Types of dementia. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/dementia/types-of-dementia.asp. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  7. Vascular dementia. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/dementia/vascular-dementia-symptoms.asp. Accessed Feb. 11, 2013.
  8. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/dementia/fronto-temporal-dementia-ftd-symptoms.asp. Accessed Feb. 11, 2013.
  9. Rodnicksky RL. Parkinson disease dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 11, 2013.
  10. Press D, et al. Prevention of dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Dec. 20, 2012.
  11. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Jan. 28, 2013.
  12. Shadlen MF, et al. Risk factors for dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  13. Press D, et al. Treatment of dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  14. Press D, et al. Cholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 12, 2013.
  15. Press D, et al. Safety and societal issues related to dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 12, 2013.
  16. Press D, et al. Treatment of behavioral symptoms related to dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 12, 2013.
  17. Eating. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-food-eating.asp. Accessed Feb. 11, 2013.
  18. The changing brain in AD. National Institute on Aging. http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/part-2-what-happens-brain-ad/changing-brain-ad. Accessed Feb. 13, 2013.
  19. Personal care: Assisting a person with dementia with changing daily needs. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-dressing.asp. Accessed Feb. 11, 2013.
  20. Communication and Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/dementia-communication-tips.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
  21. Creating a daily plan. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/dementia-creating-a-plan.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
  22. Early-stage caregiving. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-early-mild-stage-caregiving.asp. Accessed Feb. 13, 2013.
  23. Sleep issues and sundowning. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-sleep-issues-sundowning.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
  24. Alternative treatments. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_alternative_treatments.asp. Accessed Feb. 13, 2013.
  25. Wollen KA. Alzheimer's disease: The pros and cons of pharmaceutical, nutritional, botanical, and stimulatory therapies, with a discussion of treatment strategies from the perspective of patients and practitioners. Alternative Medicine Review. 2010;15:223.
  26. Buettner LL, et al. Animal-assisted therapy for clients with dementia. Journal of Gerontological Nursing. 2011;37:10.
  27. Being a healthy caregiver. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-healthy-caregiver.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
  28. Taking care of yourself. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_taking_care_of_yourself.asp. Accessed Feb. 12, 2013.
  29. Caregiver stress. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-caregiver-stress-burnout.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
  30. Graff-Radford NR (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. March 4, 2013.
  31. Graff-Radford NR. Normal pressure hydrocephalus. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 4, 2013.
DS01131 April 16, 2013

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger