A combination of genetic and environmental factors, including high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, education, and smoking, are major risk factors for dementia.
Researchers at University College London (UCL) explored how the prevalence of these risk factors changed over time.
The team analyzed 27 papers, covering people with dementia globally, with data collected between 1947 and 2015 and the latest paper published in 2020.
The results, published in The Lancet Public Health, showed that low education and smoking became less common over time and were associated with declining rates of dementia.
Rates of obesity and diabetes have increased over time, as has their contribution to dementia risk.
High blood pressure emerged as the biggest dementia risk factor in most studies.
"Cardiovascular risk factors appear to contribute more to dementia risk over time, so these deserve more targeted action in future dementia prevention efforts," said lead author Nahid Mukadam from UCL Psychiatry.
Mukadam said education levels "have increased over time in many high-income countries, meaning it has become a less important dementia risk factor".
"Smoking levels have also declined in Europe and the US as it has become less socially acceptable and more expensive," the researchers said.
Researchers at University College London (UCL) explored how the prevalence of these risk factors changed over time.
The team analyzed 27 papers, covering people with dementia globally, with data collected between 1947 and 2015 and the latest paper published in 2020.
The results, published in The Lancet Public Health, showed that low education and smoking became less common over time and were associated with declining rates of dementia.
Rates of obesity and diabetes have increased over time, as has their contribution to dementia risk.
High blood pressure emerged as the biggest dementia risk factor in most studies.
"Cardiovascular risk factors appear to contribute more to dementia risk over time, so these deserve more targeted action in future dementia prevention efforts," said lead author Nahid Mukadam from UCL Psychiatry.
Mukadam said education levels "have increased over time in many high-income countries, meaning it has become a less important dementia risk factor".
"Smoking levels have also declined in Europe and the US as it has become less socially acceptable and more expensive," the researchers said.
