4.C. Scientific session: How modern family and work life influence dementia risk – The REFAWOR project
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In the Changing Lives Changing Brians project (REFAWOR), which is supported by a NIH R01 grant 2020-26, we study life-course effects of family and work in adulthood for risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) in older adults by exploiting the Norwegian Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), a large ongoing prospective population level study that includes cohorts born 1900-1960, including more than 11700 participants aged 70+ years, combined with Norwegian national registry data. The project is led by Columbia University in New York, together with UPEnn and The Norwegian Institute of Public Health and includes 22 researchers from US and Europe. Family patterns have fundamentally changed in Western countries in the second half of the 20th century, with more childlessness, partnership disruptions, cohabitation and patchwork-families. The cognitive reserve theory posits that individuals accrue cognitive abilities throughout their lives, offering a buffer against cognitive decline. Factors such as education, engaging occupations, and participation in stimulating activities contribute to building cognitive reserve. With a global surge in the aging population, understanding modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline gains prominence. This workshop investigates the cognitive reserve theory using Norwegian population-based data, features four presenters and a summary by the chairs. The workshop topic is relevant for the EPH Conference and international audience as it addresses social determinants of dementia - a highly prevalent non-communicable chronic disease of growing importance. First, Dr Zothcheva investigates how physical and cognitive demands at the workplace are associated with the risk of dementia. Secondly, Strand, and Mekonnen delve into the effects of lifetime employment, number of children and marital histories on risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Thirdly, Mekonnen gives an overview of the mediation pathways linking education and dementia, before Ellingjord-Dale informs of the potential for prevention by addressing factors related to lifestyle, family and work. Finally, our chairs open up for questions from the audience, they sum up the findings and inform them of our plans in the REFAWOR project. Since its first publication in 2022, results from REFAWOR have been published in highly ranked journals such as the Lancet regional health Europe and Neurology and received attention from media worldwide by outlets such as the Guardian, CNN and Daily mail. In this workshop, new and published results from the project will be presented and synthesized, and these presentations contribute valuable insights into the multifaceted dynamics of cognitive reserve and its implications for aging well. Key messages • Modern family, education and work life influence dementia risk, and mediating factors related to lifestyle and health factors across the life-course matter. • Addressing modifiable risk factors and factors related to marital and occupational status could potentially prevent more than half of all dementia.
Author: Chair persons: Vegard Skirbekk (Norway), Asta Kristine Håberg (Norway)
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,181
OpenAlex ID: W7101408765
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