A study published in Neurology identifies three midlife health factors that may significantly extend the number of years individuals live without dementia.
Key facts
- •Participants with no midlife risk factors lived an average of 13 years longer without dementia than those with all three risk factors.
- •The study analyzed 12,409 individuals who were initially free of dementia, with an average follow-up period of 26 years.
- •Global dementia cases are projected to reach 153 million by 2050, though experts suggest nearly half of cases may be preventable.
- •The research identified that women and white participants tended to have more dementia-free years than men and black participants, respectively.
- •The findings were published in the medical journal Neurology.
Researchers from NYU Langone Health have found that maintaining normal blood pressure, avoiding type 2 diabetes, and not smoking between the ages of 45 and 65 are associated with nearly 13 additional years of dementia-free life. The study, published in the journal Neurology, analyzed data from 12,409 participants followed over an average of 26 years. The findings suggest that managing these vascular risk factors in midlife is a key strategy for preserving long-term brain health.
By the numbers
Study Methodology and Findings
The analysis utilized data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (Aric) study, which tracked participants starting in 1986. Researchers assessed 12,409 dementia-free individuals with an average age of 56. Over the follow-up period, 3,008 participants developed dementia, while 5,238 died without the condition. The results indicated a clear correlation between the number of risk factors and the duration of dementia-free life, with those having zero risk factors living an average of 30.1 years without the condition, compared to 17 years for those with all three factors.
Broader Implications for Brain Health
Dr. Josef Coresh, senior investigator at the Optimal Aging Institute at NYU Langone, stated that the findings highlight the need for active management of vascular health beginning at age 45. While the study noted disparities in dementia-free years based on gender and race, experts emphasize that addressing cardiovascular health remains a critical, modifiable approach to reducing cognitive decline. Dr. Jacqui Hanley of Alzheimer’s Research UK noted that the research shifts the focus toward the duration of healthy life, reinforcing the link between heart health and brain longevity.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Guardian Health.
