Evidence-based approaches to preventing Alzheimer's disease: part 2.

As a consequence of global aging, the occurrence of cognitive impairment and dementia is rapidly becoming a significant burden for medical care and public health systems. The worldwide prevalence of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is estimated at 24.3 million people. This number is expected to increase ~4-fold by the year 2050 unless suitable interventions can be found. Current treatments have not been demonstrated to prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease; either they improve patients symptomatically or stabilize cognitive decline for periods ranging from months to a few years. Primary prevention, therefore, remains the Holy Grail for this disease and reducing this imminent risk. While not all risk factors for Alzheimer's disease can be controlled, intervention relative to some Alzheimer's disease risk factors is possible. The impact of these risk factors in causing dementia depends on the genetic makeup, environment, and lifestyle of the patient Physicians may advocate lifestyle modification such as exercising regularly and engaging in social and intellectual activities. Other areas that affect the onset of Alzheimer's disease include head trauma, hormone therapy depression, and environmental exposure. Primary prevention may reduce the effect of possible Alzheimer's disease risk factors and possibly delay the onset of or prevent Alzheimer's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]