Worldwide, Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia. In France alone, it now affects around 900,000 people. And in 2040, it could concern more than 2 million over 65 years old. But the researchers have identified a few risk factors that may allow us in the future to limit the occurrence of the disease.
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[EN VIDÉO] A revolutionary implant to prevent Alzheimer’s disease Alzheimer’s disease progressively attacks neurons, first causing memory problems until the loss of autonomic functions and then death. Researchers at EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), Switzerland, have developed a capsule that could protect neurons and stop the disease. Here is how it works presented in video.
Memory loss, difficulty planning, difficulty performing familiar tasks, confusion over time and space, expression problems, mood swings. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are handicapping and numerous. Just as are the risk factors. Researchers speak of a multifactorial disease because it involves a complex combination of several factors.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to act on some of these factors. First there is the genetic, for example. But this concerns very rare cases of Alzheimer’s disease. Above all, there is age – less than 2% of the population under 65 is affected – and sex – 60% of the patients are women.
But it is still possible to act on other well-identified factors.
Cardiovascular risk factors
The researchers note that the more cardiovascular risk is high in a person, the higher their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Thereby high blood pressure can lead to the development of cognitive impairment. To keep it at a normal level, it is advisable to monitor its weight, salt intake, consumption ofalcohol and its activity physical.
Tobacco and nicotine are also the enemies of our brain. Quitting smoking can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive disorders.
Studies also show that high levels of cholesterol LDL and low levels of HDL cholesterol in the blood increase the risk of developing the disease. To maintain a correct level of cholesterol, there is nothing like a balanced diet and regular physical activity. Especially since it will also prevent overweight, also considered a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
Finally, type 2 diabetes, which generally appears after the age of 45, is also a risk factor. It is a sign of a change in the way brain cells communicate with each other. To maintain a rate of sugar stable in the blood, this time it is advisable to be followed by a doctor. A contribution in insulin should help. But it should be noted that Alzheimer’s disease, conversely, seems to disrupt our body’s ability to react to insulin.
Educational level and cognitive activities
Over the years, studies have shown that the more a brain is developed and used, the more cerebral connections are encouraged and the less the risk of seeing the development of any form of dementia are important.
A low level of education can therefore be seen as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. And the stimulation intellectual property seems to mitigate the impact of the disease. A little as if a more developed brain could make itself more resistant to the attacks of dementia.
Head injuries
Trauma suffered in the past at the level of the skull also appear to have an impact on the development of dementia later in life. In particular those which are accompanied by loss of consciousness of more than 5 minutes which could weaken the brain.
The Depression
Sometimes considered a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, it seems that depression is actually a risk factor. Depressive episodes actually increase the levels of harmful chemicals in our brain. This is how they can lead to a higher risk of developing the disease.
sleep disorders
As is the case with depression, between Alzheimer’s disease and sleeping troubleswe sometimes wonder which of the chicken or the egg… What we know is that the brain takes advantage of our sleep to eliminate waste who pollute it. And in particular the proteins beta amyloids that are seen to accumulate in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. But the link has yet to be established more precisely.
The stress
the stress chronic, we now know, is not good for your health in general. cortisol, a stress hormone, has an impact on memory. And stress also has an impact on our cardiovascular health and tends to weaken the immune defenses that help us fight dementia.
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