Characteristics during adolescence and the risk of early-onset dementia

The number of patients with dementia is estimated to be 130,000 – 150,000 in Sweden and 47 million worldwide. By 2030, the prevalence in Sweden is expected to grow to 180,000-190,000. Dementia is linked to high healthcare costs and greater burden to patients themselves and family members. However, the biological mechanisms and risk factors to dementia have been poorly understood. To advance the knowledge on risk factors of dementia, the aim of this study is to examine whether physical and mental characteristics measured during the conscription assessment in the late adolescence are associated with risk of early-onset dementia.