I previously reported on studies establishing a connection between traumatic brain injury as a risk factor for dementia. A new study published in The Lancet entitled, “Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care: 2020 Report of The Lancet Commission” further establishes that traumatic brain injury is a risk factor for dementia.
Back in 2017, The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care identified nine potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia, including less education, hypertension, hearing impairment, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, and low social contact. In 2020, the Alzheimer’s Disease International partnered with The Lancet Commission to once again review factors based on evidence that could potentially prevent or postpone 40%of all dementias.
The 2020 Lancet Commission completed a thorough review and meta-analyses and incorporated the information into an updated 12 risk factor life-course model of dementia prevention. In addition to the nine previously mentioned risk factors, the Commission added three more with newer and convincing evidence. These factors are traumatic brain injury, excessive alcohol consumption, and air pollution. According to the study’s findings, “together the 12 modifiable risk factors account for around 40% of the worldwide dementias, which consequently could theoretically be prevented or delayed”. You may find additional information on this study here.