The plasticity of late‐onset dementia: A nationwide cohort study in Denmark

Introduction The determinants of the secular decline in the incidence of dementia are not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the influences of four factors—education, wealth, cerebrovascular health, and general health—on the secular decline. Methods A cohort study was conducted of all individuals aged ≥65 years in Denmark from 2005 through 2018 (N = 1,757,168). Annual incidence rates of dementia and population attributable risks of the four factors were calculated and birth cohort trends were examined. Results The incidence of dementia declined by 22.5% in men and 34.2% in women from 2005 through 2018. Population attributable risks of lower education, lower wealth, and stroke likewise declined. Independent of these improvements, the incidence of dementia fell across successive birth cohorts. Discussion Most of the observed plasticity in late-onset dementia is associated with a risk decline across successive birth cohorts that is independent of improvements in traditional risk factors.