Dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, poses one of the most challenging medical and social issues of our time. With aging populations worldwide, understanding and mitigating the risks associated with cognitive decline is more crucial than ever.
Lisa Bransby and colleagues from the Healthy Brain Project at Monash University recently published a paper in “Neurobiology of Aging” sharing new data exploring how multiple simultaneous modifiable dementia risk factors (MDRFs) relate to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) biomarkers and to cognitive performance.
Study Details: MDRFs, Cognitive Tests, Biomarker Examination
The MDRFs selected for analysis were grouped into five domains: mood symptomatology (i.e. anxiety, depression), risky lifestyle behaviors (i.e. physical inactivity, smoking), cardiovascular conditions (i.e. hypertension, diabetes), low cognitive and social engagement, and sleep disorders and symptomatology (i.e. excessive sleepiness, sleep apnea).
82 adults aged 40-70 completed self-report questionnaires and a neuropsychological battery including two Cogstate digital cognitive tests. The Cogstate International Shopping List Test was used as part of the Preclinical Alzheimer’s Cognitive Composite (PACC) and the Cogstate Groton Maze Learning Test was included in the Executive Function composite.
Participants also completed a lumbar puncture for CSF sample collection, a brain MRI, and APOE genotyping.
Key Findings and Implications
Data showed that having multidomain MDRFs was related to poorer cognition. Individuals with multidomain MDRFs had significantly worse performance on cognitive assessments, specifically on measures included in the PACC and those in the Executive Function composite.
The researchers also found that multidomain MDRFs were associated with increased tau levels, but not to higher Aβ levels.
The findings underscore the importance of a comprehensive approach to health that includes managing cardiovascular health, mental health, diet, physical activity, and social engagement to mitigate dementia risk. The data also suggest that midlife can be a critical period for implementing changes that could significantly influence the trajectory of cognitive decline and dementia risk.
