These Risk Factors At Age 60 May Be The Strongest Predictors Of Dementia

A new study reveals surprising information about the potential relationship between regional location and dementia, among other signs.

A new study found that several risk factors at age 60 may be strong predictors of dementia and cognitive impairment later in life.

The report, published earlier this month by the nonprofit research organization RAND, evaluated statistical associations by observing people when they were about 60 years old to estimate their risk for dementia later on. The study found that several factors, which are consistent with other research on the subject, were shown to be strong predictors of cognitive impairment or dementia, such as physical health, having had a stroke, cognitive abilities, functional limitations and particular genes.

But the study also revealed information about potential risk factors its authors said has either received less attention or had shown mixed results in prior research. For instance, the report found that people born in the South “face statistically significantly higher chances of developing dementia, even when controlling for many other factors.”

Peter Hudomiet, an economist at RAND and one of the lead researchers on the study, told ABC News earlier this month that some of the findings were “surprising.”

“Our research confirmed that factors like low cognitive test scores and poor general health in one’s 60s are strong predictors of dementia later in life,” he said, adding, “We also uncovered some surprising insights, such as the significant protective effect of education, particularly having a high school diploma, and the increased risk associated with living in the South.”