2024-01-16 10:45:19
Scientists from Great Britain and the Netherlands identified factors that cause the spread of dementia of young age (YAD). Researchers analyzed data on more than 356 thousand people under the age of 65 and concluded that social isolation, hearing loss, stroke, diabetes, heart disease and depression increase the risk of the disease.
“This is the largest and most robust study of its kind ever conducted,” says David Llewellyn, an epidemiologist at the University of Exeter in the UK. “It shows that we can take action to reduce the risk of this debilitating condition by targeting a range of different factors.”
Vitamin D deficiency and high levels of C-reactive protein also carry an increased risk of DMV, as does the presence of two variants of the ApoE4 ε4 gene, which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Alcohol abuse is no less dangerous, with researchers describing the relationship between the disease and alcohol as “complex.” However, drinking in moderation is correlated with a reduced risk, as those who abstain from alcohol often do so for medical reasons.
“We already knew from studies of people who develop dementia later in life that there are a number of modifiable risk factors,” says Sebastian Köhler, a neuroepidemiologist at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. “In addition to physical factors, mental health also plays an important role, including avoiding chronic stress, loneliness and depression.”
The full results do not prove that dementia is caused by these factors, but they do help paint a more detailed picture that might help develop more effective treatments and preventive measures.
“Dementia, especially at a young age, has very serious consequences because people with it usually have jobs, children and busy lives,” says Stevie Hendricks, a neurologist at Maastricht University. “It is often assumed that the cause of the disease lies in genetics, but for many people we do not know what exactly it is. Therefore, in this study we wanted to explore other risk factors.”
In December, Chinese scientists published the results of a study that found that owning pets prevents the development of dementia. Experts have concluded that pets have a beneficial effect on verbal memory and fluency among lonely people.
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