A standing commission on dementia in The Lancet has identified two new factors that may be treated in order to decrease the probability of developing dementia.
A recent article published by The Lancet informs that although 55% of dementia cases are due to genetic factors and old age, which cannot be reversed, action can be taken to decrease the probability of developing dementia in the other 45% of cases.
The Lancet has a standing commission on dementia studies and their 2024 report was published last month. Compared to their 2020 report, the following additional factors were identified:
- Loss of vision
- High cholesterol
The news was reported by other websites, e.g.
BBC News – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c84jdxd4x1ro
The Economist (paywall) – https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/08/05/how-to-reduce-the-risk-of-developing-dementia
Dementia
Dementia – see NHS webpage – occurs when an abnormal increase in proteins in the brain results in damage to nerve cells. The cells eventually cease to function normally and die, causing areas of the brain to shrink. This in turn leads to memory loss and varying degrees of confusion. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.
Prevention
As mentioned above, the study in The Lancet now suggests that in 45% of cases, steps may be taken to decrease the likelihood of developing dementia in old age.
The following diagram taken from The Lancet (https://www.thelancet.com/infographics-do/dementia-risk) shows the incidence of each factor:
The two new factors, marked in bold, account respectively for 7% (high LDL cholesterol) and 2% (visual loss) of cases. This is a positive finding since in both cases, measures can be taken to treat the condition.
The article describes steps that can be taken to address the previously identified 12 factors as well as high cholesterol and visual loss. For example, good education for all is recommended from an early age and this should be reinforced in midlife by undertaking cognitively stimulating activities so as to protect cognition.
Please refer to the Lancet article for a more comprehensive discussion of each modifiable risk.
Future considerations
As the number of patients living with dementia keeps increasing, public health policies should aim to facilitate the reduction of dementia risks – this will prevent or delay dementia and thus improve the lives of patients and their families.
Evidence shows that interventions are possible to help patients retain cognition and prevent dementia. Such interventions should be delivered at scale to ensure a wide sector of society can benefit.
There has been some interesting progress in dementia-modifying drugs but results are neutral to mildly positive, with still unclear clinical implications.
Meddie 
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