Work

Maintaining level of modifiable dementia risk scores is associated with better cognitive outcomes than increasing risk scores: A population-based prospective cohort study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: A brain healthy lifestyle, consisting of good cardiometabolic health and being cognitively and socially active in midlife, is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline years later. However, it is unclear whether lifestyle changes over time also affect the risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/dementia, and rate of cognitive decline. OBJECTIVES: To investigate if lifestyle changes over time are associated with incident MCI/dementia risk and rate of cognitive decline. DESIGN: Population-based prospective cohort study SETTING: Personality and Total Health (PATH) Through Life Study cohort (Australia). PARTICIPANTS: 4,777 participants (50.4% women), recruited between 2000 and 2002, who were 40-44 and 60-64 years old at baseline, without a prevalent dementia diagnosis. Participants had to have cognitive outcome measures available after baseline. MEASUREMENTS: ). Their change over time was estimated using latent growth curve modelling, and their association with cognition and incidence of MCI/dementia was investigated using parallel process modelling and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: =0.810 (0.71-0.915)), while controlling for the risk score at baseline and multiple potential confounders. Various associations between dementia risk score trajectories and cognitive performance trajectories were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to maintain a brain healthy lifestyle could reduce the risk for MCI or dementia, and slow cognitive decline.

Source: The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer s Disease

DOI: 10.1016/j.tjpad.2024.100014