All articles tagged with #vascular dementia
A geriatrician warns of a growing dementia epidemic and says starting statins soon after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis may lower dementia risk, especially vascular dementia, though the cited study does not prove causation.
A large Danish observational study of 132,585 adults with type 2 diabetes found starting a statin within one year of diagnosis was linked to a 15% reduction in dementia risk over 10 years, with a 10% reduction if started after 1–5 years; authors emphasize association, not causation, and note the benefit was mainly in vascular dementia, underscoring statins as part of broader diabetes care; more trials needed to prove causality.
A Brown University study of more than 509,000 adults aged 66+ found that those who had at least one Shingrix dose showed a 24% relative reduction in dementia diagnoses over four years versus unvaccinated peers, based on electronic health records and Medicare data; researchers stress this is an association, not proof of causation, and the vaccine’s primary purpose is shingles prevention, though explanations include fewer shingles-related complications and potential vascular benefits. The study was funded by GSK.
Roger Craig disclosed in a prerecorded Pro Football Hall of Fame speech that he has early-stage vascular dementia, a condition doctors say may be related to concussions from his NFL career; he hopes his openness will encourage others to seek help and stresses the diagnosis does not define him.
Former 49ers running back Roger Craig announced he has vascular dementia and believes it may be related to concussions from his NFL career, sharing the news in a prerecorded Hall of Fame induction speech to raise awareness about brain health.
Roger Craig, the 49ers legend and Class of 2026 Hall of Fame inductee, announced in a pre-taped speech that he has vascular dementia and stressed that the diagnosis does not define him. A key member of the Bill Walsh era, Craig became the first NFL player to rush for 1,000 yards and receive 1,000 yards in the same season (1985) and played 11 seasons with San Francisco before stints with other teams.
Researchers analyzing six large cohorts found that higher blood levels of the protein GDF15 in people under 55 predict future dementia, especially vascular dementia, and Mendelian randomization suggests GDF15 may drive risk via metabolic and inflammatory pathways; brain and CSF data show related changes, indicating potential for early screening and a better understanding of disease mechanisms.
A large U.S. Medicare study (1.5 million beneficiaries) found that older adults who received the two-dose recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix) had a lower incidence of dementia than unvaccinated peers, with about a 28–33% reduced risk for any dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia over up to three years and continued protection beyond three years; results are observational and can’t prove causality, but align with other real-world evidence and call for trials to confirm.
A Lund University study links modifiable lifestyle and health factors—such as smoking, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol—to brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. The research also notes diabetes is tied to amyloid-β accumulation and lower BMI to tau changes, highlighting that healthier habits might delay dementia onset, though findings require further validation.
A new study finds that obesity in midlife raises the risk of vascular dementia later in life by about 50–60%, likely through decades of elevated blood pressure that damages brain vessels; genetic markers strengthen the causal link and the study was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (Jan 22, 2026).
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, but many individuals with dementia often have multiple neurodegenerative conditions such as vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and others, highlighting the complexity of brain health in aging populations.
A large study suggests that the shingles vaccine not only prevents shingles but also significantly reduces the risk of vascular dementia, heart attacks, strokes, blood clots, and death in adults over 50, indicating potential broader health benefits.
A recent review suggests that microplastics may contribute to vascular dementia by damaging brain blood vessels, with new classifications of the disease highlighting overlaps with Alzheimer's and the potential role of plastic particles in brain pathology, prompting a reevaluation of dementia research and treatment approaches.
Scientists at the University of New Mexico have identified hidden brain damage linked to vascular dementia, including the presence of nano- and microplastics, which may also contribute to Alzheimer's disease, highlighting the need for new classification and treatment approaches.
A new study highlights the complex role of small blood vessel damage and the presence of microplastics in the brain as contributors to dementia, suggesting the need for revised diagnostic methods and further research into environmental factors affecting brain health.