Neurology® Podcast Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care
Feb 3, 2025
Gill Livingston, a professor from UCL in London, shares insights from her groundbreaking Lancet report on dementia. She discusses 14 key risk factors that could help prevent almost half of all dementia cases. Newly identified dangers like high LDL cholesterol and vision loss are also highlighted. The talk emphasizes the necessity for tailored dementia prevention strategies across different income levels and ethnicities. Livingston advocates for evidence-based approaches and the innovative role of technology in enhancing cognitive health.
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Nearly Half Dementias Preventable
- Nearly half of all dementia cases are preventable by addressing 14 identified risk factors.
- These factors can be mitigated through both individual actions and public policy changes.
New LDL and Vision Risk Factors
- High LDL cholesterol in midlife raises dementia risk significantly, but correction through statins eliminates this excess risk.
- Uncorrected vision loss is also a modifiable risk factor, with correction reducing dementia risk.
Hearing Loss and Dementia Link
- Hearing loss likely contributes to dementia through reduced cognitive stimulation and social isolation.
- Hearing loss is linked with brain atrophy and increased tau protein, beyond being a simple early sign of dementia.