Month: September 2026

The relative contribution of modifiable and non-modifiable factors for determining cognition in mid-life individuals at risk for late-life Alzheimer’s disease

Cao B., Qi Q, Hutchinson S, Ferguson D, Malhotra P, Koychev I, O’Brien JT, Bridgeman K, Ritchie CW, Lawlor B, Naci L, and the PREVENT Dementia Investigators.

Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring (2026)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/dad2.70303

Summary

This study examined how modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, together with cognitive reserve contributors, are associated with cognition in healthy mid-life individuals at risk for late-life Alzheimer’s disease. Using baseline data from the PREVENT Dementia cohort, the study assessed the relative contribution of dementia risk and reserve factors to cognitive performance. The key finding was that physically, socially, and intellectually stimulating activities were the top reserve contributor positively associated with cognition, particularly episodic and relational memory functions. In contrast, depressive symptoms and traumatic brain injury were the two modifiable risk factors most negatively associated with cognition. These findings highlighted the potential value of early, cost-effective, and multifactorial dementia prevention approaches from mid-life, with a focus on both reducing modifiable risks and boosting cognitive reserve through engagement in a variety of stimulating activities.

Midlife dementia risk and later dementia-related fear and avoidance: evidence from a prospective cohort study

Farina, F. R., Bridgeman, K., Ntailianis, G., Griffith, J. W., Koychev, I., Malhotra, P., Muniz-Terrera, G., O;Brien, J.T., Lawlor, B., Ritchie, C.W. and Naci, L.

Aging and Mental Health (2026)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2026.2681155

Summary

Dementia-related fear can influence help-seeking and engagement with prevention, yet it is unclear whether these responses vary with objectively measured dementia risk in midlife. This study which recruited participants from the PREVENT dementia programme, tested whether midlife risk was associated with subsequent dementia-related fear and avoidance. Higher midlife risk was associated with greater fear and avoidance. The study concluded that emotional and behavioral responses to dementia risk are evident in midlife, highlighting their potential relevance for mental health-informed communication and prevention strategies.