Alzheimer's Disease: Prevention
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Prevention
At this time, there is no known way to prevent Alzheimer's disease.
Research suggests adults who are more physically active may not develop Alzheimer's disease or dementia as early as adults who are not as physically active.4
There is limited evidence that older adults who stay mentally active may be at lower risk for developing Alzheimer's disease.5 Regularly reading newspapers, books, and magazines, playing cards and other games, working crossword puzzles, going to museums, and even actively watching television or listening to the radio may help you avoid developing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Although this "use it or lose it" approach has not been proved, no harm can come from regularly putting your brain to work.
As we learn more about the causes of Alzheimer's disease, we also may learn more about how to prevent the disease. Drugs currently in development to prevent the formation of neurofibrillary "tangles" or amyloid plaques that damage the nerve cells in the brain may someday be used in people who are at risk for Alzheimer's.
Research into a vaccine for Alzheimer's disease is ongoing.
| Last updated: | November 15, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Ralph Poore |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Peter J. Whitehouse, MD - Neurology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman |
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