People with any one of the risk factors - cardiovascular disease, obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol - have double the risk of developing dementia. Having all the factors increases the risk by six times, the Associated Press reported.

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Researchers tested the risk score on 1 409 middle-aged people and found that it was 70 percent accurate.

The risk factors for dementia are virtually identical to those known to increase cardiovascular disease risk, the AP reported.

"We have known for years that trying to control obesity, blood pressure and cholesterol can prevent heart disease, but now it's not only the heart you can save, but also the brain," said lead author Dr Miia Kivipelto, associate professor at the Ageing Research Centre in Stockholm.

The findings were published Thursday in the journal Lancet Neurology, and were previously presented in mid-July at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, in Madrid, Spain. – (HealthDayNews)

August 2006
 

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