Dementia rates are falling in Europe and the US and experts credit decline of smoking

Dementia affects 850,000 people in the UK

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Dementia rates are on the decline in Europe and the US thanks to a shift towards healthier lifestyles, new research claims.

According to a study of more than 60,000 people conducted by Harvard School of Public Health, the chance of developing dementia have fallen by 15 per cent every decade for the last 30 years.

Researchers conducting the study, which was presented at the Alzheimer’s Research UK conference in Harrogate, England on Wednesday, explained that the decline could be down to falling rates of smokers, with figures dropping to an all-time low in England in 2017.

Lead author Albert Hofman, chairman of the department of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, said: “Looking over three decades, the incidence rate of dementia in Europe and North America seems to be declining by around 15 per cent per decade.

“This finding is more pronounced in men than women and is likely to be driven by changes in cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle.

“We know that recent decades have seen a radical decline in smoking rates for men. While many people may have been persuaded to stop smoking due to an increased risk of cancer or heart disease, it is also a key risk factor for dementia.”

According to government figures, the number of smokers in England in 2017 stood at roughly 6.1 million, which is 1.6 million fewer than in 2011.

Hofman added that the decline may not continue, though, due to other factors that increase the risk of dementia, such as obesity and diabetes, being on the rise.

Dementia is a condition that affects the brain and is most common in people over the age of 65.

According to the NHS, it’s a syndrome associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning that may lead to memory loss, reduced movement and difficulty carrying out daily activities.

Commenting on the research, Dr Carol Routledge, director at the charity Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “While there is no drug to yet slow or stop diseases like Alzheimer’s, there is robust evidence that what’s good for the heart is also good for the brain.

"As well as maintaining a healthy blood pressure, the best current evidence suggests that not smoking, only drinking within the recommended limits, staying mentally and physically active, eating a balanced diet and keeping cholesterol levels in check can all help to keep our brains healthy as we age.”

While the preliminary findings from the study were presented at the conference, the full report is set to be published later this year.

You can find more information about dementia on the NHS website here.