Primary prevention of dementia: from modifiable risk factors to a public brain health agenda?

Abstract

Introduction: With large numbers of people affected, no treatment in sight and continuing demographic change, the prevention of dementia is becoming a central public health issue.

Methods: We conducted a systematic meta-review including systematic reviews and meta-analyses of longitudinal observational studies on modifiable risk and protective factors for dementia published over the last 5 years.

Results: Compelling evidence on a number of modifiable risk factors, mostly lifestyle factors, is available from longitudinal observational studies to inform primary preventive efforts.

Discussion: Evidence stemming from preventive RCTs is limited. However, multi-domain interventions addressing a variety of risk factors at once seem promising with regard to high-risk individuals (selective preventive approach). However, we argue that it is time to move forward and discuss a public brain health agenda as a universal preventive approach. Based on a risk reduction strategy, the public brain health agenda suggests the following ten key actions: (1) increase physical activity, (2) foster social integration, (3) improve education and foster lifelong learning, (4) provide mentally stimulating workplaces, (5) foster a cognitively active lifestyle, (6) propose a healthy Mediterranean-like diet, (7) reduce alcohol consumption, (8) stop smoking, (9) prevent, diagnose and treat chronic conditions, and (10) reduce anticholinergic medication in the elderly.

Keywords: Brain health agenda; Dementia; Prevention; Risk factors; Systematic review.