Understanding Your Genetic Risk for Dementia and What You Can Do About It

Dementia affects millions of people. Worldwide, someone develops dementia every three seconds. Within just a few years, the number of people globally who have dementia is expected to rise to nearly 80 million.

While researchers don’t know the precise cause of dementia, they do know that many factors can contribute to cognitive decline. Diet, smoking, lack of exercise, and underlying diseases like diabetes and depression can all play roles — and so can your genes.

At Advanced Medical Care, experienced neurologists Marina Neystat, MD, Maria Dolgovina, MD, and Ivan Mikolaenko, MD, help patients manage dementia and assess personal risk factors with a variety of tests and screening exams. Here, we explain the link between genetics and dementia and reveal what you can do to minimize your risk.

Genetics and dementia

Genetics can play a role in your risk of developing dementia, but it’s important to note that the incidence of this type of dementia is extremely low compared to dementia rates overall. Nevertheless, research shows that if you have a parent or sibling with dementia, your risk of developing dementia is higher than someone who doesn't have a close relative with the disease.

When dementia is inherited, it’s often an uncommon type of dementia, like Huntington's disease, familial prion disease, or early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease (EOFAD), a type of Alzhemier’s disease that affects people younger than age 60.

Another type of dementia, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), may have a genetic link. In fact, almost half of all people who develop FTD will have one or more close relatives who also have FTD or another type of dementia.

To date, researchers have identified several genes that are linked with an increased risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to specific genes, research shows there are several genetic mutations linked with dementia.

Managing your genetic risk

You can’t change your genetic makeup, but you can control the modifiable risk factors associated with dementia risk. These include things like diet, physical activity, sleep, and underlying medical conditions.

Improve your diet

A healthy diet is important for your overall health, and it’s important for brain health, too. To reduce inflammation, focus on dark, leafy greens and berries that are rich in antioxidants, whole grains, and healthy fats. Avoid processed foods and sweets. 

The MIND diet was specifically designed to support brain health. This site offers some basic guidelines to get started.

Move more

Exercise offers multiple benefits for your brain, improving circulation, reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and lowering inflammation. Combined, these benefits support optimal brain health and better cognitive functioning.

Prioritize sleep

Sleep is when your body repairs itself and fights off the negative effects of inflammation, a key player in cognitive decline. Recent research links poor sleep habits with an increased risk of dementia. Aim for at least 7 hours of sleep per night, and use these sleep tips to make sure you get the rest you need. 

If you’re having trouble getting quality sleep, talk with our sleep medicine experts.

Practice stress management

Chronic stress increases inflammation and blood pressure in addition to taking a toll on your cognitive functioning. It also increases your risk of depression, another risk factor for dementia. Meditation, yoga, and simple deep-breathing exercises can go a long way toward managing stress to improve brain health and overall wellness.

Manage underlying conditions

Common medical conditions — including hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity — increase your risk of dementia. Our team can help you manage these conditions with plans tailored to your lifestyle and your preferences.

Seek help early

There’s no cure for dementia, but early medical intervention can help reduce your risk factors, slow the progression of the disease, and enable you or your loved one to map out a treatment plan. Our team has extensive experience in dementia diagnosis and management, using a patient-centered approach for optimal outcomes. 

Learn more about dementia management

If you or a loved one exhibits signs or risk factors associated with dementia, having an evaluation is one of the best ways to protect your healthy future. To learn more about dementia screening and management, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Advanced Medical Care in Forest Hills, Queens, and Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York.