Common medical condition seen years before dementia develops, study reveals
AOL.com • • health
Key Points:
- A study by the University of Helsinki found an association between late-onset dementia and certain severe infections, specifically cystitis and general bacterial infections, occurring about five to six and a half years before dementia diagnosis.
- Researchers analyzed over 65,000 dementia patients aged 65 and older, identifying 29 diseases strongly linked to dementia, with infections accounting for a significant portion of cases.
- Patients with hospital-treated cystitis and bacterial infections had approximately a 19% higher rate of developing late-onset dementia, supporting the idea that severe infections may accelerate cognitive decline.
- The study was observational and could not establish causality, but experts suggest that inflammation or immune responses from infections might biologically impact brain health.
- Experts recommend adults stay up to date on vaccinations as a precaution, while emphasizing that severe infections are one of many factors contributing to dementia risk alongside conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
