A new study from researchers at NYU Langone Health has found that avoiding three key risk factors in middle age, high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking, is linked to nearly 13 additional years of life without dementia. The findings add fresh weight to the case that lifestyle choices made between the ages of 45 and 65 can have an outsized effect on long-term brain health.
The research also uncovered notable differences across demographic groups. Women were found to live longer without dementia than men regardless of how many risk factors they carried, pointing to possible underlying differences in how the disease affects the sexes. The study also found that white participants had more dementia-free years than Black participants, a gap researchers say likely reflects broader socioeconomic and environmental factors shaping health outcomes.
The findings underscore the potential impact of addressing modifiable risk factors during midlife, while also highlighting the need for public health strategies tailored to the different challenges faced by different communities. As global populations age, researchers say identifying effective, practical ways to delay or prevent dementia will only become more urgent.
Source: medicalxpress.com