Overview
- Using Mendelian randomization in Danish cohorts (n=126,655) and the UK Biobank (n=377,755), the study found a causal association between cardiometabolic factors and vascular-related dementia.
- Each 1 standard deviation increase in body mass index was linked to a 63% higher odds of vascular-related dementia (OR=1.63).
- Genetically predicted higher blood pressure showed larger effects, with systolic OR=2.56 and diastolic OR=3.32 per 1 standard deviation increase.
- Blood pressure partly explained the BMI–dementia relationship, with systolic mediating about 18% and diastolic about 25% of the effect.
- The authors frame overweight and hypertension as population-level prevention targets and note recent weight-loss drug trials in early Alzheimer’s showed no cognitive benefit, highlighting the need to test earlier interventions.