Risk factors for young-onset dementia in the UK Biobank

There is limited information on modifiable risk factors for young-onset dementia (YOD). A study published in JAMA Neurology investigated whether there are modifiable risk factors associated with young-onset dementia (YOD).
A prospective cohort study used data from the UK Biobank, with baseline assessment between 2006 and 2010 and follow-up until March 31, 2021, for England and Scotland, and February 28, 2018, for Wales. Participants younger than 65 years and without a dementia diagnosis at baseline assessment were included in this study. Participants who were 65 years and older and those with dementia at baseline were excluded.
A total of 39 potential risk factors were identified from systematic reviews of late-onset dementia and YOD risk factors and grouped into domains of sociodemographic factors (education, socioeconomic status, and sex), genetic factors (apolipoprotein E), lifestyle factors (physical activity, alcohol use, alcohol use disorder, smoking, diet, cognitive activity, social isolation and marriage), environmental factors (nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, pesticide, and diesel), blood marker factors (vitamin D, C-reactive protein, estimated glomerular filtration rate function, and albumin), cardiometabolic factors (stroke, hypertension, diabetes, hypoglycaemia, heart disease, atrial fibrillation and aspirin use), psychiatric factors (depression, anxiety, benzodiazepine use, delirium and sleep problems), and other factors (traumatic brain injury, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid dysfunction, hearing impairment and handgrip strength).
In this cohort study including more than 356 052 participants in the UK Biobank, there were multiple modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors for YOD. Alcohol use, higher formal education, and lower physical frailty (higher handgrip strength) were associated with lower risk of incidence of YOD, whereas increased risk of YOD was associated with low socioeconomic status, apolipoprotein E status, alcohol use disorder, social isolation, vitamin D deficiency, high C-reactive protein levels, hearing impairment, orthostatic hypotension, stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and depression.
The authors comment that the modifiable risk factors should be incorporated in future dementia prevention initiatives and raise new therapeutic possibilities for YOD.
Source: Hendriks S, Ranson JM, Peetoom K, et al. Risk Factors for Young-Onset Dementia in the UK Biobank. JAMA Neurol. Published online December 26, 2023.