A Harvard study identifies what are the 17 risk factors of dementia suffering or stroke: “can be reduced”
A group of researchers from Harvard University (USA) have identified almost twenty factors of factors Risk of dementia and other brain disordersAnd according to their conclusions, everyone can be prevented.
In the study, published in Journal of Neurology, Neurochirgery & PsychiatryThe authors analyzed 37 previous research on dementia, stroke and depression in old age and discovered that at least two of the disorders could be caused by 17 modifiable risk factors.
Los Higher risks They represented them including living conditions and problems such as diabetes, high cholesterol, alcohol consumption, obesity or loss of sleep and auditions, among others.
The researchers described their results like “hope” And they believe they can help reduce dementia rates, strokes and depression in the population.
The doctor Jasper SenffThe main author of the study, he says: “Dementia, stroke and depression in old age are connected and intertwined, so one of them develops, there is a substantial possibility that you can develop another in the future”.
“And since they share these overlapping risk factors, preventive efforts could lead to a reduction in the incidence of more than one of these diseases, which offers an opportunity for reduce the load of brain -related brain diseases, “adds Senff.
The researchers analyzed 37 articles. Of these, 36 were about stroke, 16 on dementia and two on depression in the elderly. So they combined the data for Identify the modifiable risk factorsOr those who can be modified with behavioral changes, shared by at least two of the three diseases.
The 17 associated risk factors cout of at least two of the diseases They were: blood pressure, kidney disease, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, alcohol consumption, diet, loss of auditions, pain, physical activity, purpose in life, sleep, smoking, social commitment and stress.
Of these, the researchers concluded that hypertension and serious renal disease They had the greatest impact In the incidence and load of stroke, dementia and depression in old age.
Arterial hypertension damages the blood vessels of the brain, which limits the blood flow to areas such as the brain. This cause The death of brain cells, What ends with dementia, in particular vascular dementia.
It is also one of the main causes of stroke due to damage to the blood vessels, since they become more prone to obstruct. Hypertension The internal coating also weakens of the arteries, which causes the accumulation of plaque and the formation of clots.
In addition, hypertension can cause Inflammation in the brain, It is believed that the risk of depression increases.
Renal disease, on the other hand, prevents the body from filtering harmful toxins, This can damage brain cells and arteries, causing dementia, stroke and depression in old age.
Physical activity and cognitive activity in free time, such as puzzles, associated with the slightest risk of brain disorders. However, researchers suggest that these associations can be “Symptomatic more than causes”Since people with cerebral disorders such as dementia can be less able to exercise or solve puzzles.
Arterial hypertension, diet and physical activity were the three risk factors shared by the three diseases. The researchers also identified less obvious factors such as Satisfaction of lifethe quality of hearing and sensitivity to pain.
There is growing evidence that claim that having a purpose in life can protect against changes in the brain that lead to dementia, such as The death of brain cells and the accumulation of toxic proteins.
It was also shown that Hearing loss Cause cognitive tension and prevents social interactions, adding stress to the brain and can increase the risk of dementia and stroke. This lack of interaction can also influence depression.
It has also been shown that chronic pain leads to depression, Since it can be limiting and can attack the areas of the brain responsible for the cognitive function.
Sanjula SinghAnother of the main authors of the study, says: “Our study has identified 17 modifiable risk factors shared between strokes, dementia and/or depression in old age, underlining that there are many different steps that people can adopt to reduce their risks of suffering of these brain -related brain diseases”.
The study has had several limits, such as Based only on existing reviewsWhich means that other risk factors may have been neglected.
