Risk factor profiles and cognitive function in older adults: the Brain Health Support Program Study

Dementia risk factors coexist and interact in meaningful ways. Identifying risk profiles can inform prevention strategies.

This study examined profiles using seven modifiable risk factors and their associations with cognition and sex among older adults at risk of dementia. Risk profiles were identified using principal component analysis, and linear regressions assessed their associations with cognition.

Three profiles emerged: (1) better sleep and social/psychological health; (2) better diet, physical activity, and vascular health; and (3) better cognitive engagement. Similar profiles were observed in women, except that better cognitive engagement grouped with poorer vascular health. In men, better cognitive engagement grouped with better vascular health and vision/hearing, while lower cognitive engagement was grouped with better sleep and social/psychological health. The lower cognitive engagement profile in men was associated with poorer cognition.

Prevention strategies should target meaningful combinations of risk factors to improve dementia prevention. Further research is needed to validate and refine these profiles.

This study evaluated risk profiles using a broad range of modifiable risk factors.This is the first study to analyze such profiles in a Canadian population, stratified by sex.Risk profiles differed by sex, especially for the cognitive engagement risk factor.In men, lower cognitive engagement profile was associated with poorer cognition.