Is Dementia on the Wane?

In 2014, researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine reported at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference that the prevalence of dementia among certain populations was decreasing. These findings were not highlighted, in part because the research had not been published in a peer-reviewed journal. And since the specter of a tidal wave of demented baby boomers, draining the coffers of Medicare and Medicaid, is used to raise research funds, this news was met with some wariness.

The work of the Boston University researchers has now been validated; the New England Journal of Medicine published the researchers’ paper last month, confirming that cognitive impairment among the participants in the Framingham Heart Study decreased by 44% over the past 40 years. The average age when cognition issues arise has moved from 80 to 85. This work strikes a very hopeful note at a time when other avenues for effective treatment have been reaching dead ends.

This research stands out from other population based studies because (1) the researchers followed the same population throughout and for more than 40 years, (2) all research subjects underwent cognitive testing at regular intervals, and (3) the researchers could apply consistent diagnostic criteria to all participants to determine the presence of cognitive decline.

WHY IS DEMENTIA ON THE DECLINE?
The researchers are not sure what has caused the decline in dementia. However, they note that during this same time period, prevalence of stroke, coronary heart disease and atrial fibrillation have also gone down. Many attribute all these declines to the wide-spread use of statins, blood pressure medication, and healthier diets.

POSSIBLE EXCEPTION: EDUCATION
There was one subset of subjects that did not experience a decline in dementia: those without a high school education. It is not known why education level influences dementia risk. One theory is that people who have more education develop “cognitive reserves” that protect against cognitive deficits.

Others, noting the many exceptionally well educated individuals who develop cognitive problems think the lack of a high school education is a proxy for other factors that contribute to health problems: lower wages, less medical care, less healthy diets, more stress.

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