About Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

On this page:
What is dementia?
What is mild cognitive impairment?
What causes Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias?
How to reduce the risk of dementia
Healthy behaviors
Participate in new activities that connect you with other people
How to live well with dementia

What is dementia?

Dementia is a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities. The most common type of Dementia is Alzheimer’s Disease.

Alzheimer's disease is an age-related brain disorder that gradually destroys a person's ability to remember, think, learn, and carry out everyday tasks. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases.¹

Common types of dementia:

• Alzheimer's disease
• Vascular dementia
• Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)
• Mixed dementia
• Parkinson's disease dementia
• Frontotemporal dementia
• Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease
• Normal pressure hydrocephalus
• Huntington's disease
• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Dementia is not a part of normal aging. It is important to talk with a health care provider if you notice new memory problems. Many older adults live their entire lives without developing dementia.

Watch this Centers for Disease Control and Prevention video Memory Loss is Not a Normal Part of Aging to learn more what behaviors, you might see in the early stages of Alzheimer’s that should not be ignored.

What is mild cognitive impairment?

The earliest stage of memory loss or loss of other cognitive abilities is called mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI and is diagnosed by a health care provider. People experiencing MCI can still carry out their normal activities, but they or their friends and family usually notice memory changes. It is important to talk about signs of cognitive impairment with a health care provider to determine what may be causing the impairment.

If a person is diagnosed with MCI, the person and family are better prepared to plan together for the future, and it may allow opportunities for treatment and/or delay progression of cognitive decline. 

Between 12-18% of US adults 60 years of age or older live with MCI. Some people with MCI will develop dementia and MCI can be thought of as an early stage of dementia. Others with MCI will not develop dementia.²

What causes Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias?

The causes of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are not fully known. There is no single cause of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have determined that Alzheimer’s Disease is developed from multiple factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and environment.

The most recognized risk factor for developing cognitive decline and dementia is advancing age. While age does increase risk, it is not a direct cause of Alzheimer’s. According to the National Institute on Aging, the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years after age 65. The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia increases dramatically after age 80.

How to reduce the risk of dementia

While there is no single way to prevent Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias, there are ways to reduce the risk of developing the disease.⁴

Some dementia risk factors like advancing age and genetics cannot be changed. There is growing evidence that healthy behaviors may reduce the risk of dementia like exercise, healthy eating, quitting smoking, and preventing and managing chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. 

These same healthy behaviors have been shown to prevent other chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.³

Not only do chronic conditions increase the risk of developing dementia, but most people living with dementia have one or more other chronic conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, which can complicate care. 

Healthy behaviors

Prevent and manage high blood pressure

More than a quarter of Minnesotans have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, and many more experience high blood pressure that goes undiagnosed. 

Protect heart health and brain health

The heart and brain are so closely linked that the conditions that damage or harm one can affect the other. 

Prevent traumatic brain injury (TBI) 

People of any age can experience TBI, which can increase the risk of cognitive decline in older adulthood. To learn more about TBI and TBI prevention, visit:

Be active – move your body

It is well known that regular physical activity supports overall health and is important to chronic disease prevention and management. There is growing evidence that exercise also supports brain function.  

Recommendations for adults: 

• Get at least 30 minutes a day - Something that gets your heart pumping like walking briskly or dancing
• At least 2 days a week - Something that builds muscle like gardening or using resistance bands or weights
• Spend less time sitting 
• Activities to improve balance like walking heel to toe or standing on one foot

Maintain a healthy weight and prevent diabetes

Preventing obesity at younger ages and preventing diabetes can reduce dementia risk.

Quit smoking 

Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of dementia. 

Eat healthy

A generally healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, may benefit cognitive health in addition to overall physical health. 

Improve sleep

Good sleep is important to an overall healthy lifestyle and can improve health outcomes, possibly including cognitive function.  

Participate in new activities that connect you with other people

Learning a new activity and staying active in your community may be a protective factor for brain health.

Treat sensory impairments

Treating vision and hearing problems may reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

More information on dementia risk reduction

• Alzheimer’s Association Risk Reduction (Alzheimer’s Association) 
• Reducing Risk of Dementia (CDC)

How to live well with dementia

Earlier diagnosis allows families to get educated about dementia and start planning early on. Planning helps caregivers and supports those with a new diagnosis understand treatment options, potentially delay progression of cognitive decline, plan, and manage physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health. 

References

¹Alzheimer’s Association What is Dementia? Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
²Alzheimer’s Association Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
³Can Alzheimer's Be Prevented? | Alzheimer's Association
⁴2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures: Special Report: More Than Normal Aging: Understanding Mild Cognitive Impairment (PDF)