Washington: A groundbreaking study published in JAMA Neurology reveals that midlife vascular risk factors—specifically smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes—are strongly linked to a higher risk of dementia by age 80.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 7,700 participants in the long-term Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study from 1987 to 2020. Risk factors were measured across different life stages, with findings showing that 22% to 44% of dementia cases were linked to vascular issues.
The study found that women, Black individuals, and those without the APOE ε4 gene faced the highest attributable risk. Experts stress that maintaining vascular health early—through smoking cessation, healthy blood pressure, and diabetes management—can significantly reduce dementia risk.
Vascular health problems impair blood flow to the brain, promoting inflammation, silent strokes, and neurodegeneration. Scientists call for early intervention and inclusive research to reduce the dementia burden across populations.
