Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease: an overview for clinical practitioners.

OBJECTIVE

To review current information on various risk factors of Alzheimer's disease (AD) for clinicians so that they may educate patients or their families in a clinical setting.

DATA SOURCES

Published medical literature and research articles from MEDLINE.

STUDY SELECTION

Reviews and articles from 1985 to 2003 concerning risk factors associated with AD.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data on risk factors ranging from possible or controversial to well established.

DATA SYNTHESIS

AD is an irreversible, progressive neurodegenerative disorder. AD is currently known to be the most common cause of dementia in the United States. Over the last several decades, different levels of risk factors associated with AD have been identified. With more information available to the public via various resources, there is greater need for clinical practitioners to provide up-to-date information on risk factors in a meaningful way. This article discusses advanced age, family history, gender, low education, apolipoprotein E e4, head injury, cardiovascular conditions, and aluminum.

CONCLUSION

Since there currently is no cure or preventive measure for AD, it is important to educate patients and their families about risk factors of AD in clinical practice.