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| One in three Alzheimer's cases preventable, says research | One in three Alzheimer's cases preventable, says research |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| One in three cases of Alzheimer's disease worldwide is preventable, according to research from the University of Cambridge. | One in three cases of Alzheimer's disease worldwide is preventable, according to research from the University of Cambridge. |
| The main risk factors for the disease are a lack of exercise, smoking, depression and poor education, it says. | The main risk factors for the disease are a lack of exercise, smoking, depression and poor education, it says. |
| Previous research from 2011 put the estimate at one in two cases, but this new study takes into account overlapping risk factors. | Previous research from 2011 put the estimate at one in two cases, but this new study takes into account overlapping risk factors. |
| Alzheimer's Research UK said age was still the biggest risk factor. | Alzheimer's Research UK said age was still the biggest risk factor. |
| Writing in The Lancet Neurology, the Cambridge team analysed population-based data to work out the main seven risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. | Writing in The Lancet Neurology, the Cambridge team analysed population-based data to work out the main seven risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. |
| These are: | These are: |
| They worked out that a third of Alzheimer's cases could be linked to lifestyle factors that could be modified, such as lack of exercise and smoking. | They worked out that a third of Alzheimer's cases could be linked to lifestyle factors that could be modified, such as lack of exercise and smoking. |
| The researchers then looked at how reducing these factors could affect the number of future Alzheimer's cases. | The researchers then looked at how reducing these factors could affect the number of future Alzheimer's cases. |
| They found that by reducing each risk factor by 10%, nearly nine million cases of the disease could be prevented by 2050. | They found that by reducing each risk factor by 10%, nearly nine million cases of the disease could be prevented by 2050. |
| In the UK, a 10% reduction in risk factors would reduce cases by 8.8%, or 200,000, by 2050, they calculated. | In the UK, a 10% reduction in risk factors would reduce cases by 8.8%, or 200,000, by 2050, they calculated. |
| Current estimates suggest that more than 106 million people worldwide will be living with Alzheimer's by 2050 - more than three times the number affected in 2010. | Current estimates suggest that more than 106 million people worldwide will be living with Alzheimer's by 2050 - more than three times the number affected in 2010. |
| Healthier old age | Healthier old age |
| Prof Carol Brayne, from the Institute of Public Health at the University of Cambridge, said: "Although there is no single way to treat dementia, we may be able to take steps to reduce our risk of developing dementia at older ages. | Prof Carol Brayne, from the Institute of Public Health at the University of Cambridge, said: "Although there is no single way to treat dementia, we may be able to take steps to reduce our risk of developing dementia at older ages. |
| "We know what many of these factors are, and that they are often linked. | "We know what many of these factors are, and that they are often linked. |
| "Simply tackling physical inactivity, for example, will reduce levels of obesity, hypertension and diabetes, and prevent some people from developing dementia. | "Simply tackling physical inactivity, for example, will reduce levels of obesity, hypertension and diabetes, and prevent some people from developing dementia. |
| "As well as being healthier in old age in general, it's a win-win situation." | "As well as being healthier in old age in general, it's a win-win situation." |
| Dr Simon Ridley, head of research at charity Alzheimer's Research UK, said there was still much to discover about the disease. | Dr Simon Ridley, head of research at charity Alzheimer's Research UK, said there was still much to discover about the disease. |
| "While age is the biggest risk factor for most cases of Alzheimer's, there are a number of lifestyle and general health factors that could increase or decrease a person's chances of developing the disease. | "While age is the biggest risk factor for most cases of Alzheimer's, there are a number of lifestyle and general health factors that could increase or decrease a person's chances of developing the disease. |
| "However, we still do not fully understand the mechanisms behind how these factors are related to the onset of Alzheimer's." | "However, we still do not fully understand the mechanisms behind how these factors are related to the onset of Alzheimer's." |
| Investment | Investment |
| Dr Ridley said there were more than 820,000 people in the UK living with dementia, and an ageing population would lead to spiralling numbers being affected. | Dr Ridley said there were more than 820,000 people in the UK living with dementia, and an ageing population would lead to spiralling numbers being affected. |
| "As there is still no certain way to prevent Alzheimer's, research must continue to build the strongest evidence around health and environmental factors to help individuals reduce their risk." | "As there is still no certain way to prevent Alzheimer's, research must continue to build the strongest evidence around health and environmental factors to help individuals reduce their risk." |
| He added: "This new study also highlights that many cases are not due to modifiable risk factors which underlines the need to drive investment into new treatment research." | He added: "This new study also highlights that many cases are not due to modifiable risk factors which underlines the need to drive investment into new treatment research." |
| Of the seven risk factors, the largest proportion of cases of Alzheimer's in the US, UK and the rest of Europe can be attributed to physical inactivity. | Of the seven risk factors, the largest proportion of cases of Alzheimer's in the US, UK and the rest of Europe can be attributed to physical inactivity. |
| The study says about a third of the adult population in these countries are physically inactive. | The study says about a third of the adult population in these countries are physically inactive. |
| Physical inactivity is also linked to increased risks of other health problems, such as cancers and cardiovascular diseases. | Physical inactivity is also linked to increased risks of other health problems, such as cancers and cardiovascular diseases. |