Environmental Risk Factors for Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Dementia and Frontotemporal Dementia: A Case-Control Study in Northern Italy

Giorgia Adani, Tommaso Filippini, Caterina Garuti, Marcella Malavolti, Giulia Vinceti, Giovanna Zamboni, Manuela Tondelli, Chiara Galli, Manuela Costa, Marco Vinceti and Annalisa Chiari
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Giorgia Adani: Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
Tommaso Filippini: Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
Caterina Garuti: Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
Marcella Malavolti: Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
Giulia Vinceti: Center for Neurosciences and Neurotechnology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41126 Modena, Italy
Giovanna Zamboni: Center for Neurosciences and Neurotechnology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41126 Modena, Italy
Manuela Tondelli: Neurology Unit, Modena Policlinico-University Hospital, 41126 Modena, Italy
Chiara Galli: Neurology Unit, Modena Policlinico-University Hospital, 41126 Modena, Italy
Manuela Costa: Neurology Unit of Carpi Hospital, Modena Local Health Authority, 41012 Carpi, Italy
Marco Vinceti: Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
Annalisa Chiari: Neurology Unit, Modena Policlinico-University Hospital, 41126 Modena, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-18

Abstract: Background : Early-onset dementia (EOD) is defined as dementia with symptom onset before 65 years. The role of environmental risk factors in the etiology of EOD is still undefined. We aimed at assessing the role of environmental risk factors in EOD etiology, taking into account its different clinical types. Methods : Using a case-control study, we recruited all EOD cases referred to Modena hospitals from 2016 to 2019, while the referent population was drawn from cases’ caregivers. We investigated residential history, occupational and environmental exposures to chemicals and lifestyle behaviors through a self-administered questionnaire. We computed the odds ratios of EOD risk (overall and restricting to the Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) or frontotemporal dementia (FTD) diagnoses) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals using an unconditional logistic regression model. Results : Fifty-eight EOD patients (19 FTD and 32 AD) and 54 controls agreed to participate. Most of the investigated exposures, such as occupational exposure to aluminum, pesticides, dyes, paints or thinners, were associated with an increased odds ratio (OR) for FTD but not for AD. Long-term use of selenium-containing dietary supplements was associated with increased OR for EOD and, particularly, for FTD. For both EOD forms, smoking and playing football showed an increased odds ratio, while cycling was associated with increased risk only in FTD. Overall sports practice appeared to be a protective factor for both types. Conclusions : Our results suggest a role of environmental and behavioral risk factors such as some chemical exposures and professional sports in EOD etiology, in particular with reference to FTD. Overall sports practice may be associated with a reduced EOD risk.

Keywords: early-onset dementia; Alzheimer’s dementia; frontotemporal dementia; environmental factors; occupational factors; selenium; epidemiology; risk (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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