The landscape of dementia in India: Prevalence, risk factors, and opportunities ahead

India's rapidly aging population faces a dementia burden, yet data on factors affecting dementia risk remain limited. A narrative review of studies on dementia prevalence and risk factors in India was conducted using Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Findings were synthesized to examine the 14 modifiable risk factors identified by the 2024 Lancet Commission. The Indian dementia research landscape remains dominated by cross-sectional studies. The prevalence of dementia is lower in India than in Western cohorts. However, high prevalence is observed among women, rural dwellers, and individuals with cardiovascular comorbidities, especially diabetes, a condition exhibiting unique metabolic phenotypes within this population. Undocumented alcohol use, air pollution, traumatic brain injuries, loneliness, depression, and sensory deficits are prevalent across India, yet literature linking these exposures to dementia risk lacks empirical research. There is an urgent need for longitudinal studies to identify modifiable risk and protective factors for dementia in the Indian population.