Healthy lifestyle and low carbon emissions. Ancient Rome and Greece had almost no cases of dementia: new study

February 2, 10:30 Share:

There were almost no cases of dementia in antiquity (Photo: pixabay)

By analyzing classical Greek and Roman medical texts, the researchers concluded that the severe memory loss characteristic of Alzheimer's disease and modern forms of dementia was virtually unheard of 2,000 to 2,500 years ago.

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Until now, it was believed that aging was always accompanied by cognitive impairment, but a study of the texts of Hippocrates and his followers showed that severe forms of dementia were virtually unknown in the ancient world. Scientists found only mentions of mild cognitive impairment, which can be associated with normal aging.

Going back to Roman times, scientists have identified several claims pointing to rare cases of dementia.. This progress in detecting signs of dementia reflects changes in environment and lifestyle.

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The influence of environmental factors on cognitive function was also highlighted by data from the Tsimane Indians of the Bolivian Amazon.. By comparing the lifestyles of these indigenous people with those of the ancient Greeks and Romans, scientists have found that modern Indians, like their historical predecessors, lead active lifestyles and have low rates of dementia.

Professor Margaret Gatz, who leads the international team of researchers, notes that just 1% of older Tsimane people have dementia, compared with 11% in people over 65 in the United States.

Thus, the study highlights that environment and lifestyle play a key role in the development of dementia. This finding may contribute to a better understanding of risk factors and more effective strategies for preventing dementia in modern society.