Dementia: Can it be prevented?

The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of significant studies on protective and risk factors for dementia in general and Alzheimer s disease in particular. It does not set out to be a comprehensive review of all the available evidence or studies but does quote major papers where relevant. Nor is there complete agreement between medical experts. Nonetheless, there is an increasing body of evidence to support a range of lifestyle strategies as a means of reducing the risk of developing dementia. Much of this evidence is derived from population studies that may not necessarily hold true for an individual. There is therefore no guarantee that acting on the best evidence available will help everybody. We need to establish better evidence on risk factors and on what may prevent or delay the onset of dementia and hence reduce the number of people affected by dementia, the duration of the illness and thus the human and economic cost of care. This will only come about through a greater research effort. Alzheimera??s Australia has strongly advocated that funding for dementia research should form an integral part of the Governmenta??s decision to make dementia a National Health Priority. Australia is well positioned to do this because of its international comparative advantages in quality health research. However, dementia research is not only a matter for Government. It needs the support of the wider community and the corporate sector if the investment in research is to be lifted to a level where we can have greater confidence that therapeutic interventions can be in place before the first baby boomers reach 75 years of age. The window of opportunity before 2020 is small, so it is important to invest in dementia research now.