Alzheimer's disease is preventable

According to new research results, led by Dr. Deborah Barnes, mental health researcher at San Francisco Medical Center, USA: More than half of all Alzheimer's cases can be prevented. Yes, through a combination of treatment and lifestyle changes in the early stages of the disease, prevent chronic transition.

Analyzing data from studies of Alzheimer's disease around the world with the participation of hundreds of thousands of people, Barnes concludes: Worldwide, the biggest risk factors (for someone who has a heart attack) Alzheimer's disease) but can completely be modified, in descending order as follows: low education, smoking, sedentary, depression, high blood pressure in middle age, diabetes and obesity at age middle-age. This situation is similar in the United States.

Alzheimer's is a brain degenerative disease that does not recover, causing dementia in the elderly.Damage to neurons in the cerebral cortex and surrounding structures causes dementia, reduced motor coordination, decreased sensation, perceived feelings ., ultimately memory loss and mental function.The figure above compares the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

These risk factors are associated with about 51% of Alzheimer's cases worldwide (17.2 million cases) and in the United States alone, 54% of Alzheimer's cases (2.9 million case), according to Barnes.

" This shows that the simplest way by changing lifestyle: such as increasing physical activity and quitting smoking , can have a great impact on preventing Alzheimer's disease and other dementia symptoms in The United States and around the world , "according to Barnes, also an assistant professor of psychiatry, works at the University of California, San Francisco, USA.

The results of the study were presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer's disease held by the Alzheimer's Association in Paris, France and published online on July 19, 2011 in The Lancet Neurology .

Barnes warns that his conclusion is based on the assumption that there is a causal link between risk factors and Alzheimer's disease. Barnes said: " We assume when you change risk factors, then you change the risk. What we need to do is find out whether that assumption is correct ."

Senior investigator Kristine Yaffe, head of the Department of Elderly Psychiatry of SFVAMC Health Research Program, and professor of psychiatry, neurology and epidemiology at the University of California, San Francisco, USA , note that the number of people with Alzheimer's disease will triple in the next 40 years. " It will be helpful if we find simple ways to prevent Alzheimer's outbreaks ," Yaffe said.

The research was funded by the Alzheimer's Association; National Alliance Research on schizophrenia and depression; School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA and National Institute of Aging.