Major modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's dementia

Abstract

Objective: Demonstrate the importance of mental and physical health as potential modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's Disease, through a systematic review of articles found in databases. Literature review: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of similarity. It is defined as a degenerative, irreversible disease that causes functional decline. It can be manifested by changes in memory, language, visual-spatial impairments, executive and motor dysfunctions, depending on the degree of the disease. Currently, there is no curative treatment for AD, which adds even more value to the elucidation of preventive and protective factors for this disease. Through this literature review, it was shown that the maintenance of mental and physical health, at all stages of life, are essential to reduce the risk of cognitive decline, associated with dementia. Final considerations: The results of the present study show the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits, as well as the maintenance of mental health care, as potential modifiable risk factors for dementia, raising the need for public policies and educational measures, which aim at encouraging such practices throughout society, thus being a cheap and safe intervention that can reduce the number of cases of decompensation.