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What harms the body is also dangerous for the brain: obesity and smoking are known risk factors for the development of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. But ongoing research is uncovering new dangers that may contribute to brain destruction.
Regarding dementia, a number of sources of danger have been identified so far. Among them, unfortunately, there are such factors of disease development that cannot be influenced. These include, in particular:
- age: from the age of 60, the probability of developing dementia doubles every five years;
- gender: women are more prone to the risk of dementia than men;
- genetics: for example, a specific variant of the ApoE gene affects the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease - in ApoE4 carriers, symptoms of the disease appear very early.
Also, among the risk factors there are those that can be changed by a person.
"About 30 percent of the risk of Alzheimer's disease can be explained by risk factors that we can influence more or less effectively," said researchers from the Karolinska Institute (Sweden).
They included the following in the list of these circumstances:
- diabetes,
- high blood pressure,
- adiposity,
- inactivity,
- smoking,
- low education.
Five newly discovered risk factors for dementia. Research conducted in recent years has identified the following risk factors.
Damage to small vessels. Scientists from the University of Barcelona found that hemorrhages in small vessels, which can be seen on MRI, indicate the threat of dementia in patients with high blood pressure aged 45 and older.
Stress in middle-aged people. Worries, fears and anxieties related to financial and occupational problems can increase the risk of dementia by about a quarter.
Solitude. People who live alone and feel lonely in old age have a 44 percent higher risk of developing dementia, according to research.
A bad dream. Researchers from Boston University found that the shortened phase of deep sleep is associated with an increase in tau proteins in the brain, which destroys its neurons. Good sleep in all its stages is an important protective factor against dementia, scientists have stated.
Drinks with sugar. According to data from Columbia University, among people with the highest consumption of sugary drinks, the incidence of Alzheimer's disease is increased by about 50 percent.
