Dementia Prevention Strategies: Integration of Biomarkers, Genetic, and Clinical Risk Factors
Early Diagnosis: A Crucial Step in Dementia Prevention
Early diagnosis is crucial in dementia, as early detection allows for the creation of accurate intervention plans and the implementation of appropriate interventions and treatments to improve the quality of life (QoL) of affected individuals. Therefore, targeted prevention will reduce the future risk of dementia. Early identification of modifiable risk factors requires healthcare professionals (HCPs) to have sufficient integrated knowledge, age-appropriate care programs, and community-based approaches to specialized and multidisciplinary services for both prevention and diagnosis of various factors related to dementia.
The Role of Healthcare Professionals in Early Dementia Detection
The COMFORTage project aims to develop and implement advanced algorithms for the prevention, diagnosis, intervention, and treatment of dementia and frailty. The project takes into account all aspects of an elderly person’s life, including physical, mental, and social well-being, to design and use assistive technologies that promote health and create environments conducive to aging.
Our contribution will specifically investigate the role of biomarkers, genetic factors, and clinical risk factors in developing personalized prevention and intervention strategies for cognitive decline. Emerging evidence suggests that modifying lifestyle factors—such as diet, physical activity, and cardiovascular health—can significantly reduce the impact of dementia in older adults. Furthermore, neuropathological changes associated with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), such as amyloid deposition, occur years before the onset of clinical symptoms and can be detected in the early stages of the disease. Based on these insights, the goal will be to combine advanced diagnostic techniques with personalized intervention strategies to delay or prevent the onset of dementia, thus contributing to the broader goals of the COMFORTage project.
Early identification of individuals at risk will allow for the creation of personalized prevention plans, which could include nutritional interventions, exercise regimens, cognitive training, and the monitoring and management of metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors. Prevention strategies that modify dietary habits, lifestyle, and physical exercise have been shown to reduce the impact of dementia in the elderly population. However, a crucial question remains: how can we distinguish between patients with greater resilience, who are likely not to develop dementia, and those who are already undergoing neuropathological processes.
Challenges in Identifying At-Risk Individuals
A combination of tools such as neuropsychological assessments, brain imaging, biomarkers, genetic and epigenetic factors, and monitoring of psychological and social well-being can improve our ability to identify such patients. However, precise distinction requires in-depth analysis and continuous monitoring, as the aging process and dementia risk are highly individual and influenced by multiple factors.
**Article written by Noemi Martellacci from Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli (FPG), a key partner in the COMFORTage project.
