12 risk factors that may cause dementia before 65 identified by scientists.

Loneliness, hearing impairment, and the misuse of alcohol are all risk factors that can increase the risk of dementia before the age of 65, according to a major new research study. The study found that the risk of dementia is not solely determined by genetics, and that a variety of health and lifestyle factors can cut the chances of developing the condition.

More than 70,000 people in the UK are living with young-onset dementia, and the research followed more than 350,000 people younger than 65 across the UK to identify 12 risk factors associated with the condition. These include orthostatic hypotension, depression, alcohol intoxication, stroke, genetic risk, high deprivation, diabetes, heart disease, vitamin D deficiency, hearing impairment, high C-reactive protein levels, and social isolation.

The research, published in Jama Neurology, was co-funded by Alzheimer's Research UK. Dr Leah Mursaleen, head of clinical research at the charity, said: "We're witnessing a transformation in understanding of dementia risk and, potentially, how to reduce it on both an individual and societal level. It's now accepted that up to four in 10 dementia cases worldwide are linked to these factors."

She added: "This pioneering study shines important and much-needed light on factors that can influence the risk of young-onset dementia. This starts to fill in an important gap in our knowledge. It will be important to build on these findings in broader studies."

The research also found that three factors seem to reduce the risk of young-onset dementia: moderate alcohol use, formal education, and high handgrip strength. Professor David Llewellyn, of the University of Exeter, said: "There's still much to learn in our ongoing mission to prevent, identify, and treat dementia in all its forms in a more targeted way. Excitingly, for the first time it reveals that we may be able to take action to reduce risk of this debilitating condition, through targeting a range of different factors."

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