Community Noise May Affect Dementia Risk

Results from a new study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia add credibility to findings that noise may influence individuals' risk of developing dementia, reports ScienceDaily . Investigators studied 5,227 participants 65 years or older, 30 percent with mild cognitive impairment and 11 percent with Alzheimer's disease. Those living with 10 decibels more noise near their residences during the daytime had a 36 percent higher risk of mild cognitive impairment and a 30 percent higher likelihood of having Alzheimer's disease. "These findings suggest that within typical urban communities in the United States, higher levels of noise may impact the brains of older adults and make it harder for them to function without assistance," said University of Michigan School of Public Health Professor Sara D. Adar. "This is an important finding since millions of Americans are currently impacted by high levels of noise in their communities." Adar continued that "although noise has not received a great deal of attention in the United States to date, there is a public health opportunity here as there are interventions that can reduce exposures both at the individual and population level."