A recent investigation by scholars at Oxford University reveals that the top three alterable risk factors for dementia are excessive alcohol consumption, exposure to polluted air, and diabetes. This research, detailed in Nature Communications, scrutinized over 40,000 brain images from adults aged 44 to 82, sourced from the U.K. Biobank, to explore the genetic and environmental elements contributing to dementia.
In this extensive study, 161 potential risk factors were analyzed across 15 different categories, encompassing lifestyle choices like diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption, as well as health indicators like blood pressure and body weight.
Significantly, the study highlighted three predominant risk factors: diabetes, habitual alcohol consumption, and exposure to air pollution, particularly to high levels of nitrogen oxide. Anderson Winkler, a co-author of the study and professor at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, emphasized the comprehensive approach of the research, which allowed for the isolation of the impact of each risk factor on brain health.
Gwenaelle Douaud, the study’s lead researcher and an Oxford research fellow, pointed out that certain brain regions are more susceptible to damage from these risk factors. She underscored the growing concern over air pollution’s role in dementia, noting that it’s a challenging factor for individuals to avoid, especially those residing in polluted areas.
The study suggests that lifestyle choices, particularly alcohol consumption, have a significant influence on dementia risk. Moreover, it indicates that type 2 diabetes is a modifiable risk factor, with lifestyle adjustments such as diet and exercise being potential mitigative measures. Additionally, individuals with a genetic predisposition to certain diseases may have increased vulnerability to dementia.
The researchers, however, noted the observational nature of the study, emphasizing that it establishes correlations rather than causation. They advocate for further research to definitively identify causes and develop effective strategies to mitigate these risks.
