The WHO is releasing, for the first time, Guidelines on risk reduction of cognitive declines and dementia. The Nordic Brain Network led by Professor Miia Kivipelto provided a major contribution to the development and definition of the guidelines.
Worldwide, nearly 50 million people are living with dementia. This number is expected to triple between 2015 and 2050 unless interventions are identified to prevent or delay onset, slow progression, or cure Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other disorders that cause dementia.
The rapid rise in the number of people living with dementia has a considerable social and economic impact in many countries.
There are currently no medicines able to stop or reverse the progression of dementia, and prevention has been highlighted as pivotal in halting the expected worldwide increase of AD and dementia cases.
Modifiable risk factors of dementia and AD include lifestyle-related factors (e.g., diet, physical activity), vascular and metabolic disorders (e.g., high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes), and psychosocial factors (e.g., mentally stimulating and social activities, depression), and it has been estimated that at least 30% of AD cases can be attributed to modifiable risk factors, and are thus potentially preventable.
Professor Miia Kivipelto holds a position at Karolinska Institutet, the University of Eastern Finland and the National Institute for Health and Welfare. With her team - the Nordic Brain Network – she provided a major contribution to the development and definition of the guidelines, given the expertise and experience in the field of risk and protective factors for dementia and AD.
The new Guidelines will be an important tool for health-care providers, as well as governments, policy-makers and other stakeholders to strengthen their response to the dementia challenge.
About dementia: Dementia is an umbrella term for several diseases affecting memory, other cognitive abilities and behaviour that interfere significantly with a person’s ability to maintain their activities of daily living. Although age is the strongest known risk factor for dementia, it is not a normal part of ageing.
Dementia is a major cause of disability and dependence among seniors and can have devastating effects for the lives of effected individuals, their carers and their families
Risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia. WHO Guidelines
More information on dementia https://www.who.int/mental_health/neurology/dementia/en/
For further information, contact:
Miia Kivipelto, MD, PhD, Professor, Senior Geriatrician
Director of Research, Development, Education and Innovation
University of Eastern Finland, Karolinska Institutet and National Institute for Health and Welfare, tel. +46 (0)73 99 409 22, email miia.kivipelto(at)ki.se