Like any other risk factors, dementia risk factors do not necessarily mean that having these risk factors will certainly lead to dementia, but having these risk factors means one is at higher risk for developing dementia. There are practically several risk factors for dementia. Let us discuss the major dementia risk factors.

Age is the highest risk factor for dementia. The risk for Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia increases with age.

Having one of two members suffering from any form of dementia may significantly increase the risk for developing dementia in the successors. Several researchers have claimed that a wide number of genes increase the risk for developing dementia. This is why many people without any family history of dementia develop dementia in themselves.

Some recent scientific evidences have shown that smoking significantly increases the risk for developing dementia at later stages. Smokers are at the higher risk for developing atherosclerosis and other types of vascular dementia . In addition, it has been also shown that large intake of alcohol increases the risk of mental decline and dementia.

Cholesterol is also one of the most common risk factors of dementia. The high level presence of low density lipoprotein significantly increases the risk. Also if there is low level of high density lipoprotein, it increases the risk. High cholesterol has a strong correlation with Alzheimer's disease.

Not necessarily all people with mild cognitive impairment suffer from dementia, but certainly mild cognitive impairment significantly increases the risk for developing dementia and people with mild cognitive impairment are at higher risk for developing this disorder. Different studies have shown that nearly 40% of elderly people diagnosed with mild cognitive disorder develop dementia within 3 years after their diagnosis. Different medications, drug abuse are also considered as dementia risk factors.