Study finds most dementia cases could be prevented with lifestyle and metabolic health interventions

Researchers from Curtin University reviewed evidence in The Lancet Healthy Longevity and concluded that nearly half of dementia cases are avoidable by addressing modifiable risk factors such as smoking, physical inactivity, low education, social isolation, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, excessive alcohol use, hearing loss and depression. They argue that prevention requires personalized risk assessment, long‑term support and programs that go beyond simple awareness, with interventions starting in midlife.

A separate study of 27,375 adults aged 40‑70 examined the impact of metabolic syndrome—characterised by high blood pressure, central obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL and hyperglycaemia—on brain ageing. Using MRI‑based brain‑age estimates and plasma metabolite profiles, the researchers found that participants with metabolic syndrome showed a brain‑age gap up to 2.3 years, increasing with the number of syndrome components. The findings suggest that lifestyle changes targeting these metabolic risk factors could slow brain ageing and reduce dementia risk.