Alzheimer's Risk Factors

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The causes and risk factors contributing to the development of AD are not entirely clear. The following all appear to have an association with AD to varying degrees.

• Family history of AD
• Older age—20% to 40% of people with AD are older than 85
• Female gender—while women tend to develop AD more than men, this may be related to the tendency for women to live longer
• Americans are more likely to get AD than Asians or Native Americans
• Long-term high blood pressure
• History of head trauma—one or more serious blows to the head may put a person at an increased risk
• Down Syndrome
• Elevated levels of homocysteine (a body chemical that contributes to chronic illnesses such as heart disease, depression, and AD)
• Aluminum or mercury poisoning
• Prolonged exposure to electromagnetic fields

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Alzheimer's Diagnosis

There is no definitive test for AD, and a true diagnosis of AD can only be made after a person dies and an autopsy is performed on the brain. All individuals with AD have an accumulation of abnormal deposits (called plaque) and tangled nerve cells in their brains. The physician will try to narrow down a diagnosis, however, by eliminating the possibility of other illnesses. He or she will ask the individual (or a close family member) to describe the primary symptoms, and how long they have been noticeable.

The following tests may also be used to aid in the diagnosis.

• Psychological tests—assess the individual's memory and attention span. They may also reveal difficulties in problem-solving, social, and language skills.
• Electroencephalograph (EEG)—traces brain-wave activity. This test sometimes reveals "slow waves" in people with AD. Although other diseases may reveal similar brain-wave activity, EEGs help distinguish a person with AD from a severely depressed person, whose brain waves are normal.
• Imaging tests (such as CT, MRI, or PET)—computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect the presence of stroke, blood clots, and tumors (problems that cause AD-like symptoms but are not themselves related to AD). MRI, positron emission tomography (PET) scans, and other advanced imaging techniques may eventually be able to diagnose AD by identifying altered blood flow patterns in the brain.
• Blood test for Apo E4—although the presence of Apo E4 gene in the blood may suggest AD, it does not always make an accurate diagnosis.

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Alzheimer's Preventive Care

• Consuming a low-fat, low-calorie diet may reduce the risk for AD.
• Higher intake of fatty, cold-water fish (such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel) has been associated with a lower risk of dementia. This may be due to the high level of omega-3 fatty acids found in such fish. Eating fish at least two to three times per week provides a healthy amount of omega-3 fatty acids.
• Reducing intake of linoleic acid (found in margarine, butter, and dairy products) may prevent cognitive decline.
• Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, E, and C (found in darkly colored fruits and vegetables) may help prevent damage caused by free radicals.
• Maintaining normal blood pressure levels may reduce the risk for AD.
• Hormone-replacement therapy in postmenopausal women may decrease production of chemicals that cause AD, stimulate growth of brain cells, and improve blood flow in the brain. However, the role of hormones in the prevention of AD is still controversial.
• Some studies suggest that certain medications may prevent AD, including "statin" drugs (such as pravastatin or lovastatin, used to lower cholesterol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), with the exception of aspirin. More research is necessary, however, to determine how effective these medications are in reducing the risk of the disease.
• Keeping mentally and socially active may help delay the onset or slow the progression of AD.

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Reviewed: 03/2006