What Causes Dementia?

We don't know exactly. What actually causes Dementia is a difficult question. An infinite number of factors, alone or in combination, may increase the risk of, or be associated with, Dementia. To add to the mind-boggling complexity, each of us is the outcome of a unique collection of genes, lifestyle behaviors, and environmental exposures.

Similar to the word “cancer,” the word “Dementia” is an umbrella term that includes many kinds of Dementia. And again, similar to cancer, the Dementias share certain characteristics such as memory loss, but also have ones specific to a particular type of Dementia. For example, Alzheimer's disease tends to have a slow progression, and vascular Dementia tends to progress with bursts of increased disability.

In the case of early-onset Alzheimer's disease, the answer might be less complicated than it is for other kinds of Dementia. Scientists have identified genes that appear to cause the kind of Dementia that strikes people younger than 65 years of age. People who have early-onset Dementia genes can pass the trait on to their children.

However, these findings also raise more questions. Do the early-onset genes actually cause the disease, or do they increase the risk to the extent that makes having early-onset Dementia a given? Perhaps the relationship between genetics and this form of Dementia involves other genes and factors that, in combination, cause early-onset Dementia.

Genetics may or may not play a role in the onset of other kinds of Dementia. For example, approximately 15 to 40 percent of people who have frontotemporal lobe degeneration (FTD) have a family history that includes at least one other relative who also has or had this kind of Dementia. However, only 10 percent of these individuals have a form of disease attributable to specific genes. This means that for 90 percent of cases, scientists have yet to identify genes that increase the risk of frontotemporal lobe Dementia.

Although one cannot change their genetics, it is possible to reduce the risk for Dementia by modifying certain lifestyle behaviors.

How Can I Reduce My Risk of Dementia?

There are many lifestyle behaviors that appear to increase risk for Dementia. Some of these include obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and lack of regular exercise. Social isolation and not having meaningful friendships also appear to increase the risk for Dementia. Another risk factor is a lack of mental stimulation that comes from acquiring new skills and knowledge.

The good news is that one can reduce the likelihood of Dementia by losing weight, eating a healthy diet, refraining from or stopping smoking, exercising, and attending community center activities or taking classes at a local college or university.

Unlike behavioral changes, it's difficult to impossible to avoid environmental risk factors. While one can try to avoid environmental toxins such as second-hand smoke, it’s not possible to avoid fumes from car exhaust or certain building materials.

Over the past 50 years, the 10 leading causes of death have changed dramatically. Deaths caused by acute infectious diseases and accidents have given way to lingering diseases such as cancer and Dementia – both of which tend to occur later in life. Therefore, for many people, advanced age is their biggest risk factor for having Dementia.

Content Contributor: Janet Yagoda Shagam, Ph.D., is a freelance medical and science writer and the author of "An Unintended Journey: A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia.", available through Amazon. Please visit our Author's page to learn more and find this title.

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