On the lookout: Monash University is on the hunt for study subjects.
New research led by PhD candidate Lisa Bransby from Monash University including data from 1610 middle-aged adults enrolled in the Healthy Brain Project has found that modifiable risk factors for dementia are very common, and that reporting a greater variety of risk factors relates to poorer memory and thinking performance.
Lisa Bransby.
Photo by
Steven Morton FRPS
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The study, published in scientific journal Neuropsychology, investigated whether a wide range of modifiable risk factors for dementia, such as high blood pressure, being physically inactive, and experiencing social isolation, are associated with performance on memory and thinking tasks. Researchers also sought to understand whether these risk factors were associated with concerns that individuals hold about their own memory and thinking abilities.
To better organise the wide variety of risk factors assessed, the researchers classified 16 individual risk factors previously linked to dementia into five broad ‘risk domains’. These risk domains included (1) mood symptoms, (2) risky lifestyle behaviours, (3) poor heart health, (4) engagement in mentally and socially stimulating activities, and (5) sleep disorders or symptoms.
Dr Emily Rosenich.
Photo by
Steven Morton FRPS
The results of the study demonstrated that 93 per cent of individuals assessed reported at least one modifiable risk factor for dementia, which suggests that almost everyone involved in the study had at least some risk for developing dementia. Over half of these individuals (67 per cent) also reported at least one modifiable risk factor in two or more of the risk domains, suggesting that most individuals had dementia risk spanning multiple areas of their health and life.
Ultimately, the results suggest that the reporting of modifiable risk factors across multiple risk domains is very common, and that having a greater variety of risk factors can lead to poorer thinking and memory performance.
It is important to note that having modifiable risk factors for dementia does not necessarily mean that an individual will go on to develop dementia and researchers still have a lot to learn about how many of these risk factors influence our health. However, these findings suggest that clinical trials that target modifiable risk factors for dementia may be beneficial in preserving cognitive function and possibly reducing dementia risk as people age.
Are you interested in reducing your risk of dementia? Monash University is currently looking for volunteers to join the BetterBrains trial. The trial aims to test whether an online lifestyle intervention program targeting modifiable risk factors for dementia can reduce memory decline in Australian adults aged between 40-70 years old who have a family history of dementia.
Recruitment for the trial will finish on May 15. Visit www.betterbrains.org.au to learn more or to sign up.
