The Most Common Cause of Dementia

What Is Dementia?

Dementia, an abnormal brain condition, is when your brain cells progressively die, causing memory loss, trouble thinking, learning and perceiving, as well as problems with behavior. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. Scientist have not identified any single reason why the brain cells of people with Alzheimer's disease die, but they know some risk factors that increase your chances of getting Alzheimer's disease. They also know that the accumulation of two abnormal proteins in the brain plays a role in causing Alzheimer's disease.

Controlable Risk Factors

Serious head injuries increase your chances of developing Alzheimer's disease. To protect your head from injury, buckle your seat belt when you are riding in a car, wear a helmet when you participate in sports and keep clutter to a minimum in your home.

Keep your heart and blood vessels healthy too, because your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease increases from having conditions that damage your heart or blood vessels, such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Work with your doctor if you have any of these conditions.

Findings of research reported in July 2009 at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease in Vienna show that living a healthy lifestyle diminishes your chances of getting Alzheimer's disease. This means maintaining a normal weight, avoiding tobacco, staying socially active and exercising your mind and body regularly.

If you suspect you may have Alzheimer's disease, make sure to get checked out by a doctor because some diseases and underlying conditions cause symptoms similar to Alzheimer's disease. These include vitamin B12 deficiency, malnutrition, hypothyroidism and hypoglycemia.

Uncontrollable Risk Factors

As you age, your chances for developing Alzheimer's disease increases. After age 65, the likelihood of you getting Alzheimer's disease doubles. According to Dr. Samuel Gandy, an Alzheimer's research director, having a family member with Alzheimer's disease doubles your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Plus, abnormal proteins appear in the brains of those with a genetic risk at a much higher rate than normal.

Plaques and Tangles

As you get older, proteins called plaques, made of beta-amyloid protein, can build up between your nerve cells and damage the connection points between neurons. This disrupts communication among nerve cells. Plaques seem to develop in areas of the brain responsible for memory.

Proteins called tangles, made up of tau protein, can form inside dying cells as well. Tau protein disturbs the brain cells in some way, but just how still baffles scientists. Most people acquire some plaques and tangles as they age. However, people with Alzheimer's disease have many more plaques and tangles than is normal.

References

• National Institute on Aging: What Causes Alzheimer's Disease
• Alzheimer's Association: Risk Factors
• Healia: Causes of Alzheimer's Disease

Resources

• Latest facts about dementia from Susan Berg, a dementia expert