An article from the national Alzheimer’s Association, published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia summarized the scientific evidence linking modifiable factors to risk for dementia and cognitive decline.

The authors concluded that the research results from studies of large populations provide strong or moderate evidence for the following:

Factors That Increase Risk:

• Traumatic brain injury

• Mid-life obesity

• Mid-life hypertension

• Smoking

• Diabetes

Factors That Decrease Risk:

• Years of formal education

•Physical activity

Other modifiable factors may contribute as well, but have not demonstrated the same level of evidence in large population studies. For example, moderate alcohol consumption and greater social engagement have been associated with a lower risk for cognitive decline.

In addition, multiple studies have shown that learning new memory and other cognitive techniques can help people compensate for normal age-related memory slips.