Prevention of Alzheimer's disease
One in three cases of Alzheimer's disease can be prevented
Daria Zagorskaya, "Vesti" based on the materials of the University of Cambridge:
One in three cases of Alzheimer’s worldwide potentially preventable, new estimate suggestsAlzheimer's disease is now one of the most common diseases among elderly people.
As one of the varieties of acquired dementia, it is characterized by a decrease in cognitive activity with the loss of previously acquired knowledge and practical skills, difficulty or inability to acquire new ones. On average, life expectancy after diagnosis is about seven years.
Until now, scientists and doctors do not have a complete understanding of the causes of the disease and its course, and modern therapeutic methods only mitigate the symptoms and are unable to stop or slow down the development of the disease.
According to current estimates, more than 106 million people will be living with Alzheimer's disease by 2050. In 2010 alone, the number of cases increased by 30 million. The attention of many researchers is now focused on the development of methods for timely diagnosis of the disease, as well as ways to prevent it.
At the same time, it is generally believed that Alzheimer's disease is the result of a complex combination of genetic factors and lifestyle. Its course is individual for each patient. But, if you do not take into account the genetic predisposition, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and depression have the greatest impact on the likelihood of developing the disease. And all of them can be dealt with to minimize the risk.
In 2011, a study was published according to which in every second case the disease can potentially be prevented by adjusting the lifestyle. Then each factor was considered separately from the others, which, as it turned out later, was a mistake.
New work by a team of specialists and the University of Cambridge has lowered this estimate to one case out of three. It should be noted that the head of the scientific group was Professor Carol Brayne, who included the authors of the previous study in the team.
Scientists have come to the conclusion that factors such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity considered earlier are associated with a lack of physical activity, which in turn is a consequence of insufficient education.
In an article published in the journal Lancet Neurology (Norton et al., Potential for primary prevention of Alzheimer's disease: an analysis of population-based data), the authors identify seven main risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. These are diabetes, hypertension of middle age, obesity of mature age, lack of physical activity, depression, smoking and low level of education. Scientists have calculated that if each of them decreases by 10%, by 2050 the prevalence of the disease will decrease by 8.5%. That is, about 9 million cases of the disease will be prevented.
In a university press release, Professor Brain concludes: "Although there is currently no way to prevent dementia, we can take measures to reduce the risk of developing it in old age. We know most of the provoking factors and their interrelationships. For example, a simple increase in physical activity will reduce the risk of developing obesity, hypertension and diabetes, which will save some people from Alzheimer's disease in old age. Moreover, such an approach will make old age healthier in general, and this is a win―win situation."
It is believed that, among other things, the development of the state is determined by the level of care for the elderly and children. The researchers are confident that, given the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease, governments around the world should think about developing appropriate government programs that will not only reduce the incidence, but also improve the overall health of the nation.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru16.07.2014