What Causes Alzheimer's Disease? 6 Risk Factors to Know

For many years, doctors have been working hard to2. Family History - Your chances of developing
determine what causes Alzheimer's disease. Due toAlzheimer's are up to 7 times greater if you have a
the complex nature of the disease, the exact causesfirst degree relative (parent, sibling) that has the
are not yet fully understood. However, strides aredisease. This number is even higher if multiple family
being made on a daily basis, and researchers have amembers have the disease.
much clearer picture of Alzheimer's than they did3. Genetics - The APOE-e4 gene has been identified
even a few years ago.as a risk gene for Alzheimer's. A risk gene increases
Most people with Alzheimer's disease have largethe likelihood of developing a disease, but unlike a
quantities of plaques and tangles built up in their brain.deterministic gene, it fortunately doesn't guarantee
Plaques are deposits of the protein beta-amyloidyou will develop it.
accumulating in the spaces between the brain's nerveThe APOE gene provides the blueprint for one of the
cells. Tangles are deposits of the protein tau thatproteins that carries cholesterol in the blood stream.
accumulate and become twisted inside of the brain'sEveryone inherits a copy of an APOE gene from
nerve cellseach parent. There are three types of APOE genes:
Two Types of Alzheimer's DiseaseAPOE-e2, APOE-e3, and APOE-e4. Only the APOE-e4
Researchers have determined that there are twogene has been linked to Alzheimer's. People with one
types of Alzheimer's: Familial Alzheimer's disease andcopy of the APOE-e4 gene are 2-3 times more likely
Sporadic Alzheimer's disease.to develop Alzheimer's. People with two copies of
Familial Alzheimer's is a rare form of the disease. It isthe gene (approximately 1% of the population) have
characterized by an early onset and affects less thana 9 times greater risk.
10% of Alzheimer's patients.4. Gender - Women have a greater risk of
People with Familial Alzheimer's have a "deterministicdeveloping Alzheimer's than men.
gene" which inevitably leads to the development of5. Education - Several studies have shown a
the disease. Only a few hundred families in the worldconnection between less education and an increased
have been found to carry the deterministic gene forrisk of Alzheimer's. However, more research is
Alzheimer's.needed in this area.
Sporadic Alzheimer's is the more common form of6. Head Injuries - Serious traumatic head injuries, such
the disease. There is no deterministic gene present inas concussions, have been linked to an increased risk
Sporadic Alzheimer's patients. The onset of theof Alzheimer's.
disease is much later in life (usually after age 65).But there is good news. According to Dharma Singh
Although there is no specific gene linked to this formKhalsa, M.D., President and Medical Director of the
of the disease, genetic factors do appear to play anon-profit Alzheimer's Research and Prevention
role in its development.Foundation, many of these risk factors can be
6 Risk Factors to Know Right Nowcontrolled by adopting good lifestyle choices.
Doctors have identified several risk factors whichDr. Khalsa has found that by lowering stress,
they can link to the development of Alzheimer's. Themaintaining a healthy diet, and staying physically and
following 6 factors have shown to be prominentmentally active, it is possible to dramatically reduce
causes of the disease:your risk of developing Alzheimer's.
1. Age - Alzheimer's disease usually develops afterSo while we are still uncertain as to precisely what
age 65. Less than 5% of people age 65-74 havecauses Alzheimer's disease, it is clear that we have
Alzheimer's, but the chance of developing the diseaseconsiderable power to lower our chances of
doubles every 5 years after age 65. Almost 50% ofdeveloping it - if we take good care of our body and
the population over 85 are said to have developedmind.
some degree of Alzheimer's.