With every diagnosis, dementia has a profound effect on individuals and families. If you’ve ever wondered why some people get the disease while others don’t, how to assess your risk, and how it’s currently being researched, you’re in the right place.
Does Genetics Play a Role in Dementia?
The short answer is yes. Some forms of dementia have a clear genetic component. Clear correlations between heredity and some types of dementia (like early-onset Alzheimer’s) are caused by certain gene mutations and variances.
However, genetics is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to predicting who will get dementia and who won’t.
What Environmental Factors Contribute to Dementia?
Multiple factors can interconnect to cause a person to get dementia. As we mentioned above, a family history of the disease is one component. Other environmental factors that may cause dementia are:
- Medical history
Having medical conditions like multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and Huntington’s disease can increase a person’s chances of getting dementia. In addition, heart disease and high blood pressure can be contributing causes to vascular dementia. - Past trauma
A severe head injury, even as a young child, can increase the chances of developing dementia down the road. - Lifestyle
Smoking, drinking alcohol, and an unhealthy diet are other factors that can increase your chances of dementia. Exercising regularly, eating well, and keeping your brain stimulated with hobbies, puzzles, and social interactions may help stave off the disease.
Assessing Your Risk of Dementia
While there’s no crystal ball with a definitive answer whether you will or will not get dementia, figuring out if you’re at higher risk is possible. Genetic testing can identify the presence of gene variants associated with risk.
If you believe you’re exhibiting signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia, you can submit to a cognitive impairment evaluation. Blood work also helps in screening for the disease.
What Research Is Being Conducted About Dementia?
Several medical breakthroughs have helped diagnose and treat dementia, but there’s still more to learn. Finding a cure and more treatment options are high priorities for the medical community. Scientists actively research all facets of dementia. They also constantly attempt to pinpoint additional genetic factors that forecast the disease and nail down the environmental factors that contribute to it. The research goals are to find ways to diagnose the disease earlier and to develop ways to treat it more successfully.
While we know more about dementia than we did a decade ago, it remains a complex mystery for the most part. Yes, genetics plays a role but isn’t the sole factor in determining if a person gets dementia. Ongoing research and testing is needed to find the missing puzzle pieces.
If you or someone you love suffers from dementia or Alzheimers, Diamondback Health and Memory Care can help. Contact us today for more information about the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle in our Desert Diamond Memory Pavilion.