One in Three Cases of Alzheimer’s Preventable, Researchers Say
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting almost 500,000 people in the UK. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown, although a number of things are thought to increase one’s risk of developing the disease. But according to University of Cambridge researchers, a third of Alzheimer’s disease cases worldwide can be prevented through lifestyle change.
The main risk factors for the disease are lack of exercise, smoking, depression and poor education. Previous research from 2011 put the estimate at one in two cases, but this new study takes into account overlapping risk factors.
Alzheimer’s Research UK said age was still the biggest risk factor.
The Cambridge team analysed population-based data to work out the main seven risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. They say Alzheimer’s cases could be linked to lifestyle factors that could be modified, such as lack of exercise and smoking.
The researchers then looked at how reducing these factors could affect the number of future Alzheimer’s cases.
Their findings, published in the journal The Lancet Neurology, by reducing each risk factor by 10%, nearly nine million cases of the disease could be prevented by 2050.
In the UK, a 10% reduction in risk factors would reduce cases by 8.8%, or 200,000, by 2050, they calculated.
Current estimates suggest that more than 106 million people worldwide will be living with Alzheimer’s by 2050 - more than three times the number affected in 2010. The Cambridge team analysed population-based data to work out the main seven risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. These are diabetes, mid-life hypertension, mid-life obesity, physical inactivity, depression, smoking, and low educational attainment.
The researchers then looked at how reducing these factors could affect the number of future Alzheimer’s cases.
According to them, Alzheimer’s cases could be linked to lifestyle factors that could be modified, such as lack of exercise and smoking. They found that by reducing each risk factor by 10%, nearly nine million cases of the disease could be prevented by 2050.
In the UK, a 10% reduction in risk factors would reduce cases by 8.8%, or 200,000, by 2050, they calculated. Current estimates suggest that more than 106 million people worldwide will be living with Alzheimer’s by 2050 - more than three times the number affected in 2010.
Dr Simon Ridley, head of research at charity Alzheimer’s Research UK, said there was still much to discover about the disease.
"While age is the biggest risk factor for most cases of Alzheimer’s, there are a number of lifestyle and general health factors that could increase or decrease a person’s chances of developing the disease.
"However, we still do not fully understand the mechanisms behind how these factors are related to the onset of Alzheimer’s."
Dr Ridley said there were more than 820,000 people in the UK living with dementia, and an ageing population would lead to spiralling numbers being affected. "As there is still no certain way to prevent Alzheimer’s, research must continue to build the strongest evidence around health and environmental factors to help individuals reduce their risk."
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One in three Alzheimer’s cases preventable, says research
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