A person’s risk of dveloping Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent form of dementia accounting for around 60% of cases in the UK, could be identified up to 18 years prior to diagnosis.
The cruel illness affects one in 14 people over the age of 65 and one in six people over the age of 80. However, it can also strike those under 65, a condition known as young onset dementia.
Risk factors include obesity, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, and untreated depression. In rare instances, a genetic fault can cause Alzheimer’s disease.
A study involving more than 2,000 participants revealed that a test of memory and thinking skills could detect differences in individuals who would later develop Alzheimer’s disease – up to 18 years before diagnosis.
The study tracked all participants for the next 18 years and discovered that “lower composite cognitive test scores were associated with the development of Alzheimer’s over the duration of the study.”
Indeed, a lower score in a cognitive test was linked to an 85% increased risk of future dementia. These findings were published in 2015.
At the time, Dr Doug Brown of the Alzheimer’s Society made it clear by saying: “Dementia often causes changes in the brain years before the symptoms become apparent. This study shows that there may be subtle indications of Alzheimer’s disease in thinking and memory as many as 18 years before a formal diagnosis could take place.
“This could mean there is a long window of opportunity for treatment in which we could one day halt or slow dementia. Although these tests cannot accurately predict who will develop dementia, they could potentially be used to identify people at higher risk.”
How to lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s
While there is no known way to ward off Alzheimer’s disease completely, adopting a healthier lifestyle may help to prevent the condition. NHS guidance suggests, firstly, that reducing the likelihood of cardiovascular issues can also indirectly tackle Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia risks.
Key lifestyle choices include limiting alcohol intake, quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, staying physically active with at least 150 minutes of exercise per week, and routinely monitoring blood pressure.
There’s a growing body of evidence that suggests keeping your mind and social life active could help stave off dementia. NHS chiefs recommend activities such as reading, learning to play an instrument or mastering a foreign language, participating in team sports, volunteering, or picking up a new hobby.
