Risk Factors and Prevention

You can do many things that may keep your brain healthy and your body fit—and help scientists find ways to prevent Alzheimer’s.

Stay Healthy

Many actions lower the risk of chronic diseases and boost overall health and well-being. As we learn more about the role they may play in Alzheimer’s disease risk, health experts encourage all adults to:

Clinical trials will ultimately tell us what prevents or delays Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline. But other areas of research are critical for developing successful prevention strategies. Basic studies of the cellular and molecular roots of Alzheimer’s are revealing a wide range of processes that interfere with, or enhance, the function and survival of nerve cells in the brain. These basic research discoveries point to new targets for Alzheimer’s treatment.

The quest for ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease is part of a broad research program that is exploring a number of possibilities. For example, scientists are looking at caregiver stress and physical frailty as possible risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and MCI. Other areas of interest include hormones and immunization.

Unlike age and genetics, certain health and lifestyle factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease risk may be controlled. Scientists are exploring prevention strategies to determine whether or not things like exercise, diet, and “brain games” can help delay or prevent Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline. They are also investigating how certain medical conditions, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes, influence risk for cognitive impairment.

Alzheimer’s is a complex disease that progresses over many years, like diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. A number of factors may increase or decrease a person’s chances of developing the disease. These risk factors include age, genetics, environment, and lifestyle. The importance of these factors may be different for different people. Some risk factors can be changed or controlled while others cannot.

The news is full of stories about ways to stay healthy, eat right, and keep fit. Along with keeping their bodies healthy, people want to keep their minds sharp as they age. They also want to avoid brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Although Alzheimer's disease currently has no cure, recent research results point toward a day when it might be possible to delay, slow down, or even prevent this devastating brain disorder. This 24-page booklet describes the latest NIA-funded research about prevention of Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline, from physical exercise and diet to social engagement and cognitive training. Also included are tips for staying healthy as you grow older.