Dementia risk reduction

The pathological process contributing to cognitive impairment may begin in mid-life (ages 40-65 years) with symptoms manifesting in later life as dementia.

Significant benefits can be gained addressing modifiable risk factors to reduce the risk of, or delay the onset of, dementia. If average onset age could be delayed by 5 years, the global incidence of dementia would be halved by 2050.^[1] Delaying dementia for some years would enable many more people to reach the end of their lives without developing dementia.

The 'Life-course model of contribution of modifiable risk factors' to dementia (attached diagram) identifies 14 potentially modifiable risk factors at different stages of life that, if well-managed, may delay or prevent more than a third of cases of dementia).

Management of vascular risk factors in 40-65 year olds is key to reducing the risk of future dementia

Non-modifiable risk factors

• Age
• Genetics
• Family history

Brain health promotion