What is the Biggest Cause of Alzheimer’s?
Numerous studies have linked high levels homocysteine levels in the brain to the development Alzheimer’s disease. Although no one factor has been proven to be the cause, many factors could be contributing to the condition. These include heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. However, there are some factors that could be the primary cause. Listed below are a few of these factors. Continue reading to find out more.
Heart disease
Cardiovascular disease is a common risk factor for dementia. It can slow down blood flow to the brain and cause damage to cells. Cardiovascular disease increases the risk of developing dementia because the heart pumps blood to the brain. The problem is that heart disease doesn’t necessarily lead to dementia. It can make it worse by reducing blood flow to the brain. This is a significant concern, especially because it increases the chance of stroke and heart attacks.
Diabetes
Diabetic conditions are a major risk factor in Alzheimer’s. Memory loss and cognitive decline are caused by progressive brain degeneration. Diabetics have similar brain changes to people who develop Alzheimer’s. Diabetics have an increased risk of developing vascular dementia, which may feed off the damage done by Alzheimer’s. Recent research has shown that diabetes significantly increases the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s. It is important to understand what to look out for in your loved ones and how to care for them.
High blood pressure
Although it is well-known that high blood pressure can increase the risk of developing dementia, a new study suggests that those with a genetic predisposition to high pressure are less likely than others to develop the condition. The study authors believe the link could be due to better blood pressure management or the use of antihypertensives. Researchers examined data from 37.154 healthy individuals and 17.008 people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. These data were obtained from two Alzheimer’s Project and Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Co-operatives.
Homocysteine
Researchers believe that high homocysteine levels may be the main cause for Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers compared plasma homocysteine levels in AD patients and healthy controls. They found significant increases in homocysteine in both the AD and healthy controls groups. However, it was unclear whether the increase was due to AD or the NDS. Multiple regression analyses were performed by the researchers to adjust for confounding variables. They determined that homocysteine levels were higher in AD patients than in the other two groups.
Low education levels
A recent review of studies examining the association between dementia and low education found no evidence that the lower education level causes more people to develop the disease. Researchers found an association between incident dementia and low education. However, the effect was smaller and varied by gender, region, and race. Although the relationship is complicated, it seems to be due to the environment where people grow up. A low education level is associated with lower overall survival rates as well as a higher risk for dementia.