Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease: an overview for clinical practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
To review current information on various risk factors of Alzheimer's disease (AD) for clinicians so that they may educate patients or their families in a clinical setting.


METHODS
Published medical literature and research articles from MEDLINE.


METHODS
Reviews and articles from 1985 to 2003 concerning risk factors associated with AD.


METHODS
Data on risk factors ranging from possible or controversial to well established.


RESULTS
AD is an irreversible, progressive neurodegenerative disorder. AD is currently known to be the most common cause of dementia in the United States. Over the last several decades, different levels of risk factors associated with AD have been identified. With more information available to the public via various resources, there is greater need for clinical practitioners to provide up-to-date information on risk factors in a meaningful way. This article discusses advanced age, family history, gender, low education, apolipoprotein E e4, head injury, cardiovascular conditions, and aluminum.


CONCLUSIONS
Since there currently is no cure or preventive measure for AD, it is important to educate patients and their families about risk factors of AD in clinical practice.
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salem, Virginia 24153, USA. kye.kim@med.va.gov
Kye Y
KY
Kim
Brian E
BE
Wood
Monica I
MI
Wilson