These 11 key risk factors can predict your risk of dementia

Dementia affects millions of people in the US, with numbers projected to double by 2060 — and unfortunately, there is still no cure.

Our best bet is prevention by addressing modifiable risk factors. But knowing that you’re at a higher risk might just be the thing that lights a fire under your butt and inspires you to make some changes.

Fortunately, researchers in the the UK have identified 11 key characteristics that can correctly predict up to 80% of cases.

This dementia risk score, called the UK Biobank Dementia Risk Score (UKBDRS), could prevent up to 40% of dementia cases in the future.

Though there are lots of things that have been linked to dementia, the team found these 11 factors stood out most among the 28 that they tested.

Published in BMJ Mental Health, the latest dementia factors include:

• Age
• Education
• Family history of dementia
• Poverty
• History of diabetes
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Depression
• High cholesterol
• Being male
• Living alone

This new testing also saw comparable results in predicting dementia to previous testing systems, and even outperformed three other widely used dementia risk scores.

Some factors, like a family history of dementia and age, have been used for years to foretell whether future generations are also at risk.

Others circumstances are newer though — like how men are more susceptible.

Historically, women were more likely to develop dementia. But certain everyday habits that are more popular among men, like smoking and excessive drinking, could increase the chances of dementia.

Being a man can also raise the possibility of dementia as men have higher risks of cardiovascular incidents and are less likely to go to the doctor.

But regardless of gender, those who live alone or live in poverty are also liable to cognitive decline. Feeling lonely can even increase the risk of dementia by 31% in older adults.

Meanwhile, not having access to basic necessities like food, clothing and shelter could increase stress, leading to higher rates of dementia in older adults.

While these new factors have been successful at anticipating aging cognitive health, the study does have limits. Namely, that study participants weren’t diagnosed with dementia using standard clinical assessments.

The initial findings, however, are promising for diagnosing future dementia cases. And those who meet several of the above risk factors may benefit from additional testing as more research is conducted.