Risk factors
Risk factors for dementia can be divided into non-modifiable and modifiable groups.
Non-modifiable risk factors include:
- Age
- E4 allele of the ApoE gene (for AD)
- Learning disability, particularly Down's syndrome
- Parkinson's disease.
Modifiable risk factors include:
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Smoking
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
- Raised cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.
The large list of modifiable risk factors allows healthcare professionals to advise customers on how to reduce their risk of developing dementia.
Have you completed the other modules in this series?