Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most common form of dementia and is estimated to affect 6.55 million people in the United States alone.
There are several factors may increase your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. These include genetics, metabolic health, vascular health, inflammation and toxins. Here’s how to assess your personal risk and find out if you should intervene early.
Genetics
The ApoE4 gene is the most important in terms of understanding an individual’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. However, it is not considered a “deterministic gene” because it does not necessarily mean that a person with this gene will develop the disease. On the other hand, certain genes such as Amyloid precursor protein (APP), PSEN1, and PSEN2 are considered “fully penetrant” and having a mutation in these genes means that a person will develop Alzheimer’s.
Metabolic Health
In addition to genetics, metabolic health, vascular health, and inflammation also play a role in an individual’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Maintaining good metabolic health is essential for reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s and other chronic diseases. The vascular component of Alzheimer’s is also significant, and factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol can increase an individual’s risk. Inflammation is also a major contributor to the development of Alzheimer’s, and high levels of inflammation in the body can increase the risk of the disease.
Toxins
Toxins can also play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s, though their exact role is not well understood.One example is air pollution, but the exact mechanisms by which this may occur are not well understood. Some research has shown that air pollution may cause inflammation in the brain, leading to the development of Alzheimer’s. Another possibility is that air pollution may directly damage the brain cells, leading to the formation of the plaques and tangles that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
Assessing Your Risk
Overall, there is still much that is not known about Alzheimer’s disease and the factors that contribute to an individual’s risk of developing it. However, medical tests such as brain MRIs can provide valuable information about an individual’s risk and allow for earlier intervention and treatment. Early intervention is crucial because it allows doctors to diagnose the disease before significant damage has occurred. Knowing the risks is useful in creating a treatment plan to slow disease progression and improve your quality of life.
Brain MRIs
Brain MRIs can help assess your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by detecting the presence of abnormal deposits of proteins in the brain known as beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles.
A brain MRI is a non-invasive imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain. By analyzing these images, doctors can look for signs of beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles, which can help determine an individual’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
It is important to note that the presence of beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles does not necessarily mean that a person will develop Alzheimer’s disease, only that there is an increased risk.
How Can Fountain Life Help?
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Specifically, Fountain Life offers Full Body MRI with Artificial Intelligence (AI) that can assist in the detection and allow for earlier intervention and treatment.
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Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3312396/
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/diagnosis/medical_tests