With the aging population- I know I see it every day in my practice- memory loss and concerns about dementia. According to Alzheimer and dementia resources, when we investigate the risk factors, the literature shows the following. While we do not yet know what causes Alzheimer's disease or how to stop its progression, we do think that Alzheimer for example:

  • is not a part of normal aging
  • affects both men and women
  • is more common in people as they age -- most people with the disease are over 65
  • is not caused by stress


Scientists are looking at three areas:

  • Family history
  • The external environment
  • The internal environment


Researchers today believe there is no single cause of Alzheimer's disease. Instead, they believe it is caused by a combination of factors. There is still much that we don't know about the disease. Of interest is that statement not caused by stress. Now a new study published in BMJ Open calls into question whether or not stress is a possible cause. In fact their study found that coping with a lot of stress in middle age may boost the risk of developing dementia in late life - at least among women.

The response to common life events, the researchers found, may trigger long lasting physiological changes in the brain.

Their study looked at 800 Swedish women whose mental health and well being was formally tracked over a period of almost 40 years as part of the larger Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg, Sweden, which started in 1968.

The women, who were all born in 1914, 1918, 1922 and 1930, underwent a battery of neuropsychiatric tests and examinations in 1968, when they were in their late 30s, mid 40s, and 50s, and then again in 1974, 1980, 1992, 2000 and 2005.

At their initial assessment, the women were quizzed about the psychological impact on them of 18 common stressors, such as divorce, widowhood, serious illness or death of a child, mental illness or alcoholism in a close family member, personal or partner's unemployment, and poor social support.

In addition to the number of symptoms of distress, such as irritability, fear, and sleep disturbances, and how often they had experienced these in the preceding five years, were noted.

In 1968 one in four of the women had experienced at least one stressful event;  a similar proportion (23 per cent) had experienced at least two, while one in five had experienced at least three, and 16 per cent four or more. The most commonly reported stressor was mental illness in a close family member.

Between 1968 and 2006, around one in five (19 per cent, 153) developed dementia, 104 of whom developed Alzheimer's disease. On average, it took 29 years for dementia to develop, with 78 the average age at which the condition was diagnosed.

The number of stressors reported by the women was associated with longstanding symptoms of distress at all of the time points assessed, irrespective of the year of birth.

They found that the number of stressors reported in 1968 was associated with a 21 per cent heightened risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and a 15 per cent heightened risk of developing any type of dementia.

The findings held true even after taking account of factors likely to influence the results, including a family history of mental health problems.

The authors suggest that “stress may cause a number of physiological reactions in the central nervous, endocrine, immune and cardiovascular systems," and point to other studies showing that stress can cause structural and functional damage to the brain and promote inflammation.

Furthermore, research has also shown that stress hormones can remain at high levels many years after experiencing a traumatic event. It is possible that this may be a possible cause of how dementia risk is increased.

Research has shown us that keeping your mind active can decrease risk. Exercising your brain has been associated with a decreased risk of Alzheimer's. So pick up a book or do a crossword puzzle! Studies have shown that those with higher education or achievements in their occupations can reduce the risk as can increase in leisure activities. Diet with a view to anti-oxidants in fruits and vegetables and a Mediterranean diet might also decrease the risk. Optimized blood pressure and improving cholesterol and lipids, avoidance of smoking and even second hand smoke are critical for prevention.. The Baltimore Longitudinal Study showed a significant decrease in AD with the use of anti-inflammatory NSAID medication however other studies have not shown the same benefit.  However, it has not been shown that the use of vitamins in healthy individuals will decrease the risk and it remains an area of investigation.