Metabolic syndrome and dementia: Independent risk factors or a unified pathway?

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasingly recognized as a potential risk factor for dementia, yet its precise role remains unclear. While individual MetS components-such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes-are known contributors to cognitive decline, their combined effect is not well defined. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis by Qiu et al. highlighted a significant association between MetS and vascular dementia but not Alzheimer's disease. However, substantial heterogeneity among studies persists. Future research should adopt biomarker-based definitions and longer follow-up periods to clarify whether MetS as a whole or its individual components drive dementia risk, guiding more effective prevention strategies.