Abstract

Dementia prevention efforts can benefit from precision interventions that are delivered to the right populations at the right time; that is, when risk reduction potential is highest. Young adults (18-39 years) are a neglected population in dementia research and policy despite being highly exposed to known modifiable risk factors. It is unclear which risk and protective factors in young adulthood have the biggest impact on dementia outcomes, and how these associations differ across regions and groups. To address these uncertainties, the Next Generation Brain Health team convened a multidisciplinary expert group representing 15 nations across six continents. We identified high priority modifiable factors in young adulthood, and five key recommendations for promoting brain health, ranging from individual to policy levels. Increasing research and policy attention on brain health across the life course, inclusive of younger populations, is a critical next step in global dementia prevention efforts.