Lifestyle has serious impact on dementia prevention, research finds

Research into dementia has uncovered factors that may guard against cognitive decline, and delay the onset of diseases including Alzheimer’s.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2016, certain genes and lifestyle factors can increase resilience against dementia and its related symptoms.

Stimulating lifestyles, complex and social occupations, and environmental influences were the factors most likely to prevent the condition.

Dr Doug Brown, Director of Research and Development at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Dementia is not an inevitable part of getting old. Increasingly, research is showing us that there are things we can do throughout our lives to reduce the likelihood of developing dementia.

“These findings reinforce the powerful message that we should be taking a lifelong approach to maintaining good brain health. Over the next 10 years, the Alzheimer’s Society is committing more than £150 million to research to not only find a cure for dementia, but ways to prevent it developing in the first place.”

In a study, researchers found that those who had kept mentally active through education, complex jobs and socialising – despite having a poor diet, which increases the risk of the disease – were less likely to develop dementia.

“This study broadens out our understanding to suggest these activities could help to protect the brain by compensating against the negative impact of an unhealthy diet”, said Dr Brown.

He continued: “This shouldn’t become an excuse to continue eating stodgy and sugary foods, though. Getting a healthy balanced diet that’s low in red meat and high in fruit and veg is still one of the best ways to reduce your risk of dementia throughout life.”

Research has also discovered a gene which helps people resist cognitive decline.

RAB10, the gene identified, was found to play a role in regulating the production of beta-amyloid, a toxic protein that builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

“We already know of more than 20 genes that increase your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, but this study has found a gene that seems to have the opposite effect”, said Dr Brown.

“As this gene can influence the production of beta-amyloid, it could become a potential target for future Alzheimer’s treatments.”