A Third of Alzheimer’s Disease Cases Worldwide Potentially Preventable? (BBC News / Department of Health / Dementia Challenge / World Dementia Council / Lancet Neurology)

Summary

Research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) indicates that one in three cases of Alzheimer’s disease worldwide are potentially preventable. This latest study, from the University of Cambridge, reflects and parallels a growing awareness and consensus concerning the importance of lifestyle-related risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. Modifiable risk factors include:

1. Diabetes.
2. Midlife hypertension (high blood pressure).
3. Midlife obesity.
4. Insufficient physical activity.
5. Depression.
6. Smoking.
7. Low educational attainment.

“In the UK, a 10% reduction in risk factors would reduce cases by 8.8%, or 200,000, by 2050”.

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Reference

One in three Alzheimer’s cases preventable, says research. London: BBC Health News, July 14^th 2014.

“The estimate of 1 in 3 cases being preventable is lower than the estimate of 1 in 2 cases from a 2011 study. This is because the more recent study recognises that some of the risk factors are interlinked, such as physical activity and obesity, and high blood pressure and diabetes”.

Further information:

Full Text Link

Reference

1 in 3 cases of Alzheimer’s disease worldwide could be preventable. London: Department of Health / Dementia Challenge / World Dementia Council, July 14^th 2014.