A simple way to predict the risk of developing dementia has been discovered

A routine blood test can help assess your risk of developing dementia many years before diagnosis. This conclusion was reached by scientists from Dong-A University in South Korea. The study results were published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (JAD).

Researchers analyzed data from more than 316 thousand people over 40 years of age who underwent medical examinations in 2004–2005. Then experts tracked their health status for 15 years.

It turned out that the level of hemoglobin in the blood is associated with the likelihood of developing dementia. People with the lowest scores had a 16 percent higher risk of the disease, and those with the highest scores had a 7 percent higher risk of the disease, compared with the group with the lowest risk.

Low hemoglobin was associated with a 14 percent increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and a 19 percent increased risk of vascular dementia. People with the highest hemoglobin levels had an 18 percent higher risk of vascular dementia. This connection was especially clear in women.

Scientists explained that hemoglobin is responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. A deficiency may indicate anemia, while an excess may indicate dehydration, smoking, or heart and lung disease. Such abnormalities may reflect general health, which also affects brain function.

The authors believe that in the future, a routine blood test could become an additional tool for assessing the risk of dementia.