Background: The increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other aging-related dementias as the population ages will have a dramatic impact on both provision of health care and the economy if nothing is done to prevent or delay the onset of AD or to slow its progression.
Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature in several promising areas of inquiry, other than those representing Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved AD- or dementia-specific pharmacologic therapies, that may impact the risk or progression of AD and related dementias was undertaken.
Results: Results highlight a number of factors associated with AD and dementia. These include education and occupation, cognitive and leisure activities, exercise, cholesterol and statins, and head trauma.
Conclusions: Factors associated with AD and dementia may have potential as strategies useful in preventing or delaying AD and dementia or slowing its progression. Further research is needed to determine the validity and strength of the associations and to ascertain causality.