Metabolic syndrome and dementia: Independent risk factors or a unified pathway?
Fausto Roveta1, Silvia Boschi1, Elisa Rubino1,2
1Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi-Montalcini", Aging Brain and Memory Clinic, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
Abstract:
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasingly recognized as a potential risk factor for dementia, yet its precise role remains unclear. While individual MetS components-such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes-are known contributors to cognitive decline, their combined effect is not well defined. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis by Qiu et al. highlighted a significant association between MetS and vascular dementia but not Alzheimer's disease. However, substantial heterogeneity among studies persists. Future research should adopt biomarker-based definitions and longer follow-up periods to clarify whether MetS as a whole or its individual components drive dementia risk, guiding more effective prevention strategies.
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