Building habits that protect brain health has become a central focus in dementia research. According to a YouGov poll, it is the most feared condition among people over 55, and many wonder why some individuals develop the disease while others seem to remain unaffected.
At the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, researchers shared new findings that shed light on dementia risk. From genetic predispositions to lifestyle choices, their studies suggest that age is not the only factor. Certain behaviors and experiences may give the brain extra resilience against damage, delaying or even preventing the onset of symptoms.
The role of mental stimulation in dementia prevention
One of the most striking findings presented by researchers at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference highlighted the power of mental stimulation. The concept of “cognitive reserve” refers to the brain’s ability to adapt and find alternate pathways when damage occurs. People with higher levels of education or who engage in mentally demanding activities throughout life tend to build stronger cognitive reserves.
Data shared at the conference showed that individuals with longer years of education were less likely to develop dementia after experiencing a stroke. A Swedish study added further weight, showing that childhood school performance predicted dementia risk decades later.
Those with lower grades in early life faced higher odds of developing the disease, even more so than factors such as career complexity or adult education levels. These findings suggest that mental habits formed early may have lifelong protective effects.
Is dementia passed down through families?
The question of inheritance remains one of the most common concerns for families. While rare genetic mutations can almost guarantee the development of early-onset Alzheimer’s or frontotemporal dementia, most cases are linked to risk genes rather than certainty.
The APOE gene is the most well-known. Around 25% of the population carries one copy of APOE4, which makes them roughly three times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s, and often at a younger age. About 2% inherit two copies, raising the risk more than eightfold.
Yet, as researchers emphasized at the conference, carrying these genes does not mean a person will definitely face dementia, since lifestyle and other factors play a major role.
Conference presentations also explored how genes and lifestyle may interact. MRI brain scans revealed that education’s protective effects on grey matter appear weaker in people carrying APOE4. This suggests that while cognitive reserve is beneficial, genetics can influence how much protection it provides.
How sleep patterns affect brain health
Sleep was another focus of the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. Studies in animals showed that sleep deprivation increased the buildup of amyloid, a protein linked to Alzheimer’s. Lack of deep sleep not only disrupts memory storage but also creates a cycle where brain changes worsen sleep quality, accelerating the disease.
One fascinating study suggested that even the position in which animals slept affected how well the brain cleared waste proteins. While these findings are still in early stages, they underscore the importance of sleep quality as a potential factor in dementia prevention.