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Dementia prevalence in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study.
Victoria J Williams1,2,3,4, Ralph Trane1, Kamil Sicinski4
1Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Alzheimer'S & Dementia : the Journal of the Alzheimer'S Association
|September 29, 2025
Summary
Dementia prevalence in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) was 8.9% at age 81. This study utilizes extensive life course data to explore sociobiological determinants of dementia.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Epidemiology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Few lifespan cohorts have well-characterized dementia outcomes to study sociobiological determinants.
- The Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) is a comprehensive lifespan cohort study in the United States.
- Understanding dementia prevalence and its determinants is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine dementia prevalence within the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) cohort.
- To leverage WLS's extensive life course data to investigate sociobiological factors influencing dementia.
- To establish a foundation for ongoing dementia incidence and biomarker research within WLS.
Main Methods:
- A targeted multiphased assessment approach was employed for dementia classification.
- Participants underwent phone-based cognitive screening, followed by in-depth assessments for those below cut-off.
- Consensus-based cognitive diagnoses and suspected etiologies (including Alzheimer's disease) were determined.
Main Results:
- Dementia prevalence was found to be 8.9% in the WLS cohort at a mean age of 81 years.
- Of diagnosed dementia cases, 79% were presumed to be due to Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- Cognitive status was determined for 5414 participants.
Conclusions:
- The WLS provides a valuable resource with prospectively collected life course data for dementia research.
- Combining WLS data with dementia outcomes allows for the exploration of full life course determinants of dementia.
- Future research will involve iterative assessments, Medicare claims linkage, and AD biomarker analysis.
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