Scientists do not yet fully understand what causes AD. There
probably is not one single cause, but several factors that affect each
person differently. Age is the most important known risk factor for AD. The number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65. Family history is another risk factor. Scientists believe that genetics
may play a role in many AD cases. For example, early-onset familial AD,
a rare form of AD that usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 60, is
inherited. The more common form of AD is known as late-onset. It occurs
later in life, and no obvious inheritance pattern is seen in most
families. However, several risk factor genes may interact with each
other and with non-genetic factors to cause the disease. The only risk
factor gene identified so far for late-onset AD is a gene that makes
one form of a protein called apolipoprotein E (ApoE).
Everyone has ApoE, which helps carry cholesterol in the blood. Only
about 15 percent of people have the form that increases the risk of AD.
It is likely that other genes also may increase the risk of AD or
protect against AD, but they remain to be discovered.
Scientists still need to learn a lot more about what causes AD. In addition to genetics and ApoE, they are studying education, diet, and environment
to learn what role they might play in the development of this disease.
Scientists are finding increasing evidence that some of the risk factors for heart disease and stroke,
such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and low levels of the
vitamin folate, may also increase the risk of AD. Evidence for physical, mental, and social activities as protective factors against AD is also increasing. More information on risk and protective factors:What Causes AD?
More information:
The NIA-sponsored AD Genetics Study (PDF, 196K) seeks to learn more about risk factor genes for late onset AD.
Genes, Lifestyles and Crossword Puzzles: Can Alzheimer's Disease be Prevented?
- Living with Grief: Alzheimer's Disease (Living with Grief) by Kenneth J. Doka (Paperback - April 2004)
- Different Minds: Living with Alzheimer Disease by Lorna Drew and Leo Ferrari (Paperback - Sep 22, 2005)
- A Guide for Living with Alzheimer's Disease, Caring for the Caregiver by Parke-Davis (Spiral-bound - 1994) 1996)
- The 10 Best Questions for Living with Alzheimer's: The Script You Need to Take Control of Your Health by Dede Bonner and Roger A Brumback (Paperback - Nov 4, 2008)
- The Person with Alzheimer's Disease: Pathways to Understanding the Experience by Phyllis Braudy Harris (Paperback - May 6, 2002)
- Twilight Travels With Mother: How I Found Strength, Hope, and a Sense of Humor Living With Alzheimer's by Mary Ann Mayo (Paperback - Oct 2003)
- Living with Alzheimer's Disease by Joan Yuhas McGowan (Paperback - Jan 1, 2004) - Large Print
- Living with Alzheimer's Disease by Tom Smith (Paperback - Mar 2006)
Resource and Support Groups for Alzheimer's Disease:
- National Institute on Aging
- Alzheimer’s Foundation of
- The Forgetting
- Together for Care
- Alzheimer’s Association
- Alzheimer’s Society
- Yahoo Alzheimer’s Support Groups
- MDjunction.com
- Prohealth Alzheimer’s Support.com
- Alzheimer's Disease Online Health Community and Support Group
Additional Resources:
- For related articles on the Web, click on: “Sphere: Related Content” located at the bottom of this blog post.
- For related books or blog posts with related content type in the keyword “Alzheimer’s disease” into “Google Search” located in the sidebar.
- For related articles from Psychology Today, click on the “Psychology Today” banner in the side bar and type in the keyword, “Alzheimer’s disease” into the Psychology Today “Search”.
- For more books with related content, click any hyperlinked keyword in the blog or type in the keyword, “Alzheimer’s disease” into “Amazon Search” on the Amazon banner located in the side bar.
Sources: National Institute of Aging, See blogposts in: Psychiatric Disorders: Aging
Dr. Jeffrey Speller
Dr. Tanya Korkosz
Psychopharmacology Associates of New England
Comments