Cardiff University

Academic Institute

OFHS260056

The aim of this study is to understand how a person’s genes and life experiences influence their risk of developing dementia and how the condition progresses. These findings will help researchers develop ways to delay or prevent common forms of dementia in later life. Scientists have identified many genetic changes that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but genes alone do not explain why some people develop dementia and others do not. A large part of this inherited risk is still not fully understood. Research increasingly shows that this “missing” risk is likely due to a combination of genetics and life‑long environmental factors, such as health conditions, lifestyle, and experiences. Over the past few decades, population studies have greatly improved our understanding of these non‑genetic influences on Alzheimer’s disease. In older adults, there is now clear overlap between Alzheimer’s disease and conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. This highlights the importance of factors such as physical health and environment, alongside well‑known influences like age, sex, and access to education. This research aims to better understand how genes and environmental exposures work together to shape dementia risk. By doing so, it seeks to improve early risk identification and support the development of more effective prevention and treatment strategies for dementia.

An estimated 36 million people worldwide are living with dementia, with approximately 4.6 million new cases diagnosed each year. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for around 50-70% of all cases. While it usually affects older adults, about 5% of people with Alzheimer’s develop symptoms before the age of 65. There is currently no cure, and the condition can have a major impact on individuals, their families and carers, as well as healthcare systems and society more broadly. The project aims to improve our ability to predict how dementia will develop in different people by combining information about their genes, health and life experiences. The researchers will create a model to estimate how quickly a person’s condition may progress, helping doctors provide more personalised care and identify opportunities for earlier treatment. This could support medicines that slow disease progression and improve quality of life. The project will also provide insights to help healthcare services plan and allocate resources more effectively, supporting long-term care for people living with dementia. By integrating genetic and clinical information, the research will improve our understanding of the processes that drive dementia and may help identify new targets for future treatments.

Public Health Research

19/10/2026

26/08/2026

TRE