It often begins quietly. A missed word, a forgotten name, a moment where something feels slightly off.
For many families, these small changes raise questions long before any diagnosis arrives.
As populations age, dementia has become one of the most feared health conditions worldwide.
Scientists have spent decades trying to understand why it develops and whether anything can truly be done to slow it down.
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Now, new research is reshaping how much control people may have over their brain health later in life.
A growing health burden
Around 982,000 people are currently living with dementia in the UK, most of them over the age of 65.
Dementia is not a single disease but a group of symptoms linked to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
These symptoms can include “loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life”.
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With numbers expected to rise, researchers are increasingly focused on prevention rather than treatment alone.
What the study found
Researchers at Lund University in Sweden followed nearly 500 adults with an average age of 65 over four years.
Using brain scans and protein markers linked to Alzheimer’s, they examined how lifestyle and medical factors influenced changes in the brain.
The team found that smoking, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and unhealthy blood lipid levels were strongly associated with damage to the brain’s blood vessels and faster deterioration of white matter.
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Isabelle Glans from Lund University said this damage can disrupt blood flow in the brain and may eventually lead to vascular dementia.
The study also linked diabetes to increased amyloid beta buildup, while lower body mass index was associated with faster accumulation of tau protein.
Why lifestyle still matters
The researchers concluded that addressing modifiable risk factors could delay the onset of dementia symptoms.
Neurologist Sebastian Palmqvist from Lund University said focusing on vascular and metabolic health may reduce the combined impact of multiple brain changes happening at the same time.
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Experts also highlight everyday habits that support brain health, including regular exercise, mental stimulation and balanced nutrition.
Sources: LADbible, ALZ and Lund University
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