Potentially modifiable risk factors in the development of Alzheimer's Disease

This review summarizes empirical findings on major potentially modifiable risk factors in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), drawing on data from longitudinal epidemiological studies on the incidence of AD or any-cause dementia. Risk factors investigated to date include cognitive ability, motivational ability, emotional health, physical activity, social activity and social network, vascular risk factors, and nutrition. The authors find most empirical support for two main clusters of risk factors that also represent potential targets for prevention. First, an active and stimulating lifestyle including cognitive, social, and physical activities reduces risk of AD. Second, the absence of vascular risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterol, and obesity reduces risk of AD. More prevention trials are warranted to investigate the preventive effects of an active and stimulating lifestyle on the one hand, and vascular health, on the other, in delaying the onset of AD or slowing its progression. Neurodegenerative Diseases Alzheimer’s Disease Potentially Modifiable Risk Factors in the Development of Alzheimer’s Disease Simon Forstmeier 1 and Andreas Maercker 2 1. Senior Researcher; 2. Professor, Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, University of Zurich Abstract This article summarises empirical findings on major potentially modifiable risk factors in the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), drawing on data from longitudinal epidemiological studies on the incidence of AD or any-cause dementia. Risk factors investigated to date include cognitive ability, motivational ability, emotional health, physical activity, social activity and social network, vascular risk factors and nutrition. The authors find most empirical support for two main clusters of risk factors that also represent potential targets for prevention. First, an active and stimulating lifestyle including cognitive, social, and physical activities reduces the risk of AD. Second, the absence of vascular risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterol and obesity reduces the risk of AD. More prevention trials are warranted to investigate the preventative effects of an active and stimulating lifestyle on the one hand, and vascular health on the other, in delaying the onset of AD or slowing its progression.This article summarises empirical findings on major potentially modifiable risk factors in the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), drawing on data from longitudinal epidemiological studies on the incidence of AD or any-cause dementia. Risk factors investigated to date include cognitive ability, motivational ability, emotional health, physical activity, social activity and social network, vascular risk factors and nutrition. The authors find most empirical support for two main clusters of risk factors that also represent potential targets for prevention. First, an active and stimulating lifestyle including cognitive, social, and physical activities reduces the risk of AD. Second, the absence of vascular risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterol and obesity reduces the risk of AD. More prevention trials are warranted to investigate the preventative effects of an active and stimulating lifestyle on the one hand, and vascular health on the other, in delaying the onset of AD or slowing its progression.