Dementia has both genetic and lifestyle components, but for most people it is not simply inherited. Family history and certain genes such as APOE4 raise your risk, yet they do not guarantee you will develop dementia. Research suggests up to 45% of cases are potentially preventable through modifiable factors, which means your daily choices have a meaningful effect on your risk.
A small number of rare genes directly cause early-onset forms of dementia, but these account for a very small share of cases. Far more common are risk genes such as APOE4, which raise the likelihood of developing dementia without making it certain. Many people who carry APOE4 never develop dementia, and many people with a family history stay healthy well into old age.
The Lancet Commission has identified modifiable factors that together account for a large share of dementia risk, including hearing health, blood pressure, physical activity, sleep, nutrition, and social connection. Addressing the factors that matter most for your own biology is where prevention starts, and it is never too early or too late to begin.
BetterBrain combines advanced biomarker testing, cognitive assessment, and one-on-one support from a Brain Health Coach to build a personalized, evidence-based prevention plan. Most eligible customers pay $0 for coaching with insurance.