Study: Early Habits and Experiences Impact Alzheimer's Risk

Things that happen to people early in their lives such as serious psychological or physical trauma, development of dietary habits and health problems may increase or decrease the risk of Alzheimer's disease later.

The researchers found that elderly adults who had consumed a Mediterranean-type of diet that contained monounsaturated and/or polyunsaturated fatty acids did better on standardized tests of cognitive function than those whose diets were low in these fatty acids.

Olive oil was the primary source of monosaturated fatty acids in the people studied, while soya, sunflower and olive oil, butter, cheese and fish were the major sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

The researchers also found that traumatic psychological or physical events early in life, particularly those occurring before age 16, increased the risk of dementia.

These events may include child abuse or neglect, traumatic injury, serious illness or the death of a parent, noted the researchers, who presented their findings Aug. 18 at the Congress of the International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) in Chicago.

The researchers also noted that previous studies have found that obesity in women, vascular disease, diabetes and high blood pressure increase the risk of dementia.

Links have also been found between education and occupation and the risk of dementia, while the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-oxidant vitamins has been found to protect against the loss of cognitive abilities.

Other sources: IPA