Research into Alzheimer\u2019s disease is abundant, and though it has not led to a cure or vaccine for the disease, it has revealed a number of risk factors for developing the disease. Some of these risk factors are described below.<\/p>\n
Once someone is 65 years old, their chance of developing Alzheimer\u2019s disease doubles every 5 years or so.<\/p>\n
Women develop Alzheimer\u2019s disease more frequently than men, though the reasons for this are not well understand. Some scientists have suggested that the differences in hormones in circulation in men and women could be to blame for the differences in risk for Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/a> among women and men. However, this idea has not been well verified by research.<\/p>\n If members of your family, who share your genes, have Alzheimer\u2019s disease, you are more likely to develop the disease. The risk is particularly prevalent if a parent or sibling has suffered from the disease. The gene apolipoprotein E is related to Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Specifically, the e4 version of this gene significantly increases the risk of developing Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/p>\n Some specific conditions appear to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer\u2019s disease. These include hypertension, depression, obesity, and traumatic brain injury. Smoking and exposure to pesticides are also associated with higher rates of development of Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Head trauma also increases the risk for developing Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n Research has shown that lower levels of education, less stimulating jobs, infrequent social interactions, and a lack of participation in mental challenges increase the risk for developing Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n References<\/strong><\/p>\n Barnard, N. D., Bush, A. I., Ceccarelli, A., Cooper, J., de Jager, C. A., Erickson, K. I., . . . Squitti, R. (2014). Dietary and lifestyle guidelines for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease<\/a>. Neurobiol Aging, 35 Suppl 2, S74-78. doi: 10.1016\/j.neurobiolaging.2014.03.033<\/p>\n Campdelacreu, J. (2014). Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease: environmental risk factors<\/a>. Neurologia, 29(9), 541-549. doi: 10.1016\/j.nrl.2012.04.001<\/p>\n Creegan, R., Hunt, W., McManus, A., & Rainey-Smith, S. R. (2015). Diet, nutrients and metabolism: cogs in the wheel driving Alzheimer’s disease pathology?<\/a> Br J Nutr, 113(10), 1499-1517. doi: 10.1017\/s0007114515000926<\/p>\n Garcia-Ribas, G., Lopez-Sendon Moreno, J. L., & Garcia-Caldentey, J. (2014). [Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease]<\/a>. Rev Neurol, 58(7), 308-317.<\/p>\n Michaelson, D. M. (2014). APOE epsilon4: the most prevalent yet understudied risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimers Dement, <\/a>10(6), 861-868. doi: 10.1016\/j.jalz.2014.06.015<\/p>\n Shea, T. B., & Remington, R. (2015). Nutritional supplementation for Alzheimer’s disease? <\/a>Curr Opin Psychiatry, 28(2), 141-147. doi: 10.1097\/yco.0000000000000138<\/p>\nGenes<\/h2>\n
Health<\/h2>\n
Lifelong Mental Engagement<\/h2>\n