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- Increasing age: The risk goes up with advanced age. The older you are the more at risk you are for developing dementia.
- Hardening and narrowing of arteries:The accumulation of fats and cholesterol in the lining of arteries can hinder blood from getting to the brain, which can lead to stroke or another brain injury.
- Diabetes: People with diabetes appear to have a higher risk for dementia, as it is a well-proven risk factor for stroke and cardiovascular disease-related events, which in turn increase the risk for vascular dementia.
- Hypertension: High blood pressure has been linked to cognitive decline, stroke, and types of dementia that affect the white matter regions of the brain.
(Diabetes and Hypertension has been known to be quite prevalant in India hence it is paramount to keep it under control as one gets older) - Down syndrome: Many people with Down syndrome develop early- onset AD, with signs of dementia by the time they reach middle age.
- Genetics:When more than one family member has the disorder, risk increases. Very early onset frontotemporal dementia is found to be genetic.
- Mental illness: Depression has been associated with mild mental impairment and cognitive function decline.
- Substance use:Smokers are prone to diseases that slow or stop blood from getting to the brain.Excessive consumption of alcohol also increases risk of developing dementia.
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