Metabolic Syndrome, 24% Higher Risk of Early Dementia...All five are up 70% when applicable
Aug 06, 2025
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A research team led by Professor Lee Min-woo of the Department of Neurology at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Professor Chun Dae-young of Circulatory Medicine at Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital at Hallym University, Professor Han Kyung-do of the Department of Information Statistics Insurance Mathematics at Soongsil University, and Professor Lee Jung-yoon of the Department of Neurology at Soonchunhyang University analyzed the correlation between metabolic syndrome and early dementia based on large-scale data.
Metabolic syndrome is a condition in which abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, increased triglycerides in the blood, and decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol appear at the same time. If these changes continue, inflammation and damage to blood vessels can occur, and oxygen supply to the brain is not smooth, leading to cognitive decline. In fact, metabolic syndrome has recently attracted attention as a major risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia, as well as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Based on the health examination data of the National Health Insurance Service from 2009 to 2020, the research team followed about 1.98 million men and women in their 40s and 60s for an average of 7.8 years. Approximately 25% of all participants corresponded to metabolic syndrome, and the diagnostic criteria were defined as cases corresponding to three or more of five indicators (abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, increased blood triglycerides, and decreased HDL cholesterol).
Studies have shown that those with metabolic syndrome had a 24% higher risk of early dementia (HR 1.24, 95% and CI 1.19 to 1.30). Specifically, the risk of Alzheimer's disease increased by 12% (HR 1.12, 95% and CI 1.03 to 1.22) and the risk of vascular dementia by 21% (HR 1.21, 95% and CI 1.08 to 1.35). In particular, it was confirmed that the risk of early dementia increases by about 70% if all five indicators of metabolic syndrome fall under all five indicators.
In addition, the study showed that the risk of dementia can be increased when metabolic diseases are accompanied regardless of weight. In fact, the risk of people with normal weight but metabolic syndrome was higher than in the obese group. In the end, in order to protect brain health, not only weight but also overall metabolic health conditions must be examined.
Professor Lee Min-woo "This study confirmed that metabolic syndrome is an important risk factor for early dementia"Metabolic health care may soon lead to brain health care" "Preventing metabolic syndrome through a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of developing early dementia.", he explained.
A balanced lifestyle is important for the prevention of metabolic syndrome. It is recommended to practice vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fish-oriented meals, and to perform aerobic and strength exercises together. Securing sleep time and stress control can also have a positive effect on maintaining cognitive function. In particular, if there are abnormal metabolic findings, it is necessary to correct them early through regular health checkups and medical staff counseling, and to establish a personalized management plan.
The study was published in the April issue of Neurology, the official journal of the American Academy of Neurology under the title of `Asociation Between Metabolic Syndrome and Young-Offset Dementia.'
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
