The term dementia describes a range of symptoms linked to a decline in healthy brain function, including memory loss. Now, new data show dementia rates are declining in the United States, and researchers are optimistic that improvements in diet and lifestyle may be the reason.
According to a recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Michigan, the number of U.S. seniors with dementia has fallen by nearly 25% since 2000 (a difference of roughly 1 million fewer individuals). This is promising news, considering that Alzheimer’s disease—currently the sixth leading cause of death in the United States—accounts for the majority of dementia cases.
Study co-author Dr. Kenneth Langa and his colleagues believe their findings may be attributable to better education about healthy diet and lifestyle, which in turn has led to improvements in heart health. And heart health, they say, is closely linked to brain health.
“It’s definitely good news,” said Dr. Langa. “Even without a cure for Alzheimer’s disease or a new medication, there are things that we can do socially and medically and behaviorally that can significantly reduce the risk.”