Study Reveals 2 New Risk Factors For Dementia

Two new risk factors for Alzheimer’s have emerged in a recent study.

Untreated vision loss and high LDL cholesterol are now linked to a higher risk of developing this common dementia.

LDL cholesterol, often called "bad cholesterol," is harmful when levels are too high.

Researchers from University College London led the study, published in The Lancet on Aug. 10.

These findings were also shared at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Philadelphia on July 31.

Vision loss and high LDL cholesterol are added to a list of 12 other known risk factors from a 2020 study.

Those include hearing loss, lower education, smoking, hypertension, and obesity.

Also on the list are physical inactivity, depression, diabetes, excessive drinking, air pollution, traumatic brain injury, and social isolation.