Environmental risk factors for dementia

Experts from the University of Edinburgh's Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre have recently published new research in the journal BMC Geriatrics.  The research looked at 4784 previous studies and research concerning dementia and environmental risk factors. 

Dementia is complex, known and widely accepted risk factors include lifestyle, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, depression, diabetes and a genetic predisposition.   The team sought to determine if environmental risk factors may also be responsible for the risk of developing dementia.

The list of environmental risk factors for dementia published includes exposure to air pollution, exposure to toxic heavy metals, some pesticides, other trace elements and minerals including occupational-related exposures, a lack of Vitamin D and even excessive levels of minerals found in some drinking water (although the evidence for this was weaker).

This is the first comprehensive review of environmental risk factors for dementia and the researchers concluded that the study will help improve knowledge and provide the basis or further, more focused research.