Study highlights lifestyle factors that could reduce risk of dementia
Published 5 August 2010
Researchers in the UK and France are recommending that reducing depression and diabetes, increasing education and eating more fruit and vegetables may reduce the number of people developing dementia.
Reducing heart disease and stroke was also identified as important. The study, which has been published on bmj.com, analysed the lifestyle and health of 1,433 people over 65 living in the south of France over seven years. It concluded that effectively reducing depression and diabetes would outweigh the effect of removing the principal known genetic risk factor for late onset dementia, if that was possible.
Alzheimer's Society comment:
'This important study builds on existing evidence that a healthy lifestyle can lower your risk of dementia even more than if we had been allowed to select our genes ourselves. A million more people are set to develop dementia in the next 10 years. Effective prevention of diabetes, depression and heart disease could potentially improve the lives of millions of people affected by this cruel condition and reduce the billions spent on dementia care each year. With the numbers of people with dementia rising quickly it is important that everyone manages their own risk and that as a society we invest in further dementia research that will one day help us find a cure.'
Professor Clive Ballard
Director of Research
Alzheimer's Society
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Ref: K. Ritchie, et al. 'Designing prevention programmes to reduce incidence of dementia: prospective cohort study of modifiable risk factors,' BMJ 2010
http://press.psprings.co.uk/bmj/august/dementia.pdf
Notes to editors:
- One in three people over 65 will die with dementia.
- Alzheimer's Society research shows that 750,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In just 15 years a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051.
- Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them.
- Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Alzheimer's Society supports people to live well with dementia today and funds research to find a cure for tomorrow. We rely on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk
- Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk
