Alzheimer’s Disease News, Articles & Information

A recent study has found that just fifteen minutes of exercise, three days a week may be enough to reduce an individuals risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias by more than 30%.

The study, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine in January 2006, analyzed 1,740 people over the age of 65 who were initially free of dementia. The participants were followed for an average of 6.3 years during which 107 people (6.1%) developed Alzheimer’s disease

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Both heavy smoking and heavy drinking lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease at an earlier age according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Academy of Neurology held in Chicago between the 12th and 19th of April.

The study involved 938 people aged 60 or older who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers looked at three potential risk factors: heavy cigarette use, heavy alcohol consumption and the presence of a particular allele of the ApoE gene which is known to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

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A recent study, presented at the 60th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology has found that high total cholesterol levels in middle age can raise an individuals risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by as much as 50%.

The researchers analyzed almost 10,000 men and women from Northern California who were initially between the ages of 40 and 45. The participants underwent health evaluations between 1964 and 1973 which included measurements of blood cholesterol and blood pressure.

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A new study, out of the University of Washington, has suggested that there is a strong genetic component to Alzheimer’s disease. the study found that an individuals’ chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease are almost three times greater if both parents have been diagnosed with the disease.

The study, which was funded by the National Institute on Aging and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, followed 111 families in which both parents had been diagnosed with the disease.

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Several studies have suggested that estrogen loss in women may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

One such study involved over 8,800 female residents of a retirement community situated in Laguna Hills, southern California. The residents were surveyed on various health related questions in 1981. Over the 11 year study period, 138 of the participants were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias likely to be Alzheimer’s disease.

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