Quitting smoking and controlling diabetes may reduce dementia risk

In a Dutch study, smoking and having diabetes are two modifiable risk factors that have been linked with build-up of calcium in the brain.

Hippocampal calcification is a build up of calcium in the hippocampus, an important area of the brain responsible for memory. Previous research suggests that hippocampal calcification may contribute to a greater risk of dementia which causes memory problems, and possible complication of diabetes. 



The lead author of the study, Dr Esther de Brouwer, a geriatrician at the University Medical Center in Utrecht, the Netherlands, said: "We know that calcifications in the hippocampus are common, especially with increasing age. However, we did not know if calcifications in the hippocampus related to cognitive function."

The researchers were able to assess changes in the hippocampus in people who had high blood pressure, diabetes and smoked by using a brain CT scan.

The results of cognitive tests and CT scans of 1,991 people were analysed. The average age of the participants was 78 years. 380 participants, representing 19 per cent of those taking part, showed hippocampal calcification. Three factors older age, diabetes and smoking were associated with an increased risk of hippocampal calcifications on CT scans.

Dr de Brouwer said: "We do think that smoking and diabetes are risk factors. In a recent histopathology study, hippocampal calcifications were found to be a manifestation of vascular disease. It is well known that smoking and diabetes are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. It is, therefore, likely that smoking and diabetes are risk factors for hippocampal calcifications."

The two risk factors, diabetes and smoking are modifiable. Therefore, quitting smoking, or not smoking at all and gaining good control of diabetes, may each help reduce the risks of memory problems and dementia.