What might be causing an increase in dementia? 

While the exact reasons behind this rise are complex, researchers are beginning to piece together a picture of the factors that might be driving the growing prevalence of dementia globally. Longer life expectancy definitely plays a role, but newer evidence suggests that there is a broader mix of influences shaping not only how many people will develop the condition, but also when and how it will manifest itself. 

Longer life spans 

We’re fortunate enough to be living in an age where people are living longer than ever before. Advances in healthcare mean that more people are living into their 80’s and 90’s. However, as less people are dying from heart disease, cancer and other chronic illnesses, that means an increasing number of people are surviving into an age bracket where neurological conditions such as dementia are more likely to develop. 

According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, 1 in 14 people over the age of 65 have dementia in the UK, with the prevalence increasing sharply as age increases. Alzheimer’s Europe have estimated that dementia affects: 

• 3.3% of adults aged 70 – 74 

• 8% of adults aged 75 – 79  

• 12.1% of adults aged 80 – 84 

• 21.9% of adults aged 85-89 

• 40.8% of adults aged 90+ 

However, the rise in dementia isn’t simply down to people living longer. There are a number of toher factors at play here, from our environment, to our lifestyles, and even in how we diagnose and record dementia are likely playing a role too. 

Environmental pollution 

Compelling evidence from Bournemouth University raises and important point about how the way we live today surrounds us with a mass of pollutants that simply didn’t exist on the same scale for previous generations. From the air we breathe to the food we eat, our modern lifestyles are fraught with pollutants from air and road transport to chemicals in the food chain that may be quietly influencing brain health. 

Air and road transport produce fine particles (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide, which can enter our bloodstream and, over time, cause harm to the brain. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that air pollution contributed to 6.7 million early deaths in 2019. Research from the University of Cambridge suggests that people living in areas with higher levels of these tiny particles face a noticeably greater risk of dementia, with the risk rising by about 17% for each jump in particle levels and 13% for higher soot exposure. 

Chemicals in the food chain, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and synthetic additives can also contribute to the risk of developing dementia. Even the petrochemicals and microplastics in our environment may have effects we don’t fully understand yet. Pollution like this can trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and damage to blood vessels in the brain, all of which have the potential tospeed up cognitive decline. 

Bournemouth suggest the way forward may be to investigate the impact that pollution has on human health with more rigorous research, and to show the effect of petrochemicals and other pollutants on us as well as the rest of the natural world.  This is important not just for people living today, but for tackling increasing dementia trends for future generations too. It’s also a reminder that the causes of dementia are not solely biological, and how our surroundings can shape our cognitive health in big ways. 

Exposure to technological devices 

We live in a world where technology is never far from reach. From smartphones, to laptops and TV’s, this tech is deeply ingrained as part of our daily lives. Researchers are exploring indirect effects that our tech-heavy lifestyles could be playing in the increasing prevalence of dementia.  

UK adults now spend over four hours a day looking at screens, and extended screen time can encourage more sedentary habits, which in turn may reduce physical and cognitive stimulation, both of which are important for brain health. The blue light from screens can also interfere with sleep, and deep sleep is when our brains carry out essential processes to clear toxins and repair cells. One study found that even a 1% drop in deep sleep per year can increase the risk of dementia by 27% in people over 60. Whilst technology itself may not be the root cause of the increasing dementia trend, the way we use it and the habits we develop could be another piece of the puzzle. 

Improved dementia diagnosis & reporting 

However, another school of thought put forward by The Actuary magazine is that dementia figures may be somewhat distorted by how the illness has been reported in the past as opposed to current times. In the past, many cases often went undiagnosed, especially in the early stages, or were attributed to “old age” rather than dementia specifically. Similarly, dementia wasn’t always listed on death certificates, even when it played a major role in someone’s decline.  

Today, greater public awareness, improved screening and more effective diagnosis, means more people are being diagnosed earlier. Medical coding systems have also become more accurate, ensuring dementia is recorded properly as a primary cause of death when appropriate. This increased accuracy means figures are now more accurate, However, this comparison can also make the rise look sharper than it truly is. 

Whilst the diagnosis and recording method will be having some impact on how sharp the trend truly looks, the underlying health trend is still deeply concerning, and dementia remains the leading cause of death in the UK today. Cautious Optimism 

Although the figures for dementia are alarming, the  massive investment in research, better early detection, and continuous improvements in care services are combining to create a more informed, proactive approach to dementia. 

Many universities and health bodies now also work in conjunction with home care agency staff to ensure that measures are put in place to assist those with dementia with aspects of daily life that others take for granted. This can include technological devices such as apps that can act as reminders for medicines or food and even devices that produce aromatic smells to remind those with dementia to eat regularly. 

Those researching dementia believe that the key is for governments to continue to take the issue seriously and assign adequate resources to the causes and care of the dementia. They believe that ultimately this will lead to more breakthroughs and more refined dementia care services.