WASHINGTON — By the year 2060, it is projected that roughly one million Americans will be diagnosed with dementia annually, marking a significant increase that could potentially double the current statistics, according to a recent study released on Monday.
This projection arises from an analysis revealing a greater lifetime risk of developing dementia than previously estimated. The research indicates that individuals aged 55 and older face up to a 40% chance of eventually experiencing dementia if they manage to live long enough.
Although this figure may sound alarming, experts point out that there are proactive measures people can take to mitigate that risk. Efforts to manage high blood pressure and address other health issues detrimental to brain health can make a substantial difference. Even those in their middle years are encouraged to adopt healthier lifestyles.
“Our findings emphasize the importance of actions taken during midlife,” stated Dr. Josef Coresh of NYU Langone Health, who co-authored the study featured in the journal Nature Medicine.
Dementia encompasses more than just Alzheimer’s disease. Difficulty recalling names or misplacing items is typical as people age, but dementia is not simply a natural part of the aging process. It represents a progressive decline in memory, language, and other cognitive abilities. Age itself remains the most significant risk factor, further complicated by the swift aging of the population.
While Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent type of dementia, subtle cerebral changes that may lead to it can begin to manifest as early as twenty years before any notable symptoms arise. Other forms of dementia, such as vascular dementia, are associated with heart disease or small strokes that affect blood flow to the brain. Moreover, many individuals might experience a combination of dementia types, where vascular issues might exacerbate the symptoms of developing Alzheimer’s.
Evaluating the risk of dementia based on age and remaining life expectancy can be instrumental in shaping public health guidelines and directing further medical research.
“It’s not absolute that an individual will experience dementia,” noted Dr. James Galvin, a specialist in Alzheimer’s at the University of Miami, who was not part of the study but underscored that its findings align with previous research.
The risk of developing dementia varies with age. Previous studies suggested that about 14% of men and 23% of women would likely experience a form of dementia in their lifetime. Coresh’s research team examined a more contemporary dataset from a long-term U.S. study that has monitored the cardiovascular health and cognitive abilities of approximately 15,000 older adults for several decades.
Notably, the study findings indicated that dementia risk changes throughout different decades. Only 4% of individuals within the age bracket of 55 to 75 are diagnosed with dementia, marking this as a critical 20-year window for sustaining brain health. However, once individuals reach 75, the risk increases significantly, soaring to 20% by the age of 85 and a staggering 42% between 85 and 95 years old.
Overall, researchers concluded that the lifetime risk of developing dementia post-55 years is 35% for men and 48% for women. Women generally have a higher average lifespan than men, which accounts for this discrepancy, as noted by Coresh. The study also found that Black Americans exhibit a slightly elevated risk at 44%, compared to 41% for white individuals.
Fortunately, there are several strategies to lower the risk of dementia.
While certain risk factors, such as age and the inheritance of the APOE4 gene variant, cannot be altered, individuals can take steps to deter or delay conditions that might lead to dementia later in life. For instance, Coresh emphasizes the importance of safety measures, stating that he uses a helmet when biking since repeated or severe brain injuries increase the likelihood of dementia.
Additionally, maintaining a healthy heart is critical for brain health. Galvin advocate for regular exercise, weight management, and effective control of blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol levels. High blood pressure can hinder blood flow to the brain, posing a risk for vascular dementia as well as potentially aggravating features of Alzheimer’s. Similarly, poorly managed diabetes can harm cognition and instigate inflammation in the brain.
Staying socially and cognitively engaged is also vital. Galvin encourages the use of hearing aids for those experiencing age-related hearing loss, which can lead to social isolation.
“There are many factors within our control, and addressing these is essential for nurturing better brain health as we age,” he remarked.
