In most cases, no: the NHS says genes alone are not generally thought to cause dementia, although certain genetic factors are involved in some of the less common types. Dementia usually develops because of a combination of genetic and "environmental" factors, such as smoking and a lack of regular exercise. A family history of Alzheimer's disease is one of the things thought to increase the risk, and frontotemporal dementia is more likely to run in families than the more common types. The Lift College Dementia Awareness Training course covers what dementia is and how it affects people.
What causes dementia
The NHS says dementia is not a single disease. Different diseases cause it, and many are linked to an abnormal build-up of proteins in the brain that makes nerve cells work less well and die:
- Alzheimer's disease: thought to be caused by a build-up of the proteins amyloid and tau
- vascular dementia: reduced blood flow to the brain, for example after strokes
- dementia with Lewy bodies: clumps of the protein alpha-synuclein
- frontotemporal dementia: clumps of proteins, including tau, in the front and sides of the brain
Genes and family history, by type
- Alzheimer's disease: the NHS lists a family history of the condition among the things thought to increase the risk, along with age, untreated depression and lifestyle factors linked to cardiovascular disease.
- Frontotemporal dementia: the NHS says there is often a genetic link, and people with a family history may want to talk to their doctor about a referral to a geneticist.
- Dementia with Lewy bodies: the NHS says it usually occurs in people with no family history, although there have been very rare cases that seem to run in families.
Risk factors you cannot change
The NHS names age (the older you are, the more likely dementia is, although it is not a natural part of ageing), genes, and possibly air pollution.
Risk factors you can change
The NHS says research suggests other risk factors, such as hearing loss and untreated depression, may also matter, and that a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk. Its advice includes eating a balanced diet, keeping a healthy weight, being physically active, drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol a week and stopping smoking. It says research concluded that around 4 in 10 cases of dementia could be prevented by changing the risk factors we can change.
Talk to a GP
If you are worried about your own memory or someone else's, the NHS says to see a GP, and to encourage the other person to make an appointment, perhaps going with them.
Training
Lift College Dementia Awareness Training is 1.5 hours in 5 modules, for care workers, healthcare, housing and customer facing roles, with a CPD Standards Office accredited certificate the same day you pass.
Frequently asked questions
Is dementia hereditary?
Is vascular dementia hereditary?
Is Alzheimer's genetic?
What causes dementia?
Can dementia be prevented?
Which type of dementia runs in families?
Sources checked
- NHS: How to prevent dementia (checked 14 November 2026)
- NHS: Causes of dementia (checked 14 November 2026)
- NHS: Alzheimer's disease (checked 14 November 2026)
- NHS: Frontotemporal dementia (checked 14 November 2026)
- NHS: Dementia with Lewy bodies (checked 14 November 2026)
- NHS: Vascular dementia (checked 14 November 2026)
- Lift College: Dementia Awareness Training (checked 14 November 2026)