Approved Research

Early onset-dementia: A population-based approach to identify characteristics and risk factors

Lay summary

Dementia is an overwhelming medical condition at any age, but dementia in younger adulthood is particularly devastating, affecting quality of life and independence of individuals in their prime years. Early onset dementia is defined as a dementia diagnosis before 65 years of age. Due to rare occurrence of early onset dementia, information regarding number of existing cases are limited. Previous studies showed that high blood pressure, diabetes, low education, smoking, and physical inactivity increase the risk of developing late onset dementia (age of onset > 65 years old). Nevertheless, there is no information whether the same risk factors are associated with higher risk of dementia with symptom onset before 65 years of age. 

In this three-year project, we aim to pool data from multiple cohort studies to understand the epidemiology of early onset dementia and identify midlife risk factors that could increase the risk of developing dementia symptoms before the age of 65. In addition, we will investigate whether risk of early onset dementia according to aforementioned risk factors is different in those with a genetic predisposition for dementia.

Identifying risk factors for early onset dementia will offer unique insights for the development of preventive and possibly therapeutic interventions. Findings from this project would be of importance given the consequences of early onset dementia for the patients, family, and society.