People aged 90 and older can still develop dementia, according to recent research. The findings show that reaching very old age does not guarantee protection, and that risk remains influenced by biological and demographic factors.
The studies cited focus on how dementia risk varies by sex, race, and genetics. Women in this age group face higher risk than men, and black participants show a substantially increased likelihood compared with Asian participants. The research also points to differences in how genetic risk factors, including the APOE gene, relate to dementia across demographic groups. At least some individuals remain cognitively healthy despite carrying major risk factors, suggesting that brain resilience can occur even late in life.
Across the outlets, the emphasis is consistent on the same overall message: dementia risk does not disappear after 90, and the magnitude of risk varies across groups. One outlet frames the message as a warning against assuming safety at 90, while the other highlights the implication that understanding why some people resist dementia could inform future approaches.
