Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia

The global challenges caused by dementia affect society from both the public health and economic perspective, and are exacerbated by the rapid growth of the population in the oldest age groups. Reducing the risk of developing dementia and improving the overall health status, psychosocial wellbeing, and the quality of life of the oldest old would bear individual and public health benefits, as well as social and economic advantages. Data from long-term longitudinal cohort studies can provide invaluable information about the factors that play a key role in healthy ageing and in the development of dementia. The aim of CAIDE 85+ is to better understand the factors that, from mid- to late-life, determine the development of cognitive disorders such as dementia, as well as the overall health status, psychosocial wellbeing and quality of life in the oldest old segment of the population. CAIDE85+ is the third follow-up of the main Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) study conducted in the Kuopio and Joensuu areas in Eastern Finland. During midlife, participants were initially part of two population-based health surveys (North Karelia project and FINMONICA study) carried out between 1972 and 1987. In 1998, a random sample of 2000 individuals (aged 64-79) from these cohorts were invited to participate in a first re-examination as part of the CAIDE study. A second re-examination of this population was carried out between 2005 and 2008. Individuals who are still alive and living in the Kuopio and Joensuu areas will now be invited for a third re-examination. Participants' cognitive functioning and physical fitness will be assessed, and they will be asked questions about their health status, psychosocial wellbeing, and lifestyle. Blood samples will be also collected to investigate biomarkers that may be relevant for dementia-related diseases.