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

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Public Health

Background:

• Dementia risk factors often co-occur and interact.
• Understanding these interactions through risk profiles can guide effective prevention strategies.
• Modifiable risk factors offer targets for intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize risk profiles among older adults at risk of dementia.
• To examine the associations between these risk profiles and cognitive function.
• To investigate sex differences in dementia risk profiles.

Main Methods:

• Principal component analysis was used to identify risk profiles based on seven modifiable factors.
• Linear regressions assessed the relationship between risk profiles and cognitive outcomes.
• The study population included older adults at risk of dementia in Canada, stratified by sex.

Main Results:

• Three distinct risk profiles emerged: 1) sleep/social/psychological health, 2) diet/physical activity/vascular health, and 3) cognitive engagement.
• Sex differences were observed, particularly regarding cognitive engagement, which grouped differently with vascular health in men and women.
• In men, a lower cognitive engagement profile was significantly associated with poorer cognitive function.

Conclusions:

• Dementia prevention strategies should address combinations of risk factors rather than isolated ones.
• Risk profiles and their impact on cognition vary by sex, necessitating tailored approaches.
• Further research is required to validate and refine these sex-specific dementia risk profiles.