🧠 Younger generations have lower risk of dementia at a given age than earlier generations

• People born later have less risk of developing dementia at the same age compared to earlier generations.
• The trend is clearer among women, especially in Europe and England.
• Research shows that 25.1 percent of Americans born 1890-1913 had dementia at 81-85 years of age, compared to 15.5 percent of those born 1939-1943.

Women show greater improvement

A new study shows that people born in recent years have lower risk of developing dementia at a given age than earlier generations. Researchers from University of Queensland analyzed data from 62,437 people over 70 years from the US, England and parts of Europe.

The reduction in dementia risk is clearer among women, especially in Europe and England. One possible explanation is increased access to education for women during the mid-20th century, according to the researchers.

The study was published in the journal Jama Network Open. The researchers divided participants into eight different cohorts representing different generations and six age groups.

Clear differences between generations

In the US, 25.1 percent of people between 81-85 years who were born between 1890-1913 had dementia. Among those born between 1939-1943, the figure was 15.5 percent. Similar patterns were seen in Europe and England, although the trend was less pronounced in England.

The researchers used an algorithm that took into account participants' responses to different measurements. These included difficulties with daily activities and results on cognitive tests to determine if they likely had dementia.

Several factors may explain the decrease

Professor Tara Spires-Jones from University of Edinburgh described the study as well-conducted. She points to several possible explanations for the decrease. Compulsory education, smoking bans and improved medical treatments for heart disease, diabetes and hearing loss may have contributed. These conditions are linked to dementia risk.

The study did not investigate the causes of the decrease. The researchers controlled for changes in GDP to reflect broader economic changes, but this did not substantially alter the results.

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