How can you prevent Alzheimer's disease on a daily basis?

Alzheimer affects around 600,000 Italians, with total annual costs reaching 23 billion euros. Approximately 1.2 million Italians live with some form of dementia, of which 600,000 deal specifically with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of progressive neurological disorder globally. These figures were highlighted by the Italian Society of Neurology ahead of World Alzheimer’s Day, observed on September 21. The financial burden linked to these conditions is substantial, with 63% of the economic impact falling on families. Recent advances in research have made early intervention possible, focusing on factors such as social isolation, depression, smoking, and sleep quality. The Italian Society of Neurology emphasized that Alzheimer’s is not an inevitable consequence of aging but a complex neurodegenerative condition requiring prompt attention. It is a primary degenerative dementia that leads to the death of neurons, disrupting the production and distribution of neurotransmitters within the brain. Symptoms typically begin gradually after age 60, though younger onset cases can occur around 40. However, the risk increases significantly beyond 80 years of age. Progress has been made in understanding and preventing Alzheimer’s. According to the society, approximately half of cases could potentially be avoided or delayed through lifestyle changes. Key modifiable risk factors include health-related issues such as hearing loss, vision impairment, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, alcohol consumption, and head trauma. Social factors like social isolation and low educational levels, along with environmental elements like air pollution, also play roles. Preventive measures include regular monitoring of blood pressure and cholesterol, quitting smoking, protecting eyesight and hearing, maintaining physical activity, engaging in cognitive stimulation, and ensuring good sleep quality. Neurologists now emphasize that early intervention can change the course of the disease. The Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and irreversible neurological disorder for which there is currently no cure. However, certain preventive measures can reduce the risk of developing the condition as one ages. It is one of the major public health challenges worldwide, particularly given the growing elderly population. While predicting its onset is difficult, actions can be taken to lower the likelihood of developing the disease. Alzheimer’s is marked by a gradual decline in cognitive abilities and memory, leading to confusion, spatial and temporal disorientation, language difficulties, motor impairments, and personality changes depending on the stage of the illness. The underlying causes involve abnormal accumulation of two proteins in the brain: amyloid-beta and tau. Although much has been learned about the disease, many aspects remain unclear regarding how it progresses and how quickly it might strike. Most cases are multifactorial, involving a combination of aging, genetics, and environment. Genetic factors, such as carrying the ApoE4 variant of the ApoE gene, increase the risk. Environmental factors such as diet, sedentary lifestyle, lack of cognitive stimulation, etc., also contribute. While genetic factors cannot be changed, modifying other risk factors throughout life can help avoid or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s. Recent studies suggest that up to 40% of cases could be prevented through lifestyle modifications targeting factors such as sedentary behavior, smoking, alcoholism, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, head injuries, poor sleep, depression, air pollution, low education level, lack of mental stimulation, insufficient physical activity, and social isolation. A hereditary form of the disease, known as familial Alzheimer’s, can appear as early as 40 or even 30 years old. In most cases, symptoms emerge after 65, although some individuals may experience early-onset Alzheimer’s before this age, even without a family history. The disease develops slowly and silently, with neuronal damage beginning 20 to 25 years before symptom appearance. These symptoms become noticeable only after considerable brain damage has occurred. Therefore, taking proactive steps for health is crucial, especially before reaching 60 years of age. Lifestyle changes can slow the progression of dementia, even in at-risk individuals. With no cure available, global studies focus on prevention strategies.