Final answer:
Diabetes is a risk factor for dementia that can be influenced by lifestyle changes, unlike Down syndrome, age, and family history which are unchangeable. Genetic components significantly affect the risk of developing dementia, although they do not guarantee its onset. Lifestyle-related risk factors like diet and physical activity are modifiable and can impact the likelihood of developing dementia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which of the listed risk factors for dementia can be changed. Of the factors listed, diabetes is the only one that can potentially be influenced by lifestyle changes. Risk factors for dementia that cannot be changed include Down syndrome, age, and family history. Diabetes management through diet, exercise, and medication can help control blood sugar levels and may reduce the risk of dementia.
Several genetic components are involved in various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. For instance, rare forms of early-onset Alzheimer's are caused by mutations in specific genes, with dementia appearing between ages 30 and 60. The late-onset form of Alzheimer's has a genetic component as well; for example, a variant of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene can increase the likelihood of developing the disease. It's important to note that these genetics do not guarantee the development of dementia but suggest a higher risk.
Various lifestyle factors, like physical inactivity and unhealthy diet, contribute to metabolic syndrome, which in turn is a risk factor for noninfectious diseases, including some types of dementia. Such lifestyle-related risk factors can be modified, unlike genetic predispositions.