title: Multiple combinations of co-factors produce variants of age-related cognitive decline: a theory.
abstract: A theory concerning the etiology of age-related cognitive decline, like Alzheimer's disease (AD), is presented. The view utilizes the idea that this form of dementia is a etiologically complex and heterogeneous brain disorder that is caused by various co-factors. A particular patient with AD would have some combination of these co-factors present but the exact type and combinations might be different from another patient. This theory could also be used to explain other forms of dementia and age-related cognitive decline and the differences in severity of memory impairments associated with each. The co-factors in the present model include genes, neurotransmitter changes, vascular abnormalities, stress hormones, circadian rhythms, head trauma, and seizures.
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: McDonald
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D011582:Psychological Theory
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E