Importance of vascular factors in Alzheimer's disease

Analysis of 5715 cases from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) database has found that nearly 80% of more than 4600 Alzheimer's disease patients showed some degree of vascular pathology, compared with 67% of the controls, and 66% in the Parkinson's group. The link was especially strong for younger patients with Alzheimer’s.

The findings support the view that early management of vascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, and adopting a 'heart healthy' diet as well as exercise and other lifestyles in midlife, may delay or prevent the onset of dementia due to Alzheimer's.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-07/uops-pss070913.php

[3612] Toledo, J. B., Arnold S. E., Raible K., Brettschneider J., Xie S. X., Grossman M., et al.
(2013). Contribution of cerebrovascular disease in autopsy confirmed neurodegenerative disease cases in the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Centre.
Brain. 136(9), 2697 - 2706.

seniors

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