New study maps young-onset dementia risks

A large new study pinpoints 15 risk factors for dementia before age 65 and shows which factors can be changed.

Early dementia risk factors revealed by a large study

A 2023 study by the University of Exeter and Maastricht University, published in JAMA Neurology, analyzed the behaviors of more than 350 000 participants under 65 in the United Kingdom to explore young onset dementia. Researchers evaluated 39 potential risk factors and found that 15 had the biggest impact on developing dementia before age 65. The factors include social isolation, lower formal education, lower socioeconomic status, carrying two copies of the APOE gene, vitamin D deficiency, hearing impairment, alcohol use disorder, no alcohol use, depression, high C reactive protein levels, lower handgrip strength, orthostatic hypotension, stroke, diabetes, and heart disease. While some risks are outside individuals’ control, many are modifiable through lifestyle changes.

Experts say the results align with long standing medical advice. Dr. Arman Fesharaki-Zadeh of the Yale School of Medicine notes three lifestyle measures to lower risk: regular physical activity, a Mediterranean style diet rich in leafy greens, olive oil, fish and berries, and cognitive, mood and social stimulation to keep the mind active. He adds that social connections should be strengthened in the post pandemic era as a protective factor for brain health.

The study blends biology and daily habits to explain how dementia can take root in midlife. It highlights a public health opportunity: boost education, reduce social isolation, and promote heart and brain health from midlife onward. At the same time, it acknowledges limits, including the UK-based sample and the reliance on self-reported behaviors that can bias results. The core message is clear: small, sustained changes in movement, diet, and social engagement can contribute to long term brain resilience.

Highlights

A plan for brain health starts today with small, doable steps.