Early-Onset Dementia: Causes, Risk Factors, And What You Should Know

What do Australian actor Chris Hemsworth and 2 to 3% of the population have in common?

According to a 2021 study by the National Institutes of Health, more than one might think.

Hemsworth, best known for his role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, was hard at work on his National Geographic docuseries “Limitless” when he learned the tragic news. Hemsworth has two copies of the gene APOE4, one from each parent. Unfortunately, this increases Hemsworth’s odds of developing Alzheimer’s by eight to twelve-fold. Though disappointed at this outcome, Hemsworth wasn’t entirely surprised. His grandfather also suffers from Alzheimer’s.

Hemsworth reflected on this discovery in a 2022 interview with Vanity Fair. “If I didn’t know this [Alzheimer’s] information, I wouldn’t have made the changes I made,” stated Hemsworth. “I just wasn’t aware of any of it, so now I feel thankful that I have in my arsenal the sort of tools to best prepare myself and prevent things happening in that way.”

But what other than having two copies of the APOE4 genes increases someone’s risk for developing early-onset dementia?

Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder, sometimes known as alcoholism, is a pattern of alcohol use that involves drinking too much, becoming preoccupied with alcohol, or continuing to abuse alcohol even when it causes issues or health problems. It may also involve binge drinking. According to the Mayo Clinic, binge drinking occurs when a male has five or more drinks within two hours or a female has at least four drinks within two hours. AUD can cause serious damage to the front lobes of the brain, which can affect both executive function and working memory. Additionally, if coupled with poor dietary habits, this disorder can also damage neuro regions connected to the hippocampus, the part of the brain critical to forming new memories.

Social Isolation

Did you know that loneliness can be as detrimental to one’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day? Worse still, social isolation increases the risk of developing dementia. According to Harvard Health, individuals with fewer social connections have fewer social interactions, which means they don’t use their brains enough to stay healthy. Sadly, 50 percent of individuals aged 60 and older are at risk of social isolation. This, in turn, also puts them at risk of developing dementia.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D is sometimes known as the Sunshine Vitamin due to our bodies’ ability to make vitamin D from sun exposure. Of course, doctors have also linked this vitamin to a healthy immune system. As such, a lack of vitamin D may cause serious issues, like illness and viral infections. Some studies suggest that viral illnesses may increase a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders later on down the road. Since vitamin D plays such a vital role in health maintenance, make sure that you’re getting enough of it! Add more salmon, egg yolks, dairy, and orange juice to your diet.

Deafness or Bad Hearing

Did you know that up to 23% of Americans aged 12 and older have hearing loss? Sadly, hearing loss can increase your risk of developing early-onset dementia. Studies have linked this unfortunate phenomenon to reduced brain stimulation and reduced social interactions. While this doesn’t mean that all individuals with hearing loss are destined to develop dementia, experts recommend getting hearing aids to reduce this risk.

A Previous Stroke

Strokes put a person at significant risk factor for vascular dementia, a type of dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. Vascular dementia can result from multiple small strokes (multi-infarct dementia) or one large stroke (single-infarct dementia). Strokes can damage brain tissue, disrupt neural networks, and impair cognitive function, all of which can put an individual at increased risk for developing early-onset dementia.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is a significant risk factor for strokes. As previously discussed, strokes may significantly increase your risk of developing early-onset dementia. Additionally, heart disease shares several common risk factors with dementia, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, and poor diet. Addressing heart disease risk factors and promoting cardiovascular health may help reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive decline.

Smoking

Smoking increases your risk of developing quite a few health conditions—dementia included. Studies show that smoking may increase your risk of developing dementia by 30-50% percent. The same study even states that 14% of dementia cases worldwide may be attributable to smoking! So, if you want to decrease your risk of developing dementia, kick your smoking habit to the curb. Not sure how to do that? Check out our 10 helpful tips on quitting smoking HERE!

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is becoming increasingly more commonplace and prevalent in our society, due to skyrocketing obesity, an aging population, and sedentary lifestyles. Type 2 diabetes puts you at further risk for strokes and heart disease—which, in turn, increases your risk of developing early-onset dementia. And while that’s bad news, we have good news for you, as well. You can decrease your risk of developing both diabetes and dementia by making sure you engage in regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, and stay active!

A Lack of Formal Education

Cognitive reserve is the brain’s ability to think, solve problems, and improvise. According to Harvard Health, cognitive reserve is developed by a lifetime of education and curiosity—and having less of it may increase your risk of developing early-onset dementia. Greater levels of cognitive reserve may shield your brain from neurodegenerative disorders, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Consider taking senior education classes or enrolling in courses. Make learning a priority!

What Other Lifestyle Changes Can Reduce Your Risk of Dementia?

If you want to decrease your risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s, consider making the following lifestyle changes:

• Get enough sleep: Adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night. Consistently operating on a sleep debt can increase your risk of dementia, so make sure that you’re getting enough sleep! Manage underlying conditions, like stress and anxiety, to make getting and staying to sleep easier.
• Manage high blood pressure: Talk to your doctor about ways you can get your high blood pressure under control.
• Stay physically active: It doesn’t matter what kind of exercise you do, as long as you aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, 5 days a week. Take a walk around your neighborhood or treadmill. Try out some pilates or lift a few weights. Whatever you do, keep—and stay—moving!
• Stay mentally active: Read new books or do crossword puzzles. Try out a new hobby or skill. Always challenge your brain and keep it on its toes!
• Eat a healthy diet: Eat a balanced diet full of whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. Make sure you’re also drinking enough water. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends that adult men drink 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) and adult women drink 11.5 cups (2.7) per day. If you still need some hydration tips and tricks, click here!
• Watch out for your mental health: Depression can increase the risk of social isolation. Always make sure that you’re staying socially connected and active. If you’re having any mental health issues, make sure you reach out to a therapist as soon as possible. Your mental health is every bit as important as your physical health, so make sure you treat it accordingly!

Other Dementia Resources

For additional dementia resources, visit these links:

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Senior Resource Center

Alzheimer’s Association

National Institue on Aging