Dementia can be predicted ten years in advance, claim scientists who have created an algorithm that works like a crystal ball.
It combines a blood test with a person’s age and sex to determine their risk of developing a neurological disease.
For instance, women in their 80s who carry a gene linked to dementia – an umbrella term for several disorders – are up to a quarter more vulnerable.
And those in their 70s are around a sixth as likely to be struck down within the next decade. The dangers for male counterparts are almost as high.
The Danish breakthrough could help prevent cases of dementia by prescribing drugs to at-risk patients much sooner – and advising lifestyle changes.
Dementia can be predicted ten years in advance with an algorithm that works like a crystal ball, according to new research. It combines a blood test with a person’s age and sex to determine their risk of developing a neurological disease
A healthy diet – such as eating plenty of oily fish – along with plenty of exercise that boosts blood flow are thought to be protective.
Professor Ruth Frikke-Schmidt, of Copenhagen University, said: ‘Recently, it was estimated one-third of dementia most likely can be prevented.
‘Early intervention for hypertension, smoking, diabetes, obesity, depression and hearing loss may slow or prevent disease development.
‘If those individuals at highest risk can be identified, a targeted prevention with risk-factor reduction can be initiated early before disease has developed.’
She added this would delay the onset of dementia or even prevent it, on the back of a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Dementia currently strikes 850,000 people in the UK alone with the figure set to rise to two million by 2050 because of the ageing population.
Currently, there is no cure for dementia. But drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted the more effective treatments are.
The new study delved into data on 104,537 people and linked it to diagnoses of dementia.
Professor Frikke-Schmidt and colleagues found just age, gender and a common mutation called APOE flagged up the most prone people.
The gene carries cholesterol around the body and normal versions also clear proteins from the brain known as beta amyloid.
Variants fail to do this, allowing the protein to form into clumps that destroy neurons and cause memory loss and confusion.
Women in their 60s with a APOE gene variant had a seven per cent higher risk of developing dementia than those without, they found.
The risk jumped to 16 per cent for women in their 70s and was 24 per cent for those aged 80 or older.
For men in their 60s, the risk was six per cent. This rose to 12 per cent for men in their 70s and 19 per cent for those 80 or above.
Professor Frikke-Schmidt said: ‘The present absolute 10-year risk estimates of dementia by age, sex and common variation in the APOE gene have the potential to identify high-risk individuals for early targeted preventive interventions.’
‘Dementia is a major cause of disability in older adults worldwide, yet no effective treatment is currently available.
‘Reduction of risk factors for dementia may have the potential to delay or prevent development of the disease.
‘Age, sex and common variation in the APOE gene identify high-risk individuals with the greatest potential to benefit from targeted interventions to reduce risk factors.
‘The apolipoprotein E (APOE) protein is key for metabolising cholesterol and to clear beta-amyloid from the brain in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.’
She added: ‘Taken together, the present findings emphasise APOE genotype as an important component in the individual risk assessment of dementia and cerebrovascular disease.’
WHAT IS DEMENTIA? THE KILLER DISEASE THAT ROBS SUFFERERS OF THEIR MEMORIES
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders
A GLOBAL CONCERN
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders, that is, conditions affecting the brain.
There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.
Some people may have a combination of types of dementia.
Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today, of which more than 500,000 have Alzheimer’s.
It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia in the UK by 2025 will rise to over 1 million.
In the US, it’s estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.
As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.
Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.
IS THERE A CURE?
Currently there is no cure for dementia.
But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted the more effective treatments are.
Source: Dementia UK