The content on or accessible through Medpedia.com is for informational purposes only. Medpedia is not a substitute for professional advice or expert medical services from a qualified health professional.
Read more
Medpedia Answers
(General Medicine)Medpedia Answers is a platform for asking and answering questions about health and medicine. Read more.
Which are the probable causes of Alzheimer's disease?
70 yr old, Male
asked Jan 30, 2010 at 10:57AM in General Medicine
-
1Votes
answered Feb 02, 2010 at 07:28AMThere is only one KNOWN cause of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Scientists have so far identified one Alzheimer risk gene called apolipoprotein E-e4 (APOE-e4). However, there are several RISK FACTORS: 1) Head injury: There appears to be a strong link between serious head injury and future risk of Alzheimer’s. 2) The risk of developing Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia appears to be increased by many conditions that damage the heart or blood vessels. These include high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and high cholesterol. 3) A nutritious diet, exercise, social engagement, and mentally stimulating pursuits can all help people stay healthy. New research suggests the possibility that these factors also might help to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and AD.
There have been many UNPROVEN theories on the cause of AD. And as many remedies. These include, viruses, dental fillings, aluminum pots and pans, geographic location, estrogen/or lack of it. This list is not exaustive and they are UNPROVEN.
I hope this was helpful
Gerry Lane -
1VotesSome people use the term Alzheimer's Disease when they are, in fact, referring to dementia. This includes vascular (or stroke) dementia, as Gerry Lane points out.
One recent study indicates that the Mediterranean diet may lower the risk of certain types of dementia.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/08/mediterranean.diet.brain/?hpt=T2
excerpt:
"(CNN) -- Eating a diet rich in healthy fats and limiting dairy and meat could do more than keep your heart healthier. It could also help keep you thinking clearly.
New research shows that sticking to the Mediterranean diet, previously shown to reduce heart and other health issues, also may help lower the risk of having small areas of dead tissue linked to thinking problems. Known as brain infarcts, they're involved in vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia, after Alzheimer's disease."
Another study, reported in the February issue of Archives of Neurology, indicates that hypertension may predict dementia in adults with certain cognitive deficits. High blood pressure appears to predict the progression to dementia in older adults who have deficits in executive functions (ability to organize thoughts and make decisions) but not in those older adults with memory dysfunction.
One possibility that is often overlooked; Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in adults. ADHD is highly associated with deficits in Executive Function. As many as 30 million adults in the U.S. have ADHD, but only 10 million are diagnosed and only 10% of those are pursuing evidence-based treatment.
ADHD symptoms can intensify with age, particularly if the person has unhealthy lifestyle habits (obesity, substance use disorders, and sleep disorders are associated with untreated ADHD). In some cases, it's possible that worsening symptoms are misdiagnosed as dementia.
Gina Pera, journalist-author
Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.? -
0Votesanswered Feb 28, 2010 at 09:30PMGina's point is very well put. When I am lecturing to first year medical students, I like to make the following clarification. A dementia is a disease of cognitive decline, of which there are many types. Alzheimer's is one type of dementia. A dementia progresses, meaning it continues to get worse.
If there is a brain injury and it doesn't happen again, the resulting insult to cognitive function is called an encephalopathy. The classic examples are anoxic encephalopathy due to a temporary lack of oxygen to the brain and alcoholic encephalopathy due to chronic alcohol abuse.
The other causes of DEMENTIA include
Alzheimer's Dementia
Vascular Dementia (a small vessel disease)
Multi-Infarct Dementia (due to strokes or multiple TIAs)
Lewy-Body Dementia
Dementia of Late stage Parkinson's disease
Dementia associated with cerebral space occupying lesions (brain tumors)
Dementia due to anoxia or toxins (also known as encephalopathy) If the source continues (lack of oxygen to the brain or continued alcohol/substance abuse) then the encephalopathy progresses and behaves like a progressive dementia
Dementia associated with slow growing viruses (Kuru)
Dementia associated with progressive neurological disorders such as Huntington’s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Many types of dementia but only one is Alzheimer's (which is the most common, by the way)
"A Corvette is a type of Chevy. All Corvettes are Chevys but not all Chevys are Corvettes". -
0Votes
answered Dec 24, 2010 at 10:09PMThis link may help
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159442.php
Sign-in
to post an answer to this question.
Related Questions
- OTC DIET PILLS
- Is it standard to test for EBV in a kidney donated from a deceased and also in the recipient?
- If there is blood in the saliva in the morning, Is this a sign of something serious?
- Can sleep apena cause rapid heart beats at night?
- What does high mean platelet volume (10.8fL) indicate?
- What is Groucho Marx syndrome? Someone told me he has this syndrome. I don't have any idea about it.
- Is it safe to exercise aafter a blood test?
- Does MS and knee pain have any correllation?
- Is there generic nexvar to sell?
- What is the normal response of the blood pressure when changing positions (supione<->sit, sit<->stand)
- »» See All
The content on or accessible through Medpedia.com is for informational purposes only. Medpedia is not a substitute for professional advice or expert medical services from a qualified health professional.
Read more