Scientists have identified 11 risk factors for dementia and used them to develop a tool that can predict whether someone will develop the condition in the next 14 years.

Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking skills that is severe enough to affect daily life. The data was published in the journal BMJ Mental Health.

The number of people living with dementia worldwide is predicted to triple to 153 million by 2050. Experts have said this poses a threat to future health and social care systems. But research into key risk factors, some of which include lifestyle, can prevent about 40% of cases.

The 11 factors are age, education, history of diabetes, history of depression, history of stroke, history of dementia in parents, levels of lack of things considered necessities, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, living alone, and being male.

Academics point out that up to 40% of dementia cases can be prevented by modifying certain lifestyle factors, such as stopping smoking, lowering high blood pressure, losing weight and reducing alcohol consumption. .

The researchers examined risk factors alongside whether or not people had a specific gene - the APOE gene, which is a known risk factor for dementia. This risk tool was called the UKBDRS-APOE tool.

The UKBDRS can be used as an initial screening tool to divide people into risk groups and those identified as being at high risk will undergo further screening.