Study Identifies 15 Risk Factors for Young-Onset Dementia

Findings challenge previous assumptions, suggesting lifestyle and health factors play a significant role in the development of the condition.

Researchers have identified 15 lifestyle and health risk factors for young-onset dementia, a condition affecting people under 65, according to a study published in JAMA Neurology.
The study, conducted by scientists from the University of Exeter and Maastricht University, analyzed data from over 350,000 under-65s from across the UK.
Key risk factors include alcohol abuse, social isolation, vitamin D deficiency, hearing impairment, stroke, diabetes, and depression. Lower socioeconomic status and less formal education were also associated with a higher risk.
Factors associated with a lower risk of early-onset dementia included higher formal education, higher socioeconomic status, and moderate alcohol use.
The study challenges the notion that genetics are the sole cause of young-onset dementia, suggesting that targeting these identified factors could help reduce the risk.