Research has unveiled significant connections between childhood factors and the long-term risk of developing dementia. While dementia is commonly associated with older individuals, emerging studies suggest that some risk factors can originate as early as childhood and even before birth. This insight highlights the importance of early intervention in potentially mitigating future cognitive decline.
A study conducted in 2023 by researchers in Sweden and the Czech Republic identified several birth-related factors that may slightly elevate the risk of dementia later in life. While certain factors, such as being a twin, are unchangeable, others—like shorter spacing between births and maternal age over 35—could influence parental decisions.
In addition, a separate study released in late 2024 focused on younger adults aged 18 to 39. Led by the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) in Ireland, this team of experts from 15 countries aimed to create a comprehensive strategy for enhancing brain health. Francesca Farina, a neuroscientist at GBHI, emphasized the significance of young adulthood as a critical period for intervention, stating, “To secure healthier brain outcomes, young adults must be included as key partners in research, education, and policymaking efforts.”
The research identified various lifestyle-related risk factors, including excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, physical inactivity, and social isolation. Environmental influences, such as exposure to pollution and traumatic brain injuries, were also noted, alongside health issues like obesity, diabetes, and depression. Many of these factors can be modified or managed, suggesting that proactive measures could help lower the risk of dementia, which may begin much earlier than previously thought.
“Could the roots of dementia stretch as far back as childhood or infancy? Increasing evidence suggests yes, and that risk factor exposures in the first decade of life (or even while in the womb) may have lifelong implications for dementia risk,” researchers noted in an article published in The Conversation earlier this year. They highlighted that while most dementia research focuses on age-related cognitive decline, there is growing evidence that many differences in brain structure and function related to dementia may have originated in childhood.
The authors of the study noted that longitudinal studies tracking cognitive development over a lifetime reveal that cognitive ability at age 70 can often be predicted by cognitive ability at age 11. This indicates that individuals with lower cognitive skills in later life may have experienced these challenges much earlier, rather than solely suffering from accelerated decline in old age.
Evidence of brain injuries or abnormalities later in life has also been correlated with incidents or behaviors from youth. Researchers observed that some changes on brain scans appear more closely related to early-life exposures than to unhealthy lifestyle choices made in adulthood. This suggests that prevention strategies for dementia should encompass a lifelong perspective rather than focusing solely on older age.
In the 2024 study, some identified risk factors, like smoking and drinking, are well-known threats to health. Others, such as hearing and vision loss, may lead to dementia through pathways of social isolation or cognitive decline. Understanding these risks presents challenges, particularly when it comes to implementing effective mitigation strategies.
To tackle this issue, researchers recommend a multifaceted approach at individual, community, and national levels. Raising awareness about brain health risks can initiate change. Public health campaigns and educational programs in schools could promote understanding of these factors, potentially funded through taxes on harmful substances like alcohol and tobacco.
At the community level, establishing an advisory council of diverse young adults could facilitate communication between local governments and the public, providing insights into community-specific brain health needs. On a national scale, the creation of a brain health charter could institutionalize commitments to improving brain health over a lifetime.
“There is a real appetite for young adults to learn more about their brain health—they are highly aware of cognitive and neurodiversity,” remarked Laura Booi, a social gerontologist at GBHI. This growing awareness is fueling interest in understanding and enhancing brain health among young populations.
Emerging risk factors, such as the consumption of ultra-processed foods, drug use, increased screen time, stress, and exposure to microplastics, warrant further investigation. The comprehensive findings from these studies were published in The Lancet: Healthy Longevity, underscoring the need for a proactive approach to dementia prevention that begins in childhood and continues throughout life.
