Advancing our understanding of dementia

Reducing the risk factors, developing early diagnostic tools and designing dementia-friendly spaces

Dementia is not a natural part of growing older. It is caused by diseases that damage the brain and prevent healthy cognitive function.

Although there isn’t a cure for dementia, it is possible to help prevent or at least delay its onset and – provided they receive the right support and interventions – people can lead busy, active lives and remain relatively independent.

Our wide-ranging portfolio of research explores ways to reduce the risk factors, the development of early diagnostic tools, and the role of design in creating dementia-friendly spaces.

Paramount for us is the translation of our research findings into practical interventions that have real impact and improve people’s quality of life.

Our impact

The importance of diet – and agriculture

Working with partners in Indonesia, we have demonstrated that tempeh protects against dementia, suggesting a relationship between gut and brain health.
Drawing on our research findings, the Indonesian government is addressing the issue of water pollution. Neurotoxic heavy metals in the waterways that irrigate rice and kangkong (water spinach) fields may be exacerbating the documented rise in dementia cases.

Prescribing exercising for brain health

Research suggests that strong educational outcomes can help to reduce the incidence of dementia. Therefore, we developed and tested Super Movers, the BBC / Premier League exercise programme for primary school children. It delivered clear improvements in 1,000 children tested for concentration and classroom achievement.
We’ve developed a bespoke exercise programme for older people, Couch potatoes for cognition. It has helped to improve regular participants’ memory function, and slowed cognitive and physical decline in middle-aged and older people with and without dementia.
We’ve found that repetitive heading during football may double the risk for dementia in professional footballers – supporting the development of FA Health and Safety Guidelines.

Investigating menopause’s impact on cognitive function

We are exploring how the onset of menopause affects brain function and HRT’s possible role in alleviating these symptoms as well as its posited potential to prevent dementia.
We supported the development of the NICE Guidelines for the medical management of menopause – used by doctors across the UK – as well as European Guidelines for women undergoing premature menopause.

Dementia-friendly homes

The Dementia-Friendly Demonstration Home– opened on the BRE Innovation Park in July 2018 – is fitted with a variety of our technologies and adaptations that support different types and stages of dementia.
Our innovations address people’s day-to-day needs – including exercise, using Couch potatoes for cognition and dietary guidance, Cooking for cognition.
The Home has revealed much about inclusive design and environments for people with dementia – and given rise to two recent publications, Design for Dementia: Living Well at Home (2023) and Creating Empowering Environments for People with Dementia (2024).

Professor Eef Hogervorst talked to Being Patient: Alzheimer’s about HRT, brain changes and menopause in June 2022.

Being Patient: Alzheimer’s interview

Experts in health podcast - Menopause and the controversial "male menopause"

Jess Tobin (Alzheimer's Research UK) and Professor Eef Hogervorst talk about dementia (BBC Breakfast

The research

Our research investigates the risk factors for dementia and age-related cognitive decline, exploring how diet and exercise – including from an early age – can support good brain health. We also develop diagnostic tools, examine the role of hormones, and contribute to innovative approaches to the design of dementia-friendly domestic and healthcare spaces.

In the field of diagnostics, our computerised instruments – developed for use in screening and memory clinics – support early diagnostics and assessment of lifestyle and other treatments as well as blood and tissue-based biomarkers.

For example, we have identified a connection between deteriorating eyesight and the earliest signs of cognitive decline. Our recent study shows that a loss of visual sensitivity can predict dementia 12 years before diagnosis. Similarly, hearing loss is a risk factor for dementia, possibly due to reduced engagement in social activities and exercise.

Meanwhile, our intervention, risk and protective factors research includes analyses of multiple large cohorts worldwide as well as provision of lifestyle interventions to reduce dementia risk and symptoms – spanning diet, exercise and reduction of sedentary behaviours as well as regenerative medicine approaches, including stem cell therapies.

Working with UK and USA architects, our design for dementia research underpins Human Factors and Ergonomics guidance for dementia care environments. It has also demonstrated – at the BRE Dementia-Friendly Demonstration Home – that appropriate design of domestic spaces can support longer-term safe, comfortable independent living.

The findings of our research have appeared in leading journals – including the Lancet, JAMA and most recently Nature – enriching global knowledge and supporting the work of other researchers world-wide. Professor Eef Hogervorst regularly gives lectures and keynote speeches at world conferences for Alzheimer’s disease, menopause, ergonomics and psychology.