"Uncovering the Historical Rarity of Dementia: Insights into Modern Day Prevalence"

A new study from the University of Southern California suggests that Alzheimer's disease and related dementias may be linked to modern environments and lifestyles, as severe memory loss was rarely mentioned in ancient Greek and Roman medical texts. The research indicates that sedentary behavior and exposure to air pollution could be contributing factors, and it also explores the potential impact of lead poisoning in ancient Rome. Comparisons with the preindustrial lifestyle of the Tsimane Amerindians in the Bolivian Amazon further highlight the influence of environment on dementia risk.