Dementia Is No Longer Just an Illness of the Elderly

Dementia has long been regarded as a health issue affecting primarily the elderly. However, in recent years, "young-onset dementia" has started to draw increasing attention. Young-onset dementia refers to individuals diagnosed with dementia before the age of 65. The youngest known case worldwide was just 19 years old. According to statistics from the Taiwan Alzheimer’s Disease Association, there are approximately 14,000 young-onset dementia patients in Taiwan, with the youngest case being only 36 years old.

In addition to Alzheimer’s disease, young-onset dementia is often associated with frontotemporal dementia, which results from neurodegeneration in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Early symptoms often involve changes in behavior or language—such as emotional indifference, impaired judgment, or difficulty expressing oneself—rather than memory loss. Over time, this diminishes both mental stimulation and meaningful cognitive activity.

Neuroscience: “Use It or Lose It”

The prolonged use of electronic devices, exposure to short-form videos, and reliance on AI allow people to access information with minimal mental effort. Over time, this lack of deep thinking may lead to frontal lobe degeneration, impairing attention and memory, and increasing the risk of dementia.

High-Stress Lifestyles and Shortened Sleep

Prolonged exposure to stress can affect the function of the hippocampus and frontal lobes, as well as the quality of sleep. Research indicates that for every 1% decrease in deep sleep annually, the risk of dementia increases by 27%. Deep sleep is crucial for clearing β-amyloid proteins from the brain. People who sleep less than four hours or more than ten hours per night show a significantly faster decline in cognitive function compared to those who sleep seven hours.

Modern Advancements Come with Hidden Health Risks

With rising PM2.5 air pollution, high-stress environments, and the prevalence of high-sugar, high-fat diets and frequent dining out, modern lifestyles are placing our bodies in a state of chronic inflammation. At the same time, we spend increasing amounts of time immersed in screens, replacing in-person interaction and deep conversation. This leads to reduced mental stimulation and cognitive engagement. These changes in lifestyle are silently increasing the risk of dementia, even causing a disease once exclusive to the elderly to now appear among middle-aged adults.

When Memories Begin to Fade—What Can We Do?

Don’t become a silent casualty of modern life. Don’t wait until it’s too late and regret it. While the development of dementia is complex, early intervention, building cognitive resilience, and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits can help reduce the risk.

Trusted Expertise, Your Premier Partner

Drawing inspiration from Japan—the country with the world’s highest average life expectancy—and guided by the relentless pursuit of excellence, MLDBIO has spent over 50 years dedicated to researching ways to achieve both health and longevity.

In 2025, MLDBIO invites you to join us in exploring seasonal wellness. With the latest world-class patented ingredients and cutting-edge health trends, we look forward to connecting with you at the 2025 Asia Healthcare & Medical Cosmetology Expo.