Risk factors
young onset dementia
For the majority of people affected, the cause of young onset dementia is a combination of lifestyle, genetic and environmental factors.
Research is ongoing to understand why some people are affected at a younger age than others.
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What causes young onset dementia?
Is young onset dementia inherited?
Because dementia is so common, it’s not unusual for people to have multiple family members with the condition. But this does not mean that they will definitely get it too.
Most cases of dementia are not directly inherited. However, young onset dementia is more likely to have a genetic cause than late onset Alzheimer’s. One in 10 cases of young onset dementia may be directly inherited from a parent with the condition.
Directly inherited young onset dementia is caused by a faulty gene. In families with these genes, there is a clear pattern of someone in every generation of a bloodline developing the same condition, such as young onset Alzheimer’s or frontotemporal dementia, at around the same age.
If someone has a strong family history of Alzheimer’s where the disease has developed at a younger age, a doctor can refer them for genetic counselling.
Reducing young onset dementia risk
Many people live a healthy and active life but still develop dementia. That’s because there are no surefire ways of preventing it. However, research does suggest more than almost half of all dementia cases worldwide could be prevented or delayed by helping people address lifestyle factors.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle in your forties and fifties seems to be particularly important for helping to lower your risk of dementia.
However, taking steps to look after our health is important at any age.
By keeping your heart and brain healthy, you will be lowering your risk of Alzheimer’s, or at the very least delaying its onset.
For good brain health and heart health, and to help lower your risk of dementia:
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Ask your doctor to check your heart health, including blood pressure and cholesterol and follow their advice if they are too high.
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Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables.
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Keep using your brain - through activities or social groups you enjoy.
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Don't smoke.
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If you have Type 2 diabetes, keep to your doctor's advice.
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Stay connected to the world and people around you.
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Stay active and try not to spend too long sitting down.
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Drink less than 14 units of alcohol per week.
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Keep your weight healthy.
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Get your hearing and eyesight checked regularly and follow any treatment if prescribed.
Downloads
Dementia information
This booklet aims to give an introduction to young onset dementia. It’s for anyone who might be worried about themselves or somebody else.
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PDF, 3.8 MB, 17 pages
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Alzheimer's Research UK has a wide range of information about dementia. Order booklets or download them from our online form.
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This information was updated in March 2026 and is due for review in March 2028. It was written by Alzheimer's Research UK's Information Services team with input from lay and expert reviewers. Please get in touch if you'd like a referenced copy.
This information is produced with support from The Perfume Shop who had no input into the content.
