Each individual's risk of dementia lies in large part in their genes.
Yet fate is not predetermined: the brain can be protected.
Brain cells, for example, are very sensitive to circulatory disorders.
If blood vessels in the brain are narrowed or blocked, certain brain cells are no longer adequately supplied with oxygen and nutrients.
They are dying off.
Everything that has a positive effect on the blood circulation in the brain protects against the breakdown of brain matter, so dementia can at least be postponed a little.
The brain can also be trained so that it is better connected - and functions well longer if brain cells are lost.