The BIGGEST reason people get Alzheimer’s Disease (DEMENTIA)

• Age: The biggest risk factor is age. Most people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older, though early-onset Alzheimer’s can occur.
• Genetics: Having a family history increases your risk, especially if a close relative had early-onset Alzheimer’s. However, genes aren’t deterministic.
• Lifestyle: Certain lifestyle choices like smoking, obesity, and poorly controlled diabetes can increase risk. Conversely, a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet might be protective.

Potential Causes in the Brain:

• Plaques and Tangles: These are abnormal protein clusters found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. Plaques are deposits of beta-amyloid protein, while tangles are composed of tau protein. Their exact role in causing the disease is still being researched.
• Inflammation: Chronic inflammation seems to play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s.

Current Research:

Scientists are actively researching Alzheimer’s, focusing on:

• Understanding the role of plaques and tangles.
• Identifying other potential contributing factors.
• Developing treatments to slow or prevent the disease.

Resources for Further Reading:

• Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/
• National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia