ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, Part 2, Invite Health Blog

Written by: Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND

For further questions or concerns email me at [email protected]†

In our last blog we started talking about Alzheimer disease. We began our discussion with talking about what it is, how it affects the brain and also what are the signs and symptoms you should look out for? Today we will cover the risk factors for developing the disease as well as how it is diagnosed. In our very last blog, we will review methods to help with symptoms management/reduce the risk factors. †

One of the most important risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is age. After age 65 the risk of developing AD increases each year. Unfortunately, it doubles every 5 years after you reach 65. This means that by the time you reach age 85 the risk of developing AD is as high as 1 in 3! (1) Another risk factor is having a family history of the disease. The more family members that have the disease the greater the risk of developing it. Without getting too complicated, there are basically 2 “types” of genes. Those that determine if you get a disease without outside influence and those that increase the risks of a disease but are influenced by environmental factors. AD has been found to be associated with genes in both categories. (2) Race has also been found to increase the risk of developing AD. While it is not exactly understood why studies show that older Latinos are 1 1/2X more likely to develop AD than whites. African Americans are about twice as likely to develop the disease. (1) Now while these risk factors may be unchangeable it is still important to recognize them. †

ICYMI: ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, PART 1, INVITE HEALTH BLOG>>READ NOW!

RISK FACTORS 

While some risk factors such as age are unchangeable, others can be influenced. For example, receiving head injuries when younger does increase the risk of developing AD as you age.  (3) Newer studies have linked heart health to AD. The risk of AD increases in those with any disease that affects the blood vessels. These include but are not limited to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. † (4)

AD is also believed to occur when certain proteins such as Tau proteins build up in the brain. AD is also believed to occur when abnormal amyloid beta peptides begin to accumulate and build up into amyloid plaques. This plaque leads to changes in the normal function of the brain. While it is not completely understood why this build up occurs it is believed that it may be related to age as well as brain cholesterol. (5) The presence of these plaques is a big risk factor, and it is being considered as one of the causes of AD.†

Another risk factor is the presence of oxidative stress which leads to chronic inflammation. Spirochete infections have been linked to this inflammation. (6) Sleep changes have also been linked to the inflammation in AD. While previously sleeping changes were seen as a symptom of AD in more recent time studies have suggested they are actually a risk factor for the disease. † (7)

Another possible risk factor is the balance/ homeostasis of the minerals copper, zinc and iron in the body. (8) Smoking is a huge risk factor for developing AD. (9) Along a similar pathway exposure to air pollution is also a huge risk factor. (8)  A 2018 study found an association between celiac disease and AD. (10) Obesity as well as any disease that promotes chronic inflammation may also increase the risk of AD. † (11)

At this time AD can only be diagnosed completely with an autopsy. Clinical diagnoses are therefore classified as “possible” or probable. This diagnosis is based on medical history, history from relatives as well as behavioral observations. Additionally, there are neurological and neuropsychological changes that are not explained by other conditions. (12) If you recall the blog on brain tests, you will recall that the tests can include CT scans, SPECT and PET scan which can all be used to help rule out forms of dementia including AD. Lastly as you might recall the neuropsychological tests used include the mini mental state examination. The Montreal cognitive assessment and the mini cog exam. While testing for AD may include other rule out tests, I will refer you to my blogs on brain tests. As I’ve said before it is important to always follow up with your doctor if you feel something isn’t right with your body. †

In our next blog we will be reviewing supplements that can help with known risk factors as well as review some supplements that studies show can be help with AD and dementia. These will include some you may not expect such as Turmeric! †

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, IMPORTANT NEW STRATEGY. INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 595>>LISTEN NOW!

REFERENCES

1. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/causes-and-risk-factors
2. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/causes-and-risk-factors/genetics
3. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/related_conditions/traumatic-brain-injury
4. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/types-of-dementia/vascular-dementia
5. Wang H, Kulas JA, Wang C, Holtzman DM, Ferris HA, Hansen SB (August 2021). “Regulation of beta-amyloid production in neurons by astrocyte-derived cholesterol”. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 118 (33): e2102191118. Bibcode:.11802191W. doi:10.1073/pnas.2102191118. PMC 8379952. PMID 34385305.
6. Sinyor B, Mineo J, Ochner C (June 2020). “Alzheimer’s Disease, Inflammation, and the Role of Antioxidants”. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports. 4(1): 175–183. doi:3233/ADR-200171. PMC 7369138. PMID 32715278.
7. Irwin MR, Vitiello MV (March 2019). “Implications of sleep disturbance and inflammation for Alzheimer’s disease dementia”. The Lancet. Neurology. 18 (3): 296–306. doi:1016/S1474-4422(18)30450-2. PMID 30661858. S2CID 58546748.
8. Breijyeh Z, Karaman R (December 2020). “Comprehensive Review on Alzheimer’s Disease: Causes and Treatment”. Molecules (Review). 25 (24): 5789. doi:3390/molecules25245789. PMC 7764106. PMID 33302541.
9. Knopman DS, Amieva H, Petersen RC, et al. (May 2021). “Alzheimer disease”. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 7 (1): 33. doi:1038/s41572-021-00269-y. PMC 8574196. PMID 33986301.
10. Makhlouf S, Messelmani M, Zaouali J, Mrissa R (March 2018). “Cognitive impairment in celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity: review of literature on the main cognitive impairments, the imaging and the effect of gluten free diet”. Acta Neurologica Belgica (Review). 118 (1): 21–27. doi:1007/s13760-017-0870-z. PMID 29247390. S2CID 3943047.
11. Heneka MT, Carson MJ, El Khoury J, Landreth GE, Brosseron F, Feinstein DL, et al. (April 2015). “Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease”. The Lancet. Neurology. 14 (4): 388–405. doi:1016/S1474-4422(15)70016-5. PMC 5909703. PMID 25792098.
12. Gauthreaux K, Bonnett TA, Besser LM, et al. (May 2020). “Concordance of Clinical Alzheimer Diagnosis and Neuropathological Features at Autopsy”. J Neuropathology Exp Neurol. 79 (5): 465–473. doi:1093/jnen/nlaa014. PMC 7160616. PMID 32186726.

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