On December 12, a study by CRESS researchers (April C. E. van Gennip, Aurore Fayosse, Séverine Sabia, Archana Singh-Manoux) was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of Alzheimer’s Association.
The researchers first examined the role of age of onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the onset of dementia, and then investigated whether lifestyle factors at guideline-recommended levels in people with CVD mitigated the risk of dementia.
Study results showed that over a median period of 31.6 years, 3,275 (32.1%) developed CVD. At age 70, the risk of dementia was higher in those whose CVD had appeared before but not after age 60. In participants with CVD, more lifestyle factors at recommended post-CVD levels were associated with a lower risk of dementia.
The results suggest that early onset of CVD is associated with a higher risk of dementia in later life. In people with CVD, the risk of dementia is lower if lifestyle factors are at recommended levels after CVD diagnosis.
CVD in mid-life, but not in late life, is associated with a higher risk of dementia.
April C. E. van Gennip, Aurore Fayosse, Séverine Sabia, Archana Singh-Manoux
